Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
Summary: Paul is saying that God will afflict those who afflicted you and will give relief to us when Jesus is revealed. He prays that God will make us worthy of the call of God.
Thoughts: I should be praying constantly that God will make me worthy of the call of God! Yes, I believe that I am unworthy. But I also believe that God can work with anything. Even my life, as imperfect as it is, can be used to make miracles happen to those around me. Paul also prays that "God will filfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith." God can take what we have to give the world, which is not nearly enough, and God can make it more than enough. With God backing us, all things are possible!
Prayer: It is not through my own power that I am able to achieve anything, but through the one who strengthens me. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Note: Just in case there is anyone actually reading these things, I am thinking about working my way through the Psalms next. The church year just ended and I am feeling called to the Psalms. Please let me know what you think... is anyone out there?...
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Romans 14:10-12 - When all is said and done
Scripture: Romans 14:10-12
Summary: Why do you pass judgement on others? Because we will all stand before God's judgement. God says everyone shall give praise to God. We will each be accountable to God.
Thoughts: It's easy to say that many of us spend way to much time judging other people. I can point out alot of times when I have seen others judging those around them in an unfair way. But then I look in the mirror. That's a hard thing! Because I'm judging other people too! What makes me think I am any better than they are? Wouldn't I be better off if I concentrated on improving my own life, rather than telling other people how they could improve theirs? I'm not saying we should never give advice to a sister or brother who might be treading a path that is less than optimal. Rather I'm saying lperhaps I should back off of the judging, the talking about others behind their backs, and spend that time looking at my own life more closely.
Prayer: God, help me to move on toward perfection. Help me to concentrate on my own shortcomings and how I might improve them. Rather than judging others, I should focus on helping them instead. Amen.
Summary: Why do you pass judgement on others? Because we will all stand before God's judgement. God says everyone shall give praise to God. We will each be accountable to God.
Thoughts: It's easy to say that many of us spend way to much time judging other people. I can point out alot of times when I have seen others judging those around them in an unfair way. But then I look in the mirror. That's a hard thing! Because I'm judging other people too! What makes me think I am any better than they are? Wouldn't I be better off if I concentrated on improving my own life, rather than telling other people how they could improve theirs? I'm not saying we should never give advice to a sister or brother who might be treading a path that is less than optimal. Rather I'm saying lperhaps I should back off of the judging, the talking about others behind their backs, and spend that time looking at my own life more closely.
Prayer: God, help me to move on toward perfection. Help me to concentrate on my own shortcomings and how I might improve them. Rather than judging others, I should focus on helping them instead. Amen.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Zechariah 14:1-11 - When all is said and done
Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-11
Summary: A day is coming when the Lord will be king of all the earth.
Thoughts: This is a difficult scripture. (trust me the summary doesn't begin to cover all the complications in it!) But the important thing I saw is that God IS going to reign over the entire earth. We just don't know when. Am I living my life as if God's reign was just around the corner? Am I doing all that I can to move toward the reign of God, here, on earth? Some days, I feel like I am making a difference. But other times, at the end of the day, I can't really state anything that I did to change the way things are. Is that OK? Well, I don't think it should be. I think I need to be living every day as if tomorrow was the day God's reign would be fulfilled!
Prayer: Remind me constantly God, that each of us need to be doing everything that we can. Especially me! I long for your reign to be realized. Help me to continue to move in that direction, every day. Amen.
Summary: A day is coming when the Lord will be king of all the earth.
Thoughts: This is a difficult scripture. (trust me the summary doesn't begin to cover all the complications in it!) But the important thing I saw is that God IS going to reign over the entire earth. We just don't know when. Am I living my life as if God's reign was just around the corner? Am I doing all that I can to move toward the reign of God, here, on earth? Some days, I feel like I am making a difference. But other times, at the end of the day, I can't really state anything that I did to change the way things are. Is that OK? Well, I don't think it should be. I think I need to be living every day as if tomorrow was the day God's reign would be fulfilled!
Prayer: Remind me constantly God, that each of us need to be doing everything that we can. Especially me! I long for your reign to be realized. Help me to continue to move in that direction, every day. Amen.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Isaiah 43:14-21 - A new beginning
Scripture: Isaiah 43:14-21
Summary: God tells the people not to remember the old things. God is about to do a new thing. God will give rivers in the desert so that they will declare God's praise.
Thoughts: We have unlimited opportunities for new beginnings. Each new year people make resolutions about how they are going to change their lives. Even each day is a chance to begin something new. But what about our relationship with God? What is God calling us to do differently in our relationship? This is a good week for me to think about new beginnings, since I missed blogging entirely last week! Just like working out or eating right, Bible study and prayer time is something that needs to be done regularly to be effective. What is God calling you to do differently today?
Prayer: God, help me to put my time with you first rather than last. Because time with you can change the rest of my day! Amen.
Summary: God tells the people not to remember the old things. God is about to do a new thing. God will give rivers in the desert so that they will declare God's praise.
Thoughts: We have unlimited opportunities for new beginnings. Each new year people make resolutions about how they are going to change their lives. Even each day is a chance to begin something new. But what about our relationship with God? What is God calling us to do differently in our relationship? This is a good week for me to think about new beginnings, since I missed blogging entirely last week! Just like working out or eating right, Bible study and prayer time is something that needs to be done regularly to be effective. What is God calling you to do differently today?
Prayer: God, help me to put my time with you first rather than last. Because time with you can change the rest of my day! Amen.
Friday, November 9, 2007
John 20:24-28 - From doubt to belief
Scripture: John 20:24-28
Summary: The disciple Thomas was not with the disciples the first time they saw Jesus after the resurrection so he didn't believe. When Jesus appeared among them the next time he offers to let Thomas put his fingers in his side, and Thomas believes in him.
Thoughts: Jesus tells Thomas "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." None of us have actually seen Jesus. I always thought how much easier it must have been for the disciples to believe because they actually spent time with Jesus. On the other hand, maybe it was harder for them. Because they knew Jesus, knew he ate and slept just like they did. Sometimes for me it is hard to imagine Jesus as a real person. What is it that takes us from doubt to belief? Why do we believe in Jesus Christ as our saviour? For me, it is because I can see the difference that knowing Jesus has made in the lives of many before me, seeing the difference he makes in the world today.
Prayer: Lord give me faith to share my belief in Jesus with those around me. And remind me daily that I also need to be changing the world so that the next generation can see the difference that Jesus has made in their world. Amen.
Summary: The disciple Thomas was not with the disciples the first time they saw Jesus after the resurrection so he didn't believe. When Jesus appeared among them the next time he offers to let Thomas put his fingers in his side, and Thomas believes in him.
Thoughts: Jesus tells Thomas "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." None of us have actually seen Jesus. I always thought how much easier it must have been for the disciples to believe because they actually spent time with Jesus. On the other hand, maybe it was harder for them. Because they knew Jesus, knew he ate and slept just like they did. Sometimes for me it is hard to imagine Jesus as a real person. What is it that takes us from doubt to belief? Why do we believe in Jesus Christ as our saviour? For me, it is because I can see the difference that knowing Jesus has made in the lives of many before me, seeing the difference he makes in the world today.
Prayer: Lord give me faith to share my belief in Jesus with those around me. And remind me daily that I also need to be changing the world so that the next generation can see the difference that Jesus has made in their world. Amen.
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