Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Faith
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance,obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." ~Hebrews 11:8
"Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."" ~Matthew 9:2
Faith is something often struggled with as if it is mystical or beyond grasp. The truth is much easier and we only make it difficult to understand when related to God. We struggle to understand faith with regard to our Lord and Savior, God our Creator and God our Father. Many may say, "It's just so hard because I haven't seen Him or He doesn't 'talk' to me...."
Looking at the first verse quoted above, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". We put these words into action everyday with regard to many things in our life. For example, the breaks on our cars will work every time we press the break pedal. That the lights will come on in a dark room just by flipping the light switch. Taking medicine makes the symptoms of colds or illness go away. The sun will rise today and tomorrow.
We place faith into things we do not understand all the time and have little to zero understanding of how they work. I'm not a pilot and really do not understand completely how airplanes fly, yet I will purchase a ticket and walk onto a plane in full confidence that the pilot's and crew will safely take everyone on board to the destination. Did the Wright brothers envision the aircraft we have today? I don't know, but they believed flight was possible and set out to prove the point.
Abraham believed God long before he arrived in the land God promised and the promise to make him the father of all nations. God called him out and Abraham took action, "certain of what we do not see". He left his home and lands for the unknown, based solely on God's word.
We could go on and on with the examples today. For now, are you willing to take action on what God is calling you to do today? Do we really believe God for our daily life and all that we need? We either believe God or we don't. We accept His Word as truth and walk in faith or we don't. Faith grows stronger in action. We cannot grow stronger by wishing a thing is true. We accept something as true in the absence of any physical evidence.
Based on stepping toward our Father and walking in the direction He leads, we will experience growth in faith and we will learn how to make this journey in Christ alone. As with everything in life, we will have successes and failures in our walk. Faith in God's Word and character will become unwavering as we continue to keep our focus on Him in the journey. Distractions will come in every form to shake us, to derail our course. We purpose to live by faith, believing that God will see us through.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Expectations - Cont....
Last week I left us with the following:
Daily and in the moments of each day, we have the opportunity to seek HIS presence and expect HE wants us to seek HIM. This is the way a deep, honest and involved relationship works. Be honest with yourself, do you think of those closest to you during your day? If you're married or engaged, how often do you think about your mate during your day? Although separated by the business of the day, our relationship doesn't cease or suffer. We still desire this one we love, the person we've committed our live to in this earthly journey.
My wife (Tracy) calls me everyday during her lunch. Just checking in to see how I'm doing and "what cha' doing". Sometimes, I'm unable to take her call or even able to call her back and I hate this. We banter and have a short two minute conversation. We love doing this, because we love each other and want to speak to one another. At times, we talk longer as something needs our attention and some action maybe required.
I bring this up to say, commitment to one another is more than talk. She and I decide that we want to stay connected. We want and need to talk during our day. We want to be together more than apart. Here it is, we EXPECT that our desire is the same one for the other! I expect she's going to call and guess what, if she gets busy and doesn't call, I'm on the phone calling her.
Expectations build in a relationship just as naturally as breathing. Now for the rub. If we are cavalier in our walk with our Lord and Savior, can we really expect to know His presence? If we don't read and study HIS Word, can we honestly expect to learn who HE is to us? Without a consistent prayer life, can we ever learn to converse with our Father? Without walking in faith by taking steps of faith, can we ever develop trust in our Father?
By studying HIS Word, we can expect to see how our Father has dealt with His children, since Adam and Eve. In studying we learn how to avoid pitfalls and greater still we learn of the consistency of God. Our Father never changes, His actions, concern and discipline are all the result of HIS great love for us!
In prayer, we learn how to pour out our hearts in confession of failings and sins. We learn how to honestly praise HIM for who HE is and who HE is in our life. To acknowledge that we need HIM in every area of our life. (This certainly grows as we grow, because we start out being self-reliant due to our sin nature.) In prayer we bare ourselves to HIM who knows everything about us already, but in doing so we acknowledge to our self that HE knows and cares. In prayer we confess all to our Father without condemnation, for HIS plan is work out in us the very image of Jesus Christ.
Steps of faith are those actions we take believing the truth of God before seeing the truth. We tithe and give offerings first out of obedience to His Word. Then we see His faithfulness to us and we start giving more based on the experience of our faith. As we go along, our Father places challenges before us to stretch our faith. An every case, faith is what we believe turned into action.
Faith is the way we walk expectantly in God's truths. At every turn, in the moments of life both large and small. Sometimes, I personally marvel more at seeing HIM is the smallest of things. Regardless, as we grow and come to expect meeting our Father in every aspect of this life, we find HIS rhythm for our life.
Live expectantly today and every day, for our Father wants to be in a active, intimate and vibrant relationship with you and I.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Monday, January 16, 2012
Expectation
Expectation - the act or state of expecting : anticipation <in expectation of what would happen.
Expectation is the thing that comes along as we grow. For everyone, the time is different and isn't related in any specific way. As we look back on the lives of those who have gone before us we can see in all of them, determination.
The Old and New Testaments are full of examples. Christ's church - beginning with the Apostles moving through today, is not lacking in examples. We can and will point out examples from scripture and church history. However, we must remember that what takes place today will one day be discussed as historical to future generations.
So much has and is happening in our Lord's church. God is still working out HIS Holy plan of reconciliation for all mankind. While the cannon's of His Word are closed, God our Father isn't done. His message still goes forward through us! Since Christ's ascension and until His return, we have been and are living in exciting times. His church waits and has been waiting for HIS return.
Christ gave examples of waiting expectantly for His return, for God to move and work through our lives. We can trace people all the way back through the Old Testament who've been given a task, a mission or signs to look for and they've worked, waited or moved....expectantly.
Abraham, moved in faith to a land foreign to himself and family. He waited for a promised heir to be born. In just these two different examples, whether waiting or moving he did so expectantly and in faith.
Noah endured ridicule in his journey building the ark with his sons. Faith that God would cause rain to fall, even though "rain" was something new. They went on building as they expected God to be faithful to HIS word.
In captivity, the children of Israel believed the prophets and expected God's personal intervention so they could be freed from their bondage. During their times of captivity, they work for those holding them in bondage and their captors prospered.
Expectation was woven into the fabric of their lives. Not the expectation of man, but of God. What about the three Hebrew's, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego? Their expectation began with a step of faith. That God would honor and protect them as they held to their belief that the kings' best food and drink wasn't in their best interest. As they stood on their faith and trusted God, so did their expectation that God would prove HIMSELF to be the only God. They expected that whether they lived or died in the fiery furnace, God would reign show Himself the God of all.
Fast forward to the disciples. Before Christ ascended, He instructed the disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit would be with them (and us) in His absence. Trusting Christ and having faith, they stayed together and prayed, expecting that the Holy Spirit would indeed come as promised.
We will continue this topic..... For now, let's examine ourselves to see if we're living today and everyday in expectation. The expectation that as we move and grow closer to our Father through Jesus, are we expecting to know more of Him in our life? Are we expecting HIS presence, power and peace? Are we expecting HIM to lead us in this life as we've given our life completely to HIM?
Blessings and Peace
~Robert
Expectation is the thing that comes along as we grow. For everyone, the time is different and isn't related in any specific way. As we look back on the lives of those who have gone before us we can see in all of them, determination.
The Old and New Testaments are full of examples. Christ's church - beginning with the Apostles moving through today, is not lacking in examples. We can and will point out examples from scripture and church history. However, we must remember that what takes place today will one day be discussed as historical to future generations.
So much has and is happening in our Lord's church. God is still working out HIS Holy plan of reconciliation for all mankind. While the cannon's of His Word are closed, God our Father isn't done. His message still goes forward through us! Since Christ's ascension and until His return, we have been and are living in exciting times. His church waits and has been waiting for HIS return.
Christ gave examples of waiting expectantly for His return, for God to move and work through our lives. We can trace people all the way back through the Old Testament who've been given a task, a mission or signs to look for and they've worked, waited or moved....expectantly.
Abraham, moved in faith to a land foreign to himself and family. He waited for a promised heir to be born. In just these two different examples, whether waiting or moving he did so expectantly and in faith.
Noah endured ridicule in his journey building the ark with his sons. Faith that God would cause rain to fall, even though "rain" was something new. They went on building as they expected God to be faithful to HIS word.
In captivity, the children of Israel believed the prophets and expected God's personal intervention so they could be freed from their bondage. During their times of captivity, they work for those holding them in bondage and their captors prospered.
Expectation was woven into the fabric of their lives. Not the expectation of man, but of God. What about the three Hebrew's, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego? Their expectation began with a step of faith. That God would honor and protect them as they held to their belief that the kings' best food and drink wasn't in their best interest. As they stood on their faith and trusted God, so did their expectation that God would prove HIMSELF to be the only God. They expected that whether they lived or died in the fiery furnace, God would reign show Himself the God of all.
Fast forward to the disciples. Before Christ ascended, He instructed the disciples to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit would be with them (and us) in His absence. Trusting Christ and having faith, they stayed together and prayed, expecting that the Holy Spirit would indeed come as promised.
We will continue this topic..... For now, let's examine ourselves to see if we're living today and everyday in expectation. The expectation that as we move and grow closer to our Father through Jesus, are we expecting to know more of Him in our life? Are we expecting HIS presence, power and peace? Are we expecting HIM to lead us in this life as we've given our life completely to HIM?
Blessings and Peace
~Robert
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Determination
The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness. ~Wiktionary
Biblically the first thing that pops to mind is Paul's point to the church in Corinth, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."~1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Additional references that are fairly well known are: 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Galatians 1:10, Numbers 13:30 and 1 Samuel 17:45-51. All of these speak to determination. There are many others in God's Word that speak directly to our topic. We have so many other examples of standing up determined to do what is right in the sight of our Father, regardless of what men may think or do as a result. These have been very difficult and sometimes perilous.
We are not called to do "easy" in this life, we are called to do right. Right as defined by our Holy Father. How difficult it must have been for Nathan to confront David. ~2 Samuel 12 David the king, anointed by God to serve the nation of Israel. Delivered by God from the hands of his enemies and his own father, Saul. Powerful before all who had ever heard his name and Nathan had to address David's sin. David, could have reacted very badly and had Nathan killed. Nathan had to determine that regardless of the outcome, God was in control and right.
We stand at cross roads daily. Turning to the left or the right, moving forward or back and sometimes frozen in place. Sometimes it is resolve alone, our determination that carries us through. The "testing of your faith" (James 1:3) is required in order for us to grow. Without determination, I dare say that we would be easily led astray.
Seeking our Father's strength, resolve and courage is exactly what we need to stand determined and to be counted for His Kingdom. They are bedrocks on which faith, passion and conviction stand. Deep roots, the beating winds and rain, heat and cold all contributed to the massive trees in our forests. Why do we expect a life of ease to get us to the other side, when everything else in God's creation tells us strife and struggle are required?
To be all God has called us to be for His glory and Kingdom, we need deep rooted determination. I'm seeking my Father's boundless grace, love and strength to see me through. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." ~Philippians 4:13 I recently heard someone say; since that verse is true, then that means that I can do nothing without Him.
Jesus is our all, His portion is ours. He determined long before Calvary that we were and are worth the trip. Worth leaving glory so we could come into His Father's Kingdom as joint heirs. We should determine that nothing is more important in this life than our service to Him as He desires.
When we think about it, determination is a great place to start our day.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Biblically the first thing that pops to mind is Paul's point to the church in Corinth, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."~1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Additional references that are fairly well known are: 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Galatians 1:10, Numbers 13:30 and 1 Samuel 17:45-51. All of these speak to determination. There are many others in God's Word that speak directly to our topic. We have so many other examples of standing up determined to do what is right in the sight of our Father, regardless of what men may think or do as a result. These have been very difficult and sometimes perilous.
We are not called to do "easy" in this life, we are called to do right. Right as defined by our Holy Father. How difficult it must have been for Nathan to confront David. ~2 Samuel 12 David the king, anointed by God to serve the nation of Israel. Delivered by God from the hands of his enemies and his own father, Saul. Powerful before all who had ever heard his name and Nathan had to address David's sin. David, could have reacted very badly and had Nathan killed. Nathan had to determine that regardless of the outcome, God was in control and right.
We stand at cross roads daily. Turning to the left or the right, moving forward or back and sometimes frozen in place. Sometimes it is resolve alone, our determination that carries us through. The "testing of your faith" (James 1:3) is required in order for us to grow. Without determination, I dare say that we would be easily led astray.
Seeking our Father's strength, resolve and courage is exactly what we need to stand determined and to be counted for His Kingdom. They are bedrocks on which faith, passion and conviction stand. Deep roots, the beating winds and rain, heat and cold all contributed to the massive trees in our forests. Why do we expect a life of ease to get us to the other side, when everything else in God's creation tells us strife and struggle are required?
To be all God has called us to be for His glory and Kingdom, we need deep rooted determination. I'm seeking my Father's boundless grace, love and strength to see me through. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." ~Philippians 4:13 I recently heard someone say; since that verse is true, then that means that I can do nothing without Him.
Jesus is our all, His portion is ours. He determined long before Calvary that we were and are worth the trip. Worth leaving glory so we could come into His Father's Kingdom as joint heirs. We should determine that nothing is more important in this life than our service to Him as He desires.
When we think about it, determination is a great place to start our day.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Courage
Courage is defined differently depending on who you talk to on the subject. Wikipedia defines courage "is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, orintimidation. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement."
I remember that Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Look closely at the last sentence, which is verse 32, "And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers". ~Luke 22:31-32
Peter would need courage to return and in doing so would be able to strengthen his brothers. Not just courage, but determination as well. Being human we're incredibly hard on our self for failures and become extremely embarrassed when we stumble or fail. So, Jesus was planting the seed in advance that Peter would need courage.
Peter goes on to proclaim his support for Christ up to and including death. Jesus knew Peter's heart was in the right place and like all of us, He knows the human condition and the weakness to declare things in haste. Never doubt that Peter loved Christ as deeply as any of us or any of the other disciples, Christ certainly didn't.
It takes boldness, courage and determination to stand up and hold to your beliefs when you're alone. It takes a greater measure of these to climb back up from a fall. We know it can be done for God's Word is full of examples. Men and women have fallen or made mistakes and yet they went on to have positive impacts for our Father's Kingdom.
If we lack courage, we have only to ask our Father to help us. Make no mistake in asking, He will allow the testing to begin. Opportunities to be courageous will come. Courage, like faith, requires action in this life. We can't claim faith without putting it to work. Courage is the same way, we must act courageously. Both courage and faith gain strength in the same way, through action.
Christ overcame death and the grave for all mankind. We have only to believe this simple truth. As His children have within us the same character of Christ, because we are a new creation in HIM.
~2 Corinthians 5:17 We can have courage to be who God has called us to be in this life.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
I remember that Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Look closely at the last sentence, which is verse 32, "And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers". ~Luke 22:31-32
Peter would need courage to return and in doing so would be able to strengthen his brothers. Not just courage, but determination as well. Being human we're incredibly hard on our self for failures and become extremely embarrassed when we stumble or fail. So, Jesus was planting the seed in advance that Peter would need courage.
Peter goes on to proclaim his support for Christ up to and including death. Jesus knew Peter's heart was in the right place and like all of us, He knows the human condition and the weakness to declare things in haste. Never doubt that Peter loved Christ as deeply as any of us or any of the other disciples, Christ certainly didn't.
It takes boldness, courage and determination to stand up and hold to your beliefs when you're alone. It takes a greater measure of these to climb back up from a fall. We know it can be done for God's Word is full of examples. Men and women have fallen or made mistakes and yet they went on to have positive impacts for our Father's Kingdom.
If we lack courage, we have only to ask our Father to help us. Make no mistake in asking, He will allow the testing to begin. Opportunities to be courageous will come. Courage, like faith, requires action in this life. We can't claim faith without putting it to work. Courage is the same way, we must act courageously. Both courage and faith gain strength in the same way, through action.
Christ overcame death and the grave for all mankind. We have only to believe this simple truth. As His children have within us the same character of Christ, because we are a new creation in HIM.
~2 Corinthians 5:17 We can have courage to be who God has called us to be in this life.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Prayer
Have you ever had a phrase or thought and it was just beyond your reach? Such is the case with this blog topic. It's as though the time wasn't right for me to write this blog entry or any other before today.
Prayer is critical to our walk of faith and our relationship with Jesus and our Father. I confess that my time in my prayer closet isn't as consistent as I'd like. My day is filled with opportunities to pray and I do take advantage of these and recommend you do likewise. We have the capacity to "pray without ceasing" (~1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We have thoughts flowing in and out of our minds and hearts constantly. Mixed in with the "business" of the day are these opportunities to have connecting prayer with our Father through Jesus. By choosing to pray often throughout our day, we invite Jesus to actively participate in our day.
Back to the stumbling block or mental block that had stayed my mind. I was searching for the time the disciples couldn't cast a demon out of a child. Finally, a few days ago God in His mercy allowed me to catch the verse. In Mark 9:14-29, is the healing of this boy and the disciples wondered that they could not. This passage is referred to for "All Things Are Possible" and with God they are indeed possible.
What has always struck me with the passage is in the final verse, "This kind can come out only by prayer." (NIV) In the passage linked above, the NASB translation is, "This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer." Not only do we have example after example of Jesus going off alone to pray and pray often. Here HE shows us the whole weight of the matter of prayer.
I'm challenged daily to stay connected through prayer and to increasingly lay all matters in my life before Christ. I believe our relationship with our Savior and Father is desperate for this ongoing contact and so for me it is necessary.
Prayer is the one thing we can embrace always and at any time.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Prayer is critical to our walk of faith and our relationship with Jesus and our Father. I confess that my time in my prayer closet isn't as consistent as I'd like. My day is filled with opportunities to pray and I do take advantage of these and recommend you do likewise. We have the capacity to "pray without ceasing" (~1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We have thoughts flowing in and out of our minds and hearts constantly. Mixed in with the "business" of the day are these opportunities to have connecting prayer with our Father through Jesus. By choosing to pray often throughout our day, we invite Jesus to actively participate in our day.
Back to the stumbling block or mental block that had stayed my mind. I was searching for the time the disciples couldn't cast a demon out of a child. Finally, a few days ago God in His mercy allowed me to catch the verse. In Mark 9:14-29, is the healing of this boy and the disciples wondered that they could not. This passage is referred to for "All Things Are Possible" and with God they are indeed possible.
What has always struck me with the passage is in the final verse, "This kind can come out only by prayer." (NIV) In the passage linked above, the NASB translation is, "This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer." Not only do we have example after example of Jesus going off alone to pray and pray often. Here HE shows us the whole weight of the matter of prayer.
I'm challenged daily to stay connected through prayer and to increasingly lay all matters in my life before Christ. I believe our relationship with our Savior and Father is desperate for this ongoing contact and so for me it is necessary.
Prayer is the one thing we can embrace always and at any time.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Read God's Word
I closed yesterdays blog entry with the following:
"Read His word, pray for strength and courage to follow. Stay resolved to follow Him and seek Him in all things. We, by His grace will succeed. Move forward today with a new sense of resolve and determination to live out our Father's will and way."
Often the question from new Christians is, "where do I start reading"? Without question, myself and others say to start with one of the four gospels in the New Testament. I prefer to suggest John as a great place to start. I also recommend John to those of us who have been Christians for some time as a place to revisit and study in depth for a fresh start.
By reading John's account of Jesus we are also referred back to the Old Testament scriptures. I know many folks who don't understand the purpose of the Old Testament and struggle to read it's passages. I have in the past and do still at times wrestle with these passages. It is in the struggle that we find ourselves placing our desire and need at our Father's throne.
We have only to ask our Father to help us understand and He willingly provides this help. We have to ask and believe that the answers are given, even when the answer isn't immediately revealed. Remember this is a journey. Clarity and understanding is accomplished through continuous effort and dedication.
Reading His word, both the Old and New Testaments are right and necessary for learning who God is and drawing close. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." ~Romans 10:17 We also should remember that, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12
To journey with Christ and live in His presence, we must dig into His Word. Everything we've ever desired has required of us; attention, dedication and pursuit. We cannot and should not expect that our relationship with Jesus involves anything less. God gave us His best and deserves nothing less in return.
Commit to reading God's Word and meditating on His Word. Sow His Word into your heart and draw closer each day. Do this everyday and before you know it, you'll find that having time in His Word is more precious and desired than anything else.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
"Read His word, pray for strength and courage to follow. Stay resolved to follow Him and seek Him in all things. We, by His grace will succeed. Move forward today with a new sense of resolve and determination to live out our Father's will and way."
Often the question from new Christians is, "where do I start reading"? Without question, myself and others say to start with one of the four gospels in the New Testament. I prefer to suggest John as a great place to start. I also recommend John to those of us who have been Christians for some time as a place to revisit and study in depth for a fresh start.
By reading John's account of Jesus we are also referred back to the Old Testament scriptures. I know many folks who don't understand the purpose of the Old Testament and struggle to read it's passages. I have in the past and do still at times wrestle with these passages. It is in the struggle that we find ourselves placing our desire and need at our Father's throne.
We have only to ask our Father to help us understand and He willingly provides this help. We have to ask and believe that the answers are given, even when the answer isn't immediately revealed. Remember this is a journey. Clarity and understanding is accomplished through continuous effort and dedication.
Reading His word, both the Old and New Testaments are right and necessary for learning who God is and drawing close. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." ~Romans 10:17 We also should remember that, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12
To journey with Christ and live in His presence, we must dig into His Word. Everything we've ever desired has required of us; attention, dedication and pursuit. We cannot and should not expect that our relationship with Jesus involves anything less. God gave us His best and deserves nothing less in return.
Commit to reading God's Word and meditating on His Word. Sow His Word into your heart and draw closer each day. Do this everyday and before you know it, you'll find that having time in His Word is more precious and desired than anything else.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Monday, January 2, 2012
Rebellion
Quiet Walk Daily Bible Reading Devotional, Walk Thru the Bible, Christian Devotions:
"We see the first example of this in Genesis 3:6. First, Eve "saw" the forbidden fruit. No transgression yet. Then she "desired." Still no transgression--but a step closer. Finally, she "took and ate." Transgression."
Yesterday, I wrote a short note on setting new goals for the new year. Right out of the gate, the devotion I've linked here helps us to recognize that opposition to our plan crouches at our door looking for the crack to gain entrance. It will most likely be the "little" things that pose the largest threat to our walk today.
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." ~1 Corinthians 15:58 We need to resolve daily and stand firm on the decision we made for God yesterday. We do this by reaffirming our decision as our first act everyday. The second step involves moving forward in everything we do to reach the goal.
The enemy looks to use "little" opportunities to distract us. When he has our attention focused away from God and our goal, then he waits to see what we do next. Like Eve, at this point we've only lost focus for the moment. When we really have our hearts and minds set on living in His presence, we will recognize what is taking place. Through God's strength and grace, we will be able to turn away from the distraction and continue our journey with Christ.
Should you or I stumble and fall, God's grace is sufficient. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9 Our Father allows for tests and trials to come into our life to strengthen our faith in Him. It is through adversity that we learn and grow, building on the experience that points to Christ alone.
Read His word, pray for strength and courage to follow. Stay resolved to follow Him and seek Him in all things. We, by His grace will succeed. Move forward today with a new sense of resolve and determination to live out our Father's will and way.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Resolutions....
Good Morning and welcome to 2012!
I find it interesting, considering my journey, the amount of weight given to the "New Year". I do appreciate the ability to mark specific points in time during this life and milestones that we are able to reflect on. So, what will we do with or accomplish in 2012?
I challenge you to join me in a couple of pretty straightforward goals/resolutions:
We each must look to God for help in examining where we stand and what we need to work on for growth and for accomplishing His will and way for our life. As we move forward from here today, intentional steps are again required.
We should resolve to love Christ with every fiber of our being and this means putting aside those desires and goals that are only temporary and just for this life alone. Through Christ, we are to live this life to the fullest and He makes the provision for all things. So, I believe that as we journey in Christ and Him alone, we will find that HE will lead us into a life that is fuller and richer than anything we could ever manage on our own.
Choose today who you will serve and cherish.
Blessings & Peace,
~Robert
I find it interesting, considering my journey, the amount of weight given to the "New Year". I do appreciate the ability to mark specific points in time during this life and milestones that we are able to reflect on. So, what will we do with or accomplish in 2012?
I challenge you to join me in a couple of pretty straightforward goals/resolutions:
- Know nothing except Christ; Him crucified and His love for all mankind. Our Father's desire that all come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and in doing so become restored to a right relationship to our Father.
- To love our neighbors as ourself. To treat the elderly with the respect of fathers and mothers. Men and women as brothers and sisters if they are in Christ. To see the lost as Christ sees them, with a broken heart, burdened for their redemption and eternal salvation.
We each must look to God for help in examining where we stand and what we need to work on for growth and for accomplishing His will and way for our life. As we move forward from here today, intentional steps are again required.
We should resolve to love Christ with every fiber of our being and this means putting aside those desires and goals that are only temporary and just for this life alone. Through Christ, we are to live this life to the fullest and He makes the provision for all things. So, I believe that as we journey in Christ and Him alone, we will find that HE will lead us into a life that is fuller and richer than anything we could ever manage on our own.
Choose today who you will serve and cherish.
Blessings & Peace,
~Robert
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