Some of Friday’s Through the Bible plan reading was in Mark chapter 4. It’s the scripture in which Jesus calms the seas. (verses 35-41).
As I read this, something came to mind that I thought I would share.
It starts in the evening and Jesus says to the disciples, “let’s go over to the other side”. Jesus was already in a boat, so they left the seashore and took Him along. Jesus being tired fell asleep.
While He was sleeping a furious squall came up that left the disciples fearful. The disciples go to Jesus and wake him saying, “Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”
Now I’m not sure what happened on that boat, but what came to me was that the disciples didn’t know Jesus would calm the storm, they went to Him afraid. Maybe they thought He would help them in a different way or maybe they just needed to hear His voice to calm them, I don’t know. But Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quite! Be still.”
Jesus calms the storms in our lives but why are we so afraid each time one hits us?
Are we afraid He will be sleeping, or afraid He won’t show up or afraid we won’t hear His voice, or afraid He won’t hear our prayers?
Jesus asked the disciples this question, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
I think that is a question we should ask ourselves the next time a storm comes our way.
35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown? 39He got up,rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
Mark 4:35-41
Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Gifts and Purpose
When a person tries to be someone they aren't, it’s like trying to force a
square peg into a round hole. Not only does it require a bigger hammer, it’s also a waste of time,energy and talent. That’s why when my husband sees a hammer in my hand he starts to worry.You see, he knows that carpentry is not my gift, but it is his. That’s why I leave the carpentry up to him. If I didn’t then my time and energy are wasted and I end up feeling frustrated and worthless. However, when I work through my own gifting,God works through me to accomplish His own purpose.
God deserves our best and I believe He expects us to make the most of what
He’s given us, instead of worrying about what we don't have, or wanting
what others do have.God has given us a purpose and I believe we need to get involved before we know what our purpose and the gifts He’s given us are.
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is
prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving,
let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8
Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!
square peg into a round hole. Not only does it require a bigger hammer, it’s also a waste of time,energy and talent. That’s why when my husband sees a hammer in my hand he starts to worry.You see, he knows that carpentry is not my gift, but it is his. That’s why I leave the carpentry up to him. If I didn’t then my time and energy are wasted and I end up feeling frustrated and worthless. However, when I work through my own gifting,God works through me to accomplish His own purpose.
God deserves our best and I believe He expects us to make the most of what
He’s given us, instead of worrying about what we don't have, or wanting
what others do have.God has given us a purpose and I believe we need to get involved before we know what our purpose and the gifts He’s given us are.
6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is
prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving,
let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8
Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Numbers Again and Desperation
Since we are recycling last weeks message I would like to expand my thoughts on what was written in this section last week.
Referring to Acts: 2:41(NLT) 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all..
The reason I repeat the findings from last week is to bring your attention to something else. Desperation.
I’m not sure how many came to know Christ during the apostle’s ministry but resources say there are 2.1 billion Christians in the world today. (I think this number also includes the many different beliefs there are in the world who profess they are Christian but believe something totally different).
To continue; during my research on this subject I also found that it is estimated there are 100 million Christians in China compared to only 5,000 in 1960 and that tens of thousands of people in South Korea fill the churches regularly. One being the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, where 800,000 members attend. These numbers are being added to daily.
Matthew 28: 17-20 (The Message)
16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though,held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life,marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
To quote Pastor Frank, “Are you desperate?”
Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!
Referring to Acts: 2:41(NLT) 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all..
The reason I repeat the findings from last week is to bring your attention to something else. Desperation.
I’m not sure how many came to know Christ during the apostle’s ministry but resources say there are 2.1 billion Christians in the world today. (I think this number also includes the many different beliefs there are in the world who profess they are Christian but believe something totally different).
To continue; during my research on this subject I also found that it is estimated there are 100 million Christians in China compared to only 5,000 in 1960 and that tens of thousands of people in South Korea fill the churches regularly. One being the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, where 800,000 members attend. These numbers are being added to daily.
Matthew 28: 17-20 (The Message)
16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though,held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. 18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life,marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
To quote Pastor Frank, “Are you desperate?”
Have a Wonderful week in the Lord!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
It's Not about Numbers
As the church administrator I worry a lot as most of you can attest to that statement. I worry about everything including our church’s growth pattern. It’s silly really to worry about something God has in the palm of His hand, I tell myself everyday: “Let it go it’s not mine to hang on to God’s got it covered.” This is what God opened my eyes to this week concerning my worries.
Jesus started his ministry with 12 people. It grew to thousands and thousands that followed him.(Remember the 5000 he fed with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread) But just before his crucifixion some of His followers left and after the crucifixion it dropped to roughly 500 people, then when you read in Acts 1:15 there were only 120 left in the upper room.
But what happened when those 120 were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Peter began to speak boldly about Jesus and before the end of the day 3,000 were added to their number.
To quote Pastor Rick Nakaoga, “when Jesus is present miracles happen.”
Boy did that open my eyes. It’s not about the numbers it’s about the power of Jesus in us.
It’s about us allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through us as He did in Peter.
Acts 2: 16-18 and 21
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy….
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved
Jesus started his ministry with 12 people. It grew to thousands and thousands that followed him.(Remember the 5000 he fed with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread) But just before his crucifixion some of His followers left and after the crucifixion it dropped to roughly 500 people, then when you read in Acts 1:15 there were only 120 left in the upper room.
But what happened when those 120 were filled with the Holy Spirit?
Peter began to speak boldly about Jesus and before the end of the day 3,000 were added to their number.
To quote Pastor Rick Nakaoga, “when Jesus is present miracles happen.”
Boy did that open my eyes. It’s not about the numbers it’s about the power of Jesus in us.
It’s about us allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through us as He did in Peter.
Acts 2: 16-18 and 21
16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy….
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Sharing Devotions
I received the following through a friend this week and thought of Pastor Sione Tilini’s message from last week. And just like my friend who sent it to me I too think it is worth sharing.
Whenever opposition arises, God’s grace thrives in us. Think about what happens to a tree when a great storm beats violently against it. The wind threatens to uproot the tree and carry it away. It breaks off branches and blows away its leaves. It loosens its roots and blows off its buds. And when the storm is over, things look hopeless.Yet, look closer; the same storm that opened crevices in the earth around the trunk of the tree has helped the roots go deeper. The tree now has access to new, deeper sources of nutrition and water. And it has been purged of all its dead branches. The buds may be gone,but others will grow back more fully. I tell you, that tree is now stronger, growing in unseen ways. And just wait till harvest—because it’s going to bear much fruit!Maybe you’re in a storm right now. The wind is blowing hard, shaking you violently, and you think you’re going down. Beloved, don’t panic! You’ve got to know that in the midst of the tempest, you are putting down deep spiritual roots. God is developing in you a deepening humility, a greater mourning and sorrow for sin, a heightened hunger for his righteousness.God is making you a seasoned soldier of the cross—battle-scarred, but battle-smart and courageous. You may get down on yourself at times—but the Lord never does.
The fact is, he could have acted sovereignly at any time to pluck you out of your struggle.But he didn’t—because he saw it producing in you a greater thirst for him!
Romans 5:3 (NLT) says, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) we read, For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
You can find this devotion and others online at http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/9880
Whenever opposition arises, God’s grace thrives in us. Think about what happens to a tree when a great storm beats violently against it. The wind threatens to uproot the tree and carry it away. It breaks off branches and blows away its leaves. It loosens its roots and blows off its buds. And when the storm is over, things look hopeless.Yet, look closer; the same storm that opened crevices in the earth around the trunk of the tree has helped the roots go deeper. The tree now has access to new, deeper sources of nutrition and water. And it has been purged of all its dead branches. The buds may be gone,but others will grow back more fully. I tell you, that tree is now stronger, growing in unseen ways. And just wait till harvest—because it’s going to bear much fruit!Maybe you’re in a storm right now. The wind is blowing hard, shaking you violently, and you think you’re going down. Beloved, don’t panic! You’ve got to know that in the midst of the tempest, you are putting down deep spiritual roots. God is developing in you a deepening humility, a greater mourning and sorrow for sin, a heightened hunger for his righteousness.God is making you a seasoned soldier of the cross—battle-scarred, but battle-smart and courageous. You may get down on yourself at times—but the Lord never does.
The fact is, he could have acted sovereignly at any time to pluck you out of your struggle.But he didn’t—because he saw it producing in you a greater thirst for him!
Romans 5:3 (NLT) says, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
In 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) we read, For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
You can find this devotion and others online at http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/9880
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Re-Evaluating
I have had a rough week examining myself. I have been re-evaluating Who I am in Christ and also being reminded that I am His Temple and that He dwells in me. Well by the end of the week my conclusion was this; I didn’t like what I saw. Mind you, I understand that I am His daughter-but I had to ask myself what kind of daughter was I being? The next thing I had to ask myself (and this one was really hard) what was I doing to His temple– the place He lived? Am I taking care of it and being mindful of what goes into it? That means what I hear and see and eat and again the question arose what kind of daughter am I being?
I was reminded of the two men who went into the temple to pray. The passage is as follows:
Luke 18:10-14 (MSG)
10 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. 11 The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man.12 I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' 13 "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner." 14 Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face,but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
It wasn’t that I was praying like the Pharisee but God revealed to me that who I thought I was, wasn’t the truth, and when he opened my eyes to the truth I humbled myself before Him and just like the tax collector cried out to God for forgiveness.
Have a wonderful week in the Lord!
I was reminded of the two men who went into the temple to pray. The passage is as follows:
Luke 18:10-14 (MSG)
10 "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. 11 The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man.12 I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' 13 "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner." 14 Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face,but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
It wasn’t that I was praying like the Pharisee but God revealed to me that who I thought I was, wasn’t the truth, and when he opened my eyes to the truth I humbled myself before Him and just like the tax collector cried out to God for forgiveness.
Have a wonderful week in the Lord!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friends In Our Lives
A couple of months ago a very good friend of mine had sent me an email and said she wanted to
encourage me and asked that I read Psalm 103. Believe it or not I had just read it when I got her email. God puts people in our lives to help and encourage us. I pray that I can be that person to you. If you get a chance read all of Psalm 103– but for now here are verses 1-19.
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s
6The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly
7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
Isn’t God Wonderful?
encourage me and asked that I read Psalm 103. Believe it or not I had just read it when I got her email. God puts people in our lives to help and encourage us. I pray that I can be that person to you. If you get a chance read all of Psalm 103– but for now here are verses 1-19.
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s
6The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly
7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
Isn’t God Wonderful?
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