Isn't it thrilling when someone tells you that they are going to have a baby? Or the experience of having one yourself and the joy and preparation that goes into this amazing event. I am just as encouraged when a friend or loved one shares of their ability to adopt a child. Regardless of the way a child is brought into the lives of a family, it is an amazing event and one to be excited about.
One of the most joyous parts of bringing a child into the family is the preparation. There is so much involved to this that it takes almost as many months to prepare for the child as it does to nurture and develop the new child in the comfort of the mother's womb. I think for me, one of the most exciting parts to preparing for a new child is the readying of the child's room. Preparing a room. Webster's defines it as: to provide or to procure as suitable. But I believe in the case of preparing a room for a new child is far greater than to just make a suitable place for them to come home to.
We go to the local home center and look for the perfect paint colors. We register at Target and make sure to include all of the things we feel will make this place we are preparing the perfect fit for our new loved one to feel comfort and love. We even create a theme by decorating it with Winnie The Pooh or Little Mermaid or even Spongebob Square Pants... Whatever the case, it is made especially for the one we love because we are wanting the very best for our new child.
God is doing the same thing for us. He is preparing a place for me and you to be with Him for eternity in heaven and He isn't doing it on the cheap either. Jesus tells us in John chapter 14 that there are many rooms in God's house and He is preparing a place for us. It isn't going to be like a Motel 6 where once we get there someone will check us in and then we carry all of our baggage up to some generic room with a tv that is missing the remote, an old dusty chair in the corner, and a hard bed that has been slept in 17,000 times by who knows who.
No, on the contrary. It is going to be a perfect fit. Revelation gives us a human glimpse into Heaven in this way: Rev 21:21-23 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Jesus is making a place for me and you in Heaven and it is going to be a splendid sight indeed. Joh 14:1-4 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." (esv)
He is preparing it Himself. Imagine for just a moment how wonderful that is going to be. If we, being sinful and corrupt, can prepare a nice room for our children to dwell in for their time here with us, then imagine what the perfect one can do in His preparation of our eternal dwelling place.
Thank you God for your promise of Salvation and your unquenchable grace. You have told me that you are preparing a place for me in Heaven and I am so ready to see it...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
This Is His Will...
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always, 1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing, 1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Boy isn't this one a little hard to grab hold of. Rejoice always... does that mean even when the the wheels feel like they are falling off the cart? Or when Lori had cancer or when my construction business failed and I had to find work? How about when going through a divorce, or a major car wreck, or even during our current recession? It is difficult when our focus is on ourselves to rejoice. Hard times come and go and the situations I am in today will be gone next year and I will be at the front door of new challenges and opportunities. If we allow our circumstances rather than our Savior to be the reason for our rejoicing then we will be completely miserable.
Pray without ceasing. I heard this described this way once. Knock. And knock, and knock, and knock, and knock... Get the point. Never give up knocking on the door. Christ never promises to open the door when we want it to be opened, but He will open it eventually. Prayers always get answered. Maybe not in the timing or the method of our choosing but hey, we aren't God.
Give thanks in all circumstances... Kind of like the rejoicing one isn't it? Does all really mean all? Like when the washer breaks down, and the car won't start, and one of the kid's spills red kool-aid on the new carpet. Am I supposed to give thanks then?
For this is the will of God for me in Christ Jesus. When my focus is on the cross and not on the mess on the floor or the fact that there is more month than money, then I am "In Christ". Not easy that is for certain... But fulfilling.
Psa 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
Psa 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
Lord, I pray that you will help me to fulfill the verses in 1st Thessalonians. I want to rejoice always. I desire to be earnest in prayer continually, and I find it difficult but want to give thanks in all things. Being any other way is being like the one's who don't know you. Let me be a testimony to you in my circumstances so others can come to know You in theirs.
Boy isn't this one a little hard to grab hold of. Rejoice always... does that mean even when the the wheels feel like they are falling off the cart? Or when Lori had cancer or when my construction business failed and I had to find work? How about when going through a divorce, or a major car wreck, or even during our current recession? It is difficult when our focus is on ourselves to rejoice. Hard times come and go and the situations I am in today will be gone next year and I will be at the front door of new challenges and opportunities. If we allow our circumstances rather than our Savior to be the reason for our rejoicing then we will be completely miserable.
Pray without ceasing. I heard this described this way once. Knock. And knock, and knock, and knock, and knock... Get the point. Never give up knocking on the door. Christ never promises to open the door when we want it to be opened, but He will open it eventually. Prayers always get answered. Maybe not in the timing or the method of our choosing but hey, we aren't God.
Give thanks in all circumstances... Kind of like the rejoicing one isn't it? Does all really mean all? Like when the washer breaks down, and the car won't start, and one of the kid's spills red kool-aid on the new carpet. Am I supposed to give thanks then?
For this is the will of God for me in Christ Jesus. When my focus is on the cross and not on the mess on the floor or the fact that there is more month than money, then I am "In Christ". Not easy that is for certain... But fulfilling.
Psa 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
Psa 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
Lord, I pray that you will help me to fulfill the verses in 1st Thessalonians. I want to rejoice always. I desire to be earnest in prayer continually, and I find it difficult but want to give thanks in all things. Being any other way is being like the one's who don't know you. Let me be a testimony to you in my circumstances so others can come to know You in theirs.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Be An Approved Worker
2Ti 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
On occasion I find myself seeking the approval of others over my approval of God. Presenting myself before men for their acceptance or support, all the while ignoring the blatant fact that the person I am seeking affirmation from is as lost as a ball in high weeds when it comes to their salvation.
This verse today helps me remember that I need to do my best to present myself to God and His work without shame or regret. Being approved by God is the ultimate gift one can be given and it can only be attained through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One who speaks openly of this free gift is graciously approved.
The Bible tells us we can not seek two masters, for we will love the one and surely hate the other. When we look for the approval of men rather than God we are turning away from Him and asking the world to be our judge. Many of those we are seeking our approval from are disapproved by God and Christ. Diligently seek His approval by walking uprightly in His word and correctly sharing it with those you encounter.
On occasion I find myself seeking the approval of others over my approval of God. Presenting myself before men for their acceptance or support, all the while ignoring the blatant fact that the person I am seeking affirmation from is as lost as a ball in high weeds when it comes to their salvation.
This verse today helps me remember that I need to do my best to present myself to God and His work without shame or regret. Being approved by God is the ultimate gift one can be given and it can only be attained through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One who speaks openly of this free gift is graciously approved.
The Bible tells us we can not seek two masters, for we will love the one and surely hate the other. When we look for the approval of men rather than God we are turning away from Him and asking the world to be our judge. Many of those we are seeking our approval from are disapproved by God and Christ. Diligently seek His approval by walking uprightly in His word and correctly sharing it with those you encounter.
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Truly Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
There is one song in particular that inspires me to stop everything I am doing and take a moment and listen. One of those song's is Amazing Grace written by John Newton back in 1779. It has a certain ring to it that gives me a small glimpse of what it might be like bowing before the throne of God when we enter our eternal glory.
Here is a video of Amazing Grace sang by the group Il Divo
The Grace of God is truly amazing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVxzEueJ6A
May you be blessed by God's Amazing Grace as you go throughout your day.
1Ch 17:16-17 King David went in, took his place before GOD, and prayed: Who am I, my Master GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that's nothing compared to what's coming, for you've also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow and looked on me, Master GOD, as a Somebody. (msg)
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
There is one song in particular that inspires me to stop everything I am doing and take a moment and listen. One of those song's is Amazing Grace written by John Newton back in 1779. It has a certain ring to it that gives me a small glimpse of what it might be like bowing before the throne of God when we enter our eternal glory.
Here is a video of Amazing Grace sang by the group Il Divo
The Grace of God is truly amazing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVxzEueJ6A
May you be blessed by God's Amazing Grace as you go throughout your day.
1Ch 17:16-17 King David went in, took his place before GOD, and prayed: Who am I, my Master GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that's nothing compared to what's coming, for you've also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow and looked on me, Master GOD, as a Somebody. (msg)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Scott MacIntyre "No Fear"
Here is a great video from Scott MacIntyre. He is a singer/songwriter who happens to be a contestant on American Idol. This is a beautiful song about God being right by your side as you walk through difficult times...
Enjoy
And just a side note... He is legally blind and wrote this song at the age of fourteen.
2Ch 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
Enjoy
And just a side note... He is legally blind and wrote this song at the age of fourteen.
2Ch 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
Scriptures To Meditate On
This devotion is for those who just need some scriptures of encouragement. I don't really have much of a story to tell or an analogy to draw from, just the Bible today.
Going through difficult times in life I find it encouraging to just sit and read the scriptures. Lori and I spent an hour or so this evening looking intently into God's Word. As I rubbed her back and feet, I read through the scriptures aloud to her. She was able to sit for a moment, quiet before the Lord, and just get bathed by the Word of God. How incredibly refreshing...(now she is sleeping like a baby on the couch next to me as I write this blog.)
So, if you are needing encouragement today I hope you will take the time to just sit down and meditate on God's Word. Here are just a few of the verses that we read through and tucked away into our hearts...
2Ti 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
and in the Greek it says...
2Ti 3:16 πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ,
2Ti 3:17 ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος.
Just trying to be funny :)
Mat 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Psa 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psa 105:4
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Psa 27:7 -14
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me.
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the LORD will take me up. Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path Because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalms 39:7
"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
Proverbs 23:18
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Jeremiah 17:7
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
2 Corinthians 3:10-12
For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
Psa 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psa 118:24
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:21
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Mat 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
2Co 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
Rom 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Jas 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Mat 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jas 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Isa 25:8-9
He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Psa 73:22-26
Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Thank you Lord for your word. I desire to meditate on it day and night and look to you for my hope and my strength. You are my portion forever.
Going through difficult times in life I find it encouraging to just sit and read the scriptures. Lori and I spent an hour or so this evening looking intently into God's Word. As I rubbed her back and feet, I read through the scriptures aloud to her. She was able to sit for a moment, quiet before the Lord, and just get bathed by the Word of God. How incredibly refreshing...(now she is sleeping like a baby on the couch next to me as I write this blog.)
So, if you are needing encouragement today I hope you will take the time to just sit down and meditate on God's Word. Here are just a few of the verses that we read through and tucked away into our hearts...
2Ti 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
and in the Greek it says...
2Ti 3:16 πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ,
2Ti 3:17 ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος.
Just trying to be funny :)
Mat 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Psa 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psa 105:4
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Psa 27:7 -14
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me.
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the LORD will take me up. Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path Because of my foes. Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalms 39:7
"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
Proverbs 23:18
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Jeremiah 17:7
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
2 Corinthians 3:10-12
For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
Psa 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psa 118:24
This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Titus 3:3-7
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:21
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Mat 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
2Co 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
Rom 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Jas 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Mat 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jas 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Isa 25:8-9
He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Psa 73:22-26
Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Thank you Lord for your word. I desire to meditate on it day and night and look to you for my hope and my strength. You are my portion forever.
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