Today’s Readings: Psalm 109, 110, 138; John 16
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands” (Psalm 138: 8 NIV).
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b NIV).
Sometimes it’s hard to look past the rain and see a purpose in it all. Sometimes this world hands me things that I truly don’t understand. That is when I have to grab a hold of the truth that Chris has already overcome this world. The ultimate battle of good vs. evil has already been won. When I consider this, the battle’s I’m facing now don’t seem so hopeless. Yes, they may press me down, but that’s when I have to look up and focus on my Deliverer to rescue me.
I have to trust that God has a purpose and perfect plan in store for my life. What this purpose is, I’m not always sure, but I know that God sees the entire picture. He sees the entire book of my life here on earth and calls it beautiful.
What a thought! In the midst of this ugly, beaten down world, God sees my life as a work of art!
Sometimes it’s so scary to get to the end of one chapter, unable to see what’s ahead. There’s so many unknown at times. So many leaps of faith that have to be taken. But God is there, ready to catch each of us, and carry us on to a new, even more beautiful chapter of this life.
So take heart my friends. Christ has already overcome, and He’s ready and willing to carry you forward into new, glorious things.
Showing posts with label Psalm; John. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm; John. Show all posts
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The Refreshing Stream
Psalm 36-38; John 12:1-26
“They are filled with the abundance of Your house; You let them drink from Your refreshing stream, for with You is life’s fountain. In Your light we will see light” (Psalm 36: 8-9 HCSB).
“The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25 HCSB).
Now that the weather is getting warmer, I’ve been enjoying some time out in the sun. I love being outside, enjoying God’s beautiful creation. There’s one thing I’ve learned over time though, if I’m going to spend time out side, I have to bring my water bottle along. I get thirsty so easily. There have been times when I’ve felt completely dry and spent without it. My body needs water to keep everything functioning properly.
But even more than earthly water, I need heavenly water. I yearn for heavenly water. For this water never runs dry. In it flows the gift of eternal life for each of us. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman about this living water in
Psalm 36 gives us a similar image, when the Psalmist describes God as the provider of “life’s fountain.” In God flows the gift of eternal life, ready for each of us. If we would only chose it. The problem is that to many of us love our lives in this world too much. We’re not willing to give up everything we have, in order to take a hold of something so much greater. Jesus tells us in John 12:25, “The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (HCSB).
The choice may seem hard, but it’s really so simple: This life or eternal life. I chose the later.
Lord, when I feel fed up and at the end of my rope, please fill me anew with your living water. Please give me the strength to face each day, as I look toward eternity with you.
“They are filled with the abundance of Your house; You let them drink from Your refreshing stream, for with You is life’s fountain. In Your light we will see light” (Psalm 36: 8-9 HCSB).
“The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25 HCSB).
Now that the weather is getting warmer, I’ve been enjoying some time out in the sun. I love being outside, enjoying God’s beautiful creation. There’s one thing I’ve learned over time though, if I’m going to spend time out side, I have to bring my water bottle along. I get thirsty so easily. There have been times when I’ve felt completely dry and spent without it. My body needs water to keep everything functioning properly.
But even more than earthly water, I need heavenly water. I yearn for heavenly water. For this water never runs dry. In it flows the gift of eternal life for each of us. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman about this living water in
Psalm 36 gives us a similar image, when the Psalmist describes God as the provider of “life’s fountain.” In God flows the gift of eternal life, ready for each of us. If we would only chose it. The problem is that to many of us love our lives in this world too much. We’re not willing to give up everything we have, in order to take a hold of something so much greater. Jesus tells us in John 12:25, “The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (HCSB).
The choice may seem hard, but it’s really so simple: This life or eternal life. I chose the later.
Lord, when I feel fed up and at the end of my rope, please fill me anew with your living water. Please give me the strength to face each day, as I look toward eternity with you.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Greatest Gift: Eternal Life
Today’s Reading: Psalm 24-26; John 10:22-42
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and the shall never perish; no on can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27 NIV).
“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not life up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will received blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior” (Psalm 24:3-5 NIV).
In John 10:27 we read of the wonderful gift Jesus gives to all who believe: eternal life in heaven with Him. This gift is only possible because He died on the cross and covered our sins. Without this, we would never have the clean hands and pure heart required to enter the kingdom of God. What a wondrous thing. I’ll admit it, my earthly mind can’t quite wrap its way around this. It’s hard for me to understand why Jesus would ever die for me. Why He would ever choose to take my sins upon His shoulders and pay the ultimate price. But He did just the same. He died for every one of us. There’s no exception. The gift is open to everyone who chooses to accept it. No sin is too great, no person has strayed too far, that they get out of the Father’s reach. You see there’s always that choice. There’s always that moment when each of us can ask God to pull us out of our sinful lives, and take hold of something so beautiful and so true. By accepting God’s gift of eternal life, our sins are washed away. God sees them no more. While we might still be reminded of them, He no longer sees them.
Hopefully I didn’t come across as too preachy today. I get so excited reading the Bible that I can’t help but spill out the gospel story onto this blog every once in awhile. It’s such an integral part of who I am. I hope you can see that. If you ever have any questions, please let me know.
Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life. Thank you for covering my sins with your blood.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and the shall never perish; no on can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27 NIV).
“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not life up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will received blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior” (Psalm 24:3-5 NIV).
In John 10:27 we read of the wonderful gift Jesus gives to all who believe: eternal life in heaven with Him. This gift is only possible because He died on the cross and covered our sins. Without this, we would never have the clean hands and pure heart required to enter the kingdom of God. What a wondrous thing. I’ll admit it, my earthly mind can’t quite wrap its way around this. It’s hard for me to understand why Jesus would ever die for me. Why He would ever choose to take my sins upon His shoulders and pay the ultimate price. But He did just the same. He died for every one of us. There’s no exception. The gift is open to everyone who chooses to accept it. No sin is too great, no person has strayed too far, that they get out of the Father’s reach. You see there’s always that choice. There’s always that moment when each of us can ask God to pull us out of our sinful lives, and take hold of something so beautiful and so true. By accepting God’s gift of eternal life, our sins are washed away. God sees them no more. While we might still be reminded of them, He no longer sees them.
Hopefully I didn’t come across as too preachy today. I get so excited reading the Bible that I can’t help but spill out the gospel story onto this blog every once in awhile. It’s such an integral part of who I am. I hope you can see that. If you ever have any questions, please let me know.
Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life. Thank you for covering my sins with your blood.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
An Unfailing Love
Today’s Reading: Psalm 12-14; John 8:28-59
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
“‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” (John 8:58).
In this world where human love is imperfect, it’s amazing to think that we have a God who loves us with an “unfailing love.” This love doesn’t change with seasons or circumstances, but is always there, sure and true. It’s an all-encompassing love that sees us in our weak, human bodies and loves us just the same. This love from God was so great that He sent His only Son into the world. In the Gospel of John we’ve been reading about Jesus’ life on this earth, and how the people doubted his kingship. They didn’t recognize him as their Savior. They somehow missed the ultimate display of God’s love for humanity. They looked at Jesus in his earthly body and determined that he must be demon possessed to say that he was the Son of God (John 8:52). I often wonder if I would have missed it too. If I had been living during the days Jesus’ walked the earth, would I have believed, or would I have condemned him as well? Would I have recognized the love of God in human form, or would I have proclaimed it as heresy? I really don’t know. All I do know is that I’m so thankful that I believe in Jesus Christ today! I’m so thankful that he loved me enough to die for me. And I’m thankful that the love He has for me never fails.
Lord, thank you for the unfailing love you have for each of us. Please help me to learn to love others with that same sort of love.
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
“‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” (John 8:58).
In this world where human love is imperfect, it’s amazing to think that we have a God who loves us with an “unfailing love.” This love doesn’t change with seasons or circumstances, but is always there, sure and true. It’s an all-encompassing love that sees us in our weak, human bodies and loves us just the same. This love from God was so great that He sent His only Son into the world. In the Gospel of John we’ve been reading about Jesus’ life on this earth, and how the people doubted his kingship. They didn’t recognize him as their Savior. They somehow missed the ultimate display of God’s love for humanity. They looked at Jesus in his earthly body and determined that he must be demon possessed to say that he was the Son of God (John 8:52). I often wonder if I would have missed it too. If I had been living during the days Jesus’ walked the earth, would I have believed, or would I have condemned him as well? Would I have recognized the love of God in human form, or would I have proclaimed it as heresy? I really don’t know. All I do know is that I’m so thankful that I believe in Jesus Christ today! I’m so thankful that he loved me enough to die for me. And I’m thankful that the love He has for me never fails.
Lord, thank you for the unfailing love you have for each of us. Please help me to learn to love others with that same sort of love.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Agape Love
Today’s Reading: Psalm 52; Psalm 57; Psalm 142; Luke 22:24-46
Sometimes it’s hard for me to fathom how great God’s love for us truly is. In Psalm 57:10, David writes “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies” (NIV). The heavens above are so immense and far-reaching. Every year we learn more about just how huge the universe is out there. And God’s love stretches as far as that, and even further. God’s love is so great that He sent His son to this earth to pay the ultimate price for all of us: “For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). God’s love for all of us was that great.
His love is greater than any human relationship we’ll ever experience. I think my love for my family will be the closest thing I have ever to experiencing what the love of God is like. I love my husband more than any other person in this world. When my baby is born in the Fall, I’m sure I’ll love him or her more than anyone else as well. I strive to love my family with an agape love, a love that has no restrictions or boundaries but loves unconditionally. This is the type of love God has for each of us. How amazing.
What amazes you most about God’s love for you?
Sometimes it’s hard for me to fathom how great God’s love for us truly is. In Psalm 57:10, David writes “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies” (NIV). The heavens above are so immense and far-reaching. Every year we learn more about just how huge the universe is out there. And God’s love stretches as far as that, and even further. God’s love is so great that He sent His son to this earth to pay the ultimate price for all of us: “For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). God’s love for all of us was that great.
His love is greater than any human relationship we’ll ever experience. I think my love for my family will be the closest thing I have ever to experiencing what the love of God is like. I love my husband more than any other person in this world. When my baby is born in the Fall, I’m sure I’ll love him or her more than anyone else as well. I strive to love my family with an agape love, a love that has no restrictions or boundaries but loves unconditionally. This is the type of love God has for each of us. How amazing.
What amazes you most about God’s love for you?
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