Foundation Words

28 04 2014

Barcelona 2013 053

“Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
“If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.” Luke 6:45-49 Msg

 

The Word of the Lord is life giving and a solid foundation for building our lives. The truth of His Word establishes the building blocks of love and redemption that is available through Christ. We can build our tents and houses on the blowing sands of our best thought and the ways of this world but they only provide fleeting moments of shelter. Jesus is the Rock. He is the solid foundation for building our lives. His Word and the Holy Spirit provide the eternal building blocks for us to use when we set the stage for our living. We are to work His Words into our lives. Not just reading His word but establishing them as a way of living.

 

For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. I Corinthians 3:9-15 Msg





Think on These Things

25 04 2014

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Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Our thoughts and our words influence our faith. Our emotions which can bring about depression, anxiety and worry, often don’t convey what we know about God. Our circumstance during good times and challenges are always an opportunity to trust Him. We can put our trust in the truth about God. – He will provide for my needs. He is a refuge and a safe place in the time of storm. God loves me and has never failed me. We can align our thoughts, our concentration and the meditations of our heart on what we know about our Heavenly Father. These truths we can repeat over and over again as mantras in our hearts. We can trust Him with our circumstance today and tomorrow. We can have faith concerning the big and small details of our lives. Jesus is working everything out for my good. We can choose to think on His goodness and His unfailing faithfulness to us. He is good and His mercy is everlasting.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:14





Do You See what God Sees

24 04 2014

Sun Rays

 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14

 

Self-image is the powerful lens of how we view ourselves that often influences our circumstance. As a child of God, we should seek to see what God sees in us. Our personal view is often tainted by society’s values where we may adopt a negative view of who we are. Society puts so much emphasis on the look of success – appearance, glamour and wealth. Our measuring tool should be based on what our Creator sees. The same God who created the universe, created the masterpiece that is you. He has instilled gifts, skills and abilities that are uniquely ours to accomplish our purpose in Him. He sees both our inward and outward man through His lens of love. As His children, we can see ourselves as loveable, worthy and capable. We can dedicate the gifts of who we are to God.   He sees the bright future ahead if we put our lives and our trust in Him.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day.
Psalms 139:13-16 Message





Oneness

23 04 2014

partnership_working

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.  Ephesians 4:4-6 Message

 

As a family of believers of Jesus Christ, we are called together in unity. We are fellow travelers on the same road in service to God.  The journey requires us to nurture oneness and encouragement for one another. Creating bonds that will make each of us stronger and more able to stay on the road ahead. Even the lessons we learned as small children are important.  We are to “stay together”.  No one is wander off the journey to avoid being lost.   We are to “be nice” to one another; demonstrating kindness, patience and gentleness to each one in love.  We are “to hold hands” helping to stay connected to the family of God.  Along the journey, our love for one another is a powerful witness to others who will be compelled to join us as new believers.  The reward of oneness and unity allows each of us to reach our destination safely.

We can take a quick inventory today of those in your circle of travelers.  Who needs encouragement?  Who has wandered off the path?  Who could benefit from more patience, more kindness, more love?  Who could benefit from our prayers to stay on the journey?

 How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aaron’s beard,  flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon   flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.  Psalm 133 Message





This is the Day

22 04 2014

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 118:Newport_Sun_Set324

 

We approach this day with expectancy about the Lord’s continued work in our lives. Our Heavenly Father is faithful to each of us and is continuing to perfect us in Him. He is smoothing out the rough spots of unforgiveness and lack of compassion in us for His people. He is renewing health and thinking. He is making us stronger and more able. He is providing renewed vision for ministry and service to the least of these. He is compelling His bright light of love and mercy to shine through His people. He is working out our situations for our good in ways that we could not imagine. He is God. We thank Him. We honor Him. We give Him all the glory for this day.





Jesus is Alive!

21 04 2014

Tree of lifeAnd now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”  Matthew 28:7 NLT

 

For many the Easter festivities have come and gone. We have attended Easter programs, worship services and even had special dinners with family and friends. I am so glad that the celebration of a risen Savior continues today. We can give God praise for the blessings that came with the Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary. We thank Him for blessings of salvation, healing and deliverance that is available to each person that acknowledges and believes that Jesus Christ is Lord. I was so blessed to attend a program celebrating the Resurrection complete with children’s speeches and songs. One of the youngest participants had a simple but powerful message that “Jesus is Alive”. I thought to myself, what fitting words. Jesus is alive. We don’t have to look for Him in a tomb. He is alive and He is still providing the blessing of relationship with Him that brings healing, deliverance, peace and joy. We can continue to give praise that Jesus is alive from now into eternity.





Everyday Easter

18 04 2014

easter pic“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.  John 3:16-18 MSG

During this season, we recognize the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for our sins.   It is a time to reflect on His suffering and death at Calvary for you and for me.   God’s love for us is so vast and so complete that He gave His Son Jesus to the world.  The Son of God came that we might have salvation and that we would see an exemplary Holy life in flesh and blood.   We thank God for this season of celebration and recognition of His life, His death and His resurrection.  It is a season that we can extend throughout the year.  We can celebrate Easter every day.  We can honor His sacrifice by accepting Him into our hearts, confessing that He is our risen Savior.  We are so thankful for the gift of salvation and the opportunity to live in relationship with Him, doing our best to honor His example every day.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10 NLT





A Fight to the Finish

17 04 2014

ImageAnd that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. And don’t forget to pray for me. Pray that I’ll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.  

Ephesians 6:10-20 The Message

 

 

 

 





Clean Slate

15 04 2014

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I’ll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins. Hebrews 10:17 MSG

I need a fresh start. I need a turned page to begin again. I don’t need to wallow in past shortcomings. I don’t need to rehearse past mistakes or missed opportunities. I need to recognize where I am and focus on moving forward. I am so thankful that the Lord provides new mercies each morning. We can ask for forgiveness and He is faithful to respond to our repentance. He creates a clean slate for us. Our sins are wiped away and we start with a new canvass. What a blessing to start anew and to begin again. We can say thank you for the day ahead and a new beginning. Today is a chance to listen with an open heart about His will for our lives. We can start with a clean slate ready to heed His voice and to follow his lead into my future.





Open Heart

14 04 2014

Tulip_-_floriade_canberraRemember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts…”
Hebrews 3:15

We can open our hearts to what the Lord is saying. He is speaking words of love and instruction that emanate from His Word and His Holy Spirit. His love for us tugs at our hearts, as He desires for us to be close to Him. Our first response may be to create fences around our hearts out of fear of what our future holds, if we were to accept Jesus into our hearts. We may wonder what really lies ahead if I were to surrender my ways for His ways. We may anxious about releasing control of the details of our lives for something different. An open heart is a first step of faith that allows us to receive the abundant life He desires for us. He came that we may have an abundant life that provides peace, love and joy and puts on a journey to fulfill our purpose. Our purpose is beyond ourselves. It is to be of service to Him and to others. It is beyond who we are today but creates a God-given vision of who He intends for us to be. We can open our hearts to what the Lord is saying. We can put aside every pre-conceived notion about living a Godly life and put our trust in Him. The relationship starts with an open heart, acknowledging the Savior, repenting of the sin our lives and a commitment to walk with Him. This decision is not about “church”, it is about you and God. We can open our hearts to what the Lord is saying and receive His Son Jesus Christ into our hearts today.

Dear Lord Jesus,
We come today with an open heart. I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
In your name,
Amen.