Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Only With Jesus' Strength

Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Mark 6:47-49

How many times is it that the disciples of Jesus struggle when their Lord is not with them. When Jesus is not with them, they are always attacked by the devil. When Jesus is with them, there is protection around Him. With Jesus, you are safe and strong.

I know that when I am in the Spirit of the Lord, I am a strong christian that has His protection over me. But, when I am without Him, then temptation comes, struggles come, problems come at me. Only with His strength that I may fight these sins. Only with His power that I can withstand the devil.

Lord, I thank you for your Holy Spirit. I give you glory, Father. I pray that you be with me as I walk with you. I pray that this rhema that you have given to me give me strength to walk with you. I pray that you be with me and let me know that You are my God and only with your strength do I fight off the devil. I thank you for that Lord. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Christians In Pairs

Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: Mark 6:7-8

As Jesus' example, christians do better when we are accountable to each other. He sent his disciples out in pairs because he wanted them to be accountable for each other. Having another christian with you will keep you strong. I know for a fact that when I am with my fellow brothers and sisters, they keep me walking in the Lord.

I am weak when I am by myself. Even with the Lord's strength and spirit, it is difficult to be a christian by myself. If I am with the Lord as well as with a brother or sister, then I am much stronger in the Lord. I need to always surround myself with people that I can trust and people who will keep me accountable to the Lord.

Father God, I thank you for your Holy Spirit. I give you all the honor and praise your Holy name. I also thank you for my brothers and sisters that keep me walking in your name. I am blessed to have them in my life. I thank you for them and right now I pray that you be with them as you have been with me. I pray that you watch over them and give them strength like you have given me. I thank you and give you all the glory.
Amen.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Trust In You

35While he was still talking, some people came from the leader's house and told him, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?"

36Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, "Don't listen to them; just trust me." Mark 5:35-36

Jesus is always telling us this. Sometimes it is hard when something so drastic happens that it is difficult to trust in the Lord. When your child dies, you need to draw strength from the Holy Spirit and trust in Him.

I know its difficult to trust in the Lord all the time, but its even more difficult to trust in Him when nothing is going your way. He is the creator and life. He has His plans for us. I need to always trust in His words and to trust in His spirit.

Lord, I thank you for your name. I thank you for your Holy Spirit to give me strength. I need your strength so that I may trust in You. I know sometimes it is diffucult to trust in your when things are going wrong, but let me be strong in you, that I may always trust in you. I thank you and praise your Holy name. I give you all the glory. I want to pray that you be with me Lord Jesus.
Amen.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

He Is My Rock

And why? Because you have forgotten God-Your-Salvation,
not remembered your Rock-of-Refuge.
And so, even though you are very religious,
planting all sorts of bushes and herbs and trees
to honor and influence your fertility gods,
And even though you make them grow so well,
bursting with buds and sprouts and blossoms,
Nothing will come of them. Instead of a harvest
you'll get nothing but grief and pain, pain, pain. Isaiah 17:10-11

This is definately something that I don't want to happen. I don't want to lose track of myselft and forget about my Lord. It says here that "not remembering your rock, and although you are religious, your trees will not produce fruits." If I don't reliaze that He is my rock, my power, my strength, then all these things that I do will be for nothing.

I need to always remember that He is my strength. I give all the glory to Him. I need to keep on His path and remember to know that God is my Rock, my Strength, my Power that I can always hold on to. Without Him in my life, in my works, there will not be great outcomes, no great fruits.

Lord, I thank you for your love for my. I thank you for your strength that you have given me and thank you Daddy for walking with me. I know that it is You who gives me strength, it is You who guides me Lord. I pray that I remember you in all things and have you in my works Lord so that it may produce good fruits. I thank you and pray that you give me courage and strength to do your will.
Amen.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Faith In Jesus' Power

Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?" Mark 4:39-40

Jesus has to power over all the things on Earth. He is the living God and all things are in His command. He is the strength that is in US. Because the Disciples didn't have faith in Jesus, they were scared. They FEARED what was thought to be out of their control. They needed Jesus. I need Jesus. Without Him, I am powerless before all things spiritual.

I know that God is in my life. I have Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life giving me strength, giving me power. Without Jesus, I am powerless to do anything. I need to put my faith in Him that He has all things in His hands. I need to have faith in His power that He is with me through my troubles.

Lord, I thank you and give you all the honor and all the praises. Your name is Holy among all things on Earth. I pray that you be with me and give me power and strength, that I may believe and have faith as huge as a mountain in You. Lord, I thank you for your strength, for you encounter, that You have changed my heart to be a greater servant for you. I thank you for your word, and let me know that with Jesus besides me, I have strength to do all things in Him. I thank you and keep your word in my heart.
Amen.

Friday, January 26, 2007

His Words My Strength

14-15"The farmer plants the Word. Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.

16-17"And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

18-19"The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.

20"But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams." Mark 4:14-20

These are the words of God. Let His words spread to all nations. I hope that all are like good soil that open up to His words and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. I know that the most difficult of these that often happens is when one hears His words and get all excited about it, but soon loses interest and forgets His words. These are words that don't stay.

I hope that the words that I get from the Lord stay with me. I want to always be energetic for the Lord. I want to remember His words and keep them close so that I may grow in Him. I need to His words for the temptation of sin, so that I can draw strength from His words.

Lord I thank you for your words. I pray that Your words stay with me no matter what. I have faith that your words are my strength, that I may draw your strength from your teachings. Lord, I pray that you let me encounter you this coming couple of days, that you move my heart and open me to your will. I give all things in your name. I pray that you be with me and give me something out of this encounter with you. I thank you for all your blessings and I give you all the glory.
Amen.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Forgiving All Things

"Listen to this carefully. I'm warning you. There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God's Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives." He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil. Mark 3:28-30

There is nothing greater than to forgive. To forgive is to still love. God is love, and therefore, he can forgive. His compassion is what forgives us of our sins, of our mistakes. Because he is God, he can forgive the biggest of things. I for one am thankful.

I know that God is the one who forgives. For every sin that I have commited against Him, he has forgiven me. Only he can forgive my sins. Only he has the love to clean my heart.

Lord, I thank you so much for your love and for your forgiveness. I am a sinner. I have done wrong against you. Lord, I thank you for being able to forgive me for my mistakes, and I am blessed to have your strength to fight against sin and against temptation. Lord, I give you all the glory, and I pray that you be with me so I don't sin against you. Give me power to do your will. I thank you and pray this all in Your Holy Name.
Amen.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Pride Blinds

The Master sent a message against Jacob.
It landed right on Israel's doorstep.
All the people soon heard the message,
Ephraim and the citizens of Samaria.
But they were a proud and arrogant bunch.
They dismissed the message, saying,
"Things aren't that bad.
We can handle anything that comes.
If our buildings are knocked down,
we'll rebuild them bigger and finer.
If our forests are cut down,
we'll replant them with finer trees." Isaiah 9:8-10

Sometimes, being proud isn't all that good. When one is proud, they are joyful in themselves. Sometimes this is alright because God wants us to be joyous for our blessings, but when that joyfulness starts to turn into arrogance,then being proud will only bring about problems.

God is showing me that being proud sometimes can cause me to be blind of other things. Because they didn't think there was anything wrong with what they were doing, the Isrialites couldn't see their flaws, and therefore, were brought down from their own sins. I hope to be a humble man who is proud, proud to give glory to God.

Lord, I thank YOU for everything. I know that you are my God and creator of all things. I pray that you let me be a humble man for You. Lord, I thank you for your word and I pray that I not be proud enough to see my own flaws and my own sins. Lord, I pray that you give me strength from your words. I thank you for your blessings. I thank you for your guidance and strength. I pray that you make my heart humble as I come to Encounter You. I thank you and pray for the people of the church, that you be with each person as they stay strong for You. I pray you be with them and give them strength to do your will. I give all glory to You, Lord.
Amen.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

God Can Cultivate Life

"Well now, let me tell you
what I'll do to my vineyard:
I'll tear down its fence
and let it go to ruin.
I'll knock down the gate
and let it be trampled.
I'll turn it into a patch of weeds, untended, uncared for—
thistles and thorns will take over.
I'll give orders to the clouds:
'Don't rain on that vineyard, ever!'" Isaiah 5:5-6

God is the one who tends to and cares for his vineyard. We are like his vineyard. We are cared for by the Lord God Almighty. Without Him, without his blessings, nothing will prosper in His name.

I know that whatever I do, I do it for the Lord. He is the one that makes me grow, He is the one that lets me prosper and be wealthy. Because of His blessings, I can have a great life. Everything is in His hands. My exams are in His hands, my projects are in His hands, my helping of others are in His hands, everything is cared for by Him. I need to know that He is always with me and always watching over me.

Lord, I thank you for you are God. I praise your name and give you all the glory. I thank you for having your blessings over me and I pray that you always be with me and care for me because I know that without your blessings, nothing will grow. I thank you for your blessings and I pray that I may grow in you and in life. I thank you for your word and let it give me strength to do your will Father.
Amen.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Toys Will Be Toys, His Words Are More

The time is coming when the Master will strip them of their fancy baubles—the dangling earrings, anklets and bracelets, combs and mirrors and silk scarves, diamond brooches and pearl necklaces, the rings on their fingers and the rings on their toes, the latest fashions in hats, exotic perfumes and aphrodisiacs, gowns and capes, all the world's finest in fabrics and design. Isaiah 3:18-23

As I read this passage, it reminds me of how things are today. People, not just women, have jelwry and rings and chains and fine clothes, but its not just talking about fashion, its talking about the materials things that we all adorn. Everyone has something that they want, whether it be an iPod or a expensive bag, its something that we are attached to of this world. God is saying, "don't get too attached, because one day I'll take it all away."

Sometimes I might feel that I need or I really really want this and that. God says to not put that thing first, to not let yourself be too consumed by material things. I need to know God's words because His words will last forever. I shouldn't let the lastest tech gadget get me so rallied up that I make it so important in my life, because there are more important things in life than toys.

Lord, thank you for your word. I know that sometimes I may get so attached to earthly things because it makes me feel good or have fun or look good, but sometimes clothes will just be clothes, toys will just be toys, these things will not last forever. I pray that you let me do your will and know what will last forever, your words. I thank you for your word, Lord. I thank you for your blessings. I pray that you be with me and give me strength for this week. I give you all the glory Lord.
Amen.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Is Your Back To God?

Heaven and earth, you're the jury.
Listen to God's case:
"I had children and raised them well,
and they turned on me.
The ox knows who's boss,
the mule knows the hand that feeds him,
But not Israel.
My people don't know up from down.
Shame! Misguided God-dropouts,
staggering under their guilt-baggage,
Gang of miscreants,
band of vandals—
My people have walked out on me, their God,
turned their backs on The Holy of Israel,
walked off and never looked back. Isaiah 1:2-4

God is talking about His people, the Isrealites, but God is also speaking to me. He is saying that everyone is included in sin. Everyone has sin in their lives. Because of sin, we don't know good and evil. We are tempted by sin. Sin is in our natural beings. Since God's creation, sin has taken over humans to make us turn our backs from God. How many times have you turned your back on God?

Its a sin and temptation to do your own thing and just not think about what God wants in your life. He is our create and knows whats best for us, but sometimes, its hard to go through some trials and some problems because WE JUST DON'T WANT TO. Well, when I go through my temptations and problems, I won't turn my back on God. I pray that he is there with me at my side giving me strength. I need to give God glory and stay with him.

Father God, I thank you for your love that you have on my life. I thank you for your strength that you give me. I pray that you are with me as I struggle through my problems and my sins. I thank you for your Holy Spirit guiding me through these things. I pray, Lord, that I continue to seek you and to not turn my back on you during this week. I pray that I know that you are there with me. I thank you for everything Lord. I pray that you use me as I give your words tonight. I pray that whatever comes out of me is what you want, and not what I want, because all glory is given to you. I thank you for your blessings. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

A Smooth-Talking Devil

And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in these matters—I couldn't be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every "good" thing is the real thing. Don't be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus! Romans 16:19-20

As always, it is temptation that brings any christian down from spiritual righteousness. Sometimes temptation is blunt, and its right in your face! Other times, temptation can be right next to you, and you might not even know it. The devil is a smooth-talker. He can get you and you won't even know it till three steps later. Be aware of this, and have God close to you.

Most of my temptation of sin is soo blunt that I can see it. That is why its soo much of a struggle to overcome sin. Other times, it may be that I won't know what I'm getting myself into. Those are the times to stay alert. To stay ready. To stay close to God so that His protection may be with you.

Lord, I pray that I stay close to your heart. I pray that your protection be with me . I know that there are many temptations everywhere, but sometimes, sin can come from behind and make me stumble. I thank you for your Love and blessings and protection over me. I thank you for your words that it may guide me. I thank you that my cold and stuffy nose is going away. I give you all the glory Lord.
Amen.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

His Talents, Your Strengths

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1-2

Strength is for service, not status. How true are these words. What good is it that you are able to do things, but don't do it. All you do is show it off. I can do this, I can do that. It is meaningless to show off God's talents. His talents, your strength, is meant to be used for his services.

I know now what my talents are that God gave me. He gave me a passion for technology. He gave me courage to speak boldly. And me made me friendly even when sometimes, I don't feel like being friendly. His talents are my strengths. With these things, I do it all for the glory of God.

Father God, I thank you for my talents. I thank you for my strengths. I pray that I use them for your glory. What good is it if I just like to look and play with gadgets. That would only service myself. I want to use your talents you given me for your glory. I thank you. I pray that you be with me and heal me of this sickness that I have had for a few days now. I pray that I feel better. I also pray for the how christian churches. I pray that instead of slowly losing our young people, that you open their hearts that they may know your love. I pray all these things in your name.
Amen.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Give God Glory

What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other. Romans 14:6-9

This verse says it all. In all that you do, give it to the glory of God. Even if you are different, or do things differently than others, do it for the glory of God. In all of your "specialties" or gifts, do it all for the glory of God.

I give God all the glory. I need to give Him all the glory in everything I do. Even in the little things. Even with every meal, I can give God glory. It is because of Him that I can do anything, and in all things I give Him glory.

Father God, thank you for everything that you have blessed me with. I give you all the glory. I pray that I always and continue to always give you all the glory. When I do things, I first give glory to you. I thank you for everything. I pray all things in your name.
Amen.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

No Sleep In So Much

But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! Romans 13:11-14

Even today, I woke up around 10:15 in the morning. Sometimes I get lots of sleep, sometimes I get a regular 7 hours of sleep. But, what this rhema speaks to me about, is that it isn't always good to lay around in bed all day long. There are things to do. I mean, sometimes its feels good to sleep in, but there is just so many hours in a day that you can't stay in bed all day long. God's things needs to be done, daily obligations need to be done.

As I like to do, I like to sleep in whenever I get a chance. Its ok if I do it once in a while, but to sleep in all the time makes me an EVEN MORE lazy person. Sometimes I need to get up and start doing things. I need to stop being lazy.

Lord, I thank you for your spirit. I thank you for your blessings and your power over my life. I pray that this rhema of sleeping in, moreso the sin of laziness, needs to stop. I thank you and pray that you give me strength to do your will. I pray that you help me be a more productive person and not to sleep in all the time when I need to get things done. I pray this in Jesus Holy name.
Amen.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Doing Good Defeats Evil

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. Romans 12:20-21

Some say the best defense is a good offence. Just like in life, if you keep lettings things go by, nothing will happen. Sometimes you have to take charge of things and make things happen. If you just let the devil float among you, you will eventually fall. If you do something about it, you will have a fighting chance. I like how this verse says "Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good." If you fill your life with good things, then not only are you trying to stay away from evil temptations, but also you are defeating the devil by building on the kingdom of God.

This offensive strategy is one that pleases God. I need strength to fight temptation. I also need strength to continue to do the will of God. As I keep doing God's works, then I also fight off temptation. Give God Glory by doing all things in Him.

Father God, thank you for this rhema that you have given me. I know that you are my strength. As I give you all the glory, I hope that I may do it with your strength. I pray that you let your words guide my life. I pray that I continue to do your will and by doing so, gain strength to fight the temptations the devil puts in my life. I thank you for watching over my life. I pray that the church have the strength and power to go forth with Giving God Glory. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

God's Words

Behind and underneath all this there is a holy, God-planted, God-tended root. If the primary root of the tree is holy, there's bound to be some holy fruit. Some of the tree's branches were pruned and you wild olive shoots were grafted in. Yet the fact that you are now fed by that rich and holy root gives you no cause to crow over the pruned branches. Remember, you aren't feeding the root; the root is feeding you. Romans 11:16-18

Remember that the root of our lives is Jesus Christ. He is the one who provides for our needs. He is the one that makes us grow. Without His words, then we will not grow. His words are like water to our plants. We need His words to grow in Him.

I remember how important it is to water plants, and how it is more important to read God's words. His words is the key to growing a strong christian life. His rhema is needed to give my life a meaning and understanding of His words. I need his words everyday.

Lord, I thank you for your words. Without your words, I can fall in faith and strength. I need to read your words daily. I thank you for giving me discipline and strength to continue to read Your words even when I don't feel like it. I know that Your words will strengthen my faith. I pray that you continue to be with me as I seek your words. I pray for everything in Jesus name.
Amen.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Family Relationships

Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his four hundred men. men. He divided the children between Leah and Rachel and the two maidservants. He put the maidservants out in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. He led the way and, as he approached his brother, bowed seven times, honoring his brother. But Esau ran up and embraced him, held him tight and kissed him. And they both wept. Genesis 33:1-4

No matter what the issues or problems that families have, they will always remain family. Families can endure more arguments and fighting because they are just that, family, so you live with each other no matter what the issues. Your family is important and no matter what the problem is, you still love each other.

This verse shows to me how much family is important to one another. Even though things will go wrong, families stick it out. I believe that I have a good relationship with my family, but I still need to spend more time with them. My family is very important to me and I need to build those relationships.

Father God, thank you for my family that you have given me. I love them so much. I pray that you always have your Holy Spirit over us. I pray that you open the hearts of mom and dad so that you move in their lives as they still don't know you as lord and savior. I pray for them right now to come to know you. I thank you for your blessings and pray for all families that they build a strong relationship with You. I thank you for everything, all the blessings, and I give you all the honor and glory.
Amen.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Everyone's A Sheperd

While Jacob was in conversation with them, Rachel came up with her father's sheep. She was the shepherd. The moment Jacob spotted Rachel, daughter of Laban his mother's brother, saw her arriving with his uncle Laban's sheep, he went and single-handedly rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the sheep of his uncle Laban. Then he kissed Rachel and broke into tears. He told Rachel that he was related to her father, that he was Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father. When Laban heard the news—Jacob, his sister's son!—he ran out to meet him, embraced and kissed him and brought him home. Jacob told Laban the story of everything that had happened. Genesis 29:9-13

Never really have I thought about this, but every time I think of a sheperd, I think of a man. In this case, Rachel was a sheperd. A woman, a sheperd. This shows that not jsut men can be a sheperd, but anyone can. Anyone who can take care of the sheeps can be a sheperd. Anyone that can share God's words can be a sheperd.

A sheperd is a leader. Someone that people look to for direction, for questions, for answers. Anyone can be a sheperd. I can be a sheperd, a boy can be a sheperd, a girl can be a sheperd. As long as you know God's words, you can be a sheperd of God.

Lord, let me know your words. Let me know your words so that I may be a sheperd for your people. Give me strength to be a witness for you. Let others see You in my life. I give you all the glory. I pray that you let me grow in you, Lord.
Amen.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

God Is Here In My Life

Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, "God is in this place—truly. And I didn't even know it!" He was terrified. He whispered in awe, "Incredible. Wonderful. Holy. This is God's House. This is the Gate of Heaven." Genesis 28:16-17

God is not just in church, but he is in my life. I feel God working in my life. I meet with him in prayer daily. God is in my life, and I need to get excited about it. If God is in my life, then I have everything going for me.

I need to get excited that I have God in my life. He is the one that leads me, that guides me, that gives me strength when I need Him. I can praise Him in church as well as out of church. He is with me where ever I go.

Lord, I know that you are with me right now. I know that you are watching over me right now. I thank you for being in my life, being with me where ever I go. I want to get excited for you Lord. I can praise you anytime and anywhere. I thank you for all of these things. I thank you for your life in my heart. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

A Covenant With The Lord

At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow. It's an enormous pain deep within me, and I'm never free of it. I'm not exaggerating—Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses. It's the Israelites...If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I'd do it in a minute. They're my family. I grew up with them. They had everything going for them—family, glory, covenants, revelation, worship, promises, to say nothing of being the race that produced the Messiah, the Christ, who is God over everything, always. Oh, yes! Romans 9:1-5

As listed here, covenants are something good, not something that people dread. Covenants are more than just promises, but also something of faith and hope. Its that which makes us stronger.

As I always know that my heart is in the Lord, I must not fear a covenant with Him. I can always draw strength, but sometimes fear of mistakes and the world can stop me from making things work out. I need to forget about thinking so hard and always fearing a covenant with the Lord, but to take the first step with Him.

Lord, I know that you are my God. I am always thankful for you Love for me. I thank you for the blessings which you have poured into my life. I pray that your covenant with me and my covenant with you be a strength that I may become stronger in you. Lord, I pray that I not fear my faithfulness to you and know that you are always with me. I thank you for all you have done.
Amen.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Ignoring God

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored. Romans 8:5-8

Ignoring God is not the smartest thing to do. If you ignore God, you ignore his blessings, you ignore his guidance, you ignore his love; and that leads to openess to sin. If God is ignored, then the only thing that is left you yourself. Sin can feed on you and cause you into temptation.

I can't ignore God. He is the strength that I need to get through temptation. I have to put God first in my life. If God is ignored, then my priority is to myself and not to God.

Lord, I put you first in my life. I give you all the glory. I ask you for your forgiveness for my lack of strength in you and my fall of temptation. I pray that the Holy Spirit empower me to fight this temptation. Lord, I thank you for your love in my life. I thank you for your blessings. I give you all the glory and honor.
Amen.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Temptations Of Sin

17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. Romans 7:17-25

This is the nature of sin. Sin is always there right when you feel strong enough to fight against it. Sin is that temptation that gets you down. I feel it all the time. I know sin can take over my life if I don't fight against it. The thing that I can fight sin with is Jesus Christ.

I need Jesus' strength to help me fight the temptation of sin. I need the Holy Spirit's power to overcome its temptation and to focus on God. I know that sin can be tricky and find its way into my life, so I need to be always attentive of sin and to grow stronger in the Lord.

Lord, thank you for your son Jesus Christ for dying on the cross for MY sins. I pray that you give me strength to keep from the temptations of sin and to focus and draw closer to you. Lord I thank you for your blessings and I thank you for that testimony from Kat of your healing. I know that you are the healer of miricles. I thank you and pray that this next week go smoothly.
Amen.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Grace Over Sin

All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end. Romans 5:20,21

The Grace of God is everlasting. With the death of His son Jesus Christ, we are saved and invited to eternal life with Him. This verse glorifies God through Jesus Christ.

Life needs to always glorify God. Because Jesus died for our sins, we lift him high above everything on Earth. God gave His son, Jesus, to die for our sins and because of His Grace, we are changed.

Lord, I thank you for your grace you have given to us. Your grace of Jesus Christ saved our lived from a life of sin and changed me to be a better person in you. I thank you for your blessings and the biggest blessing of all, Jesus, for coming into my life. I pray that you watch over me and my friends and family and protect us this week. I pray you guide us in our decicions that we make and let it glorify your name.
Amen.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Trust In God

If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift. Romans 4:4-5

Here is something that sounds just like me and sounds like something that I need work in. Usually, in practical matters, I just think things through. Sometimes, I need to trust God to help me through my problems.

I need to ask God and trust in Him when I have a problem that only He can help me with. This will strengthen my faith as I see that He is doing something in my life. I need to trust that God will provide me with a way through my problems or situations.

Father God, thank you for being with me as I read your words. I thank you for this message that reminds me to always trust in you. I pray that I give you my problems and trust that you will help me come up with a solution to it. I thank you in advance for you will do for me. I thank you for all your blessings and pray that the weather will be good for the next couple of days. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

His Words Are Forever

First, there's the matter of being put in charge of writing down and caring for God's revelation, these Holy Scriptures. So, what if, in the course of doing that, some of those Jews abandoned their post? God didn't abandon them. Do you think their faithlessness cancels out his faithfulness? Not on your life! Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same:

Your words stand fast and true;
Rejection doesn't faze you.

But if our wrongdoing only underlines and confirms God's rightdoing, shouldn't we be commended for helping out? Since our bad words don't even make a dent in his good words, isn't it wrong of God to back us to the wall and hold us to our word? These questions come up. The answer to such questions is no, a most emphatic No! How else would things ever get straightened out if God didn't do the straightening? Romans 3:2-6

God's words will always last forever. His words is the life of all that we hold on to. It is the law that we abide by. Even when we are not perfect, his words will still be the same, Holy and Everlasting.

I need to keep His words close to me. As I read his words, I let it change my heart to be closer to God. I need to continue to read His words and let me grow in knowledge and faith.

Lord, I thank you for your word. If it wasn't for you, then I would not be living in you. I pray that I keep seeking you and always keep your words close to me. I pray that you move in my heart as I get rhema from your words and let it change me to be a man of God. Thank you for your blessings.
Amen.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Needing A Leader

If you're brought up Jewish, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I'm quite serious. While preaching "Don't steal!" are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, "It's because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God," shows it's an old problem that isn't going to go away. Romans 2:17-24

Having someone, a leader, someone to be accountable to, is what the Bible is telling me here. If you are in a leadership position, it is even more critical that you have someone to guide you. It would be very hypocritical if you teach such things but don't abide by it. That is why it is important to have someone to watch over you.

As I grow in the Lord, I need someone to always be accountable to me so that I don't do things and sin against God. I always need to walk straight in God's path.

Lord, let me always follow your words. I pray that the Holy Spirit guide me and teach me to walk you in way Lord. I thank you for all the leaders that have helped me grow in you and I continue to always seek you. Thank you for everything and all your blessings.
Amen.