Matthew 26:69-75 - This scripture is about Peter denying Jesus 3 times.
John 21: 16 - This scripture is about the assignment Jesus gave Peter.
As hard as I try to stay on track, keep my focus on Jesus, I continually fall short by making mistakes and poor choices. I get so disappointed in myself. Why would God still love me? Then I remember Romans 8: 28. We are told God takes the bad and puts it to good use.
All the things I remember as falling short can be redeemed for good. Jesus shed all of His blood to seal the new covenant - the promise of forgiveness. In that covenant the Holy Spirit is able to bring me to rebirth, re-creation, renewal and redemption. I, like Peter, can still be used for God's purposes no matter what I have done in the past.
I am grateful that nothing can separate me from the love of God.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Love
Romans 8:28 - That's why we can be sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good - MSG
Sometimes situations leave me feeling confused, depressed, disappointed and even grieving.
I was sitting at the computer and a series of pictures came up on my screen saver. They were of Ron, our son we lost to cancer.
If God loved me so much that he gave His son so I could be forgiven and have eternal life, how could I not rejoice, and willingly let go, so our son could be with Jesus.
God blessed us with three children. Now our focus needs to be on Kari and Jon. I know my purpose is to love them all I can for as long as I can while keeping my focus on God.
John 3:16 is our example of loving big, no matter what. Nothing can separate me from God's love.
Sometimes situations leave me feeling confused, depressed, disappointed and even grieving.
I was sitting at the computer and a series of pictures came up on my screen saver. They were of Ron, our son we lost to cancer.
If God loved me so much that he gave His son so I could be forgiven and have eternal life, how could I not rejoice, and willingly let go, so our son could be with Jesus.
God blessed us with three children. Now our focus needs to be on Kari and Jon. I know my purpose is to love them all I can for as long as I can while keeping my focus on God.
John 3:16 is our example of loving big, no matter what. Nothing can separate me from God's love.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
DRAMA & FEAR
Mark 14:33 - Jesus plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. - MSG
Throughout life everyone faces,storms - drama. Some days I write in my journal: Lord, please no drama today!
Some people ignore faith. They are content to experience life through others. They per fer to not take any risks. For fear of the worst, they never enjoy life at its best.
Jesus did more than speak about fear, He faced it. In Max Lucado's book FEARLESS, it talks about the gospel drama being played out on two occasions.
1. Gethsemane's garden
2, Golgotha's cross
The garden staged the profoundest fear and the cross the severest suffering. Jesus fell to the ground and said: "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine," Mark 14: 35-36.
In Mark we are told horror came over him. (Horror - rendered helpless, disoriented, agitated, anguish) Matthew described Jesus as depressed and confused - sorrowful and troubled - anguish and dismayed.
God has become flesh and flesh is feeling fear. the cup is referring to God's anger, judgment and punishment. Jesus is taking on God's wrath. Jesus - divine - had never been separated from God since eternity. He was deathly afraid. Jesus showed us what to do with our fear. PRAY! Face all our drama with honest prayer.
I now look at drama differently. My challenges are small compared to Jesus' drama that occurred on that very first Easter. I will pray a prayer of thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior Jesus for giving His life for my sins. When I feel unworthy, I will remind myself that I am a member of God's family, and my drama doesn't amount to much when compared with the gospel drama.
Throughout life everyone faces,storms - drama. Some days I write in my journal: Lord, please no drama today!
Some people ignore faith. They are content to experience life through others. They per fer to not take any risks. For fear of the worst, they never enjoy life at its best.
Jesus did more than speak about fear, He faced it. In Max Lucado's book FEARLESS, it talks about the gospel drama being played out on two occasions.
1. Gethsemane's garden
2, Golgotha's cross
The garden staged the profoundest fear and the cross the severest suffering. Jesus fell to the ground and said: "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine," Mark 14: 35-36.
In Mark we are told horror came over him. (Horror - rendered helpless, disoriented, agitated, anguish) Matthew described Jesus as depressed and confused - sorrowful and troubled - anguish and dismayed.
God has become flesh and flesh is feeling fear. the cup is referring to God's anger, judgment and punishment. Jesus is taking on God's wrath. Jesus - divine - had never been separated from God since eternity. He was deathly afraid. Jesus showed us what to do with our fear. PRAY! Face all our drama with honest prayer.
I now look at drama differently. My challenges are small compared to Jesus' drama that occurred on that very first Easter. I will pray a prayer of thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior Jesus for giving His life for my sins. When I feel unworthy, I will remind myself that I am a member of God's family, and my drama doesn't amount to much when compared with the gospel drama.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
God's Peace
Romans 8:18 - Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.
Through the loss of our son to cancer I learned that we never know what tomorrow holds. I became aware, to live each day as if it were my last day, to not put things off as I might not have another chance to accomplish the things I had planned to do.
While feeling so helpless, I experienced the power of God. He spoke to me through a fictional book : Wish You Well, showing me that my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could. He sent me strength through church friends who always called, or came by when I was at my weakes point. Although my world was crumbling around me, God gave me peace and He helped me bear my grief.
My husband and I thank God for allowing us to have our son for 39 years and we rejoice that he is experiencing all of God's glory. I have days that I feel sad that he is not here with us, but am comforted knowing he is safe within the love of my heavenly Father.
"As precious as life on earth is, it doesn't compare to life with God in heaven". Upper Room
Through the loss of our son to cancer I learned that we never know what tomorrow holds. I became aware, to live each day as if it were my last day, to not put things off as I might not have another chance to accomplish the things I had planned to do.
While feeling so helpless, I experienced the power of God. He spoke to me through a fictional book : Wish You Well, showing me that my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could. He sent me strength through church friends who always called, or came by when I was at my weakes point. Although my world was crumbling around me, God gave me peace and He helped me bear my grief.
My husband and I thank God for allowing us to have our son for 39 years and we rejoice that he is experiencing all of God's glory. I have days that I feel sad that he is not here with us, but am comforted knowing he is safe within the love of my heavenly Father.
"As precious as life on earth is, it doesn't compare to life with God in heaven". Upper Room
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
LOST / FOUND
John 10:14-15 - Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me....and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Exodus 23:20 - God said, "See I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared."
Have you ever taken a wrong turn and found yourself hopelessly lost? I have. Sometimes I find myself in a place I don't want to be. I immediately start looking for someone to give me directions so I can find my way.
This reminds me of my spiritual journey. When I become confused, about the circumstances happening in my life, or tired because my direction is unclear, where do I turn for help, to receive directions to get back on track? SCRIPTURE! Scripture is my guide. The words of Christ help me in times of the storms of life. They calm me. Its guidance orients me and provides assurance and comfort. It never changes.
I am so grateful that Jesus rejoices when I find my way back, and no matter where I wander Jesus looks for me until He finds me.
Exodus 23:20 - God said, "See I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared."
Have you ever taken a wrong turn and found yourself hopelessly lost? I have. Sometimes I find myself in a place I don't want to be. I immediately start looking for someone to give me directions so I can find my way.
This reminds me of my spiritual journey. When I become confused, about the circumstances happening in my life, or tired because my direction is unclear, where do I turn for help, to receive directions to get back on track? SCRIPTURE! Scripture is my guide. The words of Christ help me in times of the storms of life. They calm me. Its guidance orients me and provides assurance and comfort. It never changes.
I am so grateful that Jesus rejoices when I find my way back, and no matter where I wander Jesus looks for me until He finds me.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Changes (Oppportunities from God)
Psalms 107: 1 - "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."
Changes
Have you thought about changes that occur in our everyday lives. Sunrises, sunsets, weather and seasons are some examples. In a sunset the most glorious change occurs as the gray-green sky turns to vibrant, pinks, reds, oranges and purples. In sunrises, the brilliant sun's rays glistens and shines like diamonds reflecting on the dew of trees, plants and grass.
God's presence and love appears in many different forms as well. Some of life's changes we welcome, and others break our hearts. In the midst of all life's changes God sustains us, and strengthens us. With changes that occur in our lives we can rely on God's love, grace, mercy and presence to never leave us.
Changes
Have you thought about changes that occur in our everyday lives. Sunrises, sunsets, weather and seasons are some examples. In a sunset the most glorious change occurs as the gray-green sky turns to vibrant, pinks, reds, oranges and purples. In sunrises, the brilliant sun's rays glistens and shines like diamonds reflecting on the dew of trees, plants and grass.
God's presence and love appears in many different forms as well. Some of life's changes we welcome, and others break our hearts. In the midst of all life's changes God sustains us, and strengthens us. With changes that occur in our lives we can rely on God's love, grace, mercy and presence to never leave us.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Gift of Choice
Psalm 119:19 - "I have chosen the way of truth. I have obeyed your laws."
People talk about Free Will. God gave us free will - we can choose. In the book of Matthew chapter 7: 13-14 we are told we can choose:
People talk about Free Will. God gave us free will - we can choose. In the book of Matthew chapter 7: 13-14 we are told we can choose:
- the narrow gate or wide gate
- narrow road or wide road
- big crowd or small crowd
- Verses 24-27 tell us we can build on rock or sand.
- Chapter 6: 24 say we can serve God or riches.
- Chapter 25: 32-33 says we can be numbered among the sheep or the goats.
God gives us eternal choices and eternal consequences. One of God's greatest gifts is the gift of choice. My prayer for you is you choose wisely. Max Lucado
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