Sunday, January 20

For a friend who is struggling

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.

Victor Frankl


John 6:29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Col 1:25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave
me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has
been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of
this mystery, which is
Christ in you, the hope of
glory
. 28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all
wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I
labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in
me.


Its not about the shoes.
Its knowing where youre going,
not forgetting where you started.
...
Its about having the courage to fail.
Not breaking when you are broken,
taking what you are given, and making something better.
...
Its about work before glory,
and whats inside of you.
Its doing what they say you cant.
Its not about the shoes, its what you do in them.
....
Its about being who you were born to be.

Saturday, January 19





Hank


Trusting God
Romans (msg) 1–3 4 So how do we fit what we know of Abraham, our first father in the faith, into this new way of looking at things? If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we’re given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, “Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own.”
4–5 If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.


A Fast Day

I am soverign
I am Holy
Its not about you
They are not yours
Prepare to get real with them
Prepare to explain why

Know what it means to be
a Father --> Envision, protect, serve

Tuesday, January 8

Draw, Drive or ReFocus?

Today I was asking God about how to respond to a situation where someone is dishonoring God, in a way that brings deep pain to my soul about my sheep, but not soft to receive His direction. At the encouragement of a friend and a brother I am considering with God...

"...where have you come from, and where are you going?" Genesis 16:8

Over the years I have struggled to care for this person who has passively resisted direct guidance toward their responsibilities. Asking God should I....


1) DRAW with humility and service, at the risk of being taken advantage of, misunderstood (Jeremiah 31:3 WOW!!! Romans 2:4)
2) DRIVE with the authority of His purposes and take the Kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12)
3) REFOCUS on more fertile ground in other relationships, where the return is more obvious (Matthew 25:14-30)

The message I receive daily from a faithful servant of God below came today...looks like at least part of the answer is that I should draw.

Walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:8

We don't usually like feeling humble. However, God revealed His love for us, by coming to earth in human form. He showed us the most awesome act of humbleness we could ever imagine. He didn't have to do this for us - but He did. Oh what love the Father has for us.

He taught us humility. Why is it so difficult for us to humble ourselves? Is it because we are selfish? Is it because it is embarrassing? It is because the world teaches us - it's all about me? I love this quote shared by Glenna Oldham on her calendar Footprints in the Sand "Humility is no sentimental notion. It is the well-worn pathway to heaven...and also a good way to walk the earth." What a way to live and show Jesus to others. Share the gift of humility with someone today. Especially those you don't feel deserve it. God gave this gift freely, He expects us to do the same. God bless.

Here is another brother that is responding in a way that inspires me...to
love and trust and hope

http://allforhisfame.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 6

Still working on this post....

Still working on this post....

Wow, this was very convicting. I had a headache all day, and was really asking God that I not go to a brother's house this evening to celebrate new year. Then I read this email, and even though I could work out a bunch of reasons not to go (weather, drunks on the road, not sure of a real invitation, not sure if this new year thing was worth me staying up late etc.) it seemed that God wanted me to go. So I went. I can't really say there were huge spiritual consequences, but I got to know some people a little better, and the fellowship actually made my headache go away. I felt God's love. I guess that's pretty huge.

I've been thinking about the devotion below, and it could be read that God is disillusioned in us when we don't do well. But then the scripture you quote below shows that it is a partnership of our faith and his power (2 Thes). So like any father with his child, he does get disappointed, but love always "protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (2nd Cor 13) so that even our faith is born in response to God's love, or as Paul writes "faith....a gift from God....for we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph 2)

I do was to be such a one, to respond to the love of God with such faith that I am able to accomplish that which he has prepared for me to do.

Thanks to my friend Garry for his friendship and encouragement. Brad



hey there. I found this devotional interesting and inspiring, and thought about you for some reason...

0ur God is looking today for pattern persons. When He gets a true sample, it is very easy to reproduce him or her in other lives without limitation. All the experiences of life come to us as tests, and as we meet them our loving Father is watching with intense and jealous love to see us overcome. If we fail He is deeply disappointed, and our adversary is filled with joy. We are being watched continually by angels and principalities, and every step we take is critical and decisive for something in our eternal future. When Abraham went out that morning to Mount Moriah, it was an hour of solemn probation; when he came back he was one of God's tested men, with the stamp of His eternal approval. God could say, I know him, that he will . . . do justice and judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken (Genesis 18:19). God is looking for such men and women today. Lord, help me to be such a one.
That our God would . . . fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Hope you and yours are well. And a Happy New Year to you!

Garry

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?





One passage that stood out to me as I was reading through Matthew on the 30 day challenge...

“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”


Matthew 27:46





if you know the song that Jesus is singing in his heart, you find out this is not a cry of despair, but one of hope, conviction and the ultimate mission statement. Jesus takes this from a song, what we call Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent. ......

8 “He trusts in the Lord;
let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.” .....

24 For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the Lord will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations.


Friday, January 4

Matthew, the 30 day challenge



Below are some verses that stood out to me as I read Matthew, part of a challenge to read the NT in 30 days.

January 1

they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

First thought Jesus has for people after the desertà “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in you brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.[1] (Mt 9:13

According to your faith will it be done to you” healing of the two blind men.


January 2

do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”

Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

14:29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”


January 3

15:27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

16:11 But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [2]

16:24“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?[3]

17:20 I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

18:3  And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

18:14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

19:6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

20: 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

22: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


January 4
Matt 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

24:23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

25:37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’


26:8 “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

26:38 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

27:12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

27:45 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” --> see Psalm 22 for the happy meaning, " he has not hidden his face from him, but has listened to his cry for help."

28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”