Luke 14:16-21
16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
What was revealed to me in this passage is the amount of excuses there are in life. There is even an iPhone application that produces humorous excuses.
God is calling us. Am I giving excuses? If I give Him excuses, and I truly will not do the will of God, He will get other people to do His will. I am disobeying God this way. I have no excuse if I am dead to myself, and alive in Christ.
Father God, I pray that my excuses not even be thought of when I am called to serve you. I pray against my pride and my selfishness, and I give no excuse for what you have called me for. Allow your Spirit to work in my life. I pray that I may give you glory. In Jesus name.
Amen.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Given Title Is Meaningless Without Relationship
Gen 37:3-4
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Now, in this custom, a robe signified power and authority in the family clan. This robe represented a position of honor and esteem, one that held him in favor from Israel. But, what I learned from this passage is that a robe, or a title of a sort, does not automatically present you with favor with his brothers, or in other terms, does not automatically gain the respect of others.
A title means nothing, but is just a title. When it comes to ministry, a title is meaningless, but it is the relationship built, and the actions that are taken that present depth behind the title. As a leader, I must establish that depth, with or without a title.
Father God, I pray for your anointing. I pray that you do a miracle in my life by allowing me to be used by you. Purify my heart to be holy. Forgive me of my sins that I may know You. I pray that you give me favor in your eyes. Allow me to speak into the lives of those around me, and I pray earnestly to build and disciple others that may also seek a heart after your own. I thank you for this and I give you all the honor and glory in Jesus name.
Amen.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Now, in this custom, a robe signified power and authority in the family clan. This robe represented a position of honor and esteem, one that held him in favor from Israel. But, what I learned from this passage is that a robe, or a title of a sort, does not automatically present you with favor with his brothers, or in other terms, does not automatically gain the respect of others.
A title means nothing, but is just a title. When it comes to ministry, a title is meaningless, but it is the relationship built, and the actions that are taken that present depth behind the title. As a leader, I must establish that depth, with or without a title.
Father God, I pray for your anointing. I pray that you do a miracle in my life by allowing me to be used by you. Purify my heart to be holy. Forgive me of my sins that I may know You. I pray that you give me favor in your eyes. Allow me to speak into the lives of those around me, and I pray earnestly to build and disciple others that may also seek a heart after your own. I thank you for this and I give you all the honor and glory in Jesus name.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
All Are Sinners, No Worst, No Less, But Jesus Calls Us To Repent
Luke 13:1-5
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
All people are guilty of sin. I am guilty of sin. I have disobeyed God many times. There is no difference in sin between you, me, and the person who is in jail. Jesus is saying that so we may repent of our sins.
I need to repent of the sins that I have committed. Here is my reminder from God that I am a sinner. I must repent for what I have done. I must turn from my sinful ways. I must return back to the Father.
Father God, forgive me of my sins. I have done wrong in your eyes. Allow your blood to cover it up. I am ashamed of who I am, for I am a sinner, dirty and evil in your eyes. But Lord, with your grace and your mercy, I thank you for your forgiveness. I pray for a renewing of my life in You. I pray that I keep pure and holy. Allow me to be strong in You. I thank you, Lord. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
All people are guilty of sin. I am guilty of sin. I have disobeyed God many times. There is no difference in sin between you, me, and the person who is in jail. Jesus is saying that so we may repent of our sins.
I need to repent of the sins that I have committed. Here is my reminder from God that I am a sinner. I must repent for what I have done. I must turn from my sinful ways. I must return back to the Father.
Father God, forgive me of my sins. I have done wrong in your eyes. Allow your blood to cover it up. I am ashamed of who I am, for I am a sinner, dirty and evil in your eyes. But Lord, with your grace and your mercy, I thank you for your forgiveness. I pray for a renewing of my life in You. I pray that I keep pure and holy. Allow me to be strong in You. I thank you, Lord. I pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
God Is In This Place, And We Are Not Aware Of It
Gen 28:16-19
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." 17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
On Jacob's journey, he had encounter God in a dream. When awaking from the dream, Jacob realized that God's presence was there. So many times we may feel that way, were we feel that God is not with us. But, just like Jacob, we may not be aware of it, but God is with us. God may be working in our lives, and we may not see it.
I need God's eyes to see, and know that he is with me. I may not be spiritually aware that God is present, and I need to be so in tune with what God's spirit us speaking to me about.
Father God, I pray for your spirit. Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear what your spirit is speaking to me about. Give me your heart to know, so that I may be aware of your Holy Spirit. Sometimes I may not be aware, but lord, I pray that you be so evident that I know that it is you. I thank you, Lord, and I pray for great things to come.
Amen.
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." 17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
On Jacob's journey, he had encounter God in a dream. When awaking from the dream, Jacob realized that God's presence was there. So many times we may feel that way, were we feel that God is not with us. But, just like Jacob, we may not be aware of it, but God is with us. God may be working in our lives, and we may not see it.
I need God's eyes to see, and know that he is with me. I may not be spiritually aware that God is present, and I need to be so in tune with what God's spirit us speaking to me about.
Father God, I pray for your spirit. Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear what your spirit is speaking to me about. Give me your heart to know, so that I may be aware of your Holy Spirit. Sometimes I may not be aware, but lord, I pray that you be so evident that I know that it is you. I thank you, Lord, and I pray for great things to come.
Amen.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Even Through A Radical Change, I Will Go
Gen 24:54-58
54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there.
When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."
55 But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go."
56 But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master."
57 Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?"
"I will go," she said.
Rebekah life was being changed by the Lord. She was asked to be the wife of someone who she did not know. This is very typical in these days, but this was different because God's divine hand was specifically and specially involved. Rebekah said immediately that she will go.
Just like the life of Rebekah, God is also working in my life. He may be calling me, and I need to say, "I will go." My life will be changed by what God has in store for me, and I need to say, "I will go."
Father God, I will go. Send me to the place that you have in store. Do a miracle in my life and through to the lives of others. I pray that your Holy Spirit guide my life in a way that is pleasing to you. I pray that sin may not have a hold on my life, but that your Spirit protect me in every way. Give me strength to be used by you. I thank you, and I give you praise in Jesus name.
Amen.
54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there.
When they got up the next morning, he said, "Send me on my way to my master."
55 But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go."
56 But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the LORD has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master."
57 Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?"
"I will go," she said.
Rebekah life was being changed by the Lord. She was asked to be the wife of someone who she did not know. This is very typical in these days, but this was different because God's divine hand was specifically and specially involved. Rebekah said immediately that she will go.
Just like the life of Rebekah, God is also working in my life. He may be calling me, and I need to say, "I will go." My life will be changed by what God has in store for me, and I need to say, "I will go."
Father God, I will go. Send me to the place that you have in store. Do a miracle in my life and through to the lives of others. I pray that your Holy Spirit guide my life in a way that is pleasing to you. I pray that sin may not have a hold on my life, but that your Spirit protect me in every way. Give me strength to be used by you. I thank you, and I give you praise in Jesus name.
Amen.
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