Sunday, November 29, 2009

Take A Second To Grasp How Much God Loves Us

Romans 8:37-39
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.


God's love is so great. He loved us so much that he gave His son to die for our sin. This passage just reminds me of how awesome and great God's love for me is.

My rhema that God shows me here is to just bast in God's love for me. To take a minute, or two, or many moments to take in how much God loves me, how much he loved all of us.

Father God, I know you love me so much. I know that you are the one who God Jesus to us, that we may be restored to the glory that you have meant for us. I pray for all that you have blessed me with, because you Love me. I thank you so much for everything. Your love abounds all things. I love you, Jesus.
Amen.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

God's Law Is Not Bad, But Leads Us To Jesus

Romans 7:8-12
8-12Don't you remember how it was? I do, perfectly well. The law code started out as an excellent piece of work. What happened, though, was that sin found a way to pervert the command into a temptation, making a piece of "forbidden fruit" out of it. The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me. Without all the paraphernalia of the law code, sin looked pretty dull and lifeless, and I went along without paying much attention to it. But once sin got its hands on the law code and decked itself out in all that finery, I was fooled, and fell for it. The very command that was supposed to guide me into life was cleverly used to trip me up, throwing me headlong. So sin was plenty alive, and I was stone dead. But the law code itself is God's good and common sense, each command sane and holy counsel.


God gave us the law to guide us, but sin has perverted it to lead us to stumble and fall. Paul is speaking of the law and restoring it to God's intended glory, to lead us to Him.

Reading this passage of Romans was very confusing, and sometimes the law can confuse us into not understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. It is by the law that God's grace is able to be abundant, letting us not stumble by the law that He is given, but to come to Him and allow His grace abound.

Father, thank you for the law, because it leads me to Jesus. I want your grace and I want your Holy Spirit to guide me. Allow Your words to speak into my life. I pray that You continue to have your hand on my life. I thank you for all the things that you have blessed me with. I give you all the glory in Jesus Mighty name.
Amen.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Sin Is Not Your Master

Romans 6:11-14
11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.


This passage about the grace that God has given to us is about the life that God took us to, leaving our sinful ways, but through God's grace, is able to be free.

When you give your life to Jesus, sin will not be your master, but Jesus leads the way. I am reminded that our fleshly desires and our sinful nature is that of the past, but God's righteousness is restored into us.

Father God, I thank you for the lie that you have redeemed me to. I thank you for the life that your grace has saved me from, because I am dead to sin and it has no power over me, but I am alive in Christ, my savior and redeemer. I want to give you all the glory and I want to thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me of how great you are.
Amen.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Life Is Not Fair

Romans 5:18-20
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


When I read this passage, I think of fairness. You would think that it would not seem fair that sin is in the world one man's misdeed, yet, if things were fair, then we would not have the grace that abounds all sin for us.

Although one man brought sin into this world, we all sin and have fallen short of God's righteousness. It is only because it is not fair, that God is able to give grace, through Christ Jesus, that we may be redeemed.

Father God, I thank you for grace that redeems. I thank you for your Son who died on the Cross and rose to life, so that I may be redeemed. I thank you that life is not fair, because if it were fair, then I would be deserving of death. I pray that I may always be in your grace. Allow me to live more in accordance with what You want instead of what I want. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Not By Works, But By Faith In Jesus

Romans 4:13-15
13It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.


It is not through works that men are made righteous, but by the faith that they may believe that Jesus died for their sins and on the third day rose to life to overcome death. Faith in Jesus gives us grace to the law, for He is our redeemer.

This passage speaks of a faith that is lifting us up out of our own works, but placing us in the hands of Jesus, who did it all and overcame sin for us. We don't need to do anything, except trust in Jesus.

Father God, I believe in faith that my redemption is not in my own works, but that I may put my faith in You. I believe that the walls of sin can not hold down the glory of the God who created the Universe, who defeats death, and who saves men. I pray that my faith expound beyond what I can ever do on my own, but through the Holy Spirit gives me faith to move mountains. I thank you for all this, and I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Awesome Grace Of God

Romans 3:20-24
20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Righteousness Through Faith

21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.


Paul is speaking the gospel to the Romans. We are all under the law, and we have broken the law, yet we go unpunished. A loving God has given his Son to take that punishment for us, that through grace, we may be redeemed.

Every time I hear of this good news, it lifts me up to know that I am redeemed. God has paid the price for my sin. I am free. In doing so, the great grace that has been upon me leads me in awe of God.

Father God, you are so good. I thank you. I lift You up in glory. I give you all the praise. I give you all the worship, because you deserve it. I pray that this good news of redemption be spilled over in my life to those that need to hear about it. Allow me to overflow by the grace of God. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Circumcising the Sinful Nature Away

Romans 2:28-29
28A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.


Paul speaks of circumcision of our hearts, lives, and intentions. The Holy Spirit is there to "cut" away the sinful nature that we have in our lives, leaving one that is righteous by His grace.

I need to allow the Holy Spirit to circumcise me in all areas that are not pleasing to Him. Circumcision is never a pleasant thing, but God is doing a work in me where I can wholly dedicate myself to Him.

Father God, I thank you for your words. I pray for more of You in my life. Circumcise the sinfulness that seeps into me, and cut it off, leaving me capable of having more of You. I pray for your grace. Thank you Lord. I pray this in Your Holy and mighty Name.
Amen.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

You Need To Choose Jesus

Romans 1:21
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.


Man has sinned and has resulted in separation from God. Although God wants to reach back to man, many have rejected Him. They know God, that He is there, but yet do not choose to follow Him.

A lasting theme in the Bible is choice. It is our choice to choose Jesus or not. We may know him, we may talk about him, but do we choose him? Do our actions and words and intentions choose Him? I need to reevaluate my life to be choosing Jesus.

Father God, I want more of You. I pray for your words to speak life into me. I ask that your grace be upon me. I choose You. I want my life to be according to what You want. I pray for more of You, Lord. Be glorified in Your mighty name.
Amen.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Being Bold Through Till The End

Acts 28:30-31
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.


Paul had finally arrived in Rome, where he stayed for about two years waiting trial. During this time, he was in his little house preaching the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the end of this trail that Paul is going through, He is still trusting in the Lord and boldly speaking about His good news. Paul was able to persevere through all through the power of the Holy Spirit.


Father, You are my God. I love you and You love me way more. You died for me on the Cross, so that I may live. You give me abundant life, so that I may be blessed. You gave me a full life, so that I am provided. Even through my trails, you have been there for me. I thank you. My hope is to see the end, to run the good race, to continue to be bold and to preach Your words, as the Holy Spirit enables me. I want to give you all the glory in Jesus name.
Amen.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Thanking God For What He Will Do

Acts 27:33-36
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.


Here, Paul is giving thanks to God for what He is going to do. Even before God rescues them, Paul is thanking Him.

This just shows the amount of faith that Paul has. Thanksgiving is coming up and we always give thanks for what we currently have or have had, but not many times, we give thanks for what God is going to do in our lives.

Father God, I want to thank you for the blessings that you have given to me, but I want to also thank you for what you have set in my life. You have plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans for hope and a future. I thank you for that. I want to give you all of my thanks, because you are with me. I thank you so much in Jesus mighty name.
Amen.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Crazy Talk

Acts 26:2-26
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.


Paul is testifying to the court. The Governor Festus thinks that Paul's testimony is crazy.

Sometimes, to the world who does not know Jesus, some thins may sound crazy to them, but to those that know the power of the Cross, His words bring us closer to a relationship with Jesus.

Father God, I pray for your words. I pray for an anointing over your words that they may not return void, but that anything that we do, that we may be a witness to you. Allow those that don't see your grace, let their hearts be open to what you are doing. I pray for your Holy Spirit to change hearts and change lives. I pray this in Jesus mighty name.
Amen.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Tired Of Waiting

Acts 25:10-11
10-11Paul answered, "I'm standing at this moment before Caesar's bar of justice, where I have a perfect right to stand. And I'm going to keep standing here. I've done nothing wrong to the Jews, and you know it as well as I do. If I've committed a crime and deserve death, name the day. I can face it. But if there's nothing to their accusations—and you know there isn't—nobody can force me to go along with their nonsense. We've fooled around here long enough. I appeal to Caesar."


Paul has been in prison going through multiple trials and waiting his judgment for more than two years. Imagine being Paul, whose whole life is devoted to sharing the gospel, to be cooped up for more than two years. He wants to get out there and do his job.

Sometimes, i can relate to Paul here, not to say that I've been in prison waiting for judgment, but to know that my job is to share the gospel, but to be hindered in your situation. His situation is his jail, my situation is my new environment where God has placed to me to start fresh. Sometimes it is frustrating and want to go out there and be effective, but God is guiding me through my trails.

Father God, I pray for patients, and I pray for your strength through my trials. I know that you have set plans to use me, and I pray that I may be used effectively for You. I pray for your harvest, for open hearts, and for great things to come to Seattle. I give you all the glory in Jesus mighty name.
Amen.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Long Trials

Acts 24:24-27
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.


Paul was stuck in prison for more than two years. He spoke and testified with the Governor many times, yet he was still kept in prison during those times.

Sometimes, trails can last for a long time. Paul was in prison for two years, and some of our trials last for years. Some people stay sick for decades, some people suffer from abuse for years, some people go through a season of hardship, but throughout the times, Jesus is with us. He is there to give us strength and to encourage us to press on.

Father God, I pray for your anointing. I pray for strength from You. I know that my trails will be long, and that there are hard times to come, but I pray for your strength to encourage me to continue on. I thank you for your comfort. You are my peace and joy. I pray this to glorify your great name.
Amen.