John 3:1-21
Jesus and Nicodemus
Nicodemus was a Jewish leader. Jesus tells Nicodemus, "No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from Heaven." (5,6)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. (16, 17)
There is no judgement awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the Son of God... The light form heaven came in the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness... But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants" (18-21)
God is compassionate and loving. He understands the pain of sacrifice. I want to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. I want the world to see what God wants us to be like. I thank God for giving me the vision of my path to follow Him. I ask for his continued strength and discipline to continue on this path of faith. I also ask that God will continue to watch over my husband for his faith is weak. There are times when I see him stepping into the shadows rather than basking in your light. I pray Father, that you continue to love him and to carry him through this struggle. I pray that he will let you bear this burden on his heart for he alone cannot withstand its weight anymore. It is painful for me to watch him turn away from you... I pray God that you will soften his heart so that he can see and feel you once again.
1 Timothy 1:7-11
Warnings Against False Teachings (cont'd)
Paul warns us, in a letter to Timothy, that there are those who profess to know the 'truth'. They will spend their time arguing and discrediting God's grace and love. They will come across as confident and tell fellow Christians self-professed truths. These false prophets will create laws to make sin "forgivable" or socially acceptable. It is obvious that these laws are "for people who are disobedient, and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful... (9)".
It is no wonder that my nerves get rattled and I lose my sense of self-control and become easily angered when someone questions my faith... it's like someone hurting me by saying bad things about my family. It's not right. I pray that God shield me with holy armour to withstand these daggers of doubt from Satan and give me the wisdom and strength to be able to use your sword of truth to fend off evil. I pray that God will allow me to keep soaking up his light...
Showing posts with label renewed faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label renewed faith. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Living a God Worthy Life
Luke 24: 35- 53
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
'Why are you frightened? Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!' (38,39)
'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' (46,47)
I am reminded that Christ knows we are natural doubters. We always want concrete evidence. Faith does not come easily to most. God is not required to save us all. He loves us so much that He allowed for an opportunity for us to turn back to Him if we so desired. He has given us a great gift, one we really don't deserve. I thank you, Lord, for forgiving my sins and for giving me strength in overcoming my own hurt and pain and for allowing me opportunities to serve you.
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-12
Greetings from Paul - Encouragement During Persecution
But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering, and in his justice he will punish those who persecute you...He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people. You will be among those praising him that day, for you believe what we testified about him.
And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honour to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you. (5 - 12)
This is a powerful passage. Paul is telling us that our pain and suffering will not go unrecognized. God will use this as an instrument of change. It is in our hurt and faithfulness that we will be able to bring others to Him. I pray that God will make me worthy of this life that he has called me to. I pray that through God's will and power, he will fill me with good intentions. I pray that he will also lift up my dear sisters and brothers in Christ (e.g. Alice, who is leaving for a medical mission in Guatamale and Wilson, who has taken a step to rekindle his relationship with the Lord) and fill them up with faithful deeds and lead lives that praise God.
Song: Fill us up and send us out... Fill us up and send us out, Lord...
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
'Why are you frightened? Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!' (38,39)
'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' (46,47)
I am reminded that Christ knows we are natural doubters. We always want concrete evidence. Faith does not come easily to most. God is not required to save us all. He loves us so much that He allowed for an opportunity for us to turn back to Him if we so desired. He has given us a great gift, one we really don't deserve. I thank you, Lord, for forgiving my sins and for giving me strength in overcoming my own hurt and pain and for allowing me opportunities to serve you.
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-12
Greetings from Paul - Encouragement During Persecution
But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering, and in his justice he will punish those who persecute you...He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people. You will be among those praising him that day, for you believe what we testified about him.
And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honour to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you. (5 - 12)
This is a powerful passage. Paul is telling us that our pain and suffering will not go unrecognized. God will use this as an instrument of change. It is in our hurt and faithfulness that we will be able to bring others to Him. I pray that God will make me worthy of this life that he has called me to. I pray that through God's will and power, he will fill me with good intentions. I pray that he will also lift up my dear sisters and brothers in Christ (e.g. Alice, who is leaving for a medical mission in Guatamale and Wilson, who has taken a step to rekindle his relationship with the Lord) and fill them up with faithful deeds and lead lives that praise God.
Song: Fill us up and send us out... Fill us up and send us out, Lord...
Monday, August 1, 2011
Discipline and Strength in Faith
Luke 22:39-53
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives & Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested
"Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation." (40)
"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want your will, not mine." (42)
"Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you." (46)
It is evident that prayer is where we can draw upon God's strength. I need to spend more time in prayer. If I were a strong prayer warrior, I would be better able and equipped to hear God calling me and better able to resist temptation. I ask that God give me a stronger sense of discipline.
1 Thessalonians 3:5-8
Timothy's Report about the Church
"It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in your faith." (8)
This passage of scripture is about faith and about joy in knowing that our faith in God is strong. This seems so fitting as my loved one has recently told me about his renewed desire to seek the Lord's help in his suffering. God is showing me that he desires us to have faith in Him. I feel this sense of "new life" because I have greater joy knowing that my loved one is seeking God. I am to continue to pray, as God has faithful in answering my prayers. I ask God to forgive me for the times a shadow of doubt crosses my path.
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives & Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested
"Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation." (40)
"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet, I want your will, not mine." (42)
"Get up and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you." (46)
It is evident that prayer is where we can draw upon God's strength. I need to spend more time in prayer. If I were a strong prayer warrior, I would be better able and equipped to hear God calling me and better able to resist temptation. I ask that God give me a stronger sense of discipline.
1 Thessalonians 3:5-8
Timothy's Report about the Church
"It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in your faith." (8)
This passage of scripture is about faith and about joy in knowing that our faith in God is strong. This seems so fitting as my loved one has recently told me about his renewed desire to seek the Lord's help in his suffering. God is showing me that he desires us to have faith in Him. I feel this sense of "new life" because I have greater joy knowing that my loved one is seeking God. I am to continue to pray, as God has faithful in answering my prayers. I ask God to forgive me for the times a shadow of doubt crosses my path.
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