Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
GOD HUGS!
by Cathy Weymouth
Tuesday 6/29/10 Amos 4-6; Ps 86,87; Titus 1 - GOD HUGS!
S- Ps 86:15,17 You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
O - In the midst of being attacked by his enemies, David cries out to God for help in this psalm. He asks for guidance and mercy while acknowledging God's goodness, compassion and comfort.
A - We all need experiences of God's love. It's not enough to hear about other people's stories of how God blessed and touched them. About 10 years ago I began to watch for signs of God's love that were unique and very personal. These are not coincidences; they are God Hugs! I have found His love from dishware with grapevines to rainbows in the sky on a grieving day. I see His wink to me from deer in a pasture to an encouraging word from a friend just when I needed it. Ask, open your eyes and watch! It's so fun.
P - Father, thank you for your compassionate and loving nature. Thank you for revealing to me signs of your intimate love for me. I pray that others will see these signs in their life and give you glory when receiving them. May the world see how much you love us! (It's easy to share stories of God Hugs to nonbelievers by saying, "See how much God loves me!")
Tuesday 6/29/10 Amos 4-6; Ps 86,87; Titus 1 - GOD HUGS!
S- Ps 86:15,17 You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
O - In the midst of being attacked by his enemies, David cries out to God for help in this psalm. He asks for guidance and mercy while acknowledging God's goodness, compassion and comfort.
A - We all need experiences of God's love. It's not enough to hear about other people's stories of how God blessed and touched them. About 10 years ago I began to watch for signs of God's love that were unique and very personal. These are not coincidences; they are God Hugs! I have found His love from dishware with grapevines to rainbows in the sky on a grieving day. I see His wink to me from deer in a pasture to an encouraging word from a friend just when I needed it. Ask, open your eyes and watch! It's so fun.
P - Father, thank you for your compassionate and loving nature. Thank you for revealing to me signs of your intimate love for me. I pray that others will see these signs in their life and give you glory when receiving them. May the world see how much you love us! (It's easy to share stories of God Hugs to nonbelievers by saying, "See how much God loves me!")
Monday, June 28, 2010
IN SEASON AND OUT
by Diana Kriesel
Monday, 6/28/10 – Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 3 - “In Season and Out”
S – 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season.”
NIV
O – Paul exhorts Timothy that proclaiming the Word of God was to be the main focus of his life, whether times are good, or in adversity; whether it is convenient or not. It is to be our pressing urgency to embrace every opportunity to make Christ known. Paul seems to be speaking out of a heart full of love for the Savior and for souls…if we have this heart attitude, we will be compelled…unstoppable.
A – “Preach the Word” implies knowing the Word, rightly dividing it and making it understandable and applicable to the lives of people. We must first receive before we can transmit; in other words, we cannot give what we do not first have. This command of Paul brings a sense of urgency to be Kingdom focused; Word focused; and impassioned for souls.
P – Lord, burn into us a desire to be instant, ready, urgent; whether convenient or inconvenient. We desire to be carriers of Truth, the Truth that can bring freedom and salvation! May we not cower in the face of obstacles, but rather press through for Your Kingdom’s sake.
Monday, 6/28/10 – Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 3 - “In Season and Out”
S – 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season.”
NIV
O – Paul exhorts Timothy that proclaiming the Word of God was to be the main focus of his life, whether times are good, or in adversity; whether it is convenient or not. It is to be our pressing urgency to embrace every opportunity to make Christ known. Paul seems to be speaking out of a heart full of love for the Savior and for souls…if we have this heart attitude, we will be compelled…unstoppable.
A – “Preach the Word” implies knowing the Word, rightly dividing it and making it understandable and applicable to the lives of people. We must first receive before we can transmit; in other words, we cannot give what we do not first have. This command of Paul brings a sense of urgency to be Kingdom focused; Word focused; and impassioned for souls.
P – Lord, burn into us a desire to be instant, ready, urgent; whether convenient or inconvenient. We desire to be carriers of Truth, the Truth that can bring freedom and salvation! May we not cower in the face of obstacles, but rather press through for Your Kingdom’s sake.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
God's Love Despite our Imperfections
S - 2 Tim. 221 - "a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master"
O - Both Jonah and Timothy are servants of God with a specific call on their lives, and both are "useful for the Master". Jonah had the call and gifting of the prophet, and Timothy was called to be a teacher and pastor. Jonah was confident, strong-willed, judgemental, and was an angry, volatile person. Timothy, on the other hand, seems far more gentle, merciful, and stable, but may have been more timid and passive. Paul felt a need to encourage him and push him forward a bit. Both may have been reluctant servants of God, but for entirely different reasons. Jonah needed to be redirected, sometimes forcibly, and Timothy needed to be gently pushed forward. You may see this in your children: one who is into everything and very strong willed, and another who is more teachable, but unsure of herself.
A - The lesson I learn from this is to remember that we are all individuals and what ministers to or motivates one person, may not be effective with another.
P - Lord, I thank you that you know each one of us and what we need. I thank you for your mercy and patience and the many opportunities that you give us to make up for wrong choices and missed opportunities. I thank you that you treat us as individuals, and I pray that we will not forget to treat others that way. Sharpen our insight to seeing and appreciating each others strengths, and may we be patient and understanding of the weaknesses of others, just as we would want others to treat us.
O - Both Jonah and Timothy are servants of God with a specific call on their lives, and both are "useful for the Master". Jonah had the call and gifting of the prophet, and Timothy was called to be a teacher and pastor. Jonah was confident, strong-willed, judgemental, and was an angry, volatile person. Timothy, on the other hand, seems far more gentle, merciful, and stable, but may have been more timid and passive. Paul felt a need to encourage him and push him forward a bit. Both may have been reluctant servants of God, but for entirely different reasons. Jonah needed to be redirected, sometimes forcibly, and Timothy needed to be gently pushed forward. You may see this in your children: one who is into everything and very strong willed, and another who is more teachable, but unsure of herself.
A - The lesson I learn from this is to remember that we are all individuals and what ministers to or motivates one person, may not be effective with another.
P - Lord, I thank you that you know each one of us and what we need. I thank you for your mercy and patience and the many opportunities that you give us to make up for wrong choices and missed opportunities. I thank you that you treat us as individuals, and I pray that we will not forget to treat others that way. Sharpen our insight to seeing and appreciating each others strengths, and may we be patient and understanding of the weaknesses of others, just as we would want others to treat us.
Friday, June 25, 2010
POWER, LOVE & SOUND MIND
Joel 1-3; 2 Timothy 1
POWER, LOVE & SOUND MIND
by Mary White
S--2Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear (timidity) but a Spirit of Power of Love and of a Sound Mind.”
O--Paul is writing to encourage Timothy…to build him up, and to bolster his confidence.
A--Whenever I sense fear or intimidation come over me I find great encouragement in this scripture. I need to remember who I am in Christ, and the tools He has given me which are: the Spirit of power, love and of a sound mind. In vs. 6 Paul says, “fan the flame, the gift of God which is in you…” A fire can die out, at times we need to fan the flame. I don’t want the flame of the Holy Spirit to die out in me, but I want to grow in power, love and soundness of mind.
P-- Oh God thank you for Your Word, help me to live it and to encourage others to live in their giftings…power, love and soundness of mind.
POWER, LOVE & SOUND MIND
by Mary White
S--2Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear (timidity) but a Spirit of Power of Love and of a Sound Mind.”
O--Paul is writing to encourage Timothy…to build him up, and to bolster his confidence.
A--Whenever I sense fear or intimidation come over me I find great encouragement in this scripture. I need to remember who I am in Christ, and the tools He has given me which are: the Spirit of power, love and of a sound mind. In vs. 6 Paul says, “fan the flame, the gift of God which is in you…” A fire can die out, at times we need to fan the flame. I don’t want the flame of the Holy Spirit to die out in me, but I want to grow in power, love and soundness of mind.
P-- Oh God thank you for Your Word, help me to live it and to encourage others to live in their giftings…power, love and soundness of mind.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
P-Lord, increase our respecThursday June 24, 2010 2 Kings 11,12 2 Chron 24:1 Tim: 6 Respect & Honor
S- 1Tim 6:2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those
who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach.t and honor for our Pastors and leaders. Help us to serve them with a joyous heart and to do all things without complaining and mumbling.
We pray for those that you have called to serve for your kingdom, and ask a 10 fold blessing upon them, and may we openly bless those who you whisper in our ear
for us to bless.
O- Paul is saying to Timothy to be sure that the servants respects their leaders. Sad that he would have to say that, but Christian believer's have been known to disrepect and
talk badly about those that are the leaders. Paul, strongly tells Timothy that this is not good, we need to honor God by honoring and respecting those He has placed in charge.
Paul says, for it is the believer's who benefit, because true Godly leaders, love those that serve, and we benefit.
Also, we come into the world with nothing and we will leave with nothing. To take what we have and
use it freely for the kingdom, and we would surley be blessed here on earth.
A- We are fortunate to have leaders who want what God wants, and who seek to find what He wants and do their best to follow His heart. We need to keep our hearts
clean even when we do not agree with decisions or if the music is too loud, or if the order of service is not the way we like it. God says to honor and respect those we serve,
and this will honor Him. It is easy to submit when you agree, but God calls us to submit even when we dont, and do it with joy, because that is what pleases Him. Do not
hold on to your treasures and your money here on earth, fo it is worth nothing when you die. The worth comes from what you did with it while you were here.
P-Lord, increase our respect and honor for our Pastors and leaders. Help us to serve them with a joyous heart and to do all things without complaining and mumbling. We pray for those that you have called to serve for your kingdom, and ask a 10 fold blessing upon them, and may we openly bless those who you whisper in our ear for us to bless.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
DISCIPLINE
Wednesday - June 23, 2010 - 2 Kings 10, 2 Chronicles 22, 23; 1 Timothy 5
S - 2 Timothy 5:21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
O - Paul was telling Timothy how to treat elders. Paul had just said the elders of the church who are sinning are to be reproved before everyone.
A - Church discipline is difficult to mete out. People are in church by choice and are volunteers in what they do. And so, it is difficult for us to openly rebuke, as the word says, because we know these people can just walk away and we don't want to see them do that. If a sin is publicly known, then it most definitely needs to be publicly rebuked.
P - Lord, help me to keep your Word, even when it is uncomfortable for me to do so.
O - Paul was telling Timothy how to treat elders. Paul had just said the elders of the church who are sinning are to be reproved before everyone.
A - Church discipline is difficult to mete out. People are in church by choice and are volunteers in what they do. And so, it is difficult for us to openly rebuke, as the word says, because we know these people can just walk away and we don't want to see them do that. If a sin is publicly known, then it most definitely needs to be publicly rebuked.
P - Lord, help me to keep your Word, even when it is uncomfortable for me to do so.
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