Friday, January 29, 2016
Who is Jesus?
Matthew 16:13-16 (NKJV)
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Phillippi,
He asked His disciples, saying,
"Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah,
and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
+++++++++++++++++
So now, Who do YOU say Jesus is?
Your answer affects all the rest of your life!
For me, He is my Savior and Lord,
who I have tried to follow since I was 18!
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Phillippi,
He asked His disciples, saying,
"Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah,
and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
+++++++++++++++++
So now, Who do YOU say Jesus is?
Your answer affects all the rest of your life!
For me, He is my Savior and Lord,
who I have tried to follow since I was 18!
Thursday, January 28, 2016
GOD made me!
Psalm 139:1, 13-14 (NKJV)
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
...
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered (wove) me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works.
And that my soul knows very well.
++++++++++++++++
It's clear to me: God made me!
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
...
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered (wove) me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works.
And that my soul knows very well.
++++++++++++++++
It's clear to me: God made me!
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Sent and Equipped
Matthew 28:18-20 ()NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen!
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth."
++++++++++++++++++
Yesterday Barbara and I spend a day in OK City attending our Oklahoma
Baptist Evangelism Conference. We were reminded anew of this commission
that we as followers of Jesus Christ have. We are commissioned to share
the gospel (good news of God's love and forgiveness) with all people and
have been given the power to do it!
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and
lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen!
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth."
++++++++++++++++++
Yesterday Barbara and I spend a day in OK City attending our Oklahoma
Baptist Evangelism Conference. We were reminded anew of this commission
that we as followers of Jesus Christ have. We are commissioned to share
the gospel (good news of God's love and forgiveness) with all people and
have been given the power to do it!
Friday, January 22, 2016
God is with us!
Exodus 3:10-12a (NKJV)
10 "Come now, therefore,
and I will send you to Pharaoh
that you may bring My people,
the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
11 But Moses said to God,
"Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh,
and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
12 So He (God) said, "I will certainly be with you..."
++++++++++++++
Here at the burning bush, God spoke to Moses and told him to go to Egypt
and lead His people out of bondage. In this passage and the following
verses, Moses gave several excuses for not being the man to do that.
God's answer was always the same: "I will be with you ..."
Oh, that we would remember that when He gives us directions in living!
If God sends us on a mission, He will be with us! Rather it is to the
uttermost part of the earth, or to the next door neighbor in ministry,
when God sends, He goes before us to prepare the way, and He goes with
us to direct the way and enable us to accomplish His purpose.
We should need no other assurance except: "I will be with you!"
10 "Come now, therefore,
and I will send you to Pharaoh
that you may bring My people,
the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
11 But Moses said to God,
"Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh,
and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
12 So He (God) said, "I will certainly be with you..."
++++++++++++++
Here at the burning bush, God spoke to Moses and told him to go to Egypt
and lead His people out of bondage. In this passage and the following
verses, Moses gave several excuses for not being the man to do that.
God's answer was always the same: "I will be with you ..."
Oh, that we would remember that when He gives us directions in living!
If God sends us on a mission, He will be with us! Rather it is to the
uttermost part of the earth, or to the next door neighbor in ministry,
when God sends, He goes before us to prepare the way, and He goes with
us to direct the way and enable us to accomplish His purpose.
We should need no other assurance except: "I will be with you!"
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Working Together
Ephesians 4:15--16 (NKJV)
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head --- Christ ---
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
++++++++++++
This is the end of a long sentence about the purpose of the church leaders. They are to train the saints (church members) to do the work of ministry, so the body will grow. In these verses we see that Christ is the glue that keeps things together, but every part does its work.
That is the way it works in the church. Many people each doing a small part leads to church growth.
It is the same with the individual. Many people have invested in my life as God directed to help me grow in Him!
So as you think of where you are, remember those who have invested their lives in you and your future!
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head --- Christ ---
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
++++++++++++
This is the end of a long sentence about the purpose of the church leaders. They are to train the saints (church members) to do the work of ministry, so the body will grow. In these verses we see that Christ is the glue that keeps things together, but every part does its work.
That is the way it works in the church. Many people each doing a small part leads to church growth.
It is the same with the individual. Many people have invested in my life as God directed to help me grow in Him!
So as you think of where you are, remember those who have invested their lives in you and your future!
Friday, January 15, 2016
Thanks!
Psalm 75:1 (NKJV)
We give thanks to You,
O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works
declare that Your name is near.
++++
The Word for today! Give thanks!
We give thanks to You,
O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works
declare that Your name is near.
++++
The Word for today! Give thanks!
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Shout to the LORD!
Psalm 66:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Make a joyful shout to
God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God,
"How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name."
+++++++++++++++++
Shout ... sing ... say ...!
These are ways to express praise to God.
Only one of them require music!
I'm grateful for that!
One does not have to be musical to praise God.
He only needs to recognize the abundant mercies and provisions of God.
To God be the glory!!!
1 Make a joyful shout to
God, all the earth!
2 Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God,
"How awesome are Your works!
Through the greatness of Your power
Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
4 All the earth shall worship You
And sing praises to You;
They shall sing praises to Your name."
+++++++++++++++++
Shout ... sing ... say ...!
These are ways to express praise to God.
Only one of them require music!
I'm grateful for that!
One does not have to be musical to praise God.
He only needs to recognize the abundant mercies and provisions of God.
To God be the glory!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Lead me to the Rock!
Psalm 61:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to you,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
++++++++++++++++
Through out the Bible "the rock" is a reference to Jesus.
The Psalmist knew where his strength came from.
Do you?
He said he would depend on God's provision,
wherever he went!
Will you?
Trust Him, and remember to give Him the glory!
1 Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to you,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
++++++++++++++++
Through out the Bible "the rock" is a reference to Jesus.
The Psalmist knew where his strength came from.
Do you?
He said he would depend on God's provision,
wherever he went!
Will you?
Trust Him, and remember to give Him the glory!
Monday, January 11, 2016
God's glory, Our good
Psalm 50:14-15 NKJV)
14 Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 "Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you,
and you shall glorify Me."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Our good, and God's glory! Note that the goal is God's glory.
Many of us make our good the goal and end.
Not so, when God's glory is the goal, our good is on the way!
When we seek God's glory, He is there to deliver us!
14 Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
15 "Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you,
and you shall glorify Me."
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Our good, and God's glory! Note that the goal is God's glory.
Many of us make our good the goal and end.
Not so, when God's glory is the goal, our good is on the way!
When we seek God's glory, He is there to deliver us!
Thursday, January 07, 2016
The church working together!
I Corinthians 12:12; 18-20 (NKJV)
12 For as the body is one and has many members,
but all the members of that one body,
being many are one body, so also is Christ.
....
18 But now God has set the member,
each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19 And if they were all one member,
where would the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
+++++++++++++++++
Paul is talking about the members of the church.
Many different parts of the church, each doing its part,
enable the church to accomplish the work God has appointed.
He has gifted different members with different abilities,
to enable the church to accomplish His plan.
The question? Will we use the gift He has given,
or will we bury it out of fear?
As each of us does His will, He will enable us to do
whatever He wants!
To Him be the glory! None for ourselves!
12 For as the body is one and has many members,
but all the members of that one body,
being many are one body, so also is Christ.
....
18 But now God has set the member,
each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
19 And if they were all one member,
where would the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
+++++++++++++++++
Paul is talking about the members of the church.
Many different parts of the church, each doing its part,
enable the church to accomplish the work God has appointed.
He has gifted different members with different abilities,
to enable the church to accomplish His plan.
The question? Will we use the gift He has given,
or will we bury it out of fear?
As each of us does His will, He will enable us to do
whatever He wants!
To Him be the glory! None for ourselves!
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
Trusting God's promises
Genesis 15:5-7 (NASB)
5 And He (GOD) took him (Abram) outside and said, "Now look toward the
heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He
said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 Then he believed in the LORD: and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
7 And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the
Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it."
++++++++++
God had promised Abram a son. But he was nearly 100 and no son! God
reminded him of His promise and told him count the stars if possible,
and that would be how many descendents he could expect! Abram believed
(without seeing) and God counted it as righteousness.
The challenge: God has given many promises to His people. Will we
believe and live in hope, or will we fret and fuss about the things
happening in our life?
Trust God! He has promised!
5 And He (GOD) took him (Abram) outside and said, "Now look toward the
heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He
said to him, "So shall your descendants be."
6 Then he believed in the LORD: and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
7 And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the
Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it."
++++++++++
God had promised Abram a son. But he was nearly 100 and no son! God
reminded him of His promise and told him count the stars if possible,
and that would be how many descendents he could expect! Abram believed
(without seeing) and God counted it as righteousness.
The challenge: God has given many promises to His people. Will we
believe and live in hope, or will we fret and fuss about the things
happening in our life?
Trust God! He has promised!
Monday, January 04, 2016
Don't Worry -- Trust God!
Matthew 6:25-26; 33 (NASB)
25 "For this reason I say to you,
do not be worried about your life,
as to what you will eat or what
you will drink; nor for your body,
as to what you will put on. Is not
life more than food, and the body
more than clothing?
26 "Look at the birds of the air,
that they do not sow, nor reap
nor gather into barns, and yet
your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more
than they?
...
33 "But seek first His kingdom
and His righteousness, and all
these things will be added to you.
+++++++++++++++++
Don't worry. Trust God! He cares for you!
25 "For this reason I say to you,
do not be worried about your life,
as to what you will eat or what
you will drink; nor for your body,
as to what you will put on. Is not
life more than food, and the body
more than clothing?
26 "Look at the birds of the air,
that they do not sow, nor reap
nor gather into barns, and yet
your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more
than they?
...
33 "But seek first His kingdom
and His righteousness, and all
these things will be added to you.
+++++++++++++++++
Don't worry. Trust God! He cares for you!
Saturday, January 02, 2016
For the glory of God
Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven
+++++++++++++++++++
We are to reflect the light of Jesus in our lives.
Therefore when people see our lives and works,
they will glorify God!
Sometimes we ask, "Whats in it for us," but we should
ask "whats in it for God"!
To Him be the glory!
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven
+++++++++++++++++++
We are to reflect the light of Jesus in our lives.
Therefore when people see our lives and works,
they will glorify God!
Sometimes we ask, "Whats in it for us," but we should
ask "whats in it for God"!
To Him be the glory!
Friday, January 01, 2016
In the beginning with God
Genesis 1:1, 27-28 (NASB)
1 In the beginning God created
the heavens and the earth.
27 God created man in His own image,
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
28 God blessed them;
and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the earth, and subdue it;
and rule over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the sky
and over every living thing that
moves on the earth.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
As we begin a new year, it is good to stop and remind ourselves:
It all began with God!
But He has included us in His plan.
He created us and gave us a task!
As we begin the new year of 2016, let us asked, "Where do I fit in God's
plan."
As He reveals it, He will equip us to do it! Lets GO! All to His glory!
1 In the beginning God created
the heavens and the earth.
27 God created man in His own image,
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.
28 God blessed them;
and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply,
and fill the earth, and subdue it;
and rule over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the sky
and over every living thing that
moves on the earth.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
As we begin a new year, it is good to stop and remind ourselves:
It all began with God!
But He has included us in His plan.
He created us and gave us a task!
As we begin the new year of 2016, let us asked, "Where do I fit in God's
plan."
As He reveals it, He will equip us to do it! Lets GO! All to His glory!
