Friday, February 29, 2008

Hold On To Persevere

Gen 32:24-27
24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 “What is your name?” the man asked.

He replied, “Jacob.”


Imagine being in a bicycle race and you get injured so badly that your whole leg doesn't work... but you still go on with the race. That is perseverance. Jacob had perseverance. Even when God took his leg out of his socket, he kept holding on to what he wanted, which was God. He held on to God until God had blessed him. That is perseverance.

We need to be able to seek God the way that Jacob did. He held on to the Lord no matter what until God blessed him. Through fights and injuries, Jacob still held on to the Lord. Through trouble, we can persevere for the Lord.

Father, I thank you for your words to hold on to You and your words and your blessings. Through tough times, we can persevere. Physical injury can get in our way, but our spirit can still persevere to hold on to God and all of His blessings. I thank you for that Lord.
Amen.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Great Love

1 Corth 13:1-7
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


Wow, how great is the spirit of Love. The Bible has this section about Love and the importance of it in our lives. Reading this passage lets me reflex the love that is in my life and how much I can grow in Love.

Love is really great. True Love is not the kind that you find in fairy tales, but the ones that is found in the Spirit of God. We need to love like how Christ loves. We need to love like how love is meant to be.

I know that my Lord is Love and that You love so much. I pray that I learn to love like how you love. Change my heart and work in my spirit to be a loving person, like how it describes in your words. I thank you and pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I'm Glad God's Not A Man

Numbers 23:19-20
19 God is not a man, that he should lie,
nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?

20 I have received a command to bless;
he has blessed, and I cannot change it.


The Lord is not a man who should take back what he says. He is holy and does not lie. He does not deceive like the devil. The Lord keeps his promise, his promise to us and our lives.

I must remember the Lord's promise. His promise of salvation for all that trust in Him. His promise for a full life. His promise of love for me.

Father God, I thank you for your promises to me. Lord, I know that you are a God and not a man like me who is wishy washy about his decisions. Lord, I take hold of your words and I pray that it sprout in my faith that holds on to you.
Amen.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

His Mercy Against A Sinful World

Mark 5:18-20
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.


This world belongs to Satan and all of his demons. By mercy, Jesus came to this world and saved us from our own sins. He could have just went about leaving us with no hope of salvation, but He mercifully came to die on the Cross for us.

Jesus had mercy enough to cast out the demons from this man. He could have just left them in there, but He saved this man. Jesus also saved me about two thousand years ago. He died on the Cross so that His blood can be redemption for my sins.

Father, I thank you for all that you have done. I know that you came down from heaven to live a life on earth to die for me. Lord, I thank you so much for what you have done. I thank you so much for your mercy that I don't deserve. Lord, I pray that your mercy fall on me, because I know that I need to be more Holy and Christ-like. Lord, I give you thanks and praise and let me live more for you.
Amen.

Monday, February 25, 2008

T5+: Lemons to Lemonade

Joshua and the Israelites made a huge and costly mistake. When the Gibeonites approached them to make a treaty, instead of consulting with the Lord to see if they should do it, they went by outward appearances. What they didn't know was that the Gibeonites were deceiving them. As so often happens, things were not as they appeared to be!

We all make mistakes. We have all failed to consult God first at one time or another and had to live with the consequences. When that happens we can be tempted to despair and give up, thinking all is lost.
That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day (Joshua 9:27)

Joshua didn't give up. He made his mistake for for him. In God, once we acknowledge our mistake and ask for forgiveness, we always have another chance. Don't give up. Don't let failure overtake you. See how you can take those lemons and turn them into something refreshing!

We should all consult the Lord with our decisions. He has to be important in our lives for Him to be Lord. We have to give Him our decisions and let Him guide and lead us to what is best.

Father, let me learn to ask you in all the decisions that I have. Lord, I pray that I can seek you for wisdom and ask you of you will for my life. Take charge in my life and I ask for your guidance. I thank you Holy Spirit I pray in Jesus name.
Amen.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

To Understand Jesus

10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12so that,
" 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'[a]"

13Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?


Jesus is explaining the parable to his disciples. He asks them that they don't understand what he is saying. He asks as if they should know what he is saying. Jesus has expectations of his disciples and wants them to better themselves.

I know that the Lord wants more from me. He has a higher standard for me. All other people didn't understand the parable, but he wants his disciples to understand them. Jesus wants me to have a higher understanding of him.

Father, let me understand you more. I know that you have a higher standard for me, but let me understand you more. I pray that your words speak to me and let me soak in everything from you. I thank you Lord and I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Friday, February 22, 2008

T5+: Call Upon Me

Amanda, a 5-year-old girl, was riding her bike for the first time solo. Her father stood and watched as his little girl pedaled down the street. At first, her balanced was steady and it looked as if she could ride forever. However, with a sudden turn of the wheel, Amanda's bike went down.

"Daddy, help me!" she cried.

The father quickly ran to his daughter and helped her up. He wiped her tears, brushed her off, and held her until she felt safe again. This scenario may sound familiar. For most of us, we have times in our lives when we cry out for a parent or other caregiver.

However, as we get older, hugs and kisses can't quite take away the pain. Some hurts run deep; others are too numerous to kiss away. We need the help of someone greater. And the Psalmist identifies and describes such a One and what He does for those who trust in Him.
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him" (Psalm 91:14,15).

For me, I feel that sometimes it is difficult to call out to God like this. It's always hard to see that someone cares about you. Sometimes it is hard to hear from the Lord and to know that He is there. I need to be still and know that He is there for me; He is watching my back.

You are such a good Father to me. Lord, I pray that I may call on you more and more. I thank you for being there for me and I pray that I may be still and know that you are going to walk with me daily.
Amen.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

To Follow God's Precense

Numbers 9:21-23
21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

the Israelites were obedient to the Lord. They knew that His presence was over them and they followed Him where He went. If God's presence left them, they would follow Him. If God presence stayed there, they would also stay there. A lot of times, we go where we want to go. I want to go out. I want to go to the club. I want to go drinking. We never follow where God's presence is, we only follow our own self.

We need to follow Him more. I need to know where God leads me and I need to follow Him instead of following wherever I want to go.

Father, I thank you for your word. I pray that your words speak into my life. Let me follow you where ever you go. Lord, I pray that I lose to myself and all that I want to go, but I follow you where you are. I want to stay in your presence where you are. Lord, let me be able to discern you and able to know where you want to lead me to. I thank you and I give you all the praises in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Perfect Storm

Acts 27:13-20;33-37
13When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. 15The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. 17When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

33Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. "For the last fourteen days," he said, "you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven't eaten anything. 34Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." 35After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37Altogether there were 276 of us on board.


The perfect storm. That is the setting that I imagine when I read this passage. The disciples and their guards went through a perfect storm, and they survived through it by the grace of God. Going through the perfect storm would test the limits of each person, but Pual through God helped each person and encouraged them and praised God in the perfect storm.

When tough storms come and there seems like no end to things, we need to still praise God through it. Paul broke bread and gave thanks to the Lor while in the perfect storm. God is good, ALL THE TIME, even when we are struggling through it.

Father, I pray that you give me strength to go through my perfect storms. I know that you are awesome and great and I need you with me. Help me to know that you are there with me, let me be able to give thanks and praise you when I am struggling. Lord, I pray that I may be a person who strengthens others and encourages others through their perfect storm. I thank you Lord for all you have done and I give you all the praises in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Without The Chains

Acts 26:25-29
25"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."


Do I have the same prayer that Paul has? He wishes everyone will have his spirit for the Lord. He wishes that all know God like how He knows God. Can I say that myself? I don't feel that everyone should be like me, because I have done so many things wrong that it would be wrong for anyone to be like me, but my wish is like Paul, which is to have a heart like the Lord Jesus Christ.

I need to have a heart for Jesus. I want to be a Jesus Freak. I want to show others how to be closer to the Lord through my encouragements and through my own life. I want to be able to say the same things as Paul, to be like me, to love the Lord.

Father, I thank you for your love. I want to be more like you. I wish others to be more like you. I want to encourage others and show others how to be more like you. I pray that your words speak rhema into my life. I pray that your Holy Spirit be great in my life. I thank you for all this and pray this in Your name.
Amen.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

T5+: A Set Affection

The term love is thrown about in today's society like a basketball in the final seconds of an intese game. It is used to describe afeeling between a guy and his french fries, between a child and a puppy, between a girl and a trendy pair of shoes...
The Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all he nations (Deuteronomy 10:14,15).

God's love is different. His love is not based on what we do or who we are. God has "set his affection" on us; He has chosen us. For God, love is not a shallow, on-again, off-again emotion. his love is more steady than the sun in the desert, more fixed than the mountains of any range.

There will be times when we don't feel God's love; even so, that love persists. That's why for us it's called a walk of faith (2 Corth 5:7), not a walk of feeling. We trust what God has said about himself, about loving us, choosing us- not what we feel about Him. God hasn't withdrawn His love, He's still ehre, loving us, inviting us to himself- that's the way His love is!

God's love is a constant and it is eternal. He is always gonna love you no matter what or what you are, because you are still a child of God. God's love is a matter of faith, because there will be times that you don't feel His love, and you feel the world coming apart, but God's love is there. Through faith, He will show himself to you.

Father, I thank you for your love for me. I know that there are times that I forget that you love me out there. You love me with a big hug. Lord, I thank you for that. I pray that my relationship with you is not about feeling, but about faith in you. Lord, let me have faith in your love for me. I know that you are there every step of the way. I thank you lord. I pray this all in your Holy name.
Amen.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

T5+: In The Desert

Edward "Ward" Brehm- a founder, CEO,and chairman of two companies- felt the call of God on His life in a strange way. He felt God calling him to break from his hectic lifestyle and walk the inhospitable terrain of East Africa.

It was a five-day journey, and his encounter with the local people made it a life-changing experience. During his walk, Brehm spent time in prayer and silence before God. At the end of his trek, Brehm said, "During those days I was praying instead of planning, I listened more than I talked, I learned more than I taught."

Tribal leaders were equally impressed, giving Brehm the title Nyakan- "a brave man who faces the unknown with only faith in God." His journey brought him closer to his Creator; the walk changed him forever.
Remember how the Lord you God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart (Deuteronomy 8:2).

The Israelites walked with God in the desert. The journey could have been short. Instead, it took forty years to reach their Promised Land. Even when the israelites abandoned their faith, God remained faithful.

I handle stressful situations with a very analytical mind. I think about all the different details and the different solutions. I need to make God a part of my desicions. I need to have Him in my life even what I am stressed out or I don't know how to solve something. I need to trust in the Lord with all my heart and with all my sould and with all my mind.

Father, I thank you for this passage of your people and how they spent time with you and how you were faithful to them. Lord, I pray that I be faithful in you. I want to spend more time with you and I want to make you more of my life. I pray that you be with me and all the desicions that I make, that you be part of it. I pray that I may listen more than I speak, especcially when I listen to you. Lord, I thank you and I pray all these thing in your Holy name.
Amen.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Taking Care Of Your Land

Leviticus 25:18-24
18 " 'Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. 19 Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety. 20 You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" 21 I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. 22 While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.

23 " 'The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. 24 Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.


We were talking about business and triple bottom line. One of the triple bottom line is to be sensitive to the environment. America is so full of gas and chemicals, but we are realizing that we need to take care of the environment more. Businesses are encouraged to be more Eco friendly. As Christians, we need to take care of the earth that is given to us to be on. It is God's creation and we are not to abuse it.

After reading this passage, I am encouraged to take better care of the environment and the earth. We need to recycle and keep from polluting the planet. We can all do our little part in conserving energy so that we don't damage the environment.

Father, I thank you for this creation that you made. I know that you are great and mighty and that we glorify your name. We should take care of your creation and restore it to all of its glory. I pray that I may do my part in keeping your earth a beautiful place to live on. Let me take care of your planet. I give you all the glory and pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Praise And Magnificent Glory

Psalms 24:4-10
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false. [a]

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [b]
Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Selah


This is another reminder of how great the Lord is. We always sing of how great the Lord is to us. We can speak truth in our worship. We can glorify His name through the praises that we give him.

I want to always be able to say that my God is Lord. He is a great and powerful Lord. My worship and my praise should be one that glories the Lord.

Father, I want to glorify your name. I want to praise your name and show that you are mighty. I pray that your words speak revival in my heart to worship you. I want to give you glory. I want to sing of how magnificent you are. Lord, I give you all the glory. Let me continue to give you praise and worship, and I pray all this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Still Others Who Don't Know

Acts 20:25-28
25"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.


After reading Paul's message in Acts, I feel that I can't say the same thing. I might not have shared to everyone that I can that Jesus is Lord. Those that don't hear the gospel may be blood on my hands. It might have been my purpose to share to those I meet.

I need to make a deliberate effort to be a witness to others. I need to share with others the grace and mercy of God's love. I know that I haven't been the best witness and I want to change.

Father, I pray that I be a great witness for you. Help me through this as I share with others that you are the Lord. I pray that you give me strength to be bold and to be able to witness as the opportunities arise. Let me be on my guard to share others about you. I pray all these in Jesus name.
Amen.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Know Him Through A Relationship

Acts 19:11-16
11God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

13Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.


The Lord my God is a powerful and mighty God. Only through Him can I do anything. It is not that I say it on His behalf, like how the seven sons of sceva did, but to be a representative of Him and all that He is. This takes a relationship with the Lord. The seven sons of sceva didn't have that relationship with the Lord, they didn't know Him. Because of this, the demon attacked them and ran them off.

To call on the name of the Lord is to know Him. I wouldn't call someone by name if I didn't know them. I have to have a strong relationship with my Lord to fight a spiritual war. I need to know the Lord my God and build the relationship in Him.

Father, I pray that my relationship with you grow stronger each day. I know that you are a mighty Lord and I strive to know you more. Lord, let this passage encourage me to talk and pray and worship you more and more each day. I thank you for your love for me and I pray this all in your Holy name.
Amen.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Mighty In Scripture

Acts 18:24-26
24Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.

25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;

26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue.


This man is a sound man in the Lord. He is a testimony of those that are mighty in the Scriptures. Apollos knew God's words well and He was sharing it boldly with the people. After reading about Apollos, I see that I can also be mighty in the Scriptures.

To be mighty in the scriptures, I need to have a good relationship with the Lord. I need to know His words and know His heart. To do that, I must talk to Him more, read His words more, connect to Him more.

Father, I pray that I know you more, that I can draw closer to you. Lord, I see that you are mighty and that you are a God who is powerful. I pray that I can know you face to face. Let me be mighty in Scripture like Apollos so that I can be a great witness for you. I give you all the glory and I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Remember To Encourage

Acts 16:37-40
37But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."

38The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.


Through this story of Paul and Silas, after going through such a great ordeal of being beaten and jailed, they remembered to return to the house of their brothers and sisters and encourage them in the Lord. Their fellow brothers and sisters were probably demoralized that their "pastors" were taken and beaten, but Paul and Silas remembered that all need encouragement. When they were returning from being jailed, they knew that they needed to encourage their "church" that God is in control.

I need to remember that God is in control of things. When things look bad, I know that He is on my side. As I go through tough times, I need to remember to go back and encourage others through it.

Father, I know that you are with me always. I pray that you will take control. Lord, let me encourage those who need encouragement. I pray that I remember to go back to those that need encouragement when things are not going well. I thank you for being there for me and I pray that your Spirit guide me in what I do. I thank you and pray all these things in Your Holy name.
Amen.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Just As They Are

Acts 15:8-11
8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."


Peter shows us that we are who we are and that Jesus saved us for who we are. I don't need to be someone else to be saved. I don't need to be a Jew, nor a Roman Catholic, but just be who I am in the Lord, because it is through Christ Jesus that I have salvation.

This passage reminds me of who I am in the Lord. I know that I am in Christ Jesus, who is my Savior. God loves each one of us as we are, perfect or not. Because of this, we strive to be more like the Lord, loving and caring, so that we may please Him.

Father, I thank you for your love for your people. I know that you love me any way that I am. Let me be the way that you want me to be so that I can show you my love for you. Lord, I thank you for this word and it's encouragement in my life. I pray that I may be able to encourage others as well. In your Holy name I pray.
Amen.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

To First Hunger

Acts 14:8-10
8In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.


Looking at this passage, I want to put myself in the life of this man who was lame. When I read this, I see how much he hungered for what Paul was saying, which were the words of the Lord. First he hungered for the word, then as Paul picked out, through faith, he stood up. We first need that hunger to let the Lord work in our lives.

I need to get back to the hunger of knowing God. He is my king and my savior, the one who loves me so much. I know He is always with me, wanting to do something in my life. I need to first hunger and want Him more and more.

Father, I thank you for your love for me. You are a great and awesome God who came to earth to save me. Lord, I want to hunger for you more. I want to be in your presence. I want the spark to go so that my life can be established for me. I thank you and I pray all these things in Jesus name.
Amen.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Bouncing Right Back Up

Acts 13:49-52
49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.


There are many times that I feel that it is difficult and hard to reach others and to be a representative of Christ. People today reject and, in their own way, persecute Him. Paul and Barnabas show to just bounce right back from these problems. They just continued to move on and share the good news of Christ.

When it is hard and tough to share Salvation to people, I need to trust in the Lord and bounce right back from these things. I need to continue to move on and pray that God will work in the hearts of those I testify to.

Father, I pray that I be a light for you. I thank you for these opportunities to share your good news to others. Lord, I pray that I move on and bounce right back when I hit a road block. I know that I can trust in you. I thank you for being with me and I pray that you continue to guide me. I pray all these things in your Holy name.
Amen.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Even When It Hurts

Psalms 15:4-5
4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.


This passage shows the moral, God's moral, for His people. It says that the person honors the Lord. In all these things, we can honor Him.

I can honor the Lord with my choices and the way that I deal with decisions. When it comes to a tough choice, I know that I can trust in the Lord, even when it feels like its going to hurt me.

Father, I know that your will is the best. I know that having my morals rooted in you may hurt at times, but it is honoring you. Lord, let me honor you with my life and with what I do. I pray that I may give glory to you.
Amen.

Monday, February 04, 2008

To All People

Acts 11:19-21
19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.


The disciples went and shared the gospel to all the people. Through Peter's vision, they learned that all should know the glory of God.

We should not be picking who to share the grace of God to. God puts unexpected people into our lives so that we may share with them the gospel. Salvation is for everyone.

Father, I thank you for this word of Salvation. I pray that all may know your grace and have a relationship with you. Lord, I thank you for all people that you have put into my life, and that I may know that you want to save everyone, not just the people that I feel like sharing to. Let me do that I pray. Thank you and I give you all the glory in Jesus name.
Amen.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Face To Face

Exodus 33:11
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.


Moses's relationship with the Lord was a great friendship. They spoke on a regular basis. Moses would always be in the Lord's presence. Their relationship was a strong relationship because of the time they spent together.

I want to have a good relationship with the Lord. I need to spend that time with Him. If I don't spend the time to know Him, how am I going to have a good relationship with Him. I need to spend the time reading His words and listening and talking to Him.

Father, I thank you for these words. I pray that I may have a great relationship with you like how Moses did. He spent the time with you, face to face. Lord, I pray that I may have that same relationship with you, that I may know your face to face. Let me to continue to grow closer to you, to continue to pray and read your words. I pray all these things in your Holy name.
Amen.

Friday, February 01, 2008

All Powerful

Acts 8:36-40
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[f] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.


Our God is an awesome God. He can even do teleportation. Even in the world of superheroes, teleportation is pretty neat, but when the Lord does teleportation, we know that He is mighty because it is real. Our Lord is Lord over all things, even super power. How cool is that!

Through His words, I know that my Lord is a powerful God. He is the one who created life out of his voice. He is the one that can even make teleportation happen in real life. If it is His will, He can do anything. Thank God that He is on my side.

Father, I priase you with all of my heart because I know that you are with me. I know that I have a God that is all powerful. He is the awesome and mighty One. Lord, I pray that I may know you more and more through your words. I pray that I may draw closer in our relationship with you. Lord, I give you all the praise and glory in Jesus name.
Amen.