His Passion for Me

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Is. 41:9-10

as i read over those verses i can just about hear Him calling my name. i get so distracted with life that i sometimes lose touch with the reality that God is my Father. He desires for me to rest in His arms. i forget how He delights in me. when things look grim in my world view, i can trust in the reality of God's loving arms to be wrapped around me. what a wonderful reality this is!

Most Loving Father,
i love You. thank You for calling my name and drawing me near to Your side. You are amazing. please help me to be quick to run into Your arms as i travel along this journey. have me be ever mindful of the way You love me. i open my haert to love You in return. be praised for the strength and help which You always offer.
In Your Son's Name, Amen!

---

*Kyle *Maeli *Laura

Stumbling Blocks

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
1 Cor. 8:9-13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Cor. 13:4->

i often think about these verses in the context of "am i causing any one to sin because of something i am doing?". maybe it's on my list of questions i ask when i'm scrutinizing my life, trying to figure out if i've done or said anything which would cause my Father to be hurt. either way, i think of this question often. and because of this, i may be extra sensitive to it. i'm not sure. tho i miss so much, and many times i don't even realize that i offended someone. these are the times i need to rely on my friends and others to point out the error of my ways.

not sure how to express my many thoughts on this topic. i think i'll just list of some of the things i've learned over my 26 years.
*if i do something to someone and i think it's really funny, but that other person doesn't---it's prolly really not good to do in the first place. and i may be causing that person to sin by invoking their anger.
*if my actions don't reflect the type of forgiveness which Christ gave to me, then i am causing my Father to be hurt.
*if i do something to someone which causes them to be offended, i need to apologize and do everything in my power (through Christ) to reconcile the relationship back to good terms. even if this means accepting a wrong which i haven't committed. (i think about Christ example - He was put to death for my behalf. He didn't deserve it.)
*if i delight in evil at the expense of someone else, i am off base and need to be reprimanded.
*since Jesus says in John 13:35 that others will know i am a Christian by the way i love them, then my actions better match up with the words of my mouth.

those are just a few of my fleeting thoughts for today.

Jesus,
You are the king of forgiveness. i fall on my face before Your throne and cry out for mercy. i've delighted in causing others to stumble. may You forgive me, tho i an unworthy. i trust that only through You can i love the way You love me. may i willingly take up the cross You give me to bear with joy, knowing that when i am persecuted, You will bless me. when i am temped to cause others to stumble, please give me the strength to trust You. open my eyes to other areas in my life where i am causing my friends, loved ones, and even those whom i come into contact with to stumble. please don't allow me to delight in the fall of others. sensitize me, God, to Your love.

In Christ's Holy Name - Amen!

---

*Robin *Denise *Ruth

God's Worthiness and Our Unashamed Love

"For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods." {1 Chron. 16:25}

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." {Ps. 145:3}

Judgment

What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? {Romans 1:19-20, 2:14-16, 3:5-6}

most Christians at some point in their faith journey ask the question, "How can my loving God let people go to hell?" i know that i certainly have wondered that question several times. but as i grow in my understanding of who God is and the love He has for us, i discover that i ask that question less. i'm only beginning to understand that His love for us exceeds human understanding. His gift to us of free choice has to be incredibly difficult to give, since so many of us choose not to love Him in return. His justice needs something to be based upon, so there has to be a law in which it base it.

and another deep understanding, He doesn't want any of us to be condemned to hell. {2 Peter 3:9} this is why He sent His Son to go through the suffering and agony which He endured for our sake. i can't imagine being God in Heaven experiencing His Son's execution by the hands of those whom He created for His glory. and yet, ultimately, it was for our glory that Jesus should die on the cross a sinner's death. yet, we already know death did not hold Him. Him was raised from the dead so that we can be spiritual people with access to a loving Father who longs to communr with us.

this is all very profound to me, and still i barely have an understanding of it all. but i trust this all to be true, and the i am currently seated in the heavenlies with Jesus and my Father. {Col. 3:1,3}

Amazing Love,
how can it be that You would give Your life for me? in You i place my trust. You are my hope, even when i walk on the breeze. thank you for saving me from the pit of hell. thank you for raising me with Jesus, that i may rejoice in giving up my life. use me in a way that draws others to a deeper understanding of Your great love for them. open their eyes, sweet Jesus, to see how much You love them, and desire for them to love You too. let NOT my fear of being injured, misrepresented, or killed for your sake hinder the way i love others. You've overcome death, and i trust that i am already seated with You, no matter if i'm in this body or not.
through Christ, Amen!

---

beginning to day i want add an extra section. it will bet the names of people whom i'm praying for today.
*Brandon *Shannon *Hope

Learning Swahili, Tennis & Hacky Sack

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." ~ {Phil. 4:13}

"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." ~ {1 Tim. 4:7-8}

routine is boring. doing the same thing day in and day out. pray, eat, work, sleep, pray, eat, work, sleep, etc. so, to make things interesting i've begun to learn more. first off, i have a passion for the swahili language. some day i would love to visit kenya and zimbabwe, perhaps even live there. not sure how i would get in, but i would love to be a missionary there. i've wanted to learn Swahili from a long time, and recently begun to study it. it's going pretty well so far, tho i only know a few words.

secondly, my friend, Denise, and i have been playing tennis daily. we've actually begun to see a little improvement in our skills. yesterday we vollied 6 times back and forth. it was pretty cool, i have to admit.

thirdly, denise has a passion to learn how to play hacky sack. we are both quite poor, but at least we try. it's fun to be a little active, something different than sitting in an office chair or pew or folding chair. with some more practice i can envision some great skills arising from both Denise and i.

so where am i going with all this? why do Denise and i want to improve these skills? so we can connect with those whom we are called to minister. she is currently the youth director at the church i attend. youth like to play hacky sack. i want to learn Swahili so i can communicate with the natives. if i begin now, i figure that i can at least know a little of the language before i get there. and tennis, well, perhaps we don't have a specific reason, but some of the youth play tennis, some of the youth's parent's play tennis, and one never knows who can be met on the tennis court. all useful for evangelism.

Amazing Father,
may You be the One to receive the praise of our improvements. i know that the strength and skills needed to learn Swahili, tennis and hacky sack come from You. may You use our ability to draw others closer to Yourself. create opportunities for us to be a witness for You. open our eyes to people whom You desire for us to come into contact with. begin to prepare their hearts to accept Your love.
In Christ's Name ~ Amen.

Receiving the Goal of Faith

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
{1 Pet. 1:8-9}

"inexpressible and glorious joy"? really? i know that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and that when we believe in Him, we are filled with the Holy Spirit which guarantees our salvation. but the two adjectives used by Peter to describe joy are thought provoking. when is the last time i thought to myself, "man, i am so filled with glorious joy"? too long ago. the temptor has deceived me, and i've missed the joy of knowing Jesus rescued me from the pits of hell. i've forget that i am not my own, but i belong to Christ who lives in me, who has already defeated satan, which means He ultimately overcame the world.

i know that my soul moves when lives are changed by the grace of Jesus Christ. my joy arises when i see a loving mother dropping her kid off at school for the first day of kindergarten. (today is the first day of school for most students in GA.) when grudges are dropped. when men and women are set free from strongholds. when a youth speaks to me about how to share their faith with others. when a 90 year woman begins to weep as we sing "Amazing Grace".

but what about my daily walk with Jesus? when does my joy overflow and i am overcome with the Spirit? this is why Christ has brought this Scripture to my understanding. the joy of knowing Christ Jesus is the goal of my salvation. He is my salvation, for crying out loud. i am convincing that i am living my eternal life. "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." {John 17:3}

Holy Father,
i need more of You. fill my heart with Your joy and love for others. ultimately i desire more of You to be manifested in my heart. i crave You. only You can satisfy me. let me see You through the little things, Jesus. let my heart be moved by joy to go further, to do more, to reach higher for You. let me never forget that knowing You is eternal life, which is the goal of my salvation. one of my favorite promises which You've given me is this, "the Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." {Ps. 29:11} let my soul rest in You, but when the time comes, please know that i want to go with You by my side.
Through Jesus, i pray ~ Amen

Trusting in God

i just want to begin with this brief excerpt from Oswald Chambers.

"If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, "I wonder why God allowed this or that?" And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God."

lately i've gotten into this devotional book, Utmost For His Highest. during my first year of college, my roommate and i would attempt to read each days devotion together. i have to admit that most of the time i was too tired, or not attentive enough to very catch much of it. so it surprised me when i recently picked the book up, and began to understand more and more of it.

the definition Oswald gives for a Christian has given me reason to think. how many times do i trust in my own abilities? far more than i want to admit.
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. {Jer. 17:7-8} those are the benefits to trusting in God. sounds pretty appealing, right? well what will we be like if we don't trust in the Lord?
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives. {Jer. 17:5-6}

Good Morning, Friend,
thanks for this beautiful day. You've given me more than i could've ever imagine: LIFE. i love You, Jesus. thanks for equipping my ability to serve You whole-heartedly. may my trust in You grow stronger, and my faith never faith. may You blessed me with the confidence which allows me to always be faithful, even when i don't know what lies ahead.
In Jesus's Name ~ Amen!

Ignorance

often i'm frustrated for lack of commitment in others. sometimes i'm bummed because of lack of desire for God. sometimes i struggle with the apathy of other's attitudes to share their faith. many times i'm torn apart when people chose their own agenda verus the opportunity to serve Christ.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom." ~ Is. 40:28

when are we going to wake up and realize that our focus is so short-sighted. we have this vision which we think is reality, when there is an entire realm which we say we know, but we know so little about. "if the faith that you profess means so much to you, why do you live like it doesn't?" this is my question?

Christ desires to be in control of all of us...every molecule of our being and our soul. He doesn't just settle for less; He always trying to get our attention. He's always giving us hints and tips to see His glory and His love for us. He desires for us to be in aware of where He is moving. He wants us to realize that it's Him who's doing all the work. He wants to receive a "thanks" for giving us life. and He wants to supply us with more life than we know what to do with. but we lack ambition to figure out what He wants. oh, we certainly think we do. i'm guilty of that, but i want to know. i want to open my Bible and figure out what He's plan for today is...but more importantly, His plan for eternity.

Father,
please open my heart and soul to seek You. reveal Yourself to me, so that i can know You more. this is my passion: to know You. {John 17:3} may You ignite these people of Yours to get busy with their hearts, and seek You with passion. may what comes out of their mouths be in line with what they believe. let their hearts passionately seek You. let them see beyond their emotions and finances, to the world which You are yet preparing for us. let Your desire well up in us so much that we desire nothing but You. fulfill us, God, and never let us become self-sighted.
In Jesus's Power Name ~ Amen.

Ultimately God

this morning my mind is running in about 400,000,000,000 different directions. i'm just going to jot down some of my thoughts, though they all add up to the title.

i am too quick to tell others my thoughts - what i believe is right. i'm praying for, and working for a change in this area.

if only i could be more in tune w/ God and the way He works, then i would have much less crisis in my life.

well planned, but not well prayed events often fail.

a ministry cannot exist with only one leader.

i need some grace in the listening department.

young children need to be shown love so that they'll understand how to love.

lead by serving.

don't be afraid to be humbled; expect it.

when i want to spout out everything thought in my mind, i should zip my lip and crave for God to speak to me. His words mean so much more than all my complaining, rambling, and grumbling.

and finally, i found this quote this morning.
"The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attentions to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack."
~~Oswald Chambers, Utmost for His Highest.

Gracious Father,
i want to be in tune with You. i want to love others the way You love me. but i know that i can not do any of this without being emptied of myself and filled with You. by Your strength i kneel before Your throne of grace and pour out my life. forgive me, for my tongue has again started a forest on fire. i am nothing without You. i can't even survive one second without Your air filling my lungs. Jesus, come and make me whole. let my heart be filled with Your love. Spirit, commune with me, fill me, mold me, make me useful for Your purpose. i quiet my soul so i can learn from You. Speak to me, Lord, for this child is now listening.
In Christ's Name ~ Amen.

Satan's Sifting

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
Luke 22:31-34

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. "
James 5:16

i can only begin to imagine what thoughts Peter was pondering when the Lord had told him that satan wanted his life. and then his thoughts had to have quickly moved onto Jesus words, "but I have prayed for you, Simon." Jesus bridged, knelt actually, in the gap, between what satan desired and what God wanted. and i wonder what words Jesus used to intercede for Peter's life. that's the type of praying i want to learn, to be involved in. i want to pray effective prayers which save lives.

"Lord, teach me to pray." {Luke 11:1} Spirit, please intercede for me when i don't know what to say. {rom. 8:26} Jesus, while You were on earth You offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save You from death, and You were heard because of Your reverent submission. {heb. 5:7} let my prayer not be silent, but to be heard. let my heart overflow to You with cries and tears for the lives of others. move me to love others the way you loved them, so that their interests are important to me.
In Jesus' Name ~ Amen

Armor and Prayer

Ephesians 6...what a chapter of the Bible. it's full of wisdom and understanding about spiritual warfare. as i dig deeper into the Christian life i'm drawn to the realization that God has given me abilities to break strongholds. not only has He given me the ability, but He is empowering me with the wisdom on how to use the "weapons".

we are on earth to worship God, and that also means serving Him. i believe this was Jesus mission: "to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." {Is. 42:6b-7} shouldn't our mission, our duty, be similar to that of Christ?

Paul says this, "we have the power to demolish strongholds." {2 Cor. 10:4} my passion is to see those living in spiritual darkness to be made new in the Light. i desire for the youth of today to be touch to Master's hand. i seek to know how i can be part of this wonderful plan. and only through the Bible am i able to understand God and the way He uses His people to perform His plans.

if only i could fully understand that my struggle is not against man, but against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. and that the God whom i serve is able to use me to set the captives free. i get frustrated at times when i don't see lives changed. but my power is this, "And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. with this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." {eph. 6:18} when i begin to pray (in the Spirit ) for my friends and this world, God will do mighty things. this is my hope.

Mighty Father,
You are able to do immeasurably more than i can ask or imagine. You've told me that my battle isn't against flesh, but against spiritual forces. You want me to pray, for the release of captives. You desire for me to get on my knees, and cry out to You for help. so why am i so scared to do this? or why do i not put any effort into it? i trust that You are renewing my mind by Your Spirit. may You move me to bend my knees, to get up early, so that You can move through this generation. may Your Name be made great through these prayers. thanks for desiring me to communicate with You. i love You, Jesus. may You fight with Your power for the lives of the members at St. Paul. renew us through the blood of the Lamb. don't let us be dull. awaken our lazy hearts so that we can know You.
In Jesus's Powerful Name ~ Amen!