Wow, 2009 was quite a year, don't ya think? It was certainly a roller coaster ride for me and my family. We enjoyed some real high points: Zach promoted to high school and received his driving permit; we purchased 40 acres, built a house, and moved in before Thanksgiving; I started teaching at the high school; I had the thrilling experience of praying with several children who received Christ at Vacation Bible School.
We have also faced several obstacles, and as you can imagine, the high points I listed above bring a fair amount of stress with them. My personal area of sin is fear and worry. Lately, I have been waking up before my alarm clock with my mind swirling with worries. Panic usually sets in before I think to pray.
This morning, a word picture came to mind. I was 10 years old again and learning how to snow ski. I came around an icy corner and fell down because I felt out of control. As I tried to scramble to my feet, my skis slid toward the edge of what seemed a steep cliff to a beginner. I whimpered and begged my daddy to help me. He stood about 10 feet away on flat ground, telling me I could stand. Yet, every time I tried to get my skis under me, I would slide closer to the drop off. My tears brought my daddy to my side, and his strong arms steadied me as I righted myself.
That is the situation I find myself in currently. I can feel myself sliding toward the precipice of fear and despair. I am calling out to my Father to bring me peace. I know he is standing only a few feet away, but I long to have him scoop me up in his arms and carry me to safety. I don't want to wade through the tough circumstances anymore. I just want life to be easy.
For now, I am grateful for the glimpses of heaven and God's goodness to me.
Thank you for your friendship and love in 2009. You are what keeps me moving forward!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Without a doubt, the chapters we will discuss here are the climax of God's love story with mankind. It makes me nervous because I know my writing will not do it justice. I have spent the past two weeks reading of the death and resurrection of Jesus in all four gospels: Matthew 26-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 22-24, and John 19-21. It is tough to put into words all the emotions involved as I read through the torture my Lord endured on my behalf. The amount of material we need to cover is very overwhelming to me as well. So, I just want to point out some things that stood out to me.
Matthew
26:31--Jesus exposed one of the greatest tactics of the enemy: he strikes the shepherd in order to scatter the sheep. This should cause us to be on our knees for anyone in authority over us. Without strong, godly leaders, we are doomed to self-destruct.
26:50--Jesus called Judas "Friend." Could I do that, knowing that Judas was there to stab me in the back?
27:41-44--The Pharisees mocked Jesus for being able to save others, but not himself. They were totally oblivious to the ultimate truth that Jesus' purpose was solely to save others. He had no intention of saving himself from death. By His death, we are saved! Hallelujah and Amen!!!
27:51-53--When Jesus gave up his spirit, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the graves were opened. That is the supreme climax to God's love story. There is no more separation between God and man. Jesus tore away the veil and granted us entrance into the throne room of heaven. If you don't read another thing I write, please understand this! Jesus Christ has made a way for you to speak directly to your heavenly Father. Don't miss it!
27:54--The centurion recognized the deity of Christ. "Surely he was the son of God!" Do you recognize it?
28:1-7--Jesus was already gone when the angel rolled the stone away. Cool!
28:18-20--These verses are the Great Commission. They are our marching orders. Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Are you obeying the command of God?
Mark
15:5, 10, 15--Pilate was amazed at the silence of Jesus during the trial, and he knew that the whole situation centered around the envy the Jews had toward Jesus. Yet, Pilate chose to satisfy the bloodthirsty crowd. Sad, sad. Girls, let's choose to be people of integrity who do the right thing, not the people-pleasing thing.
15:32--Do you think the Jewish leaders really wanted Jesus to prove himself to them and "come down that we may see and believe"? I doubt it.
16:11, 13, 14--The unbelief of the disciples astounds me! I have to think it frustrated the Lord as well. God, help me believe you!!!
16:16--"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I have been baptized as a believer. Have you? What's your story?
Luke
22:42--"Not my will, but yours be done." This, my friend, is true obedience, to give up our own desires to fulfill the desires of God.
22:33, 34, 54-62--Peter swore he would NEVER deny Christ, yet he did it 3 times before the day was over. Never say never. . . . I believe Jesus allowed Peter this humbling experience to teach him not to judge others who grow weak in their faith. I, like Peter, often grow over-confident in my self-righteousness. I've been in Peter's shoes more times than I want to admit. How about you?
24:13-35--I love the Walk to Emmaus story. Do you? Have you ever been on a Walk to Emmaus retreat? Email me your story!!
John
19:35, 20:31, 21:24--John wrote his story with one purpose--so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we may have life in his name. Sounds like a wonderful life-purpose to me! My purpose is to glorify the Lord and to invite others to join me. What's yours?
19:38--Joseph was a secret disciple. Is there such a thing? Can you follow God and not have anyone find out? What do you think?
20:16--Mary recognized Jesus when he called her by name! Do you recognize his voice calling you?
21:7--I love that Peter was never afraid to jump out of the boat. Let's join him!
21:19--Peter would glorify God in death. I pray that I will too.
21:25--John admitted that he could have written bucket loads more stories of the life of Jesus, but the world would not be able to contain all the books. I bet you are thinking the same thing about my lengthy blog post!
I asked a bunch of questions this time, ladies. I hope you will choose one or two to answer. Click on the comment link on my blog site, and let's discuss what you think!
Matthew
26:31--Jesus exposed one of the greatest tactics of the enemy: he strikes the shepherd in order to scatter the sheep. This should cause us to be on our knees for anyone in authority over us. Without strong, godly leaders, we are doomed to self-destruct.
26:50--Jesus called Judas "Friend." Could I do that, knowing that Judas was there to stab me in the back?
27:41-44--The Pharisees mocked Jesus for being able to save others, but not himself. They were totally oblivious to the ultimate truth that Jesus' purpose was solely to save others. He had no intention of saving himself from death. By His death, we are saved! Hallelujah and Amen!!!
27:51-53--When Jesus gave up his spirit, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, and the graves were opened. That is the supreme climax to God's love story. There is no more separation between God and man. Jesus tore away the veil and granted us entrance into the throne room of heaven. If you don't read another thing I write, please understand this! Jesus Christ has made a way for you to speak directly to your heavenly Father. Don't miss it!
27:54--The centurion recognized the deity of Christ. "Surely he was the son of God!" Do you recognize it?
28:1-7--Jesus was already gone when the angel rolled the stone away. Cool!
28:18-20--These verses are the Great Commission. They are our marching orders. Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Are you obeying the command of God?
Mark
15:5, 10, 15--Pilate was amazed at the silence of Jesus during the trial, and he knew that the whole situation centered around the envy the Jews had toward Jesus. Yet, Pilate chose to satisfy the bloodthirsty crowd. Sad, sad. Girls, let's choose to be people of integrity who do the right thing, not the people-pleasing thing.
15:32--Do you think the Jewish leaders really wanted Jesus to prove himself to them and "come down that we may see and believe"? I doubt it.
16:11, 13, 14--The unbelief of the disciples astounds me! I have to think it frustrated the Lord as well. God, help me believe you!!!
16:16--"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I have been baptized as a believer. Have you? What's your story?
Luke
22:42--"Not my will, but yours be done." This, my friend, is true obedience, to give up our own desires to fulfill the desires of God.
22:33, 34, 54-62--Peter swore he would NEVER deny Christ, yet he did it 3 times before the day was over. Never say never. . . . I believe Jesus allowed Peter this humbling experience to teach him not to judge others who grow weak in their faith. I, like Peter, often grow over-confident in my self-righteousness. I've been in Peter's shoes more times than I want to admit. How about you?
24:13-35--I love the Walk to Emmaus story. Do you? Have you ever been on a Walk to Emmaus retreat? Email me your story!!
John
19:35, 20:31, 21:24--John wrote his story with one purpose--so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that we may have life in his name. Sounds like a wonderful life-purpose to me! My purpose is to glorify the Lord and to invite others to join me. What's yours?
19:38--Joseph was a secret disciple. Is there such a thing? Can you follow God and not have anyone find out? What do you think?
20:16--Mary recognized Jesus when he called her by name! Do you recognize his voice calling you?
21:7--I love that Peter was never afraid to jump out of the boat. Let's join him!
21:19--Peter would glorify God in death. I pray that I will too.
21:25--John admitted that he could have written bucket loads more stories of the life of Jesus, but the world would not be able to contain all the books. I bet you are thinking the same thing about my lengthy blog post!
I asked a bunch of questions this time, ladies. I hope you will choose one or two to answer. Click on the comment link on my blog site, and let's discuss what you think!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
John 15-17
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Jesus is the faithful one in our relationship. He remains in me no matter the circumstance. I am the one who finds myself in and out of Christ. Remaining in relationship with Jesus takes effort on my part. It requires that I read my Bible, memorize it, talk about it with others, live by it. Staying connected to God is directly related to my consistency in prayer and quiet time with Him. And my fruit bearing is directly related to my consistency in remaining in direct contact with Jesus, the living vine. Have you born any fruit lately?
Jesus chose us for the purpose of bringing glory to the Father. We do that by loving Him, obeying Him, and bearing fruit in Him. We bear fruit for Christ when we produce things in our lives that are like Christ. A pear tree bears pears. A pecan tree bears pecans. A Christian bears Christians. I know the joy of holding someone's hand as they receive Christ into their lives. Do you? It is a thrill I cannot describe to you unless you have been there! If you are unsure about your own salvation, will you please ask me about how to know for certain you will spend eternity with Jesus? If it has been awhile since you shared your faith with someone to receive Christ, will you let me know so I can help and encourage and pray with you?
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:16-17) [I just had a wonderful flashback to when my children were ages 3 and 1. They would wrap one another in a bear hug, and Zach would say, "Cuz we love you-ch other!"] Obey Christ's command to love your fellow Christians. Then you will be able to walk together in unity as you bear the fruit of bringing others into relationship with God. My friends, it doesn't get any better than that!!!
My daughter was really moved this week by Jesus' words in John 15:18 through 16:4. In this life, we should expect persecution, even anticipate it. Enduring persecution for the Name of Jesus is another identifying mark of a true disciple. Are you following in the footsteps of Jesus? Are you doing exactly what He whispers in your ear? Then do not be shocked when the enemy attacks. Stand firm. Stand proud to be a spokesman for your Lord.
John 16:5-16 should bring warmth and comfort to your soul. Jesus has not left us without a Counselor. He has given us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth to convict us yes, but also to guide us, to speak God's Word to us, to reveal the very presence of God to us, and to give us the spiritual eyes to see God's activity. Do you see God at work daily? Are you looking for Him in anticipation? Then He will show up to you!
Remain in the vine. Stay connected to God. Be filled with the Spirit. We are gonna see my Jesus face to face, soon and very soon!
Will you complete today's reading with John 17:20-26? This is Jesus' prayer for you and for me, dear sister. He wants us to be in Him. He wants you and me to walk together in unity. I wanna see His GLORY!!! Will you join me?
Jesus chose us for the purpose of bringing glory to the Father. We do that by loving Him, obeying Him, and bearing fruit in Him. We bear fruit for Christ when we produce things in our lives that are like Christ. A pear tree bears pears. A pecan tree bears pecans. A Christian bears Christians. I know the joy of holding someone's hand as they receive Christ into their lives. Do you? It is a thrill I cannot describe to you unless you have been there! If you are unsure about your own salvation, will you please ask me about how to know for certain you will spend eternity with Jesus? If it has been awhile since you shared your faith with someone to receive Christ, will you let me know so I can help and encourage and pray with you?
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:16-17) [I just had a wonderful flashback to when my children were ages 3 and 1. They would wrap one another in a bear hug, and Zach would say, "Cuz we love you-ch other!"] Obey Christ's command to love your fellow Christians. Then you will be able to walk together in unity as you bear the fruit of bringing others into relationship with God. My friends, it doesn't get any better than that!!!
My daughter was really moved this week by Jesus' words in John 15:18 through 16:4. In this life, we should expect persecution, even anticipate it. Enduring persecution for the Name of Jesus is another identifying mark of a true disciple. Are you following in the footsteps of Jesus? Are you doing exactly what He whispers in your ear? Then do not be shocked when the enemy attacks. Stand firm. Stand proud to be a spokesman for your Lord.
John 16:5-16 should bring warmth and comfort to your soul. Jesus has not left us without a Counselor. He has given us His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth to convict us yes, but also to guide us, to speak God's Word to us, to reveal the very presence of God to us, and to give us the spiritual eyes to see God's activity. Do you see God at work daily? Are you looking for Him in anticipation? Then He will show up to you!
Remain in the vine. Stay connected to God. Be filled with the Spirit. We are gonna see my Jesus face to face, soon and very soon!
Will you complete today's reading with John 17:20-26? This is Jesus' prayer for you and for me, dear sister. He wants us to be in Him. He wants you and me to walk together in unity. I wanna see His GLORY!!! Will you join me?
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