http://bible.us/Matt4.16.NIV the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Lord Jesus, shine through me. Show me how to be a great light to those around me, that I would point them to you. I know you love everyone equally, but lord, please show Miranda, Deven, Sarah and Alex how to love you.
God is still in the business of speaking to people, to get what He wants accomplished. In1989, the business meeting at vfa, someone spoke about building a 3000 seat sanctuary. Had they not built the current sanctuary, many of us at visalia first would not attend now.
God also spoke to me about starting a charter, but gently nudging my heart, and then confirming it with ----the church, the loss of my job..... Thank you Jesus for loving me. I know this isn't about me, but I am excited about what You are going to do at vlcs.
http://bible.us/r/v.1E.5t Today I am reading day 76 of Active Word Daily Devotional:
Confirmed Confidence
Sometime around 550 B.C., Daniel received perhaps the most important prophecy ever given to man. It's recorded for us in Daniel Chapter nine, and its details include God's prophetic timeline for Israel and the precise timing of the Messiah's arrival. It also gives great insight into the coming of the anti-Christ in the last days.
Amidst all this, there's also an important prophecy that points to the cross. As the ministry of the Messiah (or Christ) is being described, Daniel was told that He "shall be cut off, but not for Himself." The expression for "cut off" in Daniel's day was a clear reference to execution. The fact that this wouldn't happen for Himself but for the sake of others makes it a clear reference to the crucifixion, which would occur over 500 years later.
Here's the point behind this history lesson; the cross fulfilled the prophetic word. Prophecy is one of the most important components of the Bible, because it proves God's inspiration and influence beyond any doubt. No human could ever predict the proclamations found in biblical prophecy...only God could. And each time we see something that fulfills prophecy, it serves to strengthen our faith in the fact that the Bible isn't something put together by man, but by God Himself.
The cross falls into this category because it was on the cross that Messiah was "cut off" for the sake of others, fulfilling the prophetic word God gave to Daniel. Consequently, when we consider the cross, we can be all the more confirmed in our confidence that the Bible is God's Word.
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts...(2 Peter 1:19 NKJV)
Each time we see something that fulfills prophecy, it serves to strengthen our faith in the fact that the Bible isn't something put together by man, but by God Himself.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this,
what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
http://bible.us/1John2.2.NIV He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
One For All
If there's one aspect of the cross that can't be stressed enough, it's this: Jesus did not die for a select group of people. His sacrifice on the cross was (and still is) "for the whole world."
This is an important point for us to hold onto, because there are two unhealthy extremes that our hearts can fall prey to when it comes to our own relationship with the cross. We can slip to the side of thinking, "The cross is great, but it really isn't for me." And we can also slip to the side of "The cross is great, and it's ONLY for me."
Both of these views are unbiblical. Jesus died for everyone. There never has been and there never will be a person on this planet that isn't included in the invitation to receive all that the cross stands for and represents. There isn't any room for "poor me" nor is there any room for "only me." If we ever isolate ourselves from the cross and think ourselves beyond its reach, or take an elitist approach that anyone else is beyond its reach, then we're not seeing the cross of the Bible.
There's equal opportunity for everyone at the foot of the cross. If someone is a sinner (and that covers everyone) then Jesus specifically died for him or her:
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners... (1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV)
Lord, help us to not only know but to practically apply this truth. Help us to receive the cross for ourselves and extend it to all You place in our path.
Jesus died for everyone. There never has been and there never will be a person on this planet that isn't included in the invitation to receive all that the cross stands for and represents.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
god is by far, kinder,wiser and more generous than I can ever imagine being.
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
My first thought as I read this was Helen. Jesus dies on the cross for Helen and Alexandra. I don't want to the issue one that is personal.
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
Love like Jesus did, but also have rules and follow them.
What is my prayer for today?
Lord, give me wisdom and insight as we plan policy that will affect how we deal with children.
http://bible.us/r/v.17 Today I am reading day 69 of Active Word Daily Devotional: Faithful Forethought
One of the most precious truths in all the Bible is on display for us here. It's assures us that no matter what our needs in this life might be, our Heavenly Father is fully aware of them before we even bring them to His attention.
But God's awareness of our needs goes even deeper than that. He's also able to anticipate and provide for our needs before we're even aware of them, and the cross is the ultimate example of this. The Bible tells us that Jesus, as the Lamb of God (please see March 5th), was actually slain for us before the foundation of the world:
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8 NKJV)
In other words, before the world and everything in it was ever created, God foresaw mankind's fall. He foresaw our need for a sacrificial substitute. He foresaw how His Son would serve as the Lamb to save us from our sin. The provision of the cross was in the mind of God before He even created us. What faithful forethought!
We need to hold onto this, because the temptation is always there for us to doubt and question God's ability and awareness when it comes to our needs. "How am I going to cover this bill? What if my health doesn't hold up? When is that much-needed raise finally going to kick in?"
God foresaw our greatest need even before we did and made perfect provision for it. Can't He do the same for all the other needs in this life that truly pale in comparison?
The provision of the cross was in the mind of God before He even created us.
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God? God cana save Deven. He loves deven more than I do.
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
Matthew 13:24-27, 29-30 NIV
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' An enemy has done this he replied. The servant asked him do you want us to pull up the weeds? "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
Last week---john 1.
Isaiah. Gods thoughts are not your thoughts.
The word became flesh and walks among us
Jesus at the age of 12. Confounding others.
Parables because the story is so powerful.
No 2 stories are alike. God is new every morning.
1. You can't stop a person who........sows. Someone who has denied immediate gratification. I can get out my present situation by sowing.
2. You've got to know your...SEED...is good.... Seed. What God has put in me is good. good lives in me. He who began a good work will complete it. Not having a good perception brings in abuse. Everything can be against you, but you are good because the word makes me good.
Servants had to work the field....
But....but when everyone was sleeping....the enemy came.... People who are asleep at the wheel....
3. Some things the enemy is afraid to...CONFRONT....you on while you are awake. ......confront ...easy to fight devils in church. When your not watching he comes in. some of us are in non fertile ground. My surroundings don't matter because the seed in me is good. The odds are against many of us....but we are still here! Can't atop a good seed. Leaders are tenacious! Most leaders aren't that smart, they just won't quit!
What happened here?
4. What do you do when good comes up, and ..BAD....comes with it?
boss, did you give us bad seed? Things in life will make me question God. if you're in my life...why am I.....still lonely...sad...insecure..... If I'm yours why?
Count your blessings....one by one.....
How many can count your blessings, but how many weeds do we count? Where is my focus? We have weeds and seeds in our life. If we aren't careful the enemy tries to get us to focus on the weeds not the good seeds in our life. Leave things alone...... What others say about you is none of your business. We are the moon not the dog. Some things we need to leave alone. A fool talks to a fool.....
Leave it alone. stay focused, go to bed and forget about it. Jesus was sleeping in the boat.
The disciples were upset with him because he was sleeping.... But Jesus was still in control.
god also works in the night hours.
Challenging moses as to who the real leader was.....
Manna was provided in the night.
Chill out, rest and let God fight your battles for you!!!
5. When the ..TIME ..is right, God will settle the score. When the harvest comes, God I'll bundle up the weeds. When we see there haters gaining up, God is getting you ready for the biggest harvest of my life.
I don't need to fight the battles, the Lord will fight my battles. Don't focus on the weeds. Satan loves when we focus on the weeds.
You're going to lose one now and then...don't put all of your energy in to that one.
http://bible.us/Mal4.1.NIV "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire," says the Lord Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act," says the Lord Almighty. "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."
From Pastor Mikes sermon 3/2
' The Word of God keeps us from being easily OFFENDED.
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people get offended quite easily. if you are in Gods word you are not easily offended. thank you for that word Lord. so many people are easily offended by me.
Psalm 119:165
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Psalm 119:165 (KJV)
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Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.,
So the opposite of this would be that those that are believers, but are not moving the law, or spending time in the word shall be offended.
This reminds me of a few parents from church, that I have easily offended. Both times it has been with the truth. Of course I could have used my words more wisely. Lord, show me how to live, give me your words and your wisdom. What should my response be when I so easily offend someone?
(Continue speaking the truth). John 6:53-71 NIV
Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them." From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God." Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
(I am not God, or Jesus, and am not wanting to appear as though I think I am, however, I do know that God DID place me in the position I am in. I know this without a doubt. It is refreshing to known that it was not always easy for Jesus, he also had people think he was crazy, and a liar. His life was always in jeopardy, because of who he was. Jesus continued to speak the truth in love at all times.). Thank you Jesus for your word. Your word that comforts and brings peace. Please give me the words, and wisdom to do what you have called me to do.
John 8:39-47 NIV
"Abraham is our father," they answered.
"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father."
"We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
