I just had to share this picture Roberto took on our recent vacation to California. This is a waterfall on the beach in Big Sur off the PCH. God's creation is so beautiful. Sunday, September 21, 2008
Ministry of Death...
The following information was taken from "Destined to Reign" by Joseph Prince.
Chapter 10: The Ministry of Death
Joseph Prince writes in the first paragraph, "I wrote this book to declare to you what is right about you (in spite of your weaknesses) because of Jesus Christ."
People are living in condemnation, as though the Cross was in vain.
2 Corinthians 3:7-9
But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passed away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
(The ten commandments are being referred to the ministry of death)
The Covenant of law kills, but the covenant of grace gives life!!
Grace is Jesus. Grace tells us we are righteous in Him. Here is a fun fact that blew me away.
"At the foot of Mount Sinai, 3,000 people died. Now lets compare with this with the New Testament. When the day of Pentecost had come, God poured out His Holy Spirit on all flesh and what was the result? Peter stood up to preach the gospel and 3,000 people were saved that day."
Read this over and over until you get it. The Good News of Jesus Christ imparts righteousness on you, it doesn't demand it! It brings life, not death. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! The law was given so man could see their need for a Savior, not to condemn us.
When you fail in your daily walk or do something you know you shouldn't have, what is your first thought? Is it condemning? Or is it, I am righteous in the sight of God? One brings guilt, the other brings empowerment to do right.
(this is not talking about living in sin, that is a different subject.)
Thank you Jesus for Grace.
Chapter 10: The Ministry of Death
Joseph Prince writes in the first paragraph, "I wrote this book to declare to you what is right about you (in spite of your weaknesses) because of Jesus Christ."
People are living in condemnation, as though the Cross was in vain.
2 Corinthians 3:7-9
But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passed away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
(The ten commandments are being referred to the ministry of death)
The Covenant of law kills, but the covenant of grace gives life!!
Grace is Jesus. Grace tells us we are righteous in Him. Here is a fun fact that blew me away.
"At the foot of Mount Sinai, 3,000 people died. Now lets compare with this with the New Testament. When the day of Pentecost had come, God poured out His Holy Spirit on all flesh and what was the result? Peter stood up to preach the gospel and 3,000 people were saved that day."
Read this over and over until you get it. The Good News of Jesus Christ imparts righteousness on you, it doesn't demand it! It brings life, not death. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! The law was given so man could see their need for a Savior, not to condemn us.
When you fail in your daily walk or do something you know you shouldn't have, what is your first thought? Is it condemning? Or is it, I am righteous in the sight of God? One brings guilt, the other brings empowerment to do right.
(this is not talking about living in sin, that is a different subject.)
Thank you Jesus for Grace.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The wicked hate GOODNESS
Proverbs 29:26-27 (The Message)
26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader,
but only God will give us justice.
27 Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil;
the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.
Have you ever tried doing good to people and they just didn't receive it? I came across this verse this morning and it jumped off the page. I was looking at verses about goodness. I intended writing about the Goodness of God and how we can apply it in our life. Then "BAM" I came across this verse in the message translation.
Through some frustrating experiences and my journey of learning to hate the things the Lord hates, such as wickedness, the wicked hate goodness. You can do good and be hated for it.
It still means you have to walk in love and pray for your enemies, but people will hate you if you have good in you.
Proverbs 8:13 says,
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
This makes sense. The righteous/wise person will hate evil, but the evil will hate good. You cannot serve two masters.
When you feel you are doing good and people aren't receiving it, pray for them. Love those who hate you.
Matthew 5:38-42
38 You have heard that it was said, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
39 But I (Jesus) tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 and whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you , and you from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away.
Matthew 5:44
But I (Jesus) say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
The next time you experience someone hating you for doing good, follow these steps Jesus gives us, also in Luke 6:27-36
1. Love them
2. Bless them
3. Pray for them
26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader,
but only God will give us justice.
27 Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil;
the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.
Have you ever tried doing good to people and they just didn't receive it? I came across this verse this morning and it jumped off the page. I was looking at verses about goodness. I intended writing about the Goodness of God and how we can apply it in our life. Then "BAM" I came across this verse in the message translation.
Through some frustrating experiences and my journey of learning to hate the things the Lord hates, such as wickedness, the wicked hate goodness. You can do good and be hated for it.
It still means you have to walk in love and pray for your enemies, but people will hate you if you have good in you.
Proverbs 8:13 says,
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
This makes sense. The righteous/wise person will hate evil, but the evil will hate good. You cannot serve two masters.
When you feel you are doing good and people aren't receiving it, pray for them. Love those who hate you.
Matthew 5:38-42
38 You have heard that it was said, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
39 But I (Jesus) tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 and whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you , and you from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away.
Matthew 5:44
But I (Jesus) say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
The next time you experience someone hating you for doing good, follow these steps Jesus gives us, also in Luke 6:27-36
1. Love them
2. Bless them
3. Pray for them
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What do you speak for? What do you give voice to?
I had a meeting with a woman the other day. We were at a Caribou Coffee and she made a statement that really stood out to me. When I go to business meetings, people always ask, ok…so what do you do?
During this meeting, we shared what we both do for a living and then we got into a deeper conversation on our “passions”. It was a great conversation and it lead to more meetings and relationship building between the two of us. But aside from the meeting, this woman asked:
What do you speak for? What do you give voice to?
I LOVE these two questions. I thougt to myself, I am a service coordinator for a home care company. I know I am an intrinsic health coach. That really doesn't say what I speak for though. Now when asked what I do…I have a better answer. I speak for the seniors who want to stay in their own home and not move to a facility. I speak for the individuals who want to live fully alive and remove any obstacles that keep them from accomplishing their full potential.
Ok, this is who I speak for in my job, but what else do I speak for in my life or give voice to daily? You know where I am going with this, don’t you?
I want to be a voice who speaks truth to people who need to know God’s love or who have fallen away from believing the goodness of God and the need of a Savior.
I give my voice to the glorification of the Lord and to profess the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:22-24 (New International Version)
22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
During this meeting, we shared what we both do for a living and then we got into a deeper conversation on our “passions”. It was a great conversation and it lead to more meetings and relationship building between the two of us. But aside from the meeting, this woman asked:
What do you speak for? What do you give voice to?
I LOVE these two questions. I thougt to myself, I am a service coordinator for a home care company. I know I am an intrinsic health coach. That really doesn't say what I speak for though. Now when asked what I do…I have a better answer. I speak for the seniors who want to stay in their own home and not move to a facility. I speak for the individuals who want to live fully alive and remove any obstacles that keep them from accomplishing their full potential.
Ok, this is who I speak for in my job, but what else do I speak for in my life or give voice to daily? You know where I am going with this, don’t you?
I want to be a voice who speaks truth to people who need to know God’s love or who have fallen away from believing the goodness of God and the need of a Savior.
I give my voice to the glorification of the Lord and to profess the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:22-24 (New International Version)
22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Still waters
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Ps 23:1-3
Monday, August 25, 2008
Christ's leadership
When you say that title out loud, Christ-the head of the church, or Christ-the leader of the church, what do you think of? What pops up in your mind?
I recently finished a book for marriage called, Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud. It went over the very well known verse in Ephesians 5:22-23, and 25;
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which is the Savior...Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.
I know many of us have read this verse time and again, whether single, engaged, married, divorced or widowed. I know I have. But what does this verse describe? What leadership describes Christ to the church? I read this next paragraph, and I thought it was beautiful.
I want to share this piece of the book with you just to remind you of our beautiful Savior.
"He (Christ) died for her (church) and makes her whole. He looks out for her growth, and protects her from the world, the flesh, and the devil. He helps her to invest her talents, heals her hurts, takes her suffering on himself, supports her trials, and comes alongside of her when she falls."
Paul describes the leadership role in Phil. 2:5-8
Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
"A leader is a giving servant who is committed to the best for the one(s) he or she is leading."
taken by Henry Cloud's, Boundaries in Marriage.
This truly inspired me to start disciplining myself to have this same mind set. I want to have this in my relationships and places of influence. Imagining what this is going to look like in my life is so much fun.
I recently finished a book for marriage called, Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud. It went over the very well known verse in Ephesians 5:22-23, and 25;
Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which is the Savior...Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy.
I know many of us have read this verse time and again, whether single, engaged, married, divorced or widowed. I know I have. But what does this verse describe? What leadership describes Christ to the church? I read this next paragraph, and I thought it was beautiful.
I want to share this piece of the book with you just to remind you of our beautiful Savior.
"He (Christ) died for her (church) and makes her whole. He looks out for her growth, and protects her from the world, the flesh, and the devil. He helps her to invest her talents, heals her hurts, takes her suffering on himself, supports her trials, and comes alongside of her when she falls."
Paul describes the leadership role in Phil. 2:5-8
Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
"A leader is a giving servant who is committed to the best for the one(s) he or she is leading."
taken by Henry Cloud's, Boundaries in Marriage.
This truly inspired me to start disciplining myself to have this same mind set. I want to have this in my relationships and places of influence. Imagining what this is going to look like in my life is so much fun.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Simply being with Jesus
Tricia encouraged us to share what the most important thing is right now in our walk with the Lord so I'll share some of what Jesus is doing in my heart and life. I thought it was great that Tricia used the wording "right now"....what is the Lord doing "right now?", because we all go through different seasons at different times and what God 's doing with me right now is probably different than what He's doing in you right now, but it's all equally important and valuable. And this is a great place to share and encourage one another with what Jesus is doing in our lives.
This summer The Lord has been drawing me back to Him and just loving Him and simply being with Him. So often I want to come away from my devotion time with notes of what I learned or an answer to the current challenge in my life, and I miss experiencing Him and His love and presence. But I am more aware than ever that it's Him that I need more than mental understanding or answers to my questions. Jesus has used the revival going on in Lakeland, FL and the book The Shack to really jump start a new hunger for HIM. And for simply walking with Him each day in simplicity...hearing and obeying that day. Of course,it's a constant struggle to do this and to focus on my relationship with Him and to just sit down and be quiet. Honestly, my flesh feels better when I feel like I've accomplished something during my time with Him. I get convicted all the time of reading ABOUT Him, or studying ABOUT Him and forgetting to just BE with Him.
So today I encourage myself and everyone to take a little time to just BE with him....even if you went to church today and heard a great message....have you just quieted yourself and spent time with Him? He's always there...waiting for me, and as I'm slowly finding out, that when I feel His love and presence, suddenly mental understanding, or answers I need don't matter so much anymore. Jesus is showing me that my life is best lived IN Him, not just for Him.
Everyone have a blessed week, Emily :)
This summer The Lord has been drawing me back to Him and just loving Him and simply being with Him. So often I want to come away from my devotion time with notes of what I learned or an answer to the current challenge in my life, and I miss experiencing Him and His love and presence. But I am more aware than ever that it's Him that I need more than mental understanding or answers to my questions. Jesus has used the revival going on in Lakeland, FL and the book The Shack to really jump start a new hunger for HIM. And for simply walking with Him each day in simplicity...hearing and obeying that day. Of course,it's a constant struggle to do this and to focus on my relationship with Him and to just sit down and be quiet. Honestly, my flesh feels better when I feel like I've accomplished something during my time with Him. I get convicted all the time of reading ABOUT Him, or studying ABOUT Him and forgetting to just BE with Him.
So today I encourage myself and everyone to take a little time to just BE with him....even if you went to church today and heard a great message....have you just quieted yourself and spent time with Him? He's always there...waiting for me, and as I'm slowly finding out, that when I feel His love and presence, suddenly mental understanding, or answers I need don't matter so much anymore. Jesus is showing me that my life is best lived IN Him, not just for Him.
Everyone have a blessed week, Emily :)
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