Read 1 Peter 2:9-10
Did you read 1 Peter 2:9-10? If not please stop and take a minute to read it before continuing.
Now that you've read the passage - take a second look at Peter's words. One word describes my feelings and thoughts when I come across this passage - powerful. Did you see what we are? We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people belonging to God. Wow! That is just so powerful.
That the God of all creation would choose us, call us a royal priesthood and holy nation and claim us as people belonging to Him - I can't wrap my head around the magnitude of that. We are the chosen people of God and while we can get stopped dead in our tracks, amazed at the connection we have with God, I love even more what Peter says next. He tells us what we are to do as a result of being God's chosen people.
He says we are all these things so that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness and into His wonderful light. The question I believe God wants us answering every day is how are we declaring His praises. Are we declaring His praises every day, no matter what's happening in our lives?
What helps you and I declare God's praises is remembering. Remembering we are God's chosen people; remembering we were once in darkness but now we're in His light; and remembering we have received God's mercy. It's by His mercy that we are the people of God. Let's praise Him with everything we have because after all that is why we are here and what we are called to do.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Always Remember
Read Psalm 77
September 11, 2001 is a day to always remember. We will always remember the horror, the hurt and the disbelief of that historical day 9/11.
Yet as believers we need to always remember that our God is greater than anything we will ever face. In times of chaos, times of pain and times of loss we are called to always remember that our God is able to do more than we can think or imagine.
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 77 what he did as he wrestled in his time of chaos and pain and loss. First, he cried out to God for help and for God to hear him. In his anxiety he stretched out his hands and yet he was still without comfort and he grew weary.
Next he rattled off question after question - Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?
Now before we're too hard on the Psalmist, stop and consider what we do when tough times come our way. Do we take it in stride or do we begin asking all kinds of questions just like the Psalmist?
But then the Psalmist appeals to the goodness of God. He remembers who God is, the deeds He has done in the past. He recalls the miracles of long ago and begins meditating on all God's mighty works. And what happens next is what we see in sports when momentum shifts. The Psalmist turns a corner and begins rallying in spirit because of who God is!
He rejoices in God because He is holy; because no one is so great as our God. He praises His miracles, His power among the peoples and the redemption He brought the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. All nature responded to God's power - the waters, the clouds and skies, the thunder and lightning and the earth trembled and quaked. And the Psalmist closes with verse 20 recalling how God led His people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
When tough times come what do you do? Do you ask questions? Do you demand answers? All these are natural for us. Yet the Psalmist teaches what is so important - always remember our God is greater. Always remember to worship - rejoice and declare His praises - in the good times and bad.
September 11, 2001 is a day to always remember. We will always remember the horror, the hurt and the disbelief of that historical day 9/11.
Yet as believers we need to always remember that our God is greater than anything we will ever face. In times of chaos, times of pain and times of loss we are called to always remember that our God is able to do more than we can think or imagine.
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 77 what he did as he wrestled in his time of chaos and pain and loss. First, he cried out to God for help and for God to hear him. In his anxiety he stretched out his hands and yet he was still without comfort and he grew weary.
Next he rattled off question after question - Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?
Now before we're too hard on the Psalmist, stop and consider what we do when tough times come our way. Do we take it in stride or do we begin asking all kinds of questions just like the Psalmist?
But then the Psalmist appeals to the goodness of God. He remembers who God is, the deeds He has done in the past. He recalls the miracles of long ago and begins meditating on all God's mighty works. And what happens next is what we see in sports when momentum shifts. The Psalmist turns a corner and begins rallying in spirit because of who God is!
He rejoices in God because He is holy; because no one is so great as our God. He praises His miracles, His power among the peoples and the redemption He brought the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. All nature responded to God's power - the waters, the clouds and skies, the thunder and lightning and the earth trembled and quaked. And the Psalmist closes with verse 20 recalling how God led His people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
When tough times come what do you do? Do you ask questions? Do you demand answers? All these are natural for us. Yet the Psalmist teaches what is so important - always remember our God is greater. Always remember to worship - rejoice and declare His praises - in the good times and bad.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Worry Knots
Read Matthew 6:25-34
Think about this - have you every met anyone who likes to, wants to be restricted? Ever met anyone who prefers limited movement instead of unlimited. Here's the point - when it comes to worry, worry ties all of us up in knots. Worry knots keep us from the experiencing the freedom we were meant to have as new creations in Christ.
Worry simply gets in our way, restricts us and prevents us from being the people God intends us to be. Yet so many of us live with one worry or another and we allow it (whatever it is) to rent space in our heads.
Read Matthew 6:25-34 this week and spend time meditating on these great words from Jesus. Instead of focusing on worry, focus on God's kingdom and His righteousness and the worry slips away, far away from the space it was never intended to rent in the first place.
Think about this - have you every met anyone who likes to, wants to be restricted? Ever met anyone who prefers limited movement instead of unlimited. Here's the point - when it comes to worry, worry ties all of us up in knots. Worry knots keep us from the experiencing the freedom we were meant to have as new creations in Christ.
Worry simply gets in our way, restricts us and prevents us from being the people God intends us to be. Yet so many of us live with one worry or another and we allow it (whatever it is) to rent space in our heads.
Read Matthew 6:25-34 this week and spend time meditating on these great words from Jesus. Instead of focusing on worry, focus on God's kingdom and His righteousness and the worry slips away, far away from the space it was never intended to rent in the first place.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
God Works
Read Romans 8:28-31
We spend so much of our time working - working at our vocation, at home with our home projects, and we spend a lot of time working on relationships and our hobbies as well. What we tend to miss is how God works in our lives.
Romans 8:28-31 has a powerful message for us regarding how God works on our behalf. Paul writes to the Romans that God works for the good of those who love him in all things, especially those called according to God's purpose. God's plan for all of us is that we would be conformed to the likeness of his Son. And as this conforming process happens, we are going to face challenges to our faith. Times when people let us down and times when we ourselves don't follow what we know God wants. Now for us to believe the truth about God in times of difficulty and personal struggles we must take Paul's question in verse 31 and commit them to memory. He writes - If God is for us, who can be against us?
Take time and meditate on the truths about God - that He works on our behalf and that He is for us (not against us). God is at work in our lives all the time. Take comfort, peace and joy from this eternal truth that God loves us with this unconditional commitment.
We spend so much of our time working - working at our vocation, at home with our home projects, and we spend a lot of time working on relationships and our hobbies as well. What we tend to miss is how God works in our lives.
Romans 8:28-31 has a powerful message for us regarding how God works on our behalf. Paul writes to the Romans that God works for the good of those who love him in all things, especially those called according to God's purpose. God's plan for all of us is that we would be conformed to the likeness of his Son. And as this conforming process happens, we are going to face challenges to our faith. Times when people let us down and times when we ourselves don't follow what we know God wants. Now for us to believe the truth about God in times of difficulty and personal struggles we must take Paul's question in verse 31 and commit them to memory. He writes - If God is for us, who can be against us?
Take time and meditate on the truths about God - that He works on our behalf and that He is for us (not against us). God is at work in our lives all the time. Take comfort, peace and joy from this eternal truth that God loves us with this unconditional commitment.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thirsting for God
Read Psalm 63
David had quite a way about him. He was a man of many words as attested to in the Psalms. So when we read his words we should take the time to allow his words to pour over us as we listen in on his thoughts, especially when it comes to his relationship with God.
Psalm 63 is a great example of his personal relationship with God. He talks of thirsting for God, seeing God's power and glory and knowing that since God's love is better than life he would glorify and praise God as long as he lives. King David inspires; he inspires us with his ability to capture the intensity of his relationship with Almighty God.
Now it's important to realize, David isn't writing this Psalm in easy times. In fact, verse 9 indicates people were seeking to take his life. Yet King David remains strong in faith, strong in worshiping God's name.
Where does your help come from? May it come from the maker of heaven and earth, who desires and deserves our praise. And may we come like King David to rejoice in God at all times.
David had quite a way about him. He was a man of many words as attested to in the Psalms. So when we read his words we should take the time to allow his words to pour over us as we listen in on his thoughts, especially when it comes to his relationship with God.
Psalm 63 is a great example of his personal relationship with God. He talks of thirsting for God, seeing God's power and glory and knowing that since God's love is better than life he would glorify and praise God as long as he lives. King David inspires; he inspires us with his ability to capture the intensity of his relationship with Almighty God.
Now it's important to realize, David isn't writing this Psalm in easy times. In fact, verse 9 indicates people were seeking to take his life. Yet King David remains strong in faith, strong in worshiping God's name.
Where does your help come from? May it come from the maker of heaven and earth, who desires and deserves our praise. And may we come like King David to rejoice in God at all times.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
What to do when you're in trouble...
Read James 5:13-18
James is a straight shooter, tells it like it is. In James 5:13 he says if anyone is in trouble, if anyone is sick we should turn to God in prayer.
Many think of prayer as a last resort. But God tells us it's not supposed to be this way. Throughout scripture we're told to go to God with all things. Communication is the key to every relationship. Our relationship with God is no different. Closing out verse 16 James writes - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Then he uses the example of Elijah who he says was a man just like us.
Technically speaking, this Old Testament prophet had no advantage over you or me. He's human, just like us. But he was faithful in going to God with his concerns and God answered.
Whatever is troubling you today, learn to go to God. I've found I forget this simple truth more than I'd like to admit. So often when I do this, God reminds me to remember His word and allow His word to direct me. The other day God did this and revealed to me the need to allow the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be pleasing in His sight. This is straight from Psalm 19:14 and gives confidence in trying times.
Whatever it is for you, trust that prayer (conversation with God) is the first place God wants us to go. The Christian life isn't about the absence of trouble but the presence of trust in God. Talk with Him about everything that's going on in your life - the good, the bad and the ugly. He really does care and so much more than that He's capable of helping in our time of need.
James is a straight shooter, tells it like it is. In James 5:13 he says if anyone is in trouble, if anyone is sick we should turn to God in prayer.
Many think of prayer as a last resort. But God tells us it's not supposed to be this way. Throughout scripture we're told to go to God with all things. Communication is the key to every relationship. Our relationship with God is no different. Closing out verse 16 James writes - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Then he uses the example of Elijah who he says was a man just like us.
Technically speaking, this Old Testament prophet had no advantage over you or me. He's human, just like us. But he was faithful in going to God with his concerns and God answered.
Whatever is troubling you today, learn to go to God. I've found I forget this simple truth more than I'd like to admit. So often when I do this, God reminds me to remember His word and allow His word to direct me. The other day God did this and revealed to me the need to allow the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart to be pleasing in His sight. This is straight from Psalm 19:14 and gives confidence in trying times.
Whatever it is for you, trust that prayer (conversation with God) is the first place God wants us to go. The Christian life isn't about the absence of trouble but the presence of trust in God. Talk with Him about everything that's going on in your life - the good, the bad and the ugly. He really does care and so much more than that He's capable of helping in our time of need.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Shepherds Heart
Read 1 Peter 5:1-4
Peter writes this passage to believers who were enduring times of difficulty. Their lives weren't set on cruise control. They were having tough times because of nothing they had done wrong. In times like this Peter appeals to the elders to care for the flock that is under their care, to shepherd them willingly and with eagerness. He wants them to be examples of Christ to those they are leading knowing when the Chief Shepherd appears they will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Leaders today are not usually seen in a positive light. As Peter mentions many lead with bad intentions: lording it over those entrusted to them and being greedy for money. One of the distinctions that's so apparent in Scripture is God's calling to believers to live in truth and love. When we follow God's way leading looks a whole lot different than when we follow the way of the world.
God's desire is that we live in loving relationship with Him and one another. This is why Jesus said believers would be known by the love they share with one another. This family kind of love is what sets us apart. We love because He first loved us and we can love like this because we know the Father's love for us because of Jesus.
Jesus is our Chief Shepherd with the perfect shepherds heart. When we are in the body of Christ together, no matter our role we are to pattern our attitudes and actions after our Chief Shepherds heart. Consider Jesus' life. Think about all He said and did on behalf of others, especially His disciples. And ask the Spirit of God to guide you into being part of leading God's people with this same kind of love.
Peter writes this passage to believers who were enduring times of difficulty. Their lives weren't set on cruise control. They were having tough times because of nothing they had done wrong. In times like this Peter appeals to the elders to care for the flock that is under their care, to shepherd them willingly and with eagerness. He wants them to be examples of Christ to those they are leading knowing when the Chief Shepherd appears they will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Leaders today are not usually seen in a positive light. As Peter mentions many lead with bad intentions: lording it over those entrusted to them and being greedy for money. One of the distinctions that's so apparent in Scripture is God's calling to believers to live in truth and love. When we follow God's way leading looks a whole lot different than when we follow the way of the world.
God's desire is that we live in loving relationship with Him and one another. This is why Jesus said believers would be known by the love they share with one another. This family kind of love is what sets us apart. We love because He first loved us and we can love like this because we know the Father's love for us because of Jesus.
Jesus is our Chief Shepherd with the perfect shepherds heart. When we are in the body of Christ together, no matter our role we are to pattern our attitudes and actions after our Chief Shepherds heart. Consider Jesus' life. Think about all He said and did on behalf of others, especially His disciples. And ask the Spirit of God to guide you into being part of leading God's people with this same kind of love.
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