Nehemiah is a book about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the exiles had returned. The city went a while without being rebuilt and when Nehemiah decided to rebuild it there was opposition on every side. However the impossible was in fact possible. It took time, determination and perseverance trusting in God to make the way.
This inspired our class to discuss all the impossible things in our own lives that we would love to see happen either in our present lives or the future. Some talked of careers and others...homework, but seriously there was good discussion and thought about future dreams etc. I talked with the class about a 24 year old named Katie Davis with Amazima Ministries, Click here. It is amazing to discuss the faith and adventure in a young lady that is just like these students but a few years older living in Uganda with 13 adopted daughters and running a ministry that is supporting over 1200 children and families a week.
The students were inspired and felt called to help Katie and the kids in Uganda too! They are now bringing in their loose change to collect in a jar for Amazima. They are trying to bring in $25 a month as it is a way to help on the website. It says $25 a month will help provide over 600 children with education, food, school supplies, and discipleship.
I am so proud of these students and looking forward to helping Katie's kids! If you get a chance read her book, Kisses from Katie.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Eye is the lamp
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
~ Matthew 6:22-23
We must be careful what we look at! What you let in through your eyes becomes something you think about...consider if it is something that honors God. Not only is this verse talking about what you look at, it is also talking about what you set your mind on....is it something that honors God? Are you thinking selfishly or selflessly? Are you considering others and what they would like or need?
Consider others better than yourselves. Ask The Lord to be light in you today and set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. All the things around us are going to pass away, the tv shows, the football games, the cool clothes, the next best iPhone or iPod,etc. Let go of them, don't focus on those things that will pass away...focus today on your friendships and those relationships that will not pass away! See what you can do today to honor God with your eyes so your whole body can be full of light!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Perseverance
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. ~ James 1:1-7
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wea have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And web rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but wec also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. ~ Romans 5:1:1-4
I teach my students to interpret scripture by scripture and as I was reading I noticed these two sections of scripture are very similar. They both basically say the same thing about trials/suffering and perseverance. James says trials test your faith and can produce perseverance and Paul said in his letter to the Romans that suffering produces perseverance. Actually James explains the trial or suffering in you is a testing of your faith which produces perseverance.
So what's perseverance and why is it important to me? Well dictionary.com defines perseverance as a steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It is important that we steadily persist in a certain course of action especially when the course of action is following Christ. This reminds me of the scripture, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do."~ Galatians 6:9. May we not become weary and keep persevering.
There was a time in my life when I was working 3 jobs and raising three children as a single mom each evening and there was much weariness in my life. It was a very difficult time and I remember collapsing on the couch one evening exhausted physically, emotionally and spiritually and laying my 10 year old daughters hands on my shoulder asking her to pray for mommy as she was very tired. There was a strength that came over me as she prayed. I thank The Lord for that prayer and was able to continue with joy. I also made some changes with my jobs soon after which was also an answer to prayer.
As we see in the scriptures above perseverance has a purpose, it's not just going on for nothing. James said you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything and Paul says you will produce character and character, hope. So we can be sure character is involved with being mature and there is hope in our lives because of Christ. He does not disappoint.
James also says God will also give wisdom to those who ask which also brings character, however this is also something that takes faith. As you see he says if you doubt when you ask, you are like a wave blown and tossed by the wind. Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do to see (Hebrews11:1). Growing in character takes a testing of your faith. Are you going to trust The Lord for maturity and character as you persevere in hope? Rest in Him knowing that He loves you and knows what you need before you even ask Him. Rest knowing He wants you to persevere in Him.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Spirit Upon You
11/9/2012
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
~Isaiah 61:1-3
Let us remember that if we have accepted God's gift of life we have also accepted the Holy Spirit into our lives. If and when we walk in the Spirit, we also preach Christ with our lives.
No matter where you are in life, chances are the person or people you come in contact with today only share one thing with you, that is they have troubles too. However, their troubles may be very different than yours. Everyone has a story and a past that they have come from and that has shaped them in many ways. Use your time with that person to ask the Lord how to 'preach' to them. As Isaiah was prophecying to Judah calling them back to God when they strayed, reminding them of where their hope came from, He told them they are to preach good news to the poor. I see this 'poor' term more to describe a person that is going through trials without Jesus.
Remember you are free in the Lord as you have accepted his gift and not only free, but called to 'preach' to others this good news. As you walk in the Spirit, ask the Lord how you can help bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from prison for the prisoners today. People today may not be in an actual prison, but in a 'thought' prison. They may be believing lies about themselves such as, 'I will never measure up', 'I can never get things right' or 'there is no hope' and God can send you into their lives today to help them see the truth. The truth about themselves in Christ, such as 'God's grace covers all' and 'there is a Source of true hope and He is available to you.'
Also telling them He wants to comfort those who mourn and give them praise instead of despair. How many of us need comforting? Many of us have some kind of loss we may have experienced in which comforting is needed. There could be a loss of a job, a parent, a child, a dream, or loss of innocense through an act of terror. May God comfort others through you today.
And most importantly, that He wants to display His splendor through them and through us. In telling others about Jesus' hope and comfort, the Lord's splendor is revealed. In accepting His hope and comfort, and rejoicing in praise because of His truth, His splendor is revealed. Be comforted today. Have hope today. Rejoice today. Give comfort today. Give hope today. Give joy today.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
~Isaiah 61:1-3
Let us remember that if we have accepted God's gift of life we have also accepted the Holy Spirit into our lives. If and when we walk in the Spirit, we also preach Christ with our lives.
No matter where you are in life, chances are the person or people you come in contact with today only share one thing with you, that is they have troubles too. However, their troubles may be very different than yours. Everyone has a story and a past that they have come from and that has shaped them in many ways. Use your time with that person to ask the Lord how to 'preach' to them. As Isaiah was prophecying to Judah calling them back to God when they strayed, reminding them of where their hope came from, He told them they are to preach good news to the poor. I see this 'poor' term more to describe a person that is going through trials without Jesus.
Remember you are free in the Lord as you have accepted his gift and not only free, but called to 'preach' to others this good news. As you walk in the Spirit, ask the Lord how you can help bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from prison for the prisoners today. People today may not be in an actual prison, but in a 'thought' prison. They may be believing lies about themselves such as, 'I will never measure up', 'I can never get things right' or 'there is no hope' and God can send you into their lives today to help them see the truth. The truth about themselves in Christ, such as 'God's grace covers all' and 'there is a Source of true hope and He is available to you.'
Also telling them He wants to comfort those who mourn and give them praise instead of despair. How many of us need comforting? Many of us have some kind of loss we may have experienced in which comforting is needed. There could be a loss of a job, a parent, a child, a dream, or loss of innocense through an act of terror. May God comfort others through you today.
And most importantly, that He wants to display His splendor through them and through us. In telling others about Jesus' hope and comfort, the Lord's splendor is revealed. In accepting His hope and comfort, and rejoicing in praise because of His truth, His splendor is revealed. Be comforted today. Have hope today. Rejoice today. Give comfort today. Give hope today. Give joy today.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
My bones wasted away
11/8/2012
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom The Lord counts no iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.....
I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not cover my iniquity....and you forgave.
~ psalm 32:1-3, 5
I think I picked this verse ironically because I am just not feeling that well today...and bones wasting away could sum up some of my feelings today, however I cannot deny having this feeling when I have committed some sin such as complaining to a co- worker or not being patient with my family. Other sins can crush you as well such as gossip, lying, etc. It actually becomes a burden for you to carry around and comes between you and God, not to mention your family or friends.
Don't carry that burden. God wants you to come to him and confess it. He wants you to lay it down and ask for forgiveness. Notice in the earlier verses he says BLESSED are you whose transgressions are forgiven. BLESSED are you whose sins are covered and in whom is NO deceit.
Do you want to be blessed? I do. Do you want to rest in the plush grass or sit on the rocks and rotting grapes from yesterday's Devo?? He wants to bless you. He wants to FREE you. Come to him and you will be FREE! He is waiting. You will be FREE! Asking for his forgiveness will give you the FREEDOM to come closer to him, sit at his feet, understand his WORD better and hear his voice. He wants to bless you. Ask him about yourself as he knows you better than you know yourself. He will tell you and you will become who you were meant to be in him.
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom The Lord counts no iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.....
I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not cover my iniquity....and you forgave.
~ psalm 32:1-3, 5
I think I picked this verse ironically because I am just not feeling that well today...and bones wasting away could sum up some of my feelings today, however I cannot deny having this feeling when I have committed some sin such as complaining to a co- worker or not being patient with my family. Other sins can crush you as well such as gossip, lying, etc. It actually becomes a burden for you to carry around and comes between you and God, not to mention your family or friends.
Don't carry that burden. God wants you to come to him and confess it. He wants you to lay it down and ask for forgiveness. Notice in the earlier verses he says BLESSED are you whose transgressions are forgiven. BLESSED are you whose sins are covered and in whom is NO deceit.
Do you want to be blessed? I do. Do you want to rest in the plush grass or sit on the rocks and rotting grapes from yesterday's Devo?? He wants to bless you. He wants to FREE you. Come to him and you will be FREE! He is waiting. You will be FREE! Asking for his forgiveness will give you the FREEDOM to come closer to him, sit at his feet, understand his WORD better and hear his voice. He wants to bless you. Ask him about yourself as he knows you better than you know yourself. He will tell you and you will become who you were meant to be in him.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
This is not a game, but WAR!!
11/7/2012
Today in chapel we talked about the Holy Spirit and what role he has in our lives. We heard from a student speaker who is a senior at our school and a godly young man. One of the statements he said is that 'this is not a game, but war!'
So what does that mean? When we are following the Holy Spirit we need to be cautious. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This means that he watches you. He knows your weak points. He tries to find ways to trip you up. He will tempt you in many ways, for example, he may push your buttons and you may explode in anger if that is your weak area. He may bring ads in front of you that are seductive to draw you into thinking about pornography if that is a weak area for you.
So your first step in this WAR is to be aware of your weak areas (or potential ones) and plan ahead how you will COMBAT the enemy in that area and how to PROTECT yourself.
The second step is stay humble. There is a verse that says--pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). I was reading in Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis this morning and he said a humble person will not know he/she is humble. The person will be characterized by thinking of others first and not thinking of him/herself. A humble person does not think of him/herself as deserving of anything, but of just being surrendered to the Holy Spirit to do God's will for others.
The third step is when/if you do FALL down, get up! Don't let the enemy defeat you while you are on the ground! Forgive yourself and ask God to forgive you, know that God loves you and values you and brush yourself off.
Next, plan ahead how you will get up next time, for example, find an accountability person. Talk to him/her about your weak areas and ask him/her to pray for you and meet with you ongoing about it! (always recommend-- guys with guys-- and girls with girls --unless you are a married adult--then choose your spouse to share with!)
Remember most of all this illustration of a life following God. It is like a beautiful, big and glorious tree that is flourishing with fruit that gives you just the right nourishment. It has green leaves all around, huge wonderful fruit hanging low so you can reach it, plush grass on the ground that feels cool and comforting to your feet. He gives you everything you need right here under this tree as you sit or lay down eating the fruit. However, a life following the 'ways of the world', the fasad of having the right clothing, hair style, home or home furnishings, car, career, etc. will lead to death. It is like a dried up grapevine that doesn't produce fruit and has old grapes rotting on the ground already been trappled on by others. Oh from far away it looks pleasant and amazing, but once you are there--you realize, its not what you thought. There is not nourishment here, only dried up fruit that is being eaten up by worms. There is also no place to sit or lay down as the old vines and rotting fruit are all over the ground with thorns and rocks underneath. This place will be barren with no comfort. It will be the place of death if you stayed there.
Find comfort in the Lord's love this day, follow him wholeheartedly as he is waiting for you. He does not push himself on anyone, but waits and loves ready to offer all he has to you. If you ever felt abandoned by him and bitter towards him, remember he never left you. He never wanted pain and sorrow to be a part of your life and one day he will wipe away every tear and there will be no more sorrow or pain (a favorite verse of one of my students--Rev. 21:4).
Today in chapel we talked about the Holy Spirit and what role he has in our lives. We heard from a student speaker who is a senior at our school and a godly young man. One of the statements he said is that 'this is not a game, but war!'
So what does that mean? When we are following the Holy Spirit we need to be cautious. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This means that he watches you. He knows your weak points. He tries to find ways to trip you up. He will tempt you in many ways, for example, he may push your buttons and you may explode in anger if that is your weak area. He may bring ads in front of you that are seductive to draw you into thinking about pornography if that is a weak area for you.
So your first step in this WAR is to be aware of your weak areas (or potential ones) and plan ahead how you will COMBAT the enemy in that area and how to PROTECT yourself.
The second step is stay humble. There is a verse that says--pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). I was reading in Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis this morning and he said a humble person will not know he/she is humble. The person will be characterized by thinking of others first and not thinking of him/herself. A humble person does not think of him/herself as deserving of anything, but of just being surrendered to the Holy Spirit to do God's will for others.
The third step is when/if you do FALL down, get up! Don't let the enemy defeat you while you are on the ground! Forgive yourself and ask God to forgive you, know that God loves you and values you and brush yourself off.
Next, plan ahead how you will get up next time, for example, find an accountability person. Talk to him/her about your weak areas and ask him/her to pray for you and meet with you ongoing about it! (always recommend-- guys with guys-- and girls with girls --unless you are a married adult--then choose your spouse to share with!)
Remember most of all this illustration of a life following God. It is like a beautiful, big and glorious tree that is flourishing with fruit that gives you just the right nourishment. It has green leaves all around, huge wonderful fruit hanging low so you can reach it, plush grass on the ground that feels cool and comforting to your feet. He gives you everything you need right here under this tree as you sit or lay down eating the fruit. However, a life following the 'ways of the world', the fasad of having the right clothing, hair style, home or home furnishings, car, career, etc. will lead to death. It is like a dried up grapevine that doesn't produce fruit and has old grapes rotting on the ground already been trappled on by others. Oh from far away it looks pleasant and amazing, but once you are there--you realize, its not what you thought. There is not nourishment here, only dried up fruit that is being eaten up by worms. There is also no place to sit or lay down as the old vines and rotting fruit are all over the ground with thorns and rocks underneath. This place will be barren with no comfort. It will be the place of death if you stayed there.
Find comfort in the Lord's love this day, follow him wholeheartedly as he is waiting for you. He does not push himself on anyone, but waits and loves ready to offer all he has to you. If you ever felt abandoned by him and bitter towards him, remember he never left you. He never wanted pain and sorrow to be a part of your life and one day he will wipe away every tear and there will be no more sorrow or pain (a favorite verse of one of my students--Rev. 21:4).
Election Day
11/6/2012
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance." ~ Psalm 33:12
As you know there have been many statuses and tweets in leau of this election. There are major perspectives at stake here and great divides among candidates. Many of has have researched and watched debates repeatedly. And then the time has come to vote.
Great anxiety can shape this day or great peace. We want our nation to grow and be strengthened. We want a person in office that will make wise decisions for the good of the people. We want someone we can trust, even with our very lives.
Rest today in the fact that 'blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord'. A nation is made up of people and it is what that nation believes that determines its course. Are we going to trust God with our lives today? He is not far from anyone of us. He is actually waiting, not wanting anyone to perish. It is as simple as coming to him and asking for his help and guidance (life).
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. ~John 11:25
Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ~ John 12:44
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance." ~ Psalm 33:12
As you know there have been many statuses and tweets in leau of this election. There are major perspectives at stake here and great divides among candidates. Many of has have researched and watched debates repeatedly. And then the time has come to vote.
Great anxiety can shape this day or great peace. We want our nation to grow and be strengthened. We want a person in office that will make wise decisions for the good of the people. We want someone we can trust, even with our very lives.
Rest today in the fact that 'blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord'. A nation is made up of people and it is what that nation believes that determines its course. Are we going to trust God with our lives today? He is not far from anyone of us. He is actually waiting, not wanting anyone to perish. It is as simple as coming to him and asking for his help and guidance (life).
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. ~John 11:25
Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ~ John 12:44
Monday, November 5, 2012
Love
11/5/2012
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteousness in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
~ Psalm 145:14-18
He cares for you even when you fall or fail, he raises you up! He also lifts up those that are bowed down...or those that are humble. Consider where you are today. Is everything going great? Praise him and let him lift you up, have you made terrible mistakes or have just felt like a failure lately? Remember God upholds you. He cradles you and holds you. Rest in him. Rest.
The other scripture that I wanted to mention is that he is loving toward all he has made. God is loving toward you! He is loving. He is love. Many times we get love mixed up with infatuation. Remember true love is selfless, it is patient, it is kind, it forgives, it is not envious, it is not boastful, it is not rude and it never fails(1 Corinthians 13:4-7). As I did this devotional with the teenagers in my Bible classes today, I reminded them to examine their own friendships and relationships with others....parents, sisters, friends, etc. and see if they are loving others. I told them to replace the word love with their own name for a true test to see if they are being loving. I heard a few 'oh's' across the room. Le tus remember God is loving toward us in this way, lets be loving toward others in the same way. Let's also remember infatuation is 'self seeking', the opposite of love. It focuses on how you feel when you are with someone instead of serving the other selflessly.
Lord, show us how to love others as you do. Give us your servants heart for others, putting others needs above our own. May we choose to truly love others. Thank you for satisfying the desires of every living thing and for satisfying me. Thank you for upholding me and lifting me up. Amen.
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteousness in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
~ Psalm 145:14-18
He cares for you even when you fall or fail, he raises you up! He also lifts up those that are bowed down...or those that are humble. Consider where you are today. Is everything going great? Praise him and let him lift you up, have you made terrible mistakes or have just felt like a failure lately? Remember God upholds you. He cradles you and holds you. Rest in him. Rest.
He not only knows your needs but your desires and guess what?! He satisfies them. Does that mean...that thing that is on your mind and that you feel most desperate about he will satisfy? Well actually anxiousness and fretting is not from The Lord. If you are feeling anxious about something, lay it down, commit it to The Lord. He actually cannot give you his peace until you do so. Then ask him for what you desire most. There was a time in my life that extended for about 9 years in which I was conflicted as a single mom. I wanted a godly husband in my life and in my childrens lives and anxiously sought after him at times with no one even on the horizon. This caused me great grief and pain. It was not until 9 years later when I released it to The Lord in which he brought a godly husband into my life. A man that even proposed to me explaining how he will serve me as Christ laid down his life for the church. Amazing.
The other scripture that I wanted to mention is that he is loving toward all he has made. God is loving toward you! He is loving. He is love. Many times we get love mixed up with infatuation. Remember true love is selfless, it is patient, it is kind, it forgives, it is not envious, it is not boastful, it is not rude and it never fails(1 Corinthians 13:4-7). As I did this devotional with the teenagers in my Bible classes today, I reminded them to examine their own friendships and relationships with others....parents, sisters, friends, etc. and see if they are loving others. I told them to replace the word love with their own name for a true test to see if they are being loving. I heard a few 'oh's' across the room. Le tus remember God is loving toward us in this way, lets be loving toward others in the same way. Let's also remember infatuation is 'self seeking', the opposite of love. It focuses on how you feel when you are with someone instead of serving the other selflessly.
Lord, show us how to love others as you do. Give us your servants heart for others, putting others needs above our own. May we choose to truly love others. Thank you for satisfying the desires of every living thing and for satisfying me. Thank you for upholding me and lifting me up. Amen.
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