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“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Paul knew something; he knew how to experience the fullness of God’s life living through him. He had learned to yield and to surrender and present his body to God as a living sacrifice, recognizing that this was his “spiritual act of worship” as the New International Version reads. In Romans 12-16, Paul turns to the practical application of all he has previously written in this letter. Paul goes into detail about what it means to have Jesus Christ as Lord of every area of life. Paul likens Christians to members of a human body. There are many members: the hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc., and each has a distinctive function individually but cannot function properly without the other. All of the body is needed for the health of the body. The key is found in allowing the power of Christ to live through us in unity with others while in diversity. As the body has distinctive functions so do we in our unique giftedness. When we allow God to use our unique gifts, the body of Christ flourishes and everyone benefits. In verse 9, Paul writes, “Love must be sincere.” This love is a love without pretense. This love is not just an emotional love, but it is love in action. This sincere love is love that honors, encourages, serves, is patient in affliction, unselfish in giving, hospitable and faithful in prayer. Quite a list isn’t it. It can be overwhelming when we try to measure up to such a measuring stick! Thankfully, we have the help and aid of the Holy Spirit. This kind of living is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as we allow Him to help us, we allow the law of God’s kingdom to fulfill His purposes in our living and being. Therefore, church body, go ahead, and be amazed today at the life that we have been afforded through the work of Christ on the cross. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to thrive through us as He perfects the work of God’s Spirit in our lives in love today.
Blessings!
Carol Danna
Next Reading: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Prov. 13-15 Rom 11
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Prov. 15:16-17
As we look at the wisdom of the wisest man that ever existed, the richest man that ever lived, he says to us that if you consider all things than you will find having nothing but the fear (respect) of God is better than having great wealth in your life. You are better off with a meal of vegetables or simple food from your garden with love than you are with a great feast of the fatted calf with hatred. Maybe because he had so much, he was always comparing great riches to having little or nothing. I was listening to a man on the radio today saying “if he had only bought Apple sock I would be a rich man today” the truth is knowing what is important to invest into and what will benefit you the most is a tricky thing. I certainly did not buy “Apple” stock or I would be rich today in money. However, I am willing to listen to the wisest and riches man in existence and invest in my future by storing up a treasure in heaven. By investing into a piece of the rock that brings forth living water. I choose to invest in Love and Respect (fear) for the king of the universe.
So I stand with you this mourning, as Joshua did so many years ago. We stand believing in the same God that Joshua trusted in. We declare this morning one more time “as for me and my house we choose the Lord.” May God bless you and keep you in His protection and Grace as the world around you sees your choice and knows where you treasure lies….
Pastor Jack
Next reading Prov. 16-18 Romans 12
As we look at the wisdom of the wisest man that ever existed, the richest man that ever lived, he says to us that if you consider all things than you will find having nothing but the fear (respect) of God is better than having great wealth in your life. You are better off with a meal of vegetables or simple food from your garden with love than you are with a great feast of the fatted calf with hatred. Maybe because he had so much, he was always comparing great riches to having little or nothing. I was listening to a man on the radio today saying “if he had only bought Apple sock I would be a rich man today” the truth is knowing what is important to invest into and what will benefit you the most is a tricky thing. I certainly did not buy “Apple” stock or I would be rich today in money. However, I am willing to listen to the wisest and riches man in existence and invest in my future by storing up a treasure in heaven. By investing into a piece of the rock that brings forth living water. I choose to invest in Love and Respect (fear) for the king of the universe.
So I stand with you this mourning, as Joshua did so many years ago. We stand believing in the same God that Joshua trusted in. We declare this morning one more time “as for me and my house we choose the Lord.” May God bless you and keep you in His protection and Grace as the world around you sees your choice and knows where you treasure lies….
Pastor Jack
Next reading Prov. 16-18 Romans 12
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10
Thank you for joining me as I share with you some thoughts on a portion of today's Bible reading.
Romans 10 speaks of faith and salvation. You can sense the Apostle's heartful desire that all would be saved by faith in Christ, and that is also our hearts desire today. But what is faith and how does one obtain it? Let me offer you this definition for Faith. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He is able to do what He says He will do. How do you get there? Well, let me walk you through my version of the Apostle Paul's questions, which he wrote in Romans 10:14-15, to answer that.
Q: How can people call upon the Lord if they do not believe He exists nor that He is who He says He is?
A: They can't. They need to believe that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.
Q: How can they believe in Him, so they can call upon the Lord, if they haven't heard about Him?
A: They can't. They need to hear the word of God, for Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Q: How can they hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, if there isn't any preacher?
A: They can't. They need someone to communicate the Word of God to them.
Q: How can someone preach, so others can hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, unless they are sent?
A: That's the kicker. Everyone who has already confessed with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead is automatically, in essence, sent by God to communicate His word.
Sent → Preach → Hear → Believe → Call → Saved → Sent → Preach→... etc.
We are called to continue the cycle of salvation. It's up to us. Let's get a spiritual pedicure, walk the walk and be wise, for he who wins souls is wise!
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11
Romans 10 speaks of faith and salvation. You can sense the Apostle's heartful desire that all would be saved by faith in Christ, and that is also our hearts desire today. But what is faith and how does one obtain it? Let me offer you this definition for Faith. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He is able to do what He says He will do. How do you get there? Well, let me walk you through my version of the Apostle Paul's questions, which he wrote in Romans 10:14-15, to answer that.
Q: How can people call upon the Lord if they do not believe He exists nor that He is who He says He is?
A: They can't. They need to believe that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.
Q: How can they believe in Him, so they can call upon the Lord, if they haven't heard about Him?
A: They can't. They need to hear the word of God, for Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Q: How can they hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, if there isn't any preacher?
A: They can't. They need someone to communicate the Word of God to them.
Q: How can someone preach, so others can hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, unless they are sent?
A: That's the kicker. Everyone who has already confessed with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead is automatically, in essence, sent by God to communicate His word.
Sent → Preach → Hear → Believe → Call → Saved → Sent → Preach→... etc.
We are called to continue the cycle of salvation. It's up to us. Let's get a spiritual pedicure, walk the walk and be wise, for he who wins souls is wise!
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11
Friday, May 28, 2010
Proverbs 7-9; Rom 9
" I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows, " Proverbs 7:14
I have been shepherding young adults for almost twenty years and far too often have witnessed the same fate as this young man in Proverbs 7. It's sad to read that He did no know it would cost his life. (v.23) It is true that youth many times are devoid of understanding (v.7) It seems pretty obvious the road he was heading down and the decicions he was was making were not wise and eventually did lead him to the slaughter. To seduce the young man she tells him she has made peace with God or perhaps, it's ok I am a Christian. Now before we continue to push blame on the young man I feel our reading today can point us inward to the same mistakes the young lad made. My observation and research tells me it doesn't take much wisdom that sin has places it dwells. The young lad scene the way she was dressed, approached her at night and was looking in places he shouldn't. Many times our eyes can wonder where they shouldn't and our legs take us places that can lead down a rode of destruction. Instead of fleeing or quickly turning our gaze elsewhere I have found many will buy into the lie of the seducers comments or thoughts will be made like. I'll just not look at the bad scenes of the movie. He or she say's there a Christian, even though you know they don't go to church or walk in ways of the Lord. I am being too legalistic. God understands my heart. Just as the young man didn't realize what his compromise would cost him, we too are guilty of not being aware of how even the slightest compromise will cost us. I suggest to choose this day to take a different path to work or school. Maybe it's time to watch a different show on TV or delete a website from the computer. Ask the Lord for wisdom to reveal to you in what ways you have been compromising or blowing through a stop sign the Lord has firmly established in your life.
Taking inventory with you,
Pastor Joe
Next reading: Prov 10-12; Rom 10
I have been shepherding young adults for almost twenty years and far too often have witnessed the same fate as this young man in Proverbs 7. It's sad to read that He did no know it would cost his life. (v.23) It is true that youth many times are devoid of understanding (v.7) It seems pretty obvious the road he was heading down and the decicions he was was making were not wise and eventually did lead him to the slaughter. To seduce the young man she tells him she has made peace with God or perhaps, it's ok I am a Christian. Now before we continue to push blame on the young man I feel our reading today can point us inward to the same mistakes the young lad made. My observation and research tells me it doesn't take much wisdom that sin has places it dwells. The young lad scene the way she was dressed, approached her at night and was looking in places he shouldn't. Many times our eyes can wonder where they shouldn't and our legs take us places that can lead down a rode of destruction. Instead of fleeing or quickly turning our gaze elsewhere I have found many will buy into the lie of the seducers comments or thoughts will be made like. I'll just not look at the bad scenes of the movie. He or she say's there a Christian, even though you know they don't go to church or walk in ways of the Lord. I am being too legalistic. God understands my heart. Just as the young man didn't realize what his compromise would cost him, we too are guilty of not being aware of how even the slightest compromise will cost us. I suggest to choose this day to take a different path to work or school. Maybe it's time to watch a different show on TV or delete a website from the computer. Ask the Lord for wisdom to reveal to you in what ways you have been compromising or blowing through a stop sign the Lord has firmly established in your life.
Taking inventory with you,
Pastor Joe
Next reading: Prov 10-12; Rom 10
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Prov 4-6; Romans 8
As we read through Proverbs 4 there is a main theme we can see here and this is that the condition of our heart will effect everything else in our lives. Things like putting other people before ourselves, living in wisdom & staying focused on the Lord are all sighted here in these scriptures. The condition of our heart and the choices we make will all culminate in the direct outcome of our spiritual lives.. "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23
Take a look at our world; I would say many of us have car alarms (most cars come with them built in these days) yet a car alarm only works if we respond to the sound of the alarm. Sometimes those things will go on for hours without anybody even turning a head. How about our spiritual alarms? Shouldn't we be even more sensitive to the alarms that go off inside us? That still small voice. Isn't there more importance in these eternal matters than the physical property we have? Having all the wisdom of Solomon doesn't help if we don't listen to the alarms going off. What comes to mind here is; "discernment" - the ability to determine and choose the good from the bad, the right from the wrong.
While as infants we lack discernment, as we grow up we develop this trait. Sometimes as adults even though we have developed discernment and can clearly speak to friends about the choices they should make we still have a hard time "discerning" what is good for our hearts.
Next Reading: Prov 7-9; Romans 9
Take a look at our world; I would say many of us have car alarms (most cars come with them built in these days) yet a car alarm only works if we respond to the sound of the alarm. Sometimes those things will go on for hours without anybody even turning a head. How about our spiritual alarms? Shouldn't we be even more sensitive to the alarms that go off inside us? That still small voice. Isn't there more importance in these eternal matters than the physical property we have? Having all the wisdom of Solomon doesn't help if we don't listen to the alarms going off. What comes to mind here is; "discernment" - the ability to determine and choose the good from the bad, the right from the wrong.
While as infants we lack discernment, as we grow up we develop this trait. Sometimes as adults even though we have developed discernment and can clearly speak to friends about the choices they should make we still have a hard time "discerning" what is good for our hearts.
Consider this... If you have alarms going off, maybe even some that have faded to the background because you have ignored them for so long, consider listening a little more carefully. Take the triggers of those alarms and present them to God. Bring forth a repentant and broken heart. Let's ask Him to create in us a "new heart". Let's place our hearts at the foot of the cross and experience the forgiveness God purchased for us there. Then, let's watch over our hearts with all diligence; because from it flow the issues of life.
Blessings my Friends,
Pastor Jason
Blessings my Friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: Prov 7-9; Romans 9
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7
Thank you for joining me as I share with you some thoughts on a portion of today's Bible reading.
When I was younger I would dream about the possibility of one day serving in Law Enforcement. I pursued this dream academically graduating from college with a degree in Administration of Justice but I never actually joined the force, as the Lord had other plans for me. Why was I driven to this career? Well, there were many reasons, some good, some maybe not so good. I often thought it would be exciting catching the "bad guys" while helping the "good guys", not to mention being able to drive at awesome speeds. The power to "do justice" was also appealing to me, since I didn't like lawbreakers. Wow, what an eyeopener when I realized that I also was a lawbreaker... and I didn't like that. What I wanted to do often times didn't result in what I actually did. Paul discusses this issue in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." When I tried to do things in my own power I would usually be unsuccessful. It's due to the sinful nature that lives in us. It's powerful and we are unable to overcome it in our own strength. Fortunately I discovered that in Christ there was freedom... freedom from the law... from the law of sin and death. With the help and power of the Holy Spirit we are now able to fulfill the law, which is good, the law of LOVE, as we have been married to another - to him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. Ro. 7:4
If you're struggling with this issue, wondering who can deliver you from this "body of death" (Ro. 7:24), let me tell you, the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ro. 7:25) He not only can, but will deliver you so that you will be able to serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Ro. 7:6
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8
When I was younger I would dream about the possibility of one day serving in Law Enforcement. I pursued this dream academically graduating from college with a degree in Administration of Justice but I never actually joined the force, as the Lord had other plans for me. Why was I driven to this career? Well, there were many reasons, some good, some maybe not so good. I often thought it would be exciting catching the "bad guys" while helping the "good guys", not to mention being able to drive at awesome speeds. The power to "do justice" was also appealing to me, since I didn't like lawbreakers. Wow, what an eyeopener when I realized that I also was a lawbreaker... and I didn't like that. What I wanted to do often times didn't result in what I actually did. Paul discusses this issue in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." When I tried to do things in my own power I would usually be unsuccessful. It's due to the sinful nature that lives in us. It's powerful and we are unable to overcome it in our own strength. Fortunately I discovered that in Christ there was freedom... freedom from the law... from the law of sin and death. With the help and power of the Holy Spirit we are now able to fulfill the law, which is good, the law of LOVE, as we have been married to another - to him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. Ro. 7:4
If you're struggling with this issue, wondering who can deliver you from this "body of death" (Ro. 7:24), let me tell you, the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ro. 7:25) He not only can, but will deliver you so that you will be able to serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Ro. 7:6
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
"The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country." 1 Kings 10;14-15
Wow "666" Talents of gold! I think that alone should have been a warning that this wasn't going to end well! Seriously friends, Solomon may have amassed a huge wealth and loved the Lord, and he even showed great wisdom that drew the attention of people like Queen Sheba. Unfortunately in the end his desire got the best of him as he didn't follow the Lords instruction. "But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love." 1 Kings 11:1-2 Unfortunately Solomon took his eyes off the mark and his heart grew cold to the Lord. "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant." 1 Kings 11:11
There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in walking a good life before Christ. Remember when we offer up things to the Lord whether it be our time, our resources, our worship or anything given with a right heart, it isn't because Jesus needs them, instead He allows us to give these things to express our gratitude. Take some time today and ask yourself where does your focus on other things pull you away from God. Is there anywhere in our lives that we can/should consider handing over at the altar?
When it was all said and done King Solomon died leaving all the treasure he amassed here on earth, and all the wives that his desire drove him to didn't help him in the end.
Lord help us all daily see the areas we need more of you and less of us....AMEN!
Blessings Friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: 1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
Wow "666" Talents of gold! I think that alone should have been a warning that this wasn't going to end well! Seriously friends, Solomon may have amassed a huge wealth and loved the Lord, and he even showed great wisdom that drew the attention of people like Queen Sheba. Unfortunately in the end his desire got the best of him as he didn't follow the Lords instruction. "But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love." 1 Kings 11:1-2 Unfortunately Solomon took his eyes off the mark and his heart grew cold to the Lord. "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant." 1 Kings 11:11
There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in walking a good life before Christ. Remember when we offer up things to the Lord whether it be our time, our resources, our worship or anything given with a right heart, it isn't because Jesus needs them, instead He allows us to give these things to express our gratitude. Take some time today and ask yourself where does your focus on other things pull you away from God. Is there anywhere in our lives that we can/should consider handing over at the altar?
When it was all said and done King Solomon died leaving all the treasure he amassed here on earth, and all the wives that his desire drove him to didn't help him in the end.
Lord help us all daily see the areas we need more of you and less of us....AMEN!
Blessings Friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: 1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
Monday, May 24, 2010
I Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5
"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5
Hope, the experience of hope, through life's tribulations, produces perseverance and perseverance produces character; it is these things that produce that hope that just keeps growing and getting stronger and stronger as we walk this spiritual journey. As we experience God's faithfulness and fulfilled promises, we become more hopeful and that hope refreshes daily translating in to mounds of faith. The Biblical definition of hope means a strong and confident expectation. In Hebrews 11 we can read over and over again those patriachs and followers of the Lord who allowed hope to produce amazing testimonies. One person put it this way, "Where there is hope, there is faith, where there is faith, miracles can happen." Read through the scriptures and you will find story after story of miracles happening because courageous people were willing to put their hope in God. Psalm 42:5, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God..." The Psalmist is encouraging the reader not to be discouraged, not to look down, don't be disturbed...trust God, put your hope in Him--He is faithful. If you are a child of God, you have the right to hope. It is your position in Christ to have hopeful expectation and trust in God and His promises. May today be the day that you take a courageous steps and allow faith to take wings through hope. "Be strong and take heart, all you who HOPE in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Hoping with you,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: I Kings 10, 11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
Hope, the experience of hope, through life's tribulations, produces perseverance and perseverance produces character; it is these things that produce that hope that just keeps growing and getting stronger and stronger as we walk this spiritual journey. As we experience God's faithfulness and fulfilled promises, we become more hopeful and that hope refreshes daily translating in to mounds of faith. The Biblical definition of hope means a strong and confident expectation. In Hebrews 11 we can read over and over again those patriachs and followers of the Lord who allowed hope to produce amazing testimonies. One person put it this way, "Where there is hope, there is faith, where there is faith, miracles can happen." Read through the scriptures and you will find story after story of miracles happening because courageous people were willing to put their hope in God. Psalm 42:5, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God..." The Psalmist is encouraging the reader not to be discouraged, not to look down, don't be disturbed...trust God, put your hope in Him--He is faithful. If you are a child of God, you have the right to hope. It is your position in Christ to have hopeful expectation and trust in God and His promises. May today be the day that you take a courageous steps and allow faith to take wings through hope. "Be strong and take heart, all you who HOPE in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Hoping with you,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: I Kings 10, 11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
Sunday, May 23, 2010
2 Chr 6-7; Ps 135; Rom 4;
20Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." Rom 4:20-22
In Roman’s Paul speaks of the faith of Abraham. He describes his faith in this way. Abraham became fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised. Abraham believed God and God counted that belief as righteousness. Abraham did not just believe what he wanted. Abraham did not make a god and believe what ever he wanted that god to say. All that would have made him is a man who really did what ever he wanted and blamed that behavior on a god he created in his own mind. In the name of that god you can do whatever you want lie, cheat, hurt people, even kill and blame it on the god you created in your own mind. In Ps 135 it says “the idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them and so will all who trust in them”. I chose to follow the living God and be obedient to His word believing what He says. Like Abraham I want to become fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised. I choose to dwell in His grace, His love, His truth. Let others make their own gods I chose to follow the living God, to live in His grace, His love, forever.
May God richly bless you and your family, as you become fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised. May you live in His grace and the acceptance of those things He has promised you until he takes you into His home where you will dwell with Him forever.
Pastor Jack
Next reading 1 Ki. 9; 2Chr. 8; Ps.136; Rom 5;
In Roman’s Paul speaks of the faith of Abraham. He describes his faith in this way. Abraham became fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised. Abraham believed God and God counted that belief as righteousness. Abraham did not just believe what he wanted. Abraham did not make a god and believe what ever he wanted that god to say. All that would have made him is a man who really did what ever he wanted and blamed that behavior on a god he created in his own mind. In the name of that god you can do whatever you want lie, cheat, hurt people, even kill and blame it on the god you created in your own mind. In Ps 135 it says “the idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them and so will all who trust in them”. I chose to follow the living God and be obedient to His word believing what He says. Like Abraham I want to become fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised. I choose to dwell in His grace, His love, His truth. Let others make their own gods I chose to follow the living God, to live in His grace, His love, forever.
May God richly bless you and your family, as you become fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised. May you live in His grace and the acceptance of those things He has promised you until he takes you into His home where you will dwell with Him forever.
Pastor Jack
Next reading 1 Ki. 9; 2Chr. 8; Ps.136; Rom 5;
Saturday, May 22, 2010
1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3
Thank you for joining me as I share with you some thoughts on a portion of today's Bible reading.
Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, but has come from a far country for your name's sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do your people Israel... 1 Kings 8:41-43
I'm always impressed when I see the heart of God shining through the words of scripture demonstrating His love for everyone. God has no favorites as He loves us all the same. From the very beginning it is clear that all that He has done is for every tribe and every nation under heaven. Even though He chose a people to show Himself through the intention was not to exclude all others but rather to draw them near to Him, through His chosen. If you are a member of the body of Christ you are His chosen, set apart to draw others unto Him, no matter where they come from, what they look like, language they speak or even why they are here "for they will hear of His great name, His strong Hand and His outstretched arm" and come. For those of us who have the privilege of living in the United States of America we have a mandate from heaven. God continues to bring people from all over the world to our shores so that they may Know Him. We are not here for our own comfort, we exist to Glorify God and to extend His kingdom, so that all may know Him.
That all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. 1 Kings 5:60
Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Romans 3:29-30
The Lord reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name - He is holy. Psalm 99:1-3
Rejoice with me knowing that the Lord reigns and let us all praise the Almighty together, for who He is and for what He has done. Let us do so as one family for we are all called to be one in Him.
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: 2 Chronicles 6,7; Psalm 135; Romans 4
Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, but has come from a far country for your name's sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do your people Israel... 1 Kings 8:41-43
I'm always impressed when I see the heart of God shining through the words of scripture demonstrating His love for everyone. God has no favorites as He loves us all the same. From the very beginning it is clear that all that He has done is for every tribe and every nation under heaven. Even though He chose a people to show Himself through the intention was not to exclude all others but rather to draw them near to Him, through His chosen. If you are a member of the body of Christ you are His chosen, set apart to draw others unto Him, no matter where they come from, what they look like, language they speak or even why they are here "for they will hear of His great name, His strong Hand and His outstretched arm" and come. For those of us who have the privilege of living in the United States of America we have a mandate from heaven. God continues to bring people from all over the world to our shores so that they may Know Him. We are not here for our own comfort, we exist to Glorify God and to extend His kingdom, so that all may know Him.
That all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. 1 Kings 5:60
Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Romans 3:29-30
The Lord reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name - He is holy. Psalm 99:1-3
Rejoice with me knowing that the Lord reigns and let us all praise the Almighty together, for who He is and for what He has done. Let us do so as one family for we are all called to be one in Him.
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: 2 Chronicles 6,7; Psalm 135; Romans 4
Friday, May 21, 2010
1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4, Psalm 98, Rom 2
"But Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house; so he finished all His house."
1 Kings 7:1
Imagine building a house with unlimited resources and building it over 13 years with 153,000 workers. That is a nice house. Solomon not only had a house, he had vacation homes and guest homes. Wouldn’t it be great to have several vacation homes, place at the beach, river, lake, and mountains? A place where all your friend’s and family can hang out. This past Sunday Pastor Rick commented on how God’s been building your mansion for over 2000 year’s. It’s going ot be an amazing place, as we read today about Solomon and all he built let’s be reminded of our home. I am not talking about the home you live in here on earth. I am talking about the place we will spend for all of eternity. Solomon who is considered the greatest builder of all time after building his homes, and experiencing every pleasure under the sun said that it was all meaningless. “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Eccl 2:11) We spend so much of our time building things that do not last. Today let’s invest and put our energies into building something that will last.
In Him,
Pastor Joe
Next Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3
1 Kings 7:1
Imagine building a house with unlimited resources and building it over 13 years with 153,000 workers. That is a nice house. Solomon not only had a house, he had vacation homes and guest homes. Wouldn’t it be great to have several vacation homes, place at the beach, river, lake, and mountains? A place where all your friend’s and family can hang out. This past Sunday Pastor Rick commented on how God’s been building your mansion for over 2000 year’s. It’s going ot be an amazing place, as we read today about Solomon and all he built let’s be reminded of our home. I am not talking about the home you live in here on earth. I am talking about the place we will spend for all of eternity. Solomon who is considered the greatest builder of all time after building his homes, and experiencing every pleasure under the sun said that it was all meaningless. “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Eccl 2:11) We spend so much of our time building things that do not last. Today let’s invest and put our energies into building something that will last.
In Him,
Pastor Joe
Next Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3
Thursday, May 20, 2010
I Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1
We see in both 1 Kings 6 and in 2 Chronicles 3 the construction of the temple. Seeing how many cubits wide or deep and how the doorposts, walls, and doors are covered with Gold, and how the cherubim are carved on the walls reveals to us a mental picture of a God of order. A God who has a plan and a set of blue prints. Do you ever feel like your life is out of control or like someone took your blue prints and shredded them? Rest assured God has a photo copier that never runs out of paper and never goes dry of toner. The plans He has for you are always ready for another copy to be printed no matter how many blue prints you feel have been torn up or shredded. As we look to the Father for our direction, His perfect plan will always be there.
You might be asking where are those blue prints for my life...Full instructions (Blue Prints) enable us to go about our work with certainty and to proceed with comfort. Thank You Lord, the scriptures are enough to guide and equip us for every good work. Remember that His plan for you is the best plan and it is a beautiful plan. Can you imagine a plan where your life is covered in gold and all sorts of ornate detail like cherubim carved into it. All our plans are unique and very detailed and are not meant to be chaotic. While we do live in a chaotic world we can find peace in an orderly God.
There is a temple even more beautiful than the one Solomon built and that is the spiritual temple God builds in each and every one of us.(See; 1 Peter 2:5 & Ephesians 2:19-22)
Blessings friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: I Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalm 98;Romans 2
You might be asking where are those blue prints for my life...Full instructions (Blue Prints) enable us to go about our work with certainty and to proceed with comfort. Thank You Lord, the scriptures are enough to guide and equip us for every good work. Remember that His plan for you is the best plan and it is a beautiful plan. Can you imagine a plan where your life is covered in gold and all sorts of ornate detail like cherubim carved into it. All our plans are unique and very detailed and are not meant to be chaotic. While we do live in a chaotic world we can find peace in an orderly God.
There is a temple even more beautiful than the one Solomon built and that is the spiritual temple God builds in each and every one of us.(See; 1 Peter 2:5 & Ephesians 2:19-22)
Blessings friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: I Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalm 98;Romans 2
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I Kings 4,5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Th. 3
Thank you for joining me as I share with you some thoughts on a portion of today's Bible reading.
I Kings 4 - Throughout this chapter we find a repeated phrase: son of... followed by a name. It appears to me that it must have been important to know who people were a son of. Would you agree that it is also important today? For example, those who don't know whom they came from tend to have a void in their souls along with a desire to find answers to the many questions that fill their minds concerning their origin. It seems we derive our identity, in part, from those whom we came from. As followers of Jesus Christ, isn't it wonderful to find out that as we look into our past and follow our family line all the way back... we arrive at God. He made us in His image and by receiving Him, believing in His name, we are given the right to become His children, "sons of God". Therefore, let us stand secure in the identity He has given us.
I encourage you to repeat the following with me, placing your own name in the blank and if female use the word daughter: "Today I will rejoice in who I am, in whose I am and live out my life as: _______ the son/daughter of God."
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: I Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1
I Kings 4 - Throughout this chapter we find a repeated phrase: son of... followed by a name. It appears to me that it must have been important to know who people were a son of. Would you agree that it is also important today? For example, those who don't know whom they came from tend to have a void in their souls along with a desire to find answers to the many questions that fill their minds concerning their origin. It seems we derive our identity, in part, from those whom we came from. As followers of Jesus Christ, isn't it wonderful to find out that as we look into our past and follow our family line all the way back... we arrive at God. He made us in His image and by receiving Him, believing in His name, we are given the right to become His children, "sons of God". Therefore, let us stand secure in the identity He has given us.
I encourage you to repeat the following with me, placing your own name in the blank and if female use the word daughter: "Today I will rejoice in who I am, in whose I am and live out my life as: _______ the son/daughter of God."
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: I Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2 Thessalonians 2
"And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.” Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!”
But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”" 1st Kings 3:23 -27
As I read this passage I am reminded of how in life the challenges we confront can cloud our vision. What the mother of the dead child was going through surely had to be horrible for her to consider taking someone else's child, but just as the mother of the living baby showed true compassion for her child so does the Lord show compassion on us as His children. Remember last Sunday Pastor Rick was talking about the mental picture of a large projection screen playing back all of our sins of life for everyone to watch? Scary picture for all of us. (Smile) Thankfully the great thing is we aren't called to live life fixed on our past but instead we are to look forward to the harvest, realizing our names have already been written in the book of life. I encourage you all to look forward to the incredible journey God has for us, realizing his grace in your life and to look for opportunities to daily share your faith with others.
One last thing... Remember the wisdom we saw in King Solomon to solve the situation with the two mothers? Well, the word tells us we can also ask the Lord for His wisdom.
Be blessed today and lets live with an expectancy waiting to hear the Lord say, "Well done my good and faithful servant" some day.
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: I Kings 4,5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Th. 3
But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.” So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”" 1st Kings 3:23 -27
As I read this passage I am reminded of how in life the challenges we confront can cloud our vision. What the mother of the dead child was going through surely had to be horrible for her to consider taking someone else's child, but just as the mother of the living baby showed true compassion for her child so does the Lord show compassion on us as His children. Remember last Sunday Pastor Rick was talking about the mental picture of a large projection screen playing back all of our sins of life for everyone to watch? Scary picture for all of us. (Smile) Thankfully the great thing is we aren't called to live life fixed on our past but instead we are to look forward to the harvest, realizing our names have already been written in the book of life. I encourage you all to look forward to the incredible journey God has for us, realizing his grace in your life and to look for opportunities to daily share your faith with others.
One last thing... Remember the wisdom we saw in King Solomon to solve the situation with the two mothers? Well, the word tells us we can also ask the Lord for His wisdom.
Be blessed today and lets live with an expectancy waiting to hear the Lord say, "Well done my good and faithful servant" some day.
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: I Kings 4,5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Th. 3
Monday, May 17, 2010
I Kings 2; I Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1
"And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." I Kings 2:3
There is much to be said about patriarchial blessings. Here in I Kings 1-2, we read about the transfer of power from King David to his son, Solomon. These blessings were very important in family life. The blessing was a coveted act. Remember the story of how Jacob stole Esau's blessing with the help of his mother Rebekah? (Gen. 27) In I Kings 2, David tells his son, that if he wants to be blessed and to prosper in all that he does and wherever he turns, then he needs to walk in all of the ways of the Lord. Moses also gives Joshua a similar blessing in Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Psalm 1:1-3 reads, "Blessed [is] the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. But he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." We all desire the blessing. And we have already been blessed through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14)Paul writes in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ." Paul goes on to write in chapters 1-3 what those blessings are--take some time to read through this portion this week. Ephesians talks about the blessing of salvation, freedom from sin, the blessing of our heavenly home, our spiritual position in Christ, the access by faith we have and so much more. All of these blessings belong to those who walk with the Lord. Blessed, blessed, blessed are the children of God. As we walk in the ways of the Lord, we are blessed and we can expect all that we do to prosper and wherever we turn to hold God's favor and blessing for we His children.
Blessed in Christ,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: I Kings 3; 2 Chron 1; Ps 78; 2 Th. 2
There is much to be said about patriarchial blessings. Here in I Kings 1-2, we read about the transfer of power from King David to his son, Solomon. These blessings were very important in family life. The blessing was a coveted act. Remember the story of how Jacob stole Esau's blessing with the help of his mother Rebekah? (Gen. 27) In I Kings 2, David tells his son, that if he wants to be blessed and to prosper in all that he does and wherever he turns, then he needs to walk in all of the ways of the Lord. Moses also gives Joshua a similar blessing in Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Psalm 1:1-3 reads, "Blessed [is] the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. But he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." We all desire the blessing. And we have already been blessed through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14)Paul writes in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ." Paul goes on to write in chapters 1-3 what those blessings are--take some time to read through this portion this week. Ephesians talks about the blessing of salvation, freedom from sin, the blessing of our heavenly home, our spiritual position in Christ, the access by faith we have and so much more. All of these blessings belong to those who walk with the Lord. Blessed, blessed, blessed are the children of God. As we walk in the ways of the Lord, we are blessed and we can expect all that we do to prosper and wherever we turn to hold God's favor and blessing for we His children.
Blessed in Christ,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: I Kings 3; 2 Chron 1; Ps 78; 2 Th. 2
I Kings 2; I Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1
"And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn." I Kings 2:3
There is much to be said about patriarchial blessings. Here in I Kings 1-2, we read about the transfer of power from King David to his son, Solomon. These blessings were very important in family life. The blessing was a coveted act. Remember the story of how Jacob stole Esau's blessing with the help of his mother Rebekah? (Gen. 27) In I Kings 2, David tells his son, that if he wants to be blessed and to prosper in all that he does and wherever he turns, then he needs to walk in all of the ways of the Lord. Moses also gives Joshua a similar blessing in Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Psalm 1:1-3 reads, "Blessed [is] the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. But he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." We all desire the blessing. And we have already been blessed through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14)Paul writes in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ." Paul goes on to write in chapters 1-3 what those blessings are--take some time to read through this portion this week. Ephesians talks about the blessing of salvation, freedom from sin, the blessing of our heavenly home, our spiritual position in Christ, the access by faith we have and so much more. All of these blessings belong to those who walk with the Lord. Blessed, blessed, blessed are the children of God. As we walk in the ways of the Lord, we are blessed and we can expect all that we do to prosper and wherever we turn to hold God's favor and blessing for we His children.
Blessed in Christ,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: I Kings 3; 2 Chron 1; Ps 78; 2 Th. 2
There is much to be said about patriarchial blessings. Here in I Kings 1-2, we read about the transfer of power from King David to his son, Solomon. These blessings were very important in family life. The blessing was a coveted act. Remember the story of how Jacob stole Esau's blessing with the help of his mother Rebekah? (Gen. 27) In I Kings 2, David tells his son, that if he wants to be blessed and to prosper in all that he does and wherever he turns, then he needs to walk in all of the ways of the Lord. Moses also gives Joshua a similar blessing in Joshua 1:8, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Psalm 1:1-3 reads, "Blessed [is] the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. But he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." We all desire the blessing. And we have already been blessed through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14)Paul writes in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ." Paul goes on to write in chapters 1-3 what those blessings are--take some time to read through this portion this week. Ephesians talks about the blessing of salvation, freedom from sin, the blessing of our heavenly home, our spiritual position in Christ, the access by faith we have and so much more. All of these blessings belong to those who walk with the Lord. Blessed, blessed, blessed are the children of God. As we walk in the ways of the Lord, we are blessed and we can expect all that we do to prosper and wherever we turn to hold God's favor and blessing for we His children.
Blessed in Christ,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: I Kings 3; 2 Chron 1; Ps 78; 2 Th. 2
Sunday, May 16, 2010
1 Kings 1 1 Chr 28 Ps 91 1 Th 5
David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 1 Chr 28: 20
I see in these scriptures the faithfulness of God. David says to his son in Chr. "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you”. You can count on God, even though all others fail David knows he can trust God will be there for him. God even says to David in Ps 91 "Because he (David) loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name”. God is faithful and we can trust in our heart that He is faithful because we acknowledge Him, because we love Him. Loving and acknowledging Him are not requirements for His faithfulness. They just help us to be reminded that He is faithful. In 2 th 1 Paul says "5All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well”. Remember David’s promise to his son, that also applies to us “He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished”. God will not leave us until the work of the service is completed and then we will go to be with Him forever.
May God bless you and keep you in the knowledge of His faifullness. May you love and aknowledge Him as you are comfortable in His work of the cross finished in your life.
Pastor Jack
Next reading 1 Ki. 2; 1 Chr. 29; Ps. 95; 2 Th. 1
I see in these scriptures the faithfulness of God. David says to his son in Chr. "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you”. You can count on God, even though all others fail David knows he can trust God will be there for him. God even says to David in Ps 91 "Because he (David) loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name”. God is faithful and we can trust in our heart that He is faithful because we acknowledge Him, because we love Him. Loving and acknowledging Him are not requirements for His faithfulness. They just help us to be reminded that He is faithful. In 2 th 1 Paul says "5All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well”. Remember David’s promise to his son, that also applies to us “He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished”. God will not leave us until the work of the service is completed and then we will go to be with Him forever.
May God bless you and keep you in the knowledge of His faifullness. May you love and aknowledge Him as you are comfortable in His work of the cross finished in your life.
Pastor Jack
Next reading 1 Ki. 2; 1 Chr. 29; Ps. 95; 2 Th. 1
Friday, May 14, 2010
1 Chronicles 22-24: 1 Thessalonians 3
"But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you- therefore brethren, in all our affliction and distress we are comforted concerning you by your faith."
1 Thess 3:6-7
It’s when Paul is inCorinth
Paul says I am going to write them a letter and tell them how proud I am of them. I’m going to tell them about the coming of the Lord, and encourage some of the lazy ones, and too be thankful at all times. I’m going to challenge those in immorality, but more than anything I am going to tell them how much I love them and encourage them not to be afraid. This is a very similar cry David has over his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22:11as he is given the opportunity to build the temple. "Now my son may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you.
Just as Paul may not have been aware of the fruitfulness of the people in Thessolonica we too are not aware of the fruit and good that will follow our lives as we choose to press on in the midst of times when it appears that all is lost or crumbling. We think that stuff always have to look good. Church has to look good. There was none of that in the bible. So when we face discouragement, pain, and suffering we say it’s not supposed to be that way. Paul had been a missionary and pretty much everywhere he went he would get beat up, thrown in jail, riots would start and he was always on the run for his life. On this day he was reminded of all the good that has happened and he is encouraged and ready to press on. I am sure we all have days that we feel like a failure, Paul was having that kind of day and the Lord reminds him that he's not. You will never know how the decision you make to honor the Lord have impacted thousands of live. So today press on towards the goal and build the house the Lord your God has for you. Be strong and courageous.
In Him,
Pastor Joe
Next Reading: 1 chronicles 25-27; 1 Thess 4
1 Thess 3:6-7
It’s when Paul is in
Just as Paul may not have been aware of the fruitfulness of the people in Thessolonica we too are not aware of the fruit and good that will follow our lives as we choose to press on in the midst of times when it appears that all is lost or crumbling. We think that stuff always have to look good. Church has to look good. There was none of that in the bible. So when we face discouragement, pain, and suffering we say it’s not supposed to be that way. Paul had been a missionary and pretty much everywhere he went he would get beat up, thrown in jail, riots would start and he was always on the run for his life. On this day he was reminded of all the good that has happened and he is encouraged and ready to press on. I am sure we all have days that we feel like a failure, Paul was having that kind of day and the Lord reminds him that he's not. You will never know how the decision you make to honor the Lord have impacted thousands of live. So today press on towards the goal and build the house the Lord your God has for you. Be strong and courageous.
In Him,
Pastor Joe
Next Reading: 1 chronicles 25-27; 1 Thess 4
Thursday, May 13, 2010
2 Sam. 24; 1 Chon. 21; Ps 30; 1 Thess. 2
1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, "Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are." 3 But Joab replied, "May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord's subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?" 4 The king's word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: I Sam. 1-4
What’s the big deal? David had done this before and there was no ramifications, he just wanted to get a take on how many soldiers he had. Even Jesus says a wise general doesn’t go to war unless he is sure he has what it take to win the battle. But now David is going to be disciplined by the Lord for numbering his troops. When God asked spiritual leaders to count their soldiers they were to count them in order to realize they were going to battle as the underdogs if God doesn’t fight for them. He never encouraged assessing your strengths to have confidence in your resources. David was sinning because he was trying to see if he could make decisions about war based on the size of his army rather than on the size of his God. I think it is interesting how we learn to live by faith in hopes that we won’t have to. Notice the instigator for trusting in the flesh is Satan. Satan incited, it was his idea in order to turn the heart of David from trusting God. Is Satan trying to incite you? We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. His plan is always to get us to trust anything but God.
God Bless,
Pastor Rick
What’s the big deal? David had done this before and there was no ramifications, he just wanted to get a take on how many soldiers he had. Even Jesus says a wise general doesn’t go to war unless he is sure he has what it take to win the battle. But now David is going to be disciplined by the Lord for numbering his troops. When God asked spiritual leaders to count their soldiers they were to count them in order to realize they were going to battle as the underdogs if God doesn’t fight for them. He never encouraged assessing your strengths to have confidence in your resources. David was sinning because he was trying to see if he could make decisions about war based on the size of his army rather than on the size of his God. I think it is interesting how we learn to live by faith in hopes that we won’t have to. Notice the instigator for trusting in the flesh is Satan. Satan incited, it was his idea in order to turn the heart of David from trusting God. Is Satan trying to incite you? We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. His plan is always to get us to trust anything but God.
God Bless,
Pastor Rick
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
2 Samuel 21-23; I Thess. 1
"When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint." 2 Samuel 21:15
Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David but Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him.
Have you had those days where you feel like David? Exhausted, but still in the middle of a battle?! David, the once valiant fighter and defeater of Goliath was now experiencing old age. I'm sure David remembered when he once had the strength to keep up with the battle.
Sometimes our battles, whether physical pain or emotional pain, can pass quickly and sometimes the length of them are wearing. Like David in this portion of scripture, we were not created to handle battles on our own. We were created for community. God brought David help, not in a sling shot like he had with Goliath, but through the help of another, Abishai.
We need others; We need encouragers and prayer warriors. Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Whether you are in a position reaching for help or the one fighting on someone else's behalf, you can have guarantee that your spiritual relationship will be strengthened. Yes, the battle does belong to the Lord but that means He will choose His strategy for the fight, including the use of others.
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 24; I Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; I Thess. 2
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
2 Sam. 21-23; 1 Thess. 1
1 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” 2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah. 3 Therefore David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?”
David’s success was that he first looked to God in regard to his circumstances. Not to over spiritualize anything but I believe you cannot over spiritualize anything. What I mean by that is a truly Godly person makes a connection between earthly things and heavenly things. There was a famine in the land. Today’s governmental response would be to look into the scientific evidence for drought, how is global warming affecting the moister, cloud cover and rainfall. But David’s first response was to go to his knees and inquire of the LORD. In this situation the previous administration had broken a covenant with the Gibeonites and thus with God, and Blessing was withheld from the land. People think that our nation has been blessed because of our Governmental structure I don’t think so. I do believe that our constitution was born out of Biblical principles and a Christian world view, but it was more than that. Some think is because of our ingenuity or infrastructure. I see those as a byproduct of God’s blessing not the reason for it. No it is because America in times of great distress has called on the name of the Lord. We have not always done the right thing and we paid dearly for it. The civil war is an example of God’s blessing withheld for the way we treated people because of the color of their sin. We made it right but at a great price. Today we have another evil that is cursing the land and that is the massive slaughter of innocent children who haven’t yet escaped their mothers wombs. Our president has made a crucial supreme court nomination without inquiring of the LORD. This famine isn’t the result of economic laws that were not put into place to regulate the banking industry. This famine is because we have deeply offended the living God and we need to repent and make it right. We need a David that will inquire of the LORD, and we need to be David’s over our own household and inquire of the LORD.
Pastor Rick
David’s success was that he first looked to God in regard to his circumstances. Not to over spiritualize anything but I believe you cannot over spiritualize anything. What I mean by that is a truly Godly person makes a connection between earthly things and heavenly things. There was a famine in the land. Today’s governmental response would be to look into the scientific evidence for drought, how is global warming affecting the moister, cloud cover and rainfall. But David’s first response was to go to his knees and inquire of the LORD. In this situation the previous administration had broken a covenant with the Gibeonites and thus with God, and Blessing was withheld from the land. People think that our nation has been blessed because of our Governmental structure I don’t think so. I do believe that our constitution was born out of Biblical principles and a Christian world view, but it was more than that. Some think is because of our ingenuity or infrastructure. I see those as a byproduct of God’s blessing not the reason for it. No it is because America in times of great distress has called on the name of the Lord. We have not always done the right thing and we paid dearly for it. The civil war is an example of God’s blessing withheld for the way we treated people because of the color of their sin. We made it right but at a great price. Today we have another evil that is cursing the land and that is the massive slaughter of innocent children who haven’t yet escaped their mothers wombs. Our president has made a crucial supreme court nomination without inquiring of the LORD. This famine isn’t the result of economic laws that were not put into place to regulate the banking industry. This famine is because we have deeply offended the living God and we need to repent and make it right. We need a David that will inquire of the LORD, and we need to be David’s over our own household and inquire of the LORD.
Pastor Rick
Monday, May 10, 2010
2 Sam. 18; Ps. 56; Matt. 27
"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?"
In this psalm the psalmist is pouring out his heart to the Lord about the oppression of his enemies and then something happens in the middle of his complaint, a flash of faith. "Whenever I am afraid I will trust in You." Maybe at this time his mind goes back to other times of despair and the Lord delivered him. Moments when he was outnumbered but the enemy was defeated ant that ray of faith peaks throught e clouds of doubt and fear, "I will trust in You". God's word has always been a comfort for him and so he lifts up his praise to the Lord "(I will praise His word)". My fear says I am defeated, I am overwhelmed but "In God I have put my trust;" I will not fear. Our fears must be challenged, they cannot be allowed ot wonder freely through our mind. We cannot just give them free reign to come and go as they please through our thought life, they must be challenged. The Psalmist challenges his fear with a courageous thought. "What can flesh do to me? Well the worst case scenario is it can kill the body but that isn' that bad because heaven is awaiting me then and like a fearles warrior he rises up to confront his fear witht the word of God on his lips. He thrusts his sword into the heart of fear and then rests in the bed of trust.
Pastor Rick
In this psalm the psalmist is pouring out his heart to the Lord about the oppression of his enemies and then something happens in the middle of his complaint, a flash of faith. "Whenever I am afraid I will trust in You." Maybe at this time his mind goes back to other times of despair and the Lord delivered him. Moments when he was outnumbered but the enemy was defeated ant that ray of faith peaks throught e clouds of doubt and fear, "I will trust in You". God's word has always been a comfort for him and so he lifts up his praise to the Lord "(I will praise His word)". My fear says I am defeated, I am overwhelmed but "In God I have put my trust;" I will not fear. Our fears must be challenged, they cannot be allowed ot wonder freely through our mind. We cannot just give them free reign to come and go as they please through our thought life, they must be challenged. The Psalmist challenges his fear with a courageous thought. "What can flesh do to me? Well the worst case scenario is it can kill the body but that isn' that bad because heaven is awaiting me then and like a fearles warrior he rises up to confront his fear witht the word of God on his lips. He thrusts his sword into the heart of fear and then rests in the bed of trust.
Pastor Rick
Sunday, May 9, 2010
2 Sam 17; Ps 71; Mt 26;
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Ps 71:20
As I read these scriptures I am reminded of David and his love for God. He has caused this situation of Absalom chasing him from his throne by his sin with Bathsheba. Even in the psalm he says to God “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter “That was not the truth but the rest of the statement is. God had not caused him many troubles and the current trouble he had caused himself. But God will restore his life again because of God's grace and God's love. Even though David fell and even blamed God for his troubles, Jesus still watches over him and "will bring him up". In Mathew we find the same thing but with peter Mt 26:31-15 “Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me…Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.” And yet before the night was through they all scattered. I am so grateful I (we) sever a God that would recognize my mistakes and yet save me from them by paying for them Himself. David continually says through out the Psalms “all have left me” “I am alone” David never faced trouble alone, God would not allow that. Jesus did that for him, he never did that for God. What a God we serve!
May God bless you and keep you this week as He reminds us of His continual presence and the body of believers he has given us to stand with us, so we will never be alone.
Pastor Jack
Next reading 2 Sam 18; Ps 71; Mt 27
As I read these scriptures I am reminded of David and his love for God. He has caused this situation of Absalom chasing him from his throne by his sin with Bathsheba. Even in the psalm he says to God “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter “That was not the truth but the rest of the statement is. God had not caused him many troubles and the current trouble he had caused himself. But God will restore his life again because of God's grace and God's love. Even though David fell and even blamed God for his troubles, Jesus still watches over him and "will bring him up". In Mathew we find the same thing but with peter Mt 26:31-15 “Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me…Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.” And yet before the night was through they all scattered. I am so grateful I (we) sever a God that would recognize my mistakes and yet save me from them by paying for them Himself. David continually says through out the Psalms “all have left me” “I am alone” David never faced trouble alone, God would not allow that. Jesus did that for him, he never did that for God. What a God we serve!
May God bless you and keep you this week as He reminds us of His continual presence and the body of believers he has given us to stand with us, so we will never be alone.
Pastor Jack
Next reading 2 Sam 18; Ps 71; Mt 27
Saturday, May 8, 2010
2 Sam. 15-16; Ps. 32; Mt. 25
2 Samuel 15 1 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
It is often referred to as the Absolom spirit. Absolom wanted what his father David had, the thrown of Israel. He coveted and when someone covets something long enough they will lose there integrity to get it. That is why covetousness is spoken against it in the scriptures. Absolom’s covetousness was coupled with unforgiveness, toward his father for not dealing with His brothers perversion toward his sister. Absolom’s false humility, acting as if he really cared for the people while slandering his father caused the people to turn toward and look to him as the caring king they always wanted. All of this would eventually be the cause for Absolom to lose his life. I have come to know quite a few over the years with the Absolom spirit. Their goal is to draw disciples to themselves instead of toward God. They elevate their ministry at the expense of the church. The moment someone looks to someone else for ministry they will demonize them or the ministry they are looking to. I have known of several church that demonize the any individual who leaves their church to go somewhere else. The members are told to stop contact with them. That is an Absolom Spirit. Sometimes it’s been a church member with the Absolom spirit. I have a Pastor friend who left the country on a missions trip and left the church to what he thought was a trusted leader. This trusted leader took advantage of the time to draw people unto himself so he could leave with members and start his own thing. This person will end up as Absolom did with no life, I don’t mean God will kill him I mean their will not be God’s blessing on what he birth out of the flesh. Keep your heart pure and reject the spirit of Absolom.
Pastor Rick
It is often referred to as the Absolom spirit. Absolom wanted what his father David had, the thrown of Israel. He coveted and when someone covets something long enough they will lose there integrity to get it. That is why covetousness is spoken against it in the scriptures. Absolom’s covetousness was coupled with unforgiveness, toward his father for not dealing with His brothers perversion toward his sister. Absolom’s false humility, acting as if he really cared for the people while slandering his father caused the people to turn toward and look to him as the caring king they always wanted. All of this would eventually be the cause for Absolom to lose his life. I have come to know quite a few over the years with the Absolom spirit. Their goal is to draw disciples to themselves instead of toward God. They elevate their ministry at the expense of the church. The moment someone looks to someone else for ministry they will demonize them or the ministry they are looking to. I have known of several church that demonize the any individual who leaves their church to go somewhere else. The members are told to stop contact with them. That is an Absolom Spirit. Sometimes it’s been a church member with the Absolom spirit. I have a Pastor friend who left the country on a missions trip and left the church to what he thought was a trusted leader. This trusted leader took advantage of the time to draw people unto himself so he could leave with members and start his own thing. This person will end up as Absolom did with no life, I don’t mean God will kill him I mean their will not be God’s blessing on what he birth out of the flesh. Keep your heart pure and reject the spirit of Absolom.
Pastor Rick
Thursday, May 6, 2010
2 Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving-kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:12
In this portion of scripture, a Psalm of King David, written after Nathan the prophet confronts David in regards to the adulterous affair with Bathsheba, we read a heart rendering story of sin and the damage it brings to the spirit. If any of you have ever doubted God’s reasoning for acknowledging David as being one after His own heart, I think we can find somewhat of an answer in this portion of scripture. Unlike his predecessor, Saul, who acted arrogant and dismissive at God’s rebuke, David comes as an open book before his Redeemer. “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin [is] always before me.” (Psalm 51:3) Over David’s life, we see that his relationship with the Lord turns to honesty, openness and confidence in God’s transforming work in his life. David comes repeatedly to the grace of God for overflowing life and renewal, even in the midst of complete spiritual desolation. “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by Your] generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:12) When David prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:11), the word used for create is the Hebrew word, “bara’,” which means to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject), of heaven and earth, of individual man, of new conditions and circumstances, and of transformations. This is the same word used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…” David understood and trusted in God’s miraculous working power that from nothing God could and would restore completely the repentive heart. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:18-19) Oh how beautiful is the working of God’s grace. I am so thankful that in my life the Lord has begun a good work in me, as David trusted, and that He will finish it toward His glorious end, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Phil. 1:6) and “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Be blessed today…
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:12
In this portion of scripture, a Psalm of King David, written after Nathan the prophet confronts David in regards to the adulterous affair with Bathsheba, we read a heart rendering story of sin and the damage it brings to the spirit. If any of you have ever doubted God’s reasoning for acknowledging David as being one after His own heart, I think we can find somewhat of an answer in this portion of scripture. Unlike his predecessor, Saul, who acted arrogant and dismissive at God’s rebuke, David comes as an open book before his Redeemer. “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin [is] always before me.” (Psalm 51:3) Over David’s life, we see that his relationship with the Lord turns to honesty, openness and confidence in God’s transforming work in his life. David comes repeatedly to the grace of God for overflowing life and renewal, even in the midst of complete spiritual desolation. “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by Your] generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:12) When David prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:11), the word used for create is the Hebrew word, “bara’,” which means to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject), of heaven and earth, of individual man, of new conditions and circumstances, and of transformations. This is the same word used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…” David understood and trusted in God’s miraculous working power that from nothing God could and would restore completely the repentive heart. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:18-19) Oh how beautiful is the working of God’s grace. I am so thankful that in my life the Lord has begun a good work in me, as David trusted, and that He will finish it toward His glorious end, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Phil. 1:6) and “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Be blessed today…
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
2 Samuel 8, 9; 1 Chronicles 18, 19; Matthew 21
“So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually." 2 Samuel 9:7
In 2 Samuel 9, David sets out to discover if there are any left from the house of Saul. Do you remember that Jonathan and David had made a friendship pact between them? This pact was that they would do good and show kindness to each other and to each other’s future offspring, forever. Now David, established as king, wants to make right his promise. He finds out that there is a son of Jonathan’s, Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was only five years old when his father was killed in battle with his grandfather Saul. When this young boy’s nurse heard that the Philistines had taken Jonathan and Saul in battle she became very afraid. She picked up the young son of Jonathan and ran in fear to flee. As she was running, she dropped the young child and broke both of his legs and he became crippled. Mephibosheth, connected by birth with the house of David’s enemy is helpless and in circumstances of destitution but comes in to the presence of the king who has the desire and the power to show him the kindness that he himself had received from the Lord. David brings Mephibosheth in to his house and honors him all the rest of the days of his life. The son of Jonathan eats at the king’s table and has his needs provided. In chapter 9, we see that David has a desire to express the kindness of his God to others. How precious are these words…”that I may show the kindness of God…” It is no wonder the enemy tries to keep us from experiencing all of the greatness of our God because when we experience His kindness, mercy, love, grace and all He has for us, we just cannot help but pass it on. When we allow the fruit of the spirit to flow through our life (Galatians 5) we become the best version of ourselves as Pastor Rick calls it, “Youier”. May all of the goodness of God be evident in your life today as you minister the love of Jesus. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Blessings in Him
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19, 20; Psalm 20, Matthew 22
In 2 Samuel 9, David sets out to discover if there are any left from the house of Saul. Do you remember that Jonathan and David had made a friendship pact between them? This pact was that they would do good and show kindness to each other and to each other’s future offspring, forever. Now David, established as king, wants to make right his promise. He finds out that there is a son of Jonathan’s, Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was only five years old when his father was killed in battle with his grandfather Saul. When this young boy’s nurse heard that the Philistines had taken Jonathan and Saul in battle she became very afraid. She picked up the young son of Jonathan and ran in fear to flee. As she was running, she dropped the young child and broke both of his legs and he became crippled. Mephibosheth, connected by birth with the house of David’s enemy is helpless and in circumstances of destitution but comes in to the presence of the king who has the desire and the power to show him the kindness that he himself had received from the Lord. David brings Mephibosheth in to his house and honors him all the rest of the days of his life. The son of Jonathan eats at the king’s table and has his needs provided. In chapter 9, we see that David has a desire to express the kindness of his God to others. How precious are these words…”that I may show the kindness of God…” It is no wonder the enemy tries to keep us from experiencing all of the greatness of our God because when we experience His kindness, mercy, love, grace and all He has for us, we just cannot help but pass it on. When we allow the fruit of the spirit to flow through our life (Galatians 5) we become the best version of ourselves as Pastor Rick calls it, “Youier”. May all of the goodness of God be evident in your life today as you minister the love of Jesus. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Blessings in Him
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19, 20; Psalm 20, Matthew 22
Monday, May 3, 2010
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 7; I Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20
“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish [in] the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:12
In the final verse, we read the theme of this Psalm. We can defy God and perish or surrender to him and be blessed. It sounds so straightforward and simple doesn’t it? I wish it were that easy. David seems mystified at the nations and people who rage against God. They have no reason to rage against God—it is in vain. In verses 4-6 the Lord laughs at them, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion." I guess it is sort of like us looking down at ants. Can you imagine an ant defying us? “Hey, you, move out of my way, I’m going to my ant hill?” “Really, really, I mean, really, Mr. Ant, you are going where?’ It is so obviously silly-but isn’t that the way it is with us when we try to tell God I am going to do it my way? God is not laughing at us because He is sitting on the throne, He is laughing because He is God and the King of the Universe. He is not walking back and forth in heaven biting His nails and trying to figure everything out—because, well, He is God. "This derisive laughter of God is the comfort of all those who love righteousness. It is the laughter of the might of holiness; it is the laughter of the strength of love. God does not exult over the sufferings of sinning me. He does hold in derision all the proud boasting and violence of such as seek to prevent His accomplishment of His will." (Morgan) God sits in perfect peace, assurance on the throne and with all authority. What does heaven have to fear from earth? Be comforted today, know that God is God and He holds all things in His hands—even you!
Thanking God for His peace, power and presence,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 8-9; I Chronicles 18-19; Matthew 21
In the final verse, we read the theme of this Psalm. We can defy God and perish or surrender to him and be blessed. It sounds so straightforward and simple doesn’t it? I wish it were that easy. David seems mystified at the nations and people who rage against God. They have no reason to rage against God—it is in vain. In verses 4-6 the Lord laughs at them, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion." I guess it is sort of like us looking down at ants. Can you imagine an ant defying us? “Hey, you, move out of my way, I’m going to my ant hill?” “Really, really, I mean, really, Mr. Ant, you are going where?’ It is so obviously silly-but isn’t that the way it is with us when we try to tell God I am going to do it my way? God is not laughing at us because He is sitting on the throne, He is laughing because He is God and the King of the Universe. He is not walking back and forth in heaven biting His nails and trying to figure everything out—because, well, He is God. "This derisive laughter of God is the comfort of all those who love righteousness. It is the laughter of the might of holiness; it is the laughter of the strength of love. God does not exult over the sufferings of sinning me. He does hold in derision all the proud boasting and violence of such as seek to prevent His accomplishment of His will." (Morgan) God sits in perfect peace, assurance on the throne and with all authority. What does heaven have to fear from earth? Be comforted today, know that God is God and He holds all things in His hands—even you!
Thanking God for His peace, power and presence,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 2 Samuel 8-9; I Chronicles 18-19; Matthew 21
Sunday, May 2, 2010
1 Chr 16; Ps 106; Mt 19
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mt 19 21-22
A man walks up to Jesus and asks what do I need to do to go to heaven? Jesus basically says you already know, obey the laws of Moses. The man says I have already done that, the statement is not true (no one has ever done that) but Jesus ignores that and says "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The scripture says the man went away sad for he had great wealth. The wealth of the man kept him from following the king of the universe. Many times we come to Jesus and ask for our needs, wants and desires to be answered. The problem is our comforts in this world sometimes get in the way of us excepting the promises of the future. Many times the answer to our question is “Give up the things that are in the way of you trusting Me for the blessing I want to give you”. The problem is the things I sometimes want and think I need are temporary instead of eternal. David says in Ps 106 “that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise”. Theses are goals and a future worth seeking…
May God bless you and Keep you as you seek the prosperity of a child of the living God (Loving Relationships) as you share in the Joy of a royal priesthood a Holy nation and most of all as you join in the inheritance of entering the throne room of the living God with praise.
Pastor Jack
Next Reading 2 Sam 7; 1 Chr 17; Ps 2 ; Mt 20;
A man walks up to Jesus and asks what do I need to do to go to heaven? Jesus basically says you already know, obey the laws of Moses. The man says I have already done that, the statement is not true (no one has ever done that) but Jesus ignores that and says "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The scripture says the man went away sad for he had great wealth. The wealth of the man kept him from following the king of the universe. Many times we come to Jesus and ask for our needs, wants and desires to be answered. The problem is our comforts in this world sometimes get in the way of us excepting the promises of the future. Many times the answer to our question is “Give up the things that are in the way of you trusting Me for the blessing I want to give you”. The problem is the things I sometimes want and think I need are temporary instead of eternal. David says in Ps 106 “that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise”. Theses are goals and a future worth seeking…
May God bless you and Keep you as you seek the prosperity of a child of the living God (Loving Relationships) as you share in the Joy of a royal priesthood a Holy nation and most of all as you join in the inheritance of entering the throne room of the living God with praise.
Pastor Jack
Next Reading 2 Sam 7; 1 Chr 17; Ps 2 ; Mt 20;
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I Chronicles 14-15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18
Do you remember the Purina Dog Food commercial with the jingle? “My dogs bigger than your dog, my dog’s bigger than yours?” Competition, it has been around since the very beginning, even brothers, Cain and Abel’s troubles stemmed from jealousy and competition. In Matthew 18, the disciples are at it again—who is bigger and better—who is going to sit next to you? Even one of the mom’s got involved, “Lord, when you come in to your kingdom, would you let one of my sons be on your right hand” (Matthew 20:21) Motive, motive, motive. Therefore, Jesus calls a precious little child over and uses this child as a living example, “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”(Matthew 18:2-4) It is no secret that God honors humility. It is in humility that God chooses to work in our lives. “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 “The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.” Psalm 147:6 Our prayers will be heard when we come before God in humility, “LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear.” Psalm 10:17 Our success secured by living lives of humility, in our homes, work, school, business and ministry. “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 Whether it is in the home, work, school, business or ministry, the true path to greatness is always the path of humility and serving. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11 Let’s focus on looking out for others rather than ourselves. Let’s put our efforts in to finding ways to serve others. Let us be amazing today by touching the world with God’s love.
Serving together,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19
Serving together,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: 1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19
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