Today’s Reading: Zechariah 4; Zechariah 5; Zechariah 6; Luke 12
Scripture: Luke 12:6-7
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Observation: Jesus instructs the people to remember that God values them. Why does he take the time to do this?
Application: It is because it is easy to feel forgotten by God. Because of my earth-bound perspective, I don't see the bigger picture and I certainly often am not aware of God's concern or even awareness of me. God sometimes seems distant and unconcerned -- maybe even unaware. But Jesus tells us that this perception is mistaken. God even remembers every sparrow that falls. This is beyond my understanding. How he does it I cannot understand, but that he does it will bring me comfort if I accept it. And Jesus says that my worth to God is greater than many sparrows. So if he remembers every single sparrow, how much more does he remember me. There is an old song that says, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me." This truth brings comfort and perspective that I need.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for loving me and knowing me. I am grateful that you have not forgotten me and that you will never forget me. Give me your perspective in greater and greater measure so that I will not get discouraged by how I perceive things to be. And continue to work in and through me that I may fulfill your will and purpose for my life. Without you, I am nothing. May I be full of you and walk fully in your path for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Title: Hinder Or Help? / Topic: Spiritual Leadership
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 1; Zechariah 2; Zechariah 3; Luke 11
Scripture: Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Observation: These self appointed spiritual leaders have not only NOT entered into God's truth and relationship with Him, they have blocked the way for others!
Application: Spiritual leaders have a serious responsibility. Their actions and example have grave implications far beyond themselves. The destiny of others hangs in the balance. What this speaks to me as a spiritual leader is that I must first make sure that I am doing all I can to keep my relationship with Jesus real and authentic, and then get out of the way to let others have direct access to Him for themselves. My words, actions, and attitudes can hinder others who are seeking. I also believe the flip side is true: my actions can encourage those who are seeking the Lord. Of course, that is my goal in my role as a spiritual leader.
Prayer: Lord, keep me close to You. Open my eyes to anything in my leadership that would be a hindrance to anyone who is genuinely seeking You. Help me to distinguish between what is a productive encouragement and what is an unproductive deterrent in what I do, say, and model for those You have called me to lead.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Observation: These self appointed spiritual leaders have not only NOT entered into God's truth and relationship with Him, they have blocked the way for others!
Application: Spiritual leaders have a serious responsibility. Their actions and example have grave implications far beyond themselves. The destiny of others hangs in the balance. What this speaks to me as a spiritual leader is that I must first make sure that I am doing all I can to keep my relationship with Jesus real and authentic, and then get out of the way to let others have direct access to Him for themselves. My words, actions, and attitudes can hinder others who are seeking. I also believe the flip side is true: my actions can encourage those who are seeking the Lord. Of course, that is my goal in my role as a spiritual leader.
Prayer: Lord, keep me close to You. Open my eyes to anything in my leadership that would be a hindrance to anyone who is genuinely seeking You. Help me to distinguish between what is a productive encouragement and what is an unproductive deterrent in what I do, say, and model for those You have called me to lead.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Title: Three Brief Thoughts / Topic: God's Will
Today’s Reading: Haggai 1; Haggai 2; Psalm 129; Luke 10
Today I am giving a brief thought on three verses that jumped off the page at me.
#1 Title: God's Make It Happen Person / Topic: God's Power
Scripture: Haggai 2:23 " '...I will make you like my signet ring...' "
Observation/Application: The signet ring was the sign of the authority of the king. He would use it like a signature (notice the similarity in the words: signet -- signature) to express his will that something is to be done. Nothing could stop what the king had sealed with his signet ring. This is a powerful promise to Zerubbabel. Imagine the awesome responsibility that came to this human leader. Wow! Lord, help me to be a man that you could trust your power to.
#2 Title: A Dangerous Question / Topic: Challenge
Scripture: Luke 10:29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Observation/Application: This expert in the law had just given Jesus a very good answer but we are told that "he wanted to justify himself," so he asked this question of clarification to show how great he was. (I don't think he would have asked it if he didn't think he was really impressive.) It turned out to be a dangerous question because Jesus told a parable that challenged him at the level of his pride and his prejudice. Moral: be careful what you ask God. You might not like the answer.
#3 Title: The One Necessary Thing / Topic: The Priority
Scripture: Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed..."
Observation/Application: This little story always convicts me because I am a Martha-type person. I am working on not being this kind and converting to a Mary-type person. The Lord says, "only one thing is needed." And the message is: The main thing is the keep the main thing the main thing.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word and the power it brings to my life. You know me through and through, the good and bad, my strengths and my weaknesses, my failures and my victories, my faith and my fear. And you still love me enough to give your life to me. Hallelujah! Lord I rejoice in your great love and acceptance. Empower me to take it to the next level.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today I am giving a brief thought on three verses that jumped off the page at me.
#1 Title: God's Make It Happen Person / Topic: God's Power
Scripture: Haggai 2:23 " '...I will make you like my signet ring...' "
Observation/Application: The signet ring was the sign of the authority of the king. He would use it like a signature (notice the similarity in the words: signet -- signature) to express his will that something is to be done. Nothing could stop what the king had sealed with his signet ring. This is a powerful promise to Zerubbabel. Imagine the awesome responsibility that came to this human leader. Wow! Lord, help me to be a man that you could trust your power to.
#2 Title: A Dangerous Question / Topic: Challenge
Scripture: Luke 10:29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Observation/Application: This expert in the law had just given Jesus a very good answer but we are told that "he wanted to justify himself," so he asked this question of clarification to show how great he was. (I don't think he would have asked it if he didn't think he was really impressive.) It turned out to be a dangerous question because Jesus told a parable that challenged him at the level of his pride and his prejudice. Moral: be careful what you ask God. You might not like the answer.
#3 Title: The One Necessary Thing / Topic: The Priority
Scripture: Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed..."
Observation/Application: This little story always convicts me because I am a Martha-type person. I am working on not being this kind and converting to a Mary-type person. The Lord says, "only one thing is needed." And the message is: The main thing is the keep the main thing the main thing.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word and the power it brings to my life. You know me through and through, the good and bad, my strengths and my weaknesses, my failures and my victories, my faith and my fear. And you still love me enough to give your life to me. Hallelujah! Lord I rejoice in your great love and acceptance. Empower me to take it to the next level.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)