Psalm 137
1 Kings 20:22-21:16; John 19:25-37
Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity. Isaiah
45:17
By faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. Galatians 5:5 (NIV)
To You, our Salvation, we can but hope, when you decide the time, that you will find us "Not guilty." Give us peace until
that time comes, and may we live in eternity with you and our Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen.
I created an Icon for my instant messenger that says HOPE. I believe that hope is often the only thing that can keep us going. In Romans it tells us this,
Romans chapter 5 tell us: And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
I memorized these verses years ago, never know what my life would be like now. Though I realize that there are millions who suffer more than I, some days I feel like I am suffering. But I can be confident that the chain of events will occur: suffering leading to perseverence leading to character, which brings us to hope.
I think this video which my friend Cindy linked to in this post really demonstrates that hope is a must.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006
Why We Love
Friday, November 3
Psalm 119:137-144
2 Samuel 23:18-24:25; John 11:31-44
Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and
courageous! Daniel 10:19
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Almighty God, to you who loves us unconditionally, please
reconcile us to pass on the love in the same manner that your
Son, Jesus, has taught us. When we turn our backs on you, you
are always there to hold us. We pray for your guidance to lead
us to open our hearts to our enemies. In Christ's name. Amen.
Parenting kids with special needs who have mental illnesses, organic brain damage, and attachment issues has taught me a lot about God. Often our kids are unlovable and undeserving and downright mean.
But the bottom line with God's love is that God loved us first. He didn't say we had to earn it, nor that we deserved it. We love Him simply because, regardless of who we were or who we are, He CHOSE to love us first. It is an unconditional love that can't be stopped nor changed.
That is the kind of love that we need to have for others -- loving them first, in Jesus name. And if we do so then maybe, they will love us in return, and eventually learn to love God as well.
Psalm 119:137-144
2 Samuel 23:18-24:25; John 11:31-44
Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe. Be strong and
courageous! Daniel 10:19
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Almighty God, to you who loves us unconditionally, please
reconcile us to pass on the love in the same manner that your
Son, Jesus, has taught us. When we turn our backs on you, you
are always there to hold us. We pray for your guidance to lead
us to open our hearts to our enemies. In Christ's name. Amen.
Parenting kids with special needs who have mental illnesses, organic brain damage, and attachment issues has taught me a lot about God. Often our kids are unlovable and undeserving and downright mean.
But the bottom line with God's love is that God loved us first. He didn't say we had to earn it, nor that we deserved it. We love Him simply because, regardless of who we were or who we are, He CHOSE to love us first. It is an unconditional love that can't be stopped nor changed.
That is the kind of love that we need to have for others -- loving them first, in Jesus name. And if we do so then maybe, they will love us in return, and eventually learn to love God as well.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The Same Theme
Psalm 119:121-128
2 Samuel 22:1-25; John 11:1-16
All Saint's Day -- Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
Take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench
all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
Dear King of Glory, we put our faith in you. You have protected
your earthly servants throughout the ages and we thank you.
Please continue to watch over us as we prepare for the new
heaven and earth that you have promised us through our
salvation. Amen.
Yesterday the scriptures were about the same topic, but from different passages in Scripture and I wrote about God being both a shield and a refuge. In my main blog this morning, before reading these scriptures and without remembering about my devotional thoughts yesterday, I blogged about Flight or Fright. And then I read the passages above.
It was like God was reminding me that in either mode, whether I am tempted to run away and hide from the world, or if I prepare to fight against it, God's my main tool. He can be my refuge -- my place to hide -- or my sheild as I tackle the problems head on and begin to fight.
God, help me to remember that when the troubles come that I can either rest in you to escape them or regroup or I can use You as my sheild in battle. Amen.
2 Samuel 22:1-25; John 11:1-16
All Saint's Day -- Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30
Take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench
all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
Dear King of Glory, we put our faith in you. You have protected
your earthly servants throughout the ages and we thank you.
Please continue to watch over us as we prepare for the new
heaven and earth that you have promised us through our
salvation. Amen.
Yesterday the scriptures were about the same topic, but from different passages in Scripture and I wrote about God being both a shield and a refuge. In my main blog this morning, before reading these scriptures and without remembering about my devotional thoughts yesterday, I blogged about Flight or Fright. And then I read the passages above.
It was like God was reminding me that in either mode, whether I am tempted to run away and hide from the world, or if I prepare to fight against it, God's my main tool. He can be my refuge -- my place to hide -- or my sheild as I tackle the problems head on and begin to fight.
God, help me to remember that when the troubles come that I can either rest in you to escape them or regroup or I can use You as my sheild in battle. Amen.
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