Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT
Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about change. However, change for the sake of change? I can't say that is always for the better. Sometimes, it's much worse.
The Truth is, in order to have change, you have to want to be changed, and then you have to choose to act on it. "I wish I had a clean house" without getting up to do anything about it, is not going to get your house clean. "I wish I spoke another language" is not going to make you bilingual. "I wish I was a better Christian..." What? Like poof! Here, Child, I'll make you a better person, you just sit back and eat bon-bons and watch TV? Yeah, right.
What can you do to bring about change in your life and in the lives of those around you? Timothy tells us in his second letter, Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25 NLT
That will be REAL change!
Prayer:
Father,
Bring Your Word to our remembrance. Help us to be instant in season to speak Your Truth, so it can set the captive free, and so we can effect change for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024
Let Us Pray
Father,
Thank You for Your faithfulness and trustworthiness in our lives. Thank You for always keeping Your end of the Covenant even when we've broken ours. Father, we want to be faithful to You. We want our hearts, our minds, our souls - our wills to be faithful to You and to Your ways. We have not been. We've been faithful to our flesh and to our feelings. Please forgive us, Lord. Let us - help us to be people who can and who will be faithful - fully trustworthy to Your will for our lives.
Help us to see past the failures and inabilities in our lives and to put them behind us. Let us see and hear only what You would have us to do and be. Cause us to put You first. Help us to die to our flesh - to be dead to our worldly desires and alive to only You. Let it be said of us, Father, that we are faithful because of You. Cause our will to line up perfectly with Yours. Put a guard over our words - Your arm around our shoulders and Your hand over our mouths. We don't want to be a toothache or a twisted ankle like is written in Proverbs 25:19.
Thank You for all the immediate responses to our heart's desires. Forgive us, Lord, of ALL our unfaithfulness. Forgive us for all the times we have failed You. Replace our wandering hearts with whole hearts toward You and what You would have us to be and do. Father, Your Word tells us so we KNOW that You are at work in us both to WILL and to DO...
Give us the strength, the courage of conviction. Cause the Holy Spirit to bring all things to our remembrance - such things as are needful and necessary to complete the work You have assigned to our lives. Father, in our daily - everyday lives - we have not been faithful. We own that and ask You to change our hearts. We pray Your Word in Isaiah 64:8, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. We want to be more like You, Father. Engrave Your image on our hearts. Cause our love to be agape. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thank You for Your faithfulness and trustworthiness in our lives. Thank You for always keeping Your end of the Covenant even when we've broken ours. Father, we want to be faithful to You. We want our hearts, our minds, our souls - our wills to be faithful to You and to Your ways. We have not been. We've been faithful to our flesh and to our feelings. Please forgive us, Lord. Let us - help us to be people who can and who will be faithful - fully trustworthy to Your will for our lives.
Help us to see past the failures and inabilities in our lives and to put them behind us. Let us see and hear only what You would have us to do and be. Cause us to put You first. Help us to die to our flesh - to be dead to our worldly desires and alive to only You. Let it be said of us, Father, that we are faithful because of You. Cause our will to line up perfectly with Yours. Put a guard over our words - Your arm around our shoulders and Your hand over our mouths. We don't want to be a toothache or a twisted ankle like is written in Proverbs 25:19.
Thank You for all the immediate responses to our heart's desires. Forgive us, Lord, of ALL our unfaithfulness. Forgive us for all the times we have failed You. Replace our wandering hearts with whole hearts toward You and what You would have us to be and do. Father, Your Word tells us so we KNOW that You are at work in us both to WILL and to DO...
Give us the strength, the courage of conviction. Cause the Holy Spirit to bring all things to our remembrance - such things as are needful and necessary to complete the work You have assigned to our lives. Father, in our daily - everyday lives - we have not been faithful. We own that and ask You to change our hearts. We pray Your Word in Isaiah 64:8, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. We want to be more like You, Father. Engrave Your image on our hearts. Cause our love to be agape. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Prescribed
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...
Colossians 3:8-10 NKJV
Have you ever heard or said something like, "That's just the way I am" or "I've always been this way" or perhaps, "I have a bad temper - that's just how I am"? What is it about change that we resist - whether good or bad?
If there was something wrong with our physical bodies - for example, our heart - most of us would see a doctor to get help, right? Would we then do what the doctor prescribed in order to live?
What about when there is something wrong with our spiritual heart? Why won't we seek help from the Great Physician - the One Who is also our Creator? Why do we resist what He has prescribed for us in order to live abundantly? Come! Let us put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of our mouths. Do not lie to one another, since we have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created us.
Colossians 3:8-10 NKJV
Have you ever heard or said something like, "That's just the way I am" or "I've always been this way" or perhaps, "I have a bad temper - that's just how I am"? What is it about change that we resist - whether good or bad?
If there was something wrong with our physical bodies - for example, our heart - most of us would see a doctor to get help, right? Would we then do what the doctor prescribed in order to live?
What about when there is something wrong with our spiritual heart? Why won't we seek help from the Great Physician - the One Who is also our Creator? Why do we resist what He has prescribed for us in order to live abundantly? Come! Let us put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of our mouths. Do not lie to one another, since we have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created us.
Prayer:
Father,
Change our hearts, O God! Only You can change our hearts to be like Christ. We pray to be less and less so that Christ will be more and more evident within us. Help us to see that piercing our hearts lets out the bad. And please make us new by Your Holy Spirit as You've promised in Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Friday, January 20, 2023
Not New, Hopefully Used
This is a repeat post - on purpose. The older I get, the more I forget things - and sometimes very important things! I don't do it on purpose, it just happens. But now and then, I find something that is a great reminder because maybe I'd forgotten it in the middle of the circumstance. Today's Promise is just that - Not a new one, but hopefully one that is used in our daily walk. In case we've lost sight...
******************************************
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
2nd Timothy 2:24-26 NLT
Did you ever notice in Scripture how the apostles addressed and defined themselves?
Paul, a servant of the Lord;
Peter, a slave to Christ;
His servant John;
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All in submission - all in service to God and Christ Jesus.
What is it servants do? Whatever the Master instructs them to do. Not IF they feel like it. Not WHEN they feel like it. Not only if the other servants do or don't do it. Not only when someone's looking...
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
He had to include that one, right? The 'be patient with difficult people' phrase? I noticed there's not a qualifying statement attached to that sentence, either; such as, except for Mondays or be patient with difficult people once or twice, but smack 'em the 3rd time...
Can it really be that big of a deal? Is it that important for us to be patient with difficult people? The Word says, Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
Think about that - their eternity could be determined by whether or not WE choose to be kind and patient to them. It's time for a change. Let it begin with me.
Prayer:
Father,
Change MY heart so that I can be kind and not quarrelsome. Patient and not peeved. Let my life reflect Your love. May I never again get down to that last nerve. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Did you ever notice in Scripture how the apostles addressed and defined themselves?
Paul, a servant of the Lord;
Peter, a slave to Christ;
His servant John;
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All in submission - all in service to God and Christ Jesus.
What is it servants do? Whatever the Master instructs them to do. Not IF they feel like it. Not WHEN they feel like it. Not only if the other servants do or don't do it. Not only when someone's looking...
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
He had to include that one, right? The 'be patient with difficult people' phrase? I noticed there's not a qualifying statement attached to that sentence, either; such as, except for Mondays or be patient with difficult people once or twice, but smack 'em the 3rd time...
Can it really be that big of a deal? Is it that important for us to be patient with difficult people? The Word says, Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
Think about that - their eternity could be determined by whether or not WE choose to be kind and patient to them. It's time for a change. Let it begin with me.
Prayer:
Father,
Change MY heart so that I can be kind and not quarrelsome. Patient and not peeved. Let my life reflect Your love. May I never again get down to that last nerve. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Balanced Change
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NLT
The frantic hoopla and the preparation and the parties are over... well, almost. How do we balance the adrenaline rush of Christmas with the rest of winter? It's so anticlimactic...
That tends to happen when we live our lives and have our expectations based on what's going on around us, rather than IN us. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and invite Him into our lives, we have a constant, a balance, a solid Rock.
In Malachi 3, God tells us, I am the LORD, I change not. That's how we know we can count on God, lean on Him, rest in Him, and according to Scripture, in Him live, move and have our being. It doesn't matter how many laws are written to allow or justify sin, God doesn't change to adjust to society's demands or the latest trends. He doesn't change His mind in the midst of the storms of life, in the swells of life or in the depths. He ain't "woke" according to today's world, but His Word declares He never slumbers or sleeps when it comes to taking care of His own (Psalm 121:4).
We all know life is made up of change. Life as we know it changes so quickly and sometimes so violently, it's hard to keep an even keel. What does that mean? Even keel is a nautical term and it refers to the boat staying steady and not being tossed about. The reason is that it draws the same amount of water abaft as forward. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Living Water. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we steadily draw from Him, His Word, we will always be on an even keel.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for being the One thing we can count on to keep us anchored and steady. Let Your light guide us through the storms, in the swells and in the depths. Keep us on an even keel, Lord. Draw us ever closer to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
The frantic hoopla and the preparation and the parties are over... well, almost. How do we balance the adrenaline rush of Christmas with the rest of winter? It's so anticlimactic...
That tends to happen when we live our lives and have our expectations based on what's going on around us, rather than IN us. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and invite Him into our lives, we have a constant, a balance, a solid Rock.
In Malachi 3, God tells us, I am the LORD, I change not. That's how we know we can count on God, lean on Him, rest in Him, and according to Scripture, in Him live, move and have our being. It doesn't matter how many laws are written to allow or justify sin, God doesn't change to adjust to society's demands or the latest trends. He doesn't change His mind in the midst of the storms of life, in the swells of life or in the depths. He ain't "woke" according to today's world, but His Word declares He never slumbers or sleeps when it comes to taking care of His own (Psalm 121:4).
We all know life is made up of change. Life as we know it changes so quickly and sometimes so violently, it's hard to keep an even keel. What does that mean? Even keel is a nautical term and it refers to the boat staying steady and not being tossed about. The reason is that it draws the same amount of water abaft as forward. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Living Water. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If we steadily draw from Him, His Word, we will always be on an even keel.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for being the One thing we can count on to keep us anchored and steady. Let Your light guide us through the storms, in the swells and in the depths. Keep us on an even keel, Lord. Draw us ever closer to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Advent - Day 18 - Change
I have chosen a different devotional for the remainder of Advent. It is rich.
“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
A life of continual prayer is essential for us as believers. Prayer is the channel through which we commune with God and the pathway through which we call heaven to come to earth. It is the way we bring into manifestation the blessings that the Lord has promised us.
Jesus said, “When you pray, say: “Father hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Luke 11:2-3)
Heaven on earth, God with us.
There were many who had awaited the coming of the Messiah. But there were those who travailed in fervent prayer for the coming of the Saviour. One of them was Anna the old prophetess, whom the Bible described as never leaving the temple, praying, fasting and worshipping night and day. (Luke 2:36-38) Another was Simeon, described as righteous and devout, who was also awaiting the consolation of Israel. (Luke 2:25-35) Both beheld baby Jesus as He was brought to be presented in the Temple. Their eyes had finally seen whom they had been praying for and it brought them great joy.
But even in those times when change tarries, we are called to pray still. Because as long as we keep praying, even when things seemingly remain the same, we are changed. As long as we keep coming to the secret place of prayer, the Holy Spirit continues to work on the renewing of our minds, the transformation of our hearts and the edification of our spirits. Just like on the Mount of Transfiguration, where the countenance of Jesus was altered, in the place of prayer we are also changed. We are also transfigured and transformed into the image of Christ. (Luke 9:29)
Prayer:
Holy Spirit,
It is titled "Every Good Gift" and is written fully by Compassion Canada
**************************************************************
Jesus lived out His intimacy with God. Continually, He slipped away from His disciples and crowds of people to a quiet place to pray. Jesus was intentional to show us that it is only through constant fellowship with God and the Holy Spirit that we can do the will of the Father and bring the Kingdom of heaven to earth. Jesus’ life teaches us that prayer is essential.**************************************************************
“Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
A life of continual prayer is essential for us as believers. Prayer is the channel through which we commune with God and the pathway through which we call heaven to come to earth. It is the way we bring into manifestation the blessings that the Lord has promised us.
Jesus said, “When you pray, say: “Father hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Luke 11:2-3)
Heaven on earth, God with us.
There were many who had awaited the coming of the Messiah. But there were those who travailed in fervent prayer for the coming of the Saviour. One of them was Anna the old prophetess, whom the Bible described as never leaving the temple, praying, fasting and worshipping night and day. (Luke 2:36-38) Another was Simeon, described as righteous and devout, who was also awaiting the consolation of Israel. (Luke 2:25-35) Both beheld baby Jesus as He was brought to be presented in the Temple. Their eyes had finally seen whom they had been praying for and it brought them great joy.
But even in those times when change tarries, we are called to pray still. Because as long as we keep praying, even when things seemingly remain the same, we are changed. As long as we keep coming to the secret place of prayer, the Holy Spirit continues to work on the renewing of our minds, the transformation of our hearts and the edification of our spirits. Just like on the Mount of Transfiguration, where the countenance of Jesus was altered, in the place of prayer we are also changed. We are also transfigured and transformed into the image of Christ. (Luke 9:29)
Prayer:
Holy Spirit,
Pour upon me the unquenchable desire for prayer. Show me the way to the secret place where I can meet with God in ways I never have before. Help me to pray like Jesus did, so that I can be transformed into His image and likeness and live as He lived to glorify God. Amen.
Monday, August 15, 2022
Say It Again
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
2nd Chronicles 7:14 reads, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. I mentioned that the other day and someone who professed Christianity responded with, "Yeah, fat chance. You'll never get this nation to pray." Hmmm. That's why we're supposed to READ it. It doesn't say get the nation or all the heathen on their knees to pray. It says, If MY people who are called by MY name... God is talking to His people - Christians...
In the meantime, let’s live our lives and fight our battles with the plan God has laid out before us. Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV reads, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Prayer:
Father,
Keep us ever mindful of Your Word in John 3, that You loved us so much, You gave Your Son so no one should perish or be destroyed; and that by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. He came to help, to put the world right again. Let us be ever aware that darkness is always overcome by the Light. Renew our minds. Change our lives. Give us divine appointments to introduce others to You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
A Change
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.
Psalm 28:7 NKJV
When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, many times the end results are directly affected by our perspective. How we view God in those circumstances can be the difference between life and not life...
Do we go to God with "Why me?" "Why is this happening?" "Where are You in all this?"
Do the circumstances change who God is? Do they change His authority? Do they change one iota of His character? No, they do not! He is always trustworthy. He is always faithful! He is always ALL God.
Therefore, He is always worthy to be praised. In all things. Through all things. The change needs to be in us.
Prayer:
Father,
Change our hearts, O God! Let our vision align with Your Word. Increase our faith to believe the Truth of You above our circumstances. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
A HIGH PRICE
My Pastor wrote this devotional for today. I found it to be very thought-provoking and a powerful Truth.
***********************************************************
23 “And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. 24 I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.”
Matthew 11:20 -24 NLT
There is a high price for receiving God’s goodness and not changing. While God loves us and desires to bless us, He also desires that those blessings lead us away from our sin. The towns that Jesus had performed mighty miracles remained unchanged, and that lack of change brought judgement. Let us not take for granted God’s kindness and many blessings! God is leading us away from our selfish sinful nature, because that nature brings death and destruction for the present and for eternity. RECEIVE THE BLESSING AND EMBRACE THE CHANGE!
Monday, January 25, 2021
A Change of Heart
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT
Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT
How's your heart? Do you know? Are you aware of changes that need to take place - of old lifestyle patterns that need to be made new through Jesus? I heard a great teaching yesterday about the power of change. Let me share a few highlights.
As a general rule of thumb, we don't like change. We like things the way we like them and we want them to stay that way. Change awakens the flesh - our sinful nature. It requires us to adapt. We get our back up about change - annoyed, angry - especially about those changes we didn't ask for. (CoVID, jobs, economy, masks...you get the picture) But change is essential to life.
Think about it. How do you expose a scorpion? Move the rocks where they hide (change the landscape). They need to first be revealed so they can be killed. Any evil we hide in our hearts must also be revealed so it can be killed, too. Change brings about the revealing. Will we allow the Holy Spirit to be the executioner?
Prayer:
Father,
We need a change of heart. In Ezekiel 36:26, You declare, And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Please do it swiftly, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Friday, December 18, 2020
New and Different
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 2:12-14 NLT
Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it's by His grace through faith, we are saved. When we grasp the fullness of God's grace in our lives, there should be change. That's what happens when we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Titus 2:12-14 NLT
Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it's by His grace through faith, we are saved. When we grasp the fullness of God's grace in our lives, there should be change. That's what happens when we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Heart check - Has it begun? Are we different? Are we totally committed to doing good deeds? Does the world know us by our love for one another as Jesus said in John 13:35? Or have we become complacent, stale, isolated, diluted by the cares of this life?
Prayer:
Father,
We pray that the only extraordinary circumstances to change our lives come from Your plan of salvation, Your grace, and the measure of faith that You have given us, according to Your Word. We want to be a new creation in You. We want to be so different that the world will see You in us and want You for themselves. Help us to walk in the fullness of Your grace. We ask for a fresh anointing to rightly divide Your Word and gain the wisdom contained in it. Change us to become more like You, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Friends' Favorites - A Change of Scenery
Then the word of the LORD came to him, [Elijah] saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
1st Kings 17:2-7 NKJV
Elijah was many things, but one thing he was not was politically correct. At the Lord's command, Elijah delivered the message to Ahab that there would be a drought and that there would be neither dew nor rain until he said so. And then immediately, God said, "Get outta town, son." (Texas vernacular).
If you walk with the Lord, you know that God has changed your path. First and foremost, He changed the direction of where you are heading for eternity. That's a biggie... and have you noticed, He doesn't stop there? He's either changed your employment or super-charged your passion in life - probably both - and that usually brings a change of scenery. I'll bet you've moved a time or two. Yes?
Has He ever taken you someplace - so totally NOT in your plans or scheme of life - and made provision beyond what you expected? And when you get there, you wind up so completely amazed at His working in your life and the blessings that overtake you! You just KNOW the only way you're going to leave that place is if you die or Jesus comes back... but then the brook dries up (see the last sentence of our text.) And there you have a choice. What do you do?
I'd like to share an excerpt from a book titled Lead Vertically, written by Craig Johnson. The message of it is profound. The following excerpt is "Who is in Charge of Your Change?"
Change can mask itself to look like a problem, when in reality it is the answer in disguise. We can't always see that the thing that might be holding us back is the very thing we have been holding on to the tightest. Change will force you to step onto the playing field when you have been comfortable in the stands. You always have a choice: you either run from change or you respond to it. You can either be afraid or affirming; passive or powerful. It all depends on whether you are handling the change or God is handling the change. Have you ever experienced more change than you could bear? It's overwhelming...but it's not over!
I encourage you to allow God to be in charge of your change. The change of scenery will do you good.
Prayer:
Father,
Give us the courage to step out as Elijah did and do what You tell us to do, say what You tell us to say, and go where You direct our path. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
1st Kings 17:2-7 NKJV
Elijah was many things, but one thing he was not was politically correct. At the Lord's command, Elijah delivered the message to Ahab that there would be a drought and that there would be neither dew nor rain until he said so. And then immediately, God said, "Get outta town, son." (Texas vernacular).
If you walk with the Lord, you know that God has changed your path. First and foremost, He changed the direction of where you are heading for eternity. That's a biggie... and have you noticed, He doesn't stop there? He's either changed your employment or super-charged your passion in life - probably both - and that usually brings a change of scenery. I'll bet you've moved a time or two. Yes?
Has He ever taken you someplace - so totally NOT in your plans or scheme of life - and made provision beyond what you expected? And when you get there, you wind up so completely amazed at His working in your life and the blessings that overtake you! You just KNOW the only way you're going to leave that place is if you die or Jesus comes back... but then the brook dries up (see the last sentence of our text.) And there you have a choice. What do you do?
I'd like to share an excerpt from a book titled Lead Vertically, written by Craig Johnson. The message of it is profound. The following excerpt is "Who is in Charge of Your Change?"
Change can mask itself to look like a problem, when in reality it is the answer in disguise. We can't always see that the thing that might be holding us back is the very thing we have been holding on to the tightest. Change will force you to step onto the playing field when you have been comfortable in the stands. You always have a choice: you either run from change or you respond to it. You can either be afraid or affirming; passive or powerful. It all depends on whether you are handling the change or God is handling the change. Have you ever experienced more change than you could bear? It's overwhelming...but it's not over!
I encourage you to allow God to be in charge of your change. The change of scenery will do you good.
Prayer:
Father,
Give us the courage to step out as Elijah did and do what You tell us to do, say what You tell us to say, and go where You direct our path. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Friends' Favorites - Update: No Change
For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself. Hebrews 13:7-8 The Message
Change.
Our perception of it largely depends on the circumstances. Some things desperately need to change. Some qualify more under the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - in other words, don't change something just for the sake of change. There are those who are great proponents for change. Others hate it. Sometimes, sadly, we get comfortable in a situation that DOES qualify as broken and needs to be fixed, but we're content [read complacent] enough to stay in it. Again, it all depends on the circumstances.
What about the circumstances of our lives that may not change? What about those times when no matter what we do, say, pay, or pray, nothing changes? What about when we cry out as David cried, "How long, O Lord?" Do we trust God when nothing changes? Does God seem less than God to us when the night seasons of life are prolonged?
Circumstances of this life don't change God. Like our Promise for Today reads, ...yesterday, today, tomorrow, He's always totally himself. God doesn't change.
However, KNOW THIS - while God Himself does not change, that does NOT mean He's not doing anything. Like the song says, "Even when I don't see it, You're working! Even when I don't feel it, You're working!" He's always BEING God - our Father, the Lord, our Provider, our Healer, our Banner, our Redeemer, our Peace. God our Shepherd, our Righteousness, our Sanctifier, the Most High, the Waymaker... shall I go on?
So your update for today? Your circumstances WILL change because of the God who NEVER changes.
Prayer:
Father,
We choose to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Your will for us who belong to Christ Jesus. We know our circumstances will change, and we are so grateful that You do not. Keep us ever mindful of this great Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Change.
Our perception of it largely depends on the circumstances. Some things desperately need to change. Some qualify more under the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - in other words, don't change something just for the sake of change. There are those who are great proponents for change. Others hate it. Sometimes, sadly, we get comfortable in a situation that DOES qualify as broken and needs to be fixed, but we're content [read complacent] enough to stay in it. Again, it all depends on the circumstances.
What about the circumstances of our lives that may not change? What about those times when no matter what we do, say, pay, or pray, nothing changes? What about when we cry out as David cried, "How long, O Lord?" Do we trust God when nothing changes? Does God seem less than God to us when the night seasons of life are prolonged?
Circumstances of this life don't change God. Like our Promise for Today reads, ...yesterday, today, tomorrow, He's always totally himself. God doesn't change.
However, KNOW THIS - while God Himself does not change, that does NOT mean He's not doing anything. Like the song says, "Even when I don't see it, You're working! Even when I don't feel it, You're working!" He's always BEING God - our Father, the Lord, our Provider, our Healer, our Banner, our Redeemer, our Peace. God our Shepherd, our Righteousness, our Sanctifier, the Most High, the Waymaker... shall I go on?
So your update for today? Your circumstances WILL change because of the God who NEVER changes.
Prayer:
Father,
We choose to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Your will for us who belong to Christ Jesus. We know our circumstances will change, and we are so grateful that You do not. Keep us ever mindful of this great Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Friends' Favorites - Transformers
So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
Romans 12:1-2 Common English Bible
When Transformers first came out (the toys, not the movies), my son was little and he thought they were the best thing ever! He wanted to be one. He was enthralled with the idea of becoming something totally different, large and powerful.
Most everyone has something they want to change about themselves, but we can't just press a release button and unleash a large and powerful difference. However, God has been transforming life and lives since the very beginning. We don't have to be conformed to this world - we CAN be different! We CAN be transformed by the renewing of our minds (through the Word of God). And that, my friend, is HUGE and powerful!
Prayer:
Father,
Only You can make a new creation from a lost soul in a dying world. We thank You for loving us enough to want to do so, and for making the eternal difference in our lives so that we can make an eternal difference in the lives of those around us. Teach us, Father, Your perfect will, so that we will know what is good and pleasing and mature. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Romans 12:1-2 Common English Bible
When Transformers first came out (the toys, not the movies), my son was little and he thought they were the best thing ever! He wanted to be one. He was enthralled with the idea of becoming something totally different, large and powerful.
Most everyone has something they want to change about themselves, but we can't just press a release button and unleash a large and powerful difference. However, God has been transforming life and lives since the very beginning. We don't have to be conformed to this world - we CAN be different! We CAN be transformed by the renewing of our minds (through the Word of God). And that, my friend, is HUGE and powerful!
Prayer:
Father,
Only You can make a new creation from a lost soul in a dying world. We thank You for loving us enough to want to do so, and for making the eternal difference in our lives so that we can make an eternal difference in the lives of those around us. Teach us, Father, Your perfect will, so that we will know what is good and pleasing and mature. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Friends' Favorite - Real Change
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT
Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about change. However, change for the sake of change? I can't say that is always for the better. Sometimes, it's much worse.
The Truth is, in order to have change, you have to want to be changed, and then you have to choose to act on it. I wish I had a clean house without getting up to do anything about it, is not going to get your house clean. I wish I spoke another language is not going to make you bilingual. I wish I was a better Christian... What? Like poof! Here, Child, I'll make you a better person, you just sit back and eat bon-bons and watch TV? Not happening.
What can you do to bring about change in your life and in the lives of those around you? Timothy tells us in his second letter, Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
2nd Timothy 2:25 NLT
2nd Timothy 2:25 NLT
That will be REAL change!
Prayer:
Father,
Bring Your Word to our remembrance. Help us to be instant in season to speak Your Truth so it can set the captive free, and so we can effect change for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Friends' Favorites - Time for a Change
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
2nd Timothy 2:24-26 NLT
Did you ever notice in Scripture how the apostles addressed and defined themselves?
Paul, a servant of the Lord;
Peter, a slave to Christ;
His servant John;
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All in submission - all in service to God and Christ Jesus.
What is it servants do? Whatever the Master instructs them to do. Not IF they feel like it. Not WHEN they feel like it. Not only if the the other servants do or don't do it. Not only when someone's looking...
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
He had to include that one, right? The be patient with difficult people phrase? I noticed tonight there's not a qualifying statement attached to that sentence, either; such as, except for Mondays or be patient with difficult people once or twice, but smack 'em the 3rd time...
Can it really be that big of a deal? Is it that important for us to be patient with difficult people? The Word says, Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
Their eternity could be determined by whether or not we CHOOSE to be kind and patient to them. It's time for a change. Let it begin with me.
Prayer:
Father,
Change MY heart so that I can be kind and not quarrelsome. Patient and not peeved. Let my life reflect Your love. May I never again get down to that last nerve. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
2nd Timothy 2:24-26 NLT
Did you ever notice in Scripture how the apostles addressed and defined themselves?
Paul, a servant of the Lord;
Peter, a slave to Christ;
His servant John;
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
All in submission - all in service to God and Christ Jesus.
What is it servants do? Whatever the Master instructs them to do. Not IF they feel like it. Not WHEN they feel like it. Not only if the the other servants do or don't do it. Not only when someone's looking...
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
He had to include that one, right? The be patient with difficult people phrase? I noticed tonight there's not a qualifying statement attached to that sentence, either; such as, except for Mondays or be patient with difficult people once or twice, but smack 'em the 3rd time...
Can it really be that big of a deal? Is it that important for us to be patient with difficult people? The Word says, Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
Their eternity could be determined by whether or not we CHOOSE to be kind and patient to them. It's time for a change. Let it begin with me.
Prayer:
Father,
Change MY heart so that I can be kind and not quarrelsome. Patient and not peeved. Let my life reflect Your love. May I never again get down to that last nerve. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
Friday, March 1, 2019
Is It Right?
The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
Jonah 4:4 NLT
That is a loaded question. In today's vernacular, that's God saying to Jonah, "Really? That's how you want to play this?" And while it's easy for us to see that Jonah was having a Pouting Party, before we get into judgment, I wonder how often we do the same thing.
I don't want to be nice to that person; he irritates me!
I don't want to witness to her; she'll make fun of me.
I don't want to give money to that - You know I've been saving for that thing I want.
I don't want to go to ___________. They don't have air-conditioning...
Yes, I know that's ridiculous, but we pout over that and so much less. Especially if whatever God asks is going to take us out of our comfort zone. What has God been asking you to do lately? What has been your response?
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for our less than agreeable attitudes. Change our hearts. Make us more like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Down & Dirty
But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he couldn’t get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob’s hip out of joint.
The man said, “Let me go; it’s daybreak.”
Jacob said, “I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”
The man said, “What’s your name?”
He answered, “Jacob.”
The man said, “But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.”
Genesis 32:24-28 The Message
The name, Jacob, means deceiver. And if you read the book of Genesis, you will discover that he was only one in a long line of deceivers. What Jacob had sown, he had reaped in abundance through Laban's deceit and treachery. And yet, God had a made a promise to Abraham and Isaac and now to Jacob. Jacob who was heading home, hoping against hope that he would not die at the hand of his twin brother, Esau. You may remember that Jacob had manipulated his twin into giving up his birthright and had stolen Esau's blessing, as well.
Now on the eve of what may be his death, Jacob has come face-to-face with who he's been. Deceiver. Manipulator. Mean and hateful. And he realizes unless God intervenes, all is lost. It's what we refer to in this day and age as a "Come to Jesus" moment - where the lies are stripped away and only the Truth remains. He is desperate...
Enter the wrestling match... his hip has been thrown out of joint. Now in great emotional and physical pain, Jacob is on the ground, desperately holding onto the Man, refusing to let go. He has gotten down and dirty. And the Man asks, "What's your name?"
Why? You know that God knows who and what we are. It was to give Jacob the opportunity to know the Truth. The Truth about himself. The Truth about his life - what he's done and how he got to this place.
“I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”
"What's your name?" I am Jacob. I am a heel. A deceiver.
John 8:32, You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free... And immediately God changed him from down and dirty to a new name and a new nature.
God is no respecter of persons. He will do the same for us when we acknowledge who and what we are without Him.
Prayer:
Father,
We never tire of asking You to change our hearts, O God! Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Let us walk in holy love toward one another. Rescue us from our sinful ways, Father, In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
The man said, “Let me go; it’s daybreak.”
Jacob said, “I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”
The man said, “What’s your name?”
He answered, “Jacob.”
The man said, “But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.”
Genesis 32:24-28 The Message
The name, Jacob, means deceiver. And if you read the book of Genesis, you will discover that he was only one in a long line of deceivers. What Jacob had sown, he had reaped in abundance through Laban's deceit and treachery. And yet, God had a made a promise to Abraham and Isaac and now to Jacob. Jacob who was heading home, hoping against hope that he would not die at the hand of his twin brother, Esau. You may remember that Jacob had manipulated his twin into giving up his birthright and had stolen Esau's blessing, as well.
Now on the eve of what may be his death, Jacob has come face-to-face with who he's been. Deceiver. Manipulator. Mean and hateful. And he realizes unless God intervenes, all is lost. It's what we refer to in this day and age as a "Come to Jesus" moment - where the lies are stripped away and only the Truth remains. He is desperate...
Enter the wrestling match... his hip has been thrown out of joint. Now in great emotional and physical pain, Jacob is on the ground, desperately holding onto the Man, refusing to let go. He has gotten down and dirty. And the Man asks, "What's your name?"
Why? You know that God knows who and what we are. It was to give Jacob the opportunity to know the Truth. The Truth about himself. The Truth about his life - what he's done and how he got to this place.
“I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.”
"What's your name?" I am Jacob. I am a heel. A deceiver.
John 8:32, You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free... And immediately God changed him from down and dirty to a new name and a new nature.
God is no respecter of persons. He will do the same for us when we acknowledge who and what we are without Him.
Prayer:
Father,
We never tire of asking You to change our hearts, O God! Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Let us walk in holy love toward one another. Rescue us from our sinful ways, Father, In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Check Check
This is a little take-away from a message I heard my son preach today (he filled in for his pastor who is on vacation). For me, it adds a whole new perspective to "a child shall lead them..."
***********************
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:17-22 NKJV
Challenge. Check.
Choice. Check.
Change. Check. Check.
Prayer:
Father,
Change our hearts, O God! Make us ever true to Your Word and Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
***********************
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:17-22 NKJV
Obviously, this young ruler had been taught the commandments to follow God. According to him, he'd been practicing them since he was a child. Was he looking for a way to complete his checklist - the one he had designed on his own?
Search for God. Check.
Learn His commandments. Check.
Implement and follow God's commandments. Check. Check.
Some of us tend to do the same kind of thing. Are we looking to complete our own checklist?
Go to church. Check.
Read my Bible. Check.
Pay my tithes. Check.
Do good deeds. Check. Check.
How many of us, just like the rich, young ruler in our text for today, would love to see Jesus face to face and have Him tell us exactly what we need to do to get to Heaven? But then, how many of us would be just like the rich, young ruler, and walk away sad because we're not willing to give up what He's asked us to in order to have eternal life with Christ? Think about that. Search your heart. You know what He's been talking about to you.
Jesus is going to challenge those things in our lives that need to change, and if we don't recognize His touch, His voice, His way, we're going to walk away very sad...and lost.
Challenge. Check.
Choice. Check.
Change. Check. Check.
Prayer:
Father,
Change our hearts, O God! Make us ever true to Your Word and Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Monday, May 28, 2018
In Charge of the Change (by request)
Then the word of the LORD came to him, [Elijah] saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
1st Kings 17:2-7 NKJV
If you walk with the Lord, you know that God has changed your path. First and foremost, He changed the direction of where you are heading for eternity. That's a biggie... and have you noticed, He didn't stop there? He's either changed your employment or super-charged your passion in life - probably both - and that usually brings a change of scenery. I'll bet you've moved a time or two. Yes?
Has He ever taken you someplace - so totally NOT in your plans or scheme of life - and made provision beyond what you expected? And when you get there, you wind up so completely amazed at His working in your life and the blessings that overtake you! You just KNOW the only way you're going to leave that place is if you die or Jesus comes back... but then the brook dries up (see the last sentence of our text.) And there you have a choice. What do you do?
I'd like to share an excerpt from a book titled Lead Vertically, written by Craig Johnson. The message of it is profound. The following excerpt is titled, "Who is in Charge of Your Change?"
Change can mask itself to look like a problem, when in reality it is the answer in disguise. We can't always see that the thing that might be holding us back is the very thing we have been holding on to the tightest. Change will force you to step onto the playing field when you have been comfortable in the stands. You always have a choice: you either run from change or you respond to it. You can either be afraid or affirming; passive or powerful. It all depends on whether you are handling the change or God is handling the change. Have you ever experienced more change than you could bear? It's overwhelming...but it's not over!
I encourage you to allow God to be in charge of your change. The change will do you good.
Prayer:
Father,
Give us the courage to step out as Elijah did and do what You tell us to do, say what You tell us to say, and go where You direct our path. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
1st Kings 17:2-7 NKJV
If you walk with the Lord, you know that God has changed your path. First and foremost, He changed the direction of where you are heading for eternity. That's a biggie... and have you noticed, He didn't stop there? He's either changed your employment or super-charged your passion in life - probably both - and that usually brings a change of scenery. I'll bet you've moved a time or two. Yes?
Has He ever taken you someplace - so totally NOT in your plans or scheme of life - and made provision beyond what you expected? And when you get there, you wind up so completely amazed at His working in your life and the blessings that overtake you! You just KNOW the only way you're going to leave that place is if you die or Jesus comes back... but then the brook dries up (see the last sentence of our text.) And there you have a choice. What do you do?
I'd like to share an excerpt from a book titled Lead Vertically, written by Craig Johnson. The message of it is profound. The following excerpt is titled, "Who is in Charge of Your Change?"
Change can mask itself to look like a problem, when in reality it is the answer in disguise. We can't always see that the thing that might be holding us back is the very thing we have been holding on to the tightest. Change will force you to step onto the playing field when you have been comfortable in the stands. You always have a choice: you either run from change or you respond to it. You can either be afraid or affirming; passive or powerful. It all depends on whether you are handling the change or God is handling the change. Have you ever experienced more change than you could bear? It's overwhelming...but it's not over!
I encourage you to allow God to be in charge of your change. The change will do you good.
Prayer:
Father,
Give us the courage to step out as Elijah did and do what You tell us to do, say what You tell us to say, and go where You direct our path. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)