Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Matthew 6
Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Observation: This is in a section where Jesus is teaching about prayer and this is an obvious key to prayer. If we want our prayers to have any effect, we must walk in forgiveness. If I harbor unforgiveness, I effectively cut myself off from God.
Application: Stay sweet. Only by forgiving others am I able to keep my relationship with God wide open. Unforgiveness becomes a choke point that progressively reduces the flow of life between me and God. And unforgiveness which is nurtured can actually jeopardize my standing as a forgiven person before the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, may I never withhold forgiveness, no matter what the offense against me. Help me to operate in your Spirit and power of forgiveness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Title: How To Do The Impossible / Topic: I Need God!
Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5
Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven... 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Observation: Jesus says to you and me, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Wow! It's impossible. That is, it is impossible for me without the assistance of God. Without God's help, I may be able to restrain the hate I express toward my enemies, but to actually love them requires the help of God. In fact, I believe that loving one's enemies is a true proof of salvation. It could be reworded as follows: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, for this proves that you are the sons of your Father in heaven... In this way, you can demonstrate how to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Application: God commands the impossible so that I can never be tempted to try it on my own. When I really understand the expectations that my Father has of me, it drives me to my knees -- to seek his empowerment. It is in the realization that I am absolutely incompetent to fulfill God's requirements in that my own "strength" falls so far short that it truly is weakness, that I seek his enablement and receive strengthening in my inner man to become that unstoppable servant of God that actually can do God's work.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you do not need my help. But I sure need your help! Empower and enable and fill me with all of you, dear Lord. I want to walk in your strength and not in the mirage of my own resource.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven... 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Observation: Jesus says to you and me, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Wow! It's impossible. That is, it is impossible for me without the assistance of God. Without God's help, I may be able to restrain the hate I express toward my enemies, but to actually love them requires the help of God. In fact, I believe that loving one's enemies is a true proof of salvation. It could be reworded as follows: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, for this proves that you are the sons of your Father in heaven... In this way, you can demonstrate how to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Application: God commands the impossible so that I can never be tempted to try it on my own. When I really understand the expectations that my Father has of me, it drives me to my knees -- to seek his empowerment. It is in the realization that I am absolutely incompetent to fulfill God's requirements in that my own "strength" falls so far short that it truly is weakness, that I seek his enablement and receive strengthening in my inner man to become that unstoppable servant of God that actually can do God's work.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you do not need my help. But I sure need your help! Empower and enable and fill me with all of you, dear Lord. I want to walk in your strength and not in the mirage of my own resource.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)