Posts
Dear Friends-
I hope everyone is doing well and ready to enjoy some relaxation with family and friends this weekend. As part of my studies, I re-read the story of Moses and the Pharoah (which is included in summary form below). There are so many lessons we could learn from this story but during the Lenten season, I'd like us to review it again, focusing on our relationships with God.
Somethimes, we have difficult moments in our lives and we reach out to God to deliver us from our situations. Just like the Pharoah, we promise God not to commit "certain sins" if He relieves us from our pain. "Lord, if you deliver me from this, I promise to stop being so judgemental" or "I promise to be a more understanding wife" or "I promise to stop ignoring my family".
And just like Pharoah, as soon as our situation improves, we go right back to doing the same things we promised God we wouldn't do. Does this sound familiar?
Similar to the story of the Pharoah, our problems become worse and worse everytime we break those promises to God. We can't continue to keep asking for forgiveness and WILLFULLY continue those same sins we promised to stop committing.
As you search your hearts this Lenten season, think of any "issues" you've been struggling with. Ask the Lord to help you stand firm and keep your promise. He knows that we're not strong enough to resist temptation by ourselves but if we ask, in earnest, He will deliver us and reward us for our obedience.
In the meantime, stay blessed and have a wonderful weekend!
K.
Exodus Chapters 5-12 (Moses and Pharoah)
When Moses and his brother Aaron got to Egypt the Lord told them what to do. He said, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him to let the Israelites go. He will be very stubborn and it will take many signs and miracles before he will let you go; but everyone will know that I am God when he finally frees the Israelites."
So they did what God asked and they went to see Pharaoh. In front of Pharaoh Aaron threw down his staff and it became a snake (just as God told Moses it would).
Pharaoh didn't look surprised at all, he actually just smiled at Moses and Aaron. Without a word he snapped his fingers and a minute later three men walked in. Pharaoh whispered in one of the men's ears, and he nodded and spoke quietly to the others.
All at the same time they threw the staffs they were carrying to the ground and they became snakes, just like Moses and Aaron's. They turned and looked at each other with disappointment. They realized that these men were Pharaoh's magicians.
Just as Moses was feeling defeated his snake swallowed up all of the other snakes. This made Moses smile, surely Pharaoh would let them go now. But Pharaoh didn't seem to care, he shook his head and said, "Nice try, but the Israelites belong to me, and they work for Egypt I will not let them go."
Moses left disappointed, but excited to talk to God about what they would do next. After all God told them that it wouldn't be easy. So when God spoke next, they listened well, "Pharaoh's heart is hard, he's still not going to change his mind. Go see him tomorrow morning, he didn't listen today but I will continue to show him that I am God."
With their instructions from God, Moses and Aaron met Pharaoh the next morning. Aaron explained to Pharaoh, "Because you still won't listen God is going to change all the water in Egypt into blood. The fish will die, the river will stink, and none of the Egyptians will be able to drink it."
Pharaoh smiled and said, "Go ahead." So Aaron did what the Lord told him and put his staff into the water and it turned to blood. Pharaoh seemed a little surprised but he summoned his magicians and they also turned the water into blood. With that, Pharaoh's heart became hard, and he turned and walked back to his palace.
All the fish died, and the water smelled so bad, no matter where you were you could smell it. Can you imagine turning on your tap at home and having blood come out, what about having a bath, or even the water in your toilet. Of course the Egyptians didn't have sinks and toilets back then, but they still used water to drink, to make food, and to clean with.
After a whole week of this Pharaoh still wouldn't let the people go. But his magicians couldn't turn the blood back into water either. The Lord instructed Aaron and Moses to go see Pharaoh once again and He told them, "Tell Pharaoh to let my people go. If he refuses to let them go, I will plague the whole country with frogs."
They did as God asked and Pharaoh once again refused to let the people go. So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt and the frogs came up and covered everything. They really were everywhere! In the stoves where they cooked, in their beds, and they even jumped on the people.
The magicians could also make frogs appear - but this would be the last time that their magic would work. After a day of this Pharaoh couldn't take it anymore and he called for Moses and Aaron.
He begged Moses, "Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go." So Moses prayed to the Lord, and all the frogs died. But when Pharaoh saw that all the frogs were dead, he was relieved and he hardened his heart and changed his mind.
There were many other plagues that followed: Gnats and flies, all the livestock got sick and died, the Egyptians were covered in sores, hail came down and killed all the crops, locusts came and ate all the grass and everything green, and then there was complete darkness. Nobody left their homes because they couldn't even see where they were going.
With each of these plagues Pharaoh said he'd let the Israelites go if God put things back to normal, but then he kept changing his mind. You'd think he would've learned his lesson and let the Israelites go. God doesn't give up.
You may have felt sorry for the Israelites during all these plagues, but God made sure they were not touched by them. Only the Pharaoh and 'his people' the Egyptians went through these terrible times. The Israelites lived a little ways away, and God kept them safe, and put a pretend wall around them so none of the plagues could come to them.
If you thought all the other plagues were bad, there was one last plague (the tenth plague) that was way worse than any of the others. The Lord told them, "This will be the last plague on Pharaoh and Egypt, after this they will let you go. Around midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, even the son of Pharaoh, and there will be great sadness." Moses and Aaron warned Pharaoh, but he refused to listen.
The Lord had special instructions for Moses and Aaron, so that the Israelites would be sure to stay safe during this last plague. He told them, "The Israelites must kill their best sheep or goat. Then they are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and tops of the doors on their houses.
On that same night I will pass through Egypt like a ghost and take the life from every first born. If I see blood on the doorway that will be a sign for me to pass over the house and keep all who are inside safe.
This day will always be known as the Passover, because you were passed over and kept safe by God. You will continue to celebrate this day for many years." They were also to eat unleavened bread This would always remind them of the hurry that they left Egypt in.
Now you have to remember Pharaoh could have stopped all this a long time ago. God gave him many opportunities to let the Israelites go, but he would not listen. Unfortunately God had to teach Pharaoh a lesson and He did what He said He would do.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What will you give?
Dear Friends-
Today's message comes on the second day of Lent, the season of prayer and preparation for Easter. As Christians, this is the most important time of the year because it forces to us to focus on our relationship with God. This period of self- examination should inspire us to elevate our relationships to another level through prayer, worship, and fasting.
As we meditate on the sacrifices that Christ made for us, the season of Lent calls us to make sacrifices in rememberance of Him. You will be tempted during this period, just as Christ was tempted after 40 days in the wilderness. Don't give up! Balance those feelings of weakness with introspection and thanksgiving for all that Christ has done for us. Spend this time "denying yourself" and focusing on God.
Christ willingly gave His life for us; surely, you can live without "that thing" that gives you pleasure for the next 39 days. If you love to eat, consider fasting. If you love a certain TV show, skip it. If you love to shop or eat out, give all of that money to the church instead. Make your sacrifice genuine and do it with love.
(By they way, giving up smoking, drinking, gossiping, etc. is not truly a sacrifice. You're not supposed to do those things anyway.)
Stay blessed and stay strong!
K.
The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4)
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[d]”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’[e]”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Today's message comes on the second day of Lent, the season of prayer and preparation for Easter. As Christians, this is the most important time of the year because it forces to us to focus on our relationship with God. This period of self- examination should inspire us to elevate our relationships to another level through prayer, worship, and fasting.
As we meditate on the sacrifices that Christ made for us, the season of Lent calls us to make sacrifices in rememberance of Him. You will be tempted during this period, just as Christ was tempted after 40 days in the wilderness. Don't give up! Balance those feelings of weakness with introspection and thanksgiving for all that Christ has done for us. Spend this time "denying yourself" and focusing on God.
Christ willingly gave His life for us; surely, you can live without "that thing" that gives you pleasure for the next 39 days. If you love to eat, consider fasting. If you love a certain TV show, skip it. If you love to shop or eat out, give all of that money to the church instead. Make your sacrifice genuine and do it with love.
(By they way, giving up smoking, drinking, gossiping, etc. is not truly a sacrifice. You're not supposed to do those things anyway.)
Stay blessed and stay strong!
K.
The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4)
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[d]”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’[e]”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
If you're a praying person...
Hello all-
I apologize for the duplicate post but several dear Friends were so moved by the poem that they requested permission to share it. In response, my dear friend EJT blessed me by helping me with the initial steps to having it published.
Please feel free to share the poem with everyone!
K.
Dear Friends-
Tonight's message is a little different but I hope you enjoy. It's an original poem I felt led to write.
Stay blessed,
K.
If you're a praying person, remember me
I may not always show
What lies beneath
My private struggles
Those moments I'm weak
I just keep on moving because I have faith
Trying not to succumb to human nature
If you're a praying person, remember me
I have such great hope
For what's in store
I move along daily
Pushing fear aside
Knowing God is with me
And my needs He'll provide
But in the still of the night
A voice whispers inside
Leaving me cold and unsure
That His promises are true
If you're a praying person, keep me in mind
So seeds of fear and doubt
Cannot take root
If you're a praying person, remember me
Because God is good
No matter how I feel today
God's got me in His palm
Whether I recognize His blessings
Or become angry and curse
His blessings abound
His love keeps me secure
Whether I'm an eagle soaring
Above the cares of the world
Or I'm trapped in the depths of despair
Sometimes I need reminding that God's in control
I need Him to send an angel
To bring me comfort
When my heart needs to mend
I need Him to send a friend
When I'm feeling low
To make me smile
To bless me with more warmth
than I could know...
So when you wonder how I am
And may even wonder what you can do
If you're a praying person, remember me
Because I'll be praying for you...
(c) 2009 Karen Abigail Williams. All rights reserved
I apologize for the duplicate post but several dear Friends were so moved by the poem that they requested permission to share it. In response, my dear friend EJT blessed me by helping me with the initial steps to having it published.
Please feel free to share the poem with everyone!
K.
Dear Friends-
Tonight's message is a little different but I hope you enjoy. It's an original poem I felt led to write.
Stay blessed,
K.
If you're a praying person, remember me
I may not always show
What lies beneath
My private struggles
Those moments I'm weak
I just keep on moving because I have faith
Trying not to succumb to human nature
If you're a praying person, remember me
I have such great hope
For what's in store
I move along daily
Pushing fear aside
Knowing God is with me
And my needs He'll provide
But in the still of the night
A voice whispers inside
Leaving me cold and unsure
That His promises are true
If you're a praying person, keep me in mind
So seeds of fear and doubt
Cannot take root
If you're a praying person, remember me
Because God is good
No matter how I feel today
God's got me in His palm
Whether I recognize His blessings
Or become angry and curse
His blessings abound
His love keeps me secure
Whether I'm an eagle soaring
Above the cares of the world
Or I'm trapped in the depths of despair
Sometimes I need reminding that God's in control
I need Him to send an angel
To bring me comfort
When my heart needs to mend
I need Him to send a friend
When I'm feeling low
To make me smile
To bless me with more warmth
than I could know...
So when you wonder how I am
And may even wonder what you can do
If you're a praying person, remember me
Because I'll be praying for you...
(c) 2009 Karen Abigail Williams. All rights reserved
Monday, February 23, 2009
A word in season for the season
Dear Friends-
Today's message is a replay of a previous message about seeing "the bigger picture". As we experience these difficult economic times, we should use the Lenten season to meditate on the "bigger picture" behind our trials.
We may not know how things are going to turn out but God does. He has planned each and every detail of our lives and if we rely on Him, we can have confidence that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).
Stay blessed dear friends (and stay focused),
K.
Dear Friends-
As a decision maker, your most important gift is the ability to discern the "big picture" of whatever is being presented to you. In the biblical story attached, it didn't matter that each side wanted their way. The most responsible person in the story- the baby's real mother- was the one who ultimately realized that it was more important for her son to live than for her to "win".
Let's pray for increased wisdom and understanding. God gives us the opportunity to lead in all kinds of situations- home, professionally and in our communities. The opportunity to lead is simply the test of our character (which quickly exposes our weaknesses). The gift of undertanding truly allows us to grow and become great servant leaders for the Lord. I pray that we all live and act in the Spirit of the "big picture".
As we move toward the season of Lent, let's will focus on making ourselves "smaller" and making the Lord (and his purposes) "bigger". The upcoming season of Lent is a wonderful opportunity to begin putting God at the forefront and our desires in the background.
Stay blessed!
K.
1 Kings 3
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the Lord and the wall around the city.
2 At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the Lord had not yet been built.
3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.
4 The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings.
5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
6 Solomon replied, "You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
7 "Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around.
8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted!
9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.
11 So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—1
2 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!
13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!
14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life."
15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord's Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet. Solomon Judges Wisely
16 Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.
17 "Please, my lord," one of them began, "this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house.
18 Three days later this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house.
19 "But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it.
20 Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her.
21 And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't my son at all."
22 Then the other woman interrupted, "It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine." "No," the first woman said, "the living child is mine, and the dead one is yours." And so they argued back and forth before the king.
23 Then the king said, "Let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.
24 All right, bring me a sword." So a sword was brought to the king.
25 Then he said, "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!" 26 Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, "Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!" But the other woman said, "All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!"
27 Then the king said, "Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!"
28 When all Israel heard the king's decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.
Today's message is a replay of a previous message about seeing "the bigger picture". As we experience these difficult economic times, we should use the Lenten season to meditate on the "bigger picture" behind our trials.
We may not know how things are going to turn out but God does. He has planned each and every detail of our lives and if we rely on Him, we can have confidence that "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).
Stay blessed dear friends (and stay focused),
K.
Dear Friends-
As a decision maker, your most important gift is the ability to discern the "big picture" of whatever is being presented to you. In the biblical story attached, it didn't matter that each side wanted their way. The most responsible person in the story- the baby's real mother- was the one who ultimately realized that it was more important for her son to live than for her to "win".
Let's pray for increased wisdom and understanding. God gives us the opportunity to lead in all kinds of situations- home, professionally and in our communities. The opportunity to lead is simply the test of our character (which quickly exposes our weaknesses). The gift of undertanding truly allows us to grow and become great servant leaders for the Lord. I pray that we all live and act in the Spirit of the "big picture".
As we move toward the season of Lent, let's will focus on making ourselves "smaller" and making the Lord (and his purposes) "bigger". The upcoming season of Lent is a wonderful opportunity to begin putting God at the forefront and our desires in the background.
Stay blessed!
K.
1 Kings 3
Solomon Asks for Wisdom
Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the Lord and the wall around the city.
2 At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the Lord had not yet been built.
3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.
4 The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings.
5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
6 Solomon replied, "You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
7 "Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around.
8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted!
9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.
11 So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—1
2 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!
13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!
14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life."
15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord's Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet. Solomon Judges Wisely
16 Some time later two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.
17 "Please, my lord," one of them began, "this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house.
18 Three days later this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house.
19 "But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it.
20 Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her.
21 And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't my son at all."
22 Then the other woman interrupted, "It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine." "No," the first woman said, "the living child is mine, and the dead one is yours." And so they argued back and forth before the king.
23 Then the king said, "Let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.
24 All right, bring me a sword." So a sword was brought to the king.
25 Then he said, "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!" 26 Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, "Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!" But the other woman said, "All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!"
27 Then the king said, "Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!"
28 When all Israel heard the king's decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.
Friday, February 20, 2009
What should we be doing during these difficult times?
Dear Friends-
As another work week comes to a close, it's time to accept that another week has gone by without new information about my job search. I'm not necessarily depressed about it but waiting for the phone to ring has been much more difficult than being out of work.
Like many others on this list, I've had dreams that I've pushed aside in order to keep the bills paid. These difficult times actually present us with an opportunity to pursue some of those dreams but if your finances aren't growing as they should, you don't focus your energies on fulfilling them. I know so many people who are unemployed now but when they were working, they dreamed about opening their own businesses, switching careers, or quitting their jobs to stay home with their children. Unfortunately, the economic crisis has presented us with the double-edged sword of having the freedom to do we've always wanted but now we've lost of our financial safety net. It's easy to panic when (as a new business owner) no one's spending money, (as a career changer) you have to compete for jobs with LOTS of experienced job seekers, and (as a new stay-at-home parent) you don't have enough saved.
But what should we be doing? I have no clue. All I know is that I've been relying on God's promise to take care of me if I just have faith. I've been looking for a job since June of 2008, yet I've never gone without the basics. Would my life be easier if I could run my new business and have a steady paycheck? Of course! But I trust that I'm going through all of this for a reason. I've been blessed with a level of peace and abundance that surpasses my own understanding. Things will work out exactly the way they are supposed to- and God is always on time.
Read today's message and pray for that friend or family member who is going through a similar situation. Pray for their peace and happiness; pray that their faith increases and their worries decrease. Most importantly, pray that the deepest desires of their hearts come true, so that when it all works out, God will be glorified.
Take care and have a great weekend!
K.
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
As another work week comes to a close, it's time to accept that another week has gone by without new information about my job search. I'm not necessarily depressed about it but waiting for the phone to ring has been much more difficult than being out of work.
Like many others on this list, I've had dreams that I've pushed aside in order to keep the bills paid. These difficult times actually present us with an opportunity to pursue some of those dreams but if your finances aren't growing as they should, you don't focus your energies on fulfilling them. I know so many people who are unemployed now but when they were working, they dreamed about opening their own businesses, switching careers, or quitting their jobs to stay home with their children. Unfortunately, the economic crisis has presented us with the double-edged sword of having the freedom to do we've always wanted but now we've lost of our financial safety net. It's easy to panic when (as a new business owner) no one's spending money, (as a career changer) you have to compete for jobs with LOTS of experienced job seekers, and (as a new stay-at-home parent) you don't have enough saved.
But what should we be doing? I have no clue. All I know is that I've been relying on God's promise to take care of me if I just have faith. I've been looking for a job since June of 2008, yet I've never gone without the basics. Would my life be easier if I could run my new business and have a steady paycheck? Of course! But I trust that I'm going through all of this for a reason. I've been blessed with a level of peace and abundance that surpasses my own understanding. Things will work out exactly the way they are supposed to- and God is always on time.
Read today's message and pray for that friend or family member who is going through a similar situation. Pray for their peace and happiness; pray that their faith increases and their worries decrease. Most importantly, pray that the deepest desires of their hearts come true, so that when it all works out, God will be glorified.
Take care and have a great weekend!
K.
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Christian= community activitst
Dear Friends-In light of the racist cartoon that was recently published by the New York post, I am re-running a post about the Christian's role in fighting for social justice. Please consider the message in the context of today's events. After reading it, please reach out to the NY Post and its advertisers to express your feelings on the issue. Information for the paper and its advertisers are below.
In the meantime, stay blessed and "keep fighting the good fight"! K.
Dear Friends-
Over the years, I've heard Christians say that we shouldn't concern ourselves with the cares of the world- be in the world and not of it. That statement has partial truth.
Christ wants us to love each other as He loved the church. Part of that love involves concern for each others, calling us to demand justice for those deemed "the least" in this society. If you have the special blessing of being a person of color, a woman or anyone with a heightened sensitivity to oppression, you have a special responsibility to respond to God's Word on seeking justice on behalf of our brothers and sisters. I could point out numerous verses in the Bible where God call us to be at the forefront of issues of civil rights but I leave you an excerpt of Dr. King's Drumline Instinct Speech, delivered on Feb. 4, 1968 at Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.(See a portion of the speech below)
Dr. King talks about injustice arising from the evil mindset that one group feels a divine sense of superiority over everyone else. He eloquently expresses the premise under which I live my life and the type of things that I want said about me at my funeral. Every time we think that issues of justice have nothing to do with us personally, look to the Word and see what God says about our responsibility. We can't pray for change. We can't hope that things get better. We have to be the change we want to see. Jesus was the quintessential community activitst. He fought for "the least of us" and demanded that we speak the truth about the evils of oppression against society's minority.
According to 2 Peter 1:3: His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Pray, reflect on your own life, and talk to your children.
Stay blessed, K.
Every now and then I guess we all think realistically (Yes, sir) about that day when we will be victimized with what is life's final common denominator—that something that we call death. We all think about it. And every now and then I think about my own death and I think about my own funeral. And I don't think of it in a morbid sense. And every now and then I ask myself, "What is it that I would want said?" And I leave the word to you this morning. If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. (Yes) And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn't important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards—that's not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. (Yes) I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. (Yes) I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question. (Amen) I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. (Yes) And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. (Yes) I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. (Lord) I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity. (Yes) Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. (Amen) Say that I was a drum major for peace. (Yes) I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. (Yes) I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. (Amen) And that's all I want to say. If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, Then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, If I can spread the message as the master taught, Then my living will not be in vain. Yes, Jesus, I want to be on your right or your left side, (Yes) not for any selfish reason. I want to be on your right or your left side, not in terms of some political kingdom or ambition. But I just want to be there in love and in justice and in truth and in commitment to others, so that we can make of this old world a new world.
Calling for a Boycott of New York Post Advertisers
By Christopher Netter
National Advertisers: Bank of America City Bank HSBC Capital One Bank Bloomingdale's Department Store Diesel Clothing Line Baby Phat Clothing Line Jill Stuart Clothing Line
New York Local Advertisers: Madison Square Garden ASA College Paragon Sports First Platinum Capital Corporation Russian Tea Room
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Are you right with God?
Dear Friends-
I hope everyone is doing well and having a productive workweek. My week started with shocking and sad news of a good friend from high school who was murdered senselessly in Atlanta. I pray that his family and friends are comforted with God's peace during this difficult time.
As I thought about the situation more, I also prayed that Marc knew the Lord and had a relationship with Him. My grandmother in heaven always used to remind me that her prayers couldn't save her children- that we had to know the Lord for ourselves. My grandmother who is still alive would also remind me to get myself right with God because "we know not the day, nor the hour". I pray that Marc is in heaven with the Lord.
But what about you? If your life was to end today, can you be sure that you're right with God? It's not about good works- good works and "being a good person" is not enough get us into heaven. Do you spend time with the Lord in prayer? Do you give him the first ten percent of your week by attending church? Are you investing in the relationship at all? If there's anything you can do to improve your relationship with Him, start doing it now. Make the connection with God and be sure that no matter when your hour comes, He will say, "well done thy good and faithful servant".
In the meantime, be blessed,
K.
(An article about Marc is below)
Matthew 24
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.[k] Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
DeKalb businessman shot in the head
By ANDRIA SIMMONS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A DeKalb County businessman found dead over the weekend in the parking lot of a Duluth restaurant was killed by a gunshot to the head, an autopsy concluded.
Questions remain about why 38-year-old Marc Stewart was killed, and when. His body was found on Valentine’s Day — several days after his wife reported him missing — in a parked car at Bahama Breeze at 3590 Breckinridge Boulevard. It was the second fatal shooting to occur in the restaurant’s parking lot in the past seven months, and the fourth homicide in the vicinity of Gwinnett Place Mall since July.
Stewart was last seen leaving his home in Stone Mountain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. A patron at the restaurant told police that the victim appeared to be sleeping inside a parked Ford Explorer when she arrived at the restaurant Saturday evening. The woman honked her car horn to wake him, but he was unresponsive, a police report said.
Stewart was president and chief executive officer of Island Coast Entertainment, a 10-year-old event planning company based in Atlanta.
I hope everyone is doing well and having a productive workweek. My week started with shocking and sad news of a good friend from high school who was murdered senselessly in Atlanta. I pray that his family and friends are comforted with God's peace during this difficult time.
As I thought about the situation more, I also prayed that Marc knew the Lord and had a relationship with Him. My grandmother in heaven always used to remind me that her prayers couldn't save her children- that we had to know the Lord for ourselves. My grandmother who is still alive would also remind me to get myself right with God because "we know not the day, nor the hour". I pray that Marc is in heaven with the Lord.
But what about you? If your life was to end today, can you be sure that you're right with God? It's not about good works- good works and "being a good person" is not enough get us into heaven. Do you spend time with the Lord in prayer? Do you give him the first ten percent of your week by attending church? Are you investing in the relationship at all? If there's anything you can do to improve your relationship with Him, start doing it now. Make the connection with God and be sure that no matter when your hour comes, He will say, "well done thy good and faithful servant".
In the meantime, be blessed,
K.
(An article about Marc is below)
Matthew 24
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.[k] Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
DeKalb businessman shot in the head
By ANDRIA SIMMONS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A DeKalb County businessman found dead over the weekend in the parking lot of a Duluth restaurant was killed by a gunshot to the head, an autopsy concluded.
Questions remain about why 38-year-old Marc Stewart was killed, and when. His body was found on Valentine’s Day — several days after his wife reported him missing — in a parked car at Bahama Breeze at 3590 Breckinridge Boulevard. It was the second fatal shooting to occur in the restaurant’s parking lot in the past seven months, and the fourth homicide in the vicinity of Gwinnett Place Mall since July.
Stewart was last seen leaving his home in Stone Mountain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. A patron at the restaurant told police that the victim appeared to be sleeping inside a parked Ford Explorer when she arrived at the restaurant Saturday evening. The woman honked her car horn to wake him, but he was unresponsive, a police report said.
Stewart was president and chief executive officer of Island Coast Entertainment, a 10-year-old event planning company based in Atlanta.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A Valentine's wish to my dear friends
Dear Friends-
I hope you all enjoy this article. It's food for thought about how Christians should exemplify God's love in our daily lives, instead of waiting for a national holiday.
I wish you the love of Christ and the blessings of Abraham all year round.
Stay blessed,
K.
Does Valentine's Day Make People Forget Jesus' Love?
Shahid Shahbaz Khan
ASSIST News Service
SARGODHA, PAKISTAN -- Valentine's Day is widely celebrated across the globe to commemorate the tale of the two lovers who fell in love with each other and died yet left their imperishable impression on this loveless world. February 14, every year, is greeted with red roses and cards. Mosty everyone is cheered up.Valentine cards are swapped between lovers as a gesture of their love. Parties are arranged and youth flock to Valentine's Dance parties. Passion runs high on this day of the year.
Why is the world so crazy about Valentine's Day? One of my friends asked me lately if I celebrate Valentine's Day. I replied, "Yes, every day of mine is a Valentine's Day."
I do not celebrate it on one day only to not remember my love for those around me the rest of the year. What is the true love that has to be remembered and revered by all of us? Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This is the truest, purest and greatest form of love. Does the world remember it like it does Valentine's Day? I regret to say it does not. Do we ever dance for Jesus, who bled for us that blessed day on the cross to pay for my sins, the entire world's sins? Do we ever take roses to those lying sick in hospitals and nursing homes to give them hope to live on? Do we ever send cards to tender our apologies to those we may have hurt by our vicious attitudes? Have we contemplated making things right with those whom we are not even on speaking terms? Do we return sweet words when confronted with provocative speech? If the answer to the questions posed above is in the affirmative, might I ask why we celebrate Valentine's Day?
I would prefer sorting out my differences with my neighbor and getting my attitude right rather than buying the bouquet of roses for my beloved on Valentine's Day. Why is the world is placing a greater premium on Valentine's Day rather than following the One who loved the world so dearly that He stretched out His hands on the cross and died? Love came into this world but men loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil. I have personally met people on the streets of London who flatly refused the Gospel and cursed the name of Jesus. Ironically enough, these same individuals enthusiastically participate in Valentine celebrations. It hurts me immensely when I see them opting for observance of a "Love Tradition" instead of embracing the True Love. Love that gets you eternal love.
The "love" of today makes demands on us; be that a love for a beloved, love for our family, or love for our country. Each kind of love makes demands on the lovers. However, the Love God has for us makes no demands on us. It rather graces us with a gift, which is not sold in the biggest shopping malls of the world. No purse or pocket can pay for it. Eternal life is a gift of God, which comes through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans says: "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
How about giving the gift of eternal life on this Valentine Day? Let's be different than the world. How about sharing and learning the greatest love of all, a Man who laid down His life for all of us. Love who bled, Love who suffered, Love who died and the Love who rose again to reign forever and evermore.
Would you like to taste His love? After having tasted the Love of Jesus, will you not follow in the footsteps of Greatest Lover of Mankind?
Shahid Shahbaz Khan is a former student of Hampstead Bible College in London, England. A recipient of Best Preacher Prize for 2003-2005 by the college, Shahid is planning to do higher and further studies in religion. He can be reached at shahidforchrist@ yahoo.com
I hope you all enjoy this article. It's food for thought about how Christians should exemplify God's love in our daily lives, instead of waiting for a national holiday.
I wish you the love of Christ and the blessings of Abraham all year round.
Stay blessed,
K.
Does Valentine's Day Make People Forget Jesus' Love?
Shahid Shahbaz Khan
ASSIST News Service
SARGODHA, PAKISTAN -- Valentine's Day is widely celebrated across the globe to commemorate the tale of the two lovers who fell in love with each other and died yet left their imperishable impression on this loveless world. February 14, every year, is greeted with red roses and cards. Mosty everyone is cheered up.Valentine cards are swapped between lovers as a gesture of their love. Parties are arranged and youth flock to Valentine's Dance parties. Passion runs high on this day of the year.
Why is the world so crazy about Valentine's Day? One of my friends asked me lately if I celebrate Valentine's Day. I replied, "Yes, every day of mine is a Valentine's Day."
I do not celebrate it on one day only to not remember my love for those around me the rest of the year. What is the true love that has to be remembered and revered by all of us? Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This is the truest, purest and greatest form of love. Does the world remember it like it does Valentine's Day? I regret to say it does not. Do we ever dance for Jesus, who bled for us that blessed day on the cross to pay for my sins, the entire world's sins? Do we ever take roses to those lying sick in hospitals and nursing homes to give them hope to live on? Do we ever send cards to tender our apologies to those we may have hurt by our vicious attitudes? Have we contemplated making things right with those whom we are not even on speaking terms? Do we return sweet words when confronted with provocative speech? If the answer to the questions posed above is in the affirmative, might I ask why we celebrate Valentine's Day?
I would prefer sorting out my differences with my neighbor and getting my attitude right rather than buying the bouquet of roses for my beloved on Valentine's Day. Why is the world is placing a greater premium on Valentine's Day rather than following the One who loved the world so dearly that He stretched out His hands on the cross and died? Love came into this world but men loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil. I have personally met people on the streets of London who flatly refused the Gospel and cursed the name of Jesus. Ironically enough, these same individuals enthusiastically participate in Valentine celebrations. It hurts me immensely when I see them opting for observance of a "Love Tradition" instead of embracing the True Love. Love that gets you eternal love.
The "love" of today makes demands on us; be that a love for a beloved, love for our family, or love for our country. Each kind of love makes demands on the lovers. However, the Love God has for us makes no demands on us. It rather graces us with a gift, which is not sold in the biggest shopping malls of the world. No purse or pocket can pay for it. Eternal life is a gift of God, which comes through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans says: "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
How about giving the gift of eternal life on this Valentine Day? Let's be different than the world. How about sharing and learning the greatest love of all, a Man who laid down His life for all of us. Love who bled, Love who suffered, Love who died and the Love who rose again to reign forever and evermore.
Would you like to taste His love? After having tasted the Love of Jesus, will you not follow in the footsteps of Greatest Lover of Mankind?
Shahid Shahbaz Khan is a former student of Hampstead Bible College in London, England. A recipient of Best Preacher Prize for 2003-2005 by the college, Shahid is planning to do higher and further studies in religion. He can be reached at shahidforchrist@ yahoo.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Live your life!
Dear Friends-
I bring you a message of hope today from Ecclesiastes 9. No matter what difficulties on your heart and mind today, God wants you to trust Him and enjoy life anyway. Our time on this earth is fleeting. We don't have time to sit around wondering "why me?" or living a life of regret.
Just understand that sometimes things happen- even to believers.
In the meantime, spend the time enjoying your loved ones and living your purpose. Tomorrow will come soon.
Stay blessed!
K.
Seize Life! (The Message Bible)
4 -6 Still, anyone selected out for life has hope, for, as they say, "A living dog is better than a dead lion." The living at least know something, even if it's only that they're going to die. But the dead know nothing and get nothing. They're a minus that no one remembers. Their loves, their hates, yes, even their dreams, are long gone. There's not a trace of them left in the affairs of this earth. 7 -10 Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don't skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in exchange For the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, For there's neither work to do nor thoughts to think In the company of the dead, where you're most certainly headed.
11 I took another walk around the neighborhood and realized that on this earth as it is— The race is not always to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor satisfaction to the wise, Nor riches to the smart, Nor grace to the learned. Sooner or later bad luck hits us all. 12 No one can predict misfortune. Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds in a trap, So men and women are caught By accidents evil and sudden.
Wisdom Is Better than Muscle
13 -15 One day as I was observing how wisdom fares on this earth, I saw something that made me sit up and take notice. There was a small town with only a few people in it. A strong king came and mounted an attack, building trenches and attack posts around it. There was a poor but wise man in that town whose wisdom saved the town, but he was promptly forgotten. (He was only a poor man, after all.)
16 All the same, I still say that wisdom is better than muscle, even though the wise poor man was treated with contempt and soon forgotten. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more effective Than the ranting of a king of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than warheads, But one hothead can ruin the good earth.
I bring you a message of hope today from Ecclesiastes 9. No matter what difficulties on your heart and mind today, God wants you to trust Him and enjoy life anyway. Our time on this earth is fleeting. We don't have time to sit around wondering "why me?" or living a life of regret.
Just understand that sometimes things happen- even to believers.
In the meantime, spend the time enjoying your loved ones and living your purpose. Tomorrow will come soon.
Stay blessed!
K.
Seize Life! (The Message Bible)
4 -6 Still, anyone selected out for life has hope, for, as they say, "A living dog is better than a dead lion." The living at least know something, even if it's only that they're going to die. But the dead know nothing and get nothing. They're a minus that no one remembers. Their loves, their hates, yes, even their dreams, are long gone. There's not a trace of them left in the affairs of this earth. 7 -10 Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don't skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift. It's all you get in exchange For the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, For there's neither work to do nor thoughts to think In the company of the dead, where you're most certainly headed.
11 I took another walk around the neighborhood and realized that on this earth as it is— The race is not always to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor satisfaction to the wise, Nor riches to the smart, Nor grace to the learned. Sooner or later bad luck hits us all. 12 No one can predict misfortune. Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds in a trap, So men and women are caught By accidents evil and sudden.
Wisdom Is Better than Muscle
13 -15 One day as I was observing how wisdom fares on this earth, I saw something that made me sit up and take notice. There was a small town with only a few people in it. A strong king came and mounted an attack, building trenches and attack posts around it. There was a poor but wise man in that town whose wisdom saved the town, but he was promptly forgotten. (He was only a poor man, after all.)
16 All the same, I still say that wisdom is better than muscle, even though the wise poor man was treated with contempt and soon forgotten. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more effective Than the ranting of a king of fools. 18 Wisdom is better than warheads, But one hothead can ruin the good earth.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Dear Friends-
I hope this email finds everyone well. For some reason, I'm more tired than usual- physically and spiritually exhausted. Today's message is for everyone with the prayer that you will receive a refreshing and anointing of the spirit.
I pray your week is productive in the Lord.
Stay blessed!
K.
Isaiah 40
27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,(AJ) "My way is hidden from the LORD, (AK) and my right is disregarded by my God"?28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is(AL) the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary; (AM) his understanding is unsearchable.29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;31but(AN) they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings(AO) like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 29
1 Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings[a]; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. 2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. 5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon[b] leap like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. 8 The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks[c] and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. 11 The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
I hope this email finds everyone well. For some reason, I'm more tired than usual- physically and spiritually exhausted. Today's message is for everyone with the prayer that you will receive a refreshing and anointing of the spirit.
I pray your week is productive in the Lord.
Stay blessed!
K.
Isaiah 40
27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,(AJ) "My way is hidden from the LORD, (AK) and my right is disregarded by my God"?28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is(AL) the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary; (AM) his understanding is unsearchable.29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.30Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;31but(AN) they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings(AO) like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 29
1 Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings[a]; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. 2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. 5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon[b] leap like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. 8 The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks[c] and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. 11 The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Rules
Dear Friends-
Today's message is a short reminder about why some "religious" folks get themselves into trouble. Some of us come with long held traditions and beliefs about how Christians should look, act, and do to be authentic. These long held beliefs are dangerous because we allow ourselves to play God by judging others and our actions are driving people away from God's true nature.
God doesn't care if we skip certain foods or make it to church every Sunday- not if we're liars, cheats, and gossips. If we want the "real" list of rules that Christians should follow, see Christ's instructions in the books of the New Testament.
In the meantime, remain blessed and be a blessing to others!
K.
http://letterstodearfriends.blogspot.com
Mark 7
Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity
1 One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. 2 They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. 3 (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands,[a] as required by their ancient traditions. 4 Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands[b] in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.[c])
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.”
6 Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’[d]
8 For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”
9 Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. 10 For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’[e] and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’[f] 11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’[g] 12 In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. 13 And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.”
14 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.[h]”
17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. 18 “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? 19 Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)
20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
http://letterstodearfriends.blogspot.com/
Today's message is a short reminder about why some "religious" folks get themselves into trouble. Some of us come with long held traditions and beliefs about how Christians should look, act, and do to be authentic. These long held beliefs are dangerous because we allow ourselves to play God by judging others and our actions are driving people away from God's true nature.
God doesn't care if we skip certain foods or make it to church every Sunday- not if we're liars, cheats, and gossips. If we want the "real" list of rules that Christians should follow, see Christ's instructions in the books of the New Testament.
In the meantime, remain blessed and be a blessing to others!
K.
http://letterstodearfriends.blogspot.com
Mark 7
Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity
1 One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. 2 They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. 3 (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands,[a] as required by their ancient traditions. 4 Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands[b] in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.[c])
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.”
6 Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’[d]
8 For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”
9 Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. 10 For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’[e] and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’[f] 11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’[g] 12 In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. 13 And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.”
14 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.[h]”
17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. 18 “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? 19 Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)
20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
http://letterstodearfriends.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Be street smart- the Christian way!
Hello Dear Friends
I hope everyone is enjoying the week despite the news that dominating our headlines. So many of us are enduring difficult struggles and yet, we're finding endurance in the Holy Spirit and forging ahead with the day to day issues of our lives.
Whether you've lost your job today or suffered loss, or you're simply "stuck" in your life, I hope you find blessing in Luke 16. Whatever adversity you experience, don't just let life happen to you. Use Luke 16 to inspire you to action, instead of waiting for a solution to come along. Remember, God puts the desires of your heart within your reach- not in your hand. So get serious, get smart, and get moving!
Stay blessed,
K.
Luke 16
The Story of the Crooked Manager
1 -2Jesus said to his disciples, "There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. So he called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about you? You're fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.'
3 -4"The manager said to himself, 'What am I going to do? I've lost my job as manager. I'm not strong enough for a laboring job, and I'm too proud to beg. . . . Ah, I've got a plan. Here's what I'll do . . . then when I'm turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.'
5"Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6"He replied, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.'
"The manager said, 'Here, take your bill, sit down here—quick now— write fifty.'
7"To the next he said, 'And you, what do you owe?'
"He answered, 'A hundred sacks of wheat.'
"He said, 'Take your bill, write in eighty.'
8 -9"Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior."
God Sees Behind Appearances
10 -13Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank.
14 -18When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch. So Jesus spoke to them: "You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what's behind the appearance. What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous. God's Law and the Prophets climaxed in John; Now it's all kingdom of God—the glad news and compelling invitation to every man and woman. The sky will disintegrate and the earth dissolve before a single letter of God's Law wears out. Using the legalities of divorce as a cover for lust is adultery; Using the legalities of marriage as a cover for lust is adultery. --
I hope everyone is enjoying the week despite the news that dominating our headlines. So many of us are enduring difficult struggles and yet, we're finding endurance in the Holy Spirit and forging ahead with the day to day issues of our lives.
Whether you've lost your job today or suffered loss, or you're simply "stuck" in your life, I hope you find blessing in Luke 16. Whatever adversity you experience, don't just let life happen to you. Use Luke 16 to inspire you to action, instead of waiting for a solution to come along. Remember, God puts the desires of your heart within your reach- not in your hand. So get serious, get smart, and get moving!
Stay blessed,
K.
Luke 16
The Story of the Crooked Manager
1 -2Jesus said to his disciples, "There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. So he called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about you? You're fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.'
3 -4"The manager said to himself, 'What am I going to do? I've lost my job as manager. I'm not strong enough for a laboring job, and I'm too proud to beg. . . . Ah, I've got a plan. Here's what I'll do . . . then when I'm turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.'
5"Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6"He replied, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.'
"The manager said, 'Here, take your bill, sit down here—quick now— write fifty.'
7"To the next he said, 'And you, what do you owe?'
"He answered, 'A hundred sacks of wheat.'
"He said, 'Take your bill, write in eighty.'
8 -9"Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior."
God Sees Behind Appearances
10 -13Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank.
14 -18When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch. So Jesus spoke to them: "You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what's behind the appearance. What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous. God's Law and the Prophets climaxed in John; Now it's all kingdom of God—the glad news and compelling invitation to every man and woman. The sky will disintegrate and the earth dissolve before a single letter of God's Law wears out. Using the legalities of divorce as a cover for lust is adultery; Using the legalities of marriage as a cover for lust is adultery. --
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