Thought for Wednesday, February 1st

February 1, 2012

This Is The Day

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.  This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 118:21-29

Quote of the Day

 

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it will be.  Yesterday is dead: tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”

-          Groucho Marx

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Lee Greenwood sang. “If tomorrow all the things were gone, I’d worked for all my life…” – (lyrics from ‘Proud to Be An American’)

And in reality, no one is promised a tomorrow.  So what if today were your final day on earth, what would you be doing differently?

Would you throw up your hands and give up, or would you be determined to make the most of it you could?

As Christians we need to live every day like it could be our last.  No man knows when the Lord will return or even baring that when that final breath will come.  What would you want to be doing the second before you were to be face to face with your Lord and Creator?

Since none of us know when that could be: doesn’t it somehow seem logical that we need to make every day count for God’s glory.  We need to use every minute wisely and we need to place those things of an eternal and spiritual significance at the top of our priorities list?

This is a day that God has given you – what do you plan to do with it?

Today’s Prayer

Father, you’re fantastic, fabulous, great and glorious and I just want to thank you and praise you for your excellency and awesomeness.  May today be a day when if you come I will be not only ready and watching but that I will be busy and productive doing things that matter to you and that will make a difference in this world for you.

“Never let a day pass, that you will have cause to say I will do better tomorrow.”

-          Brigham Young

“Word of God speak, pour down like rain…”

- from ‘Word of God Speak’ by Mercy Me

Thought for Tuesday, Janaury 31st

January 31, 2012

Real Strength

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Quotes of the Day

 

“Some think it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s letting go.”

-          Sylvia Robinson

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Have you ever considered that in life, especially from a spiritual point of view, some of our weakest moments produce some of our strongest results?

We need to remember that in Christ it is not our power or our might that gets things done; but rather it is by His Spirit working in us.

We often need to let go of our strengths, our abilities, and our efforts and let God do through us what we could never do in and of ourselves.

God promises to use the weak and simple to confound the strong and wise.

Your body may be muscle bound; you may be a giant like Goliath, but if your spirit is not like that of the little Shepherd boy, standing in power by nothing more than believing in God: then your physical strength wont do you much good when it comes to accomplishing eternal feats.  

We have to rest in, depend on and wait for the Lord: and when we do we will be stronger than any giant, greater than any evil force that may come against us and capable of more than we can even think or imagine.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are powerful, yet gentle: mighty but meek, and always holy and righteous: help me to lean not on my own strengths, abilities or even perceived capabilities: but instead help me trust in and rely totally on you for my strength and my help.

“Our strength is often composed of the weakness we’re determined we’re not going to let show.”

-          Mignon McLaughlin

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Monday, January 30th

January 30, 2012

Dream A Little Dream

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Joel 2:28-32

Quotes of the Day

 

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”

-          Leon Joseph

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

To dream is to envision the potential and possibility of what can be, even though it may not yet be.  It is the capacity to have hope and to believe that something bigger, greater and better is about to happen.  Dreaming is the beginning or the birthplace of many great ideas.

George Bernard Shaw said this on the subject of dreaming:  “Some men see things as they are and ask why I dream things that never were and I say, why not?”

As Christians we need to dream great dreams of the possibilities of what God can do in us, through us and around us.  After all isn’t faith the essence of things hoped for the evidence of the things not yet seen.  It isn’t exactly the same but it sounds close to the idea of having a dream.  Having faith the act of, believing: dreaming is the formulation of that faith into visions and expectations.

Without having faith we cannot please God and without vision or dreams for the future we will perish.

We have a big God – so it is safe to say, that we His people can dream big.

What are you dreaming about?

Today’s Prayer

Father, your more wonderful than words can describe and more awesome than I could hope to ever express.  Thank you for empowering our lives with your Holy Spirit and allowing us to dream big dreams of what you can do in and around us.

“All men of action are dreamers.”

-          James G. Huneker

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Saturday, January 28th

January 28, 2012

Joyful Noises

 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

Psalms 66:1-2

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Psalms 81:1

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 95:1-2

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.   

Psalms 98:4

Quotes of the Day

Joyful

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.”

-          Dr. Melba Colgrove

Noise

“A stench in the ear.”

- Ambrose Bierce

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Does the notions of something being noisy and joyful simultaneously seem even the least bit oxymoronic to you?

Joyfulness implies excitement, happiness enjoyment and pleasure in a thing: While the concept of noise usually denotes loudness of an irritating and unpleasant nature.  I realize noise can mean any sound that can be heard but if you don’t want to miss the point I’m trying to make, try not to be overly literal.

Arthur Schopenhauer said of noise: “Noise is the most impertinent of all forms of interruption.  It is not only an interruption, but a disruption of thought.”

Now lets examine this idea a little closer.  If noise is a disruption of natural thought and we then take that noise and make it joyful and aim it towards God: have we not then detached or distracted ourselves from the thinking on cares and concerns, issues and problems of this world and by so doing we have put our focus in a positive enlightening way on the one who has all the answers and can take care of all those things we were so busy focusing on?

Making a joyful noise is more than just singing.  It is living our lives with the joy of the Lord strengthening us, empowering and enabling us to be more than conquerors.  It enables us to be over comers.  Making a joyful noise is doing those things which bring God glory; such as serving others, lending a helping hand and doing good works for the cause of Christ.  And yes making a joyful noise is singing, saying or declaring our praises audibly for Him.

It sounds like being joyfully noisy from a spiritual perspective can not only be a lot of fun but it can be equally rewarding.

So are you ready to make some noise, joyfully?

Get loud and be proud to be a Christian and let the whole world know.

Today’s Prayer

Father, hallelujah, praise your name, may all glory be given and may your name be proclaimed with a shout, with a song and with every word and deed that go together to make my life what it is.  May my life be a joyful noise to you.

“Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing: power and majesty, praise to the King.”

-          Darlene Zschech (lyrics from ‘Shout to The Lord’)

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought fro Friday, January 27th

January 27, 2012

Get To Work

   What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also

James 2:14-26

Quote of the Day

“One thing you can learn by watching the clock is that is passes the time by keeping its hands busy.”

-          Anonymous

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Fact:  We cannot earn our salvation by working for it.  Our works are not worthy of God’s gift and salvation is just that a gift from God, made possible by His son dying on the cross, shedding His blood and paying for our pardon.

Fact:  If we have enough faith to believe God sent His Son to die in our place; and by that faith we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior; then we have the faith it takes to get to work for Him.

Fact:  If we are saved, then we have no choice but to get to work for God, for if we do not then our faith isn’t worth anything.

Fact:  We do not work to get saved: we work because we are saved.

What then are the works that we should be doing?

Making disciples, ministering to those in need: the widows, the orphans, the sick, imprisoned the naked and the hungry.  We should also be encouraging our brothers and sisters in the faith, building each other up, sharing in and caring about each other’s lives.  We should be praying and studying God’s word.  And we should be ready and available to answer the call to serve whenever God calls for us to serve.

Are you ready to get to work?

Today’s Prayer

Father, I stand in awe of you; for you are holy and worthy of all praise, honor, thanksgiving and blessings: may I not only praise you with my mouth but may my hands and feet stay moving and busy serving you in deed as well.

“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

-          Anonymous

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Thursday, January 26th

January 26, 2012

A Perfect Example

   Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 2:13-24

Quote of the Day

“Nothing is so contagious as example, and our every really good or bad action inspires a similar one.”

-          La Rochefoucauld

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

In the church world we look to our leaders with the expectation that they will lead by example.  We tell our older children to set good examples for the younger ones by modeling appropriate behaviors.  Yet as individual Christians what kind of role model are we to a lost and hurting world?

Are we modeling faith, compassion, forgiveness and love?

Or are we modeling impatience, intolerance, exclusiveness and disdain?

It seems the idea of asking ourselves what would Jesus do in any particular situation has become somewhat trivialized by the whole WWJD campaign: but in truth, what better example is there to look to.

Is He not the author and finisher of our faith?  Was He not God in the flesh, the sinless, perfect Lamb of God?

We may have many who have modeled good examples for us in our walk of faith:  but the only perfect example the only truly infallible role model you will ever have is Jesus.

And it should be Him that we wish to emulate and present to the world.

They say that ‘Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.’  Who better to imitate and who more deserving of our flattery than the Lord of Lords and King of Kings?

There is nothing wrong with looking to others as role models and examples: but ultimately if ever we are in doubt may we look to the one who will never let us down and whose example is always beyond reproach and above fault.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are my wonderful counselor:  you are my example and the glory and lifter of my heart, my head and my hopes; you are all in all and everything that is good and wonderful: so may I be faithful and diligent to always look to your son, when I need an example to follow and a role model to fashion myself after.

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

-          Thomas Morell

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Wednesday, January 25th

January 25, 2012

‘Speak No Evil’

  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whSpeole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 3:2-13

Quote of the Day

“A man cannot utter two or three sentences without disclosing to intelligent ears precisely where he stands in life and thought.”

-          Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

“The tongue is not steal, yet it cuts.” – George Herbert

Do you ever wonder why some people say the things they do?

Do you think people ever wonder why you say some of the things you do?

Words are so easy to speak and you would think since they are just vibrations of sound traveling through air that there would be little long lasting effect they could have on those who hear them: yet this is not true.

Sometimes it is words that hurt the deepest: and sadly it is often a misunderstanding of the intention or implications of those words that produce even greater hurt and harm.

If we could listen to everything we say in one day: I imagine some of us would be shocked to hear what comes out of our own mouths at times. 

As children we were admonished to ‘think before we speak’ but as adults how often do we actually do that?

Someone once said, “A closed mouth gathers no feet.”  While someone else said, “The best way to save face is to keep the lower part shut.”

Since communication is so vital to our world and our lives: keeping quite isn’t always easy, practical or even possible – but we do need to be more mindful of those things that we do say.

Our words should be wrapped in love, seasoned with thought and purposed to do good, help improve and make better the lives and relationships of those to whom we speak.

There are times when tough words are required but remember if they are spoken gently with love; rather than harshly with antagonism or anger: they will accomplish greater achievements.

As another unknown person put it; “Be sure your brain is in gear before engaging your mouth.”  And I might add to that, make sure your heart is consulted before you release the flood gates of your verbiage:  for if your heart is on the things of God, which as Christians it should be, then your words will be tempered by the Spirit of God within you and you will speak accordingly.

Today’s Prayer

Father, You are great, mighty and wonderful beyond description:  May my words be ordered by your Spirit as well as my steps and may I speak with words that accomplish those things that will bring glory to you.

“Take care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves.”

-          Lewis Carroll

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Tuesday, January 24th

January 24, 2012

Enduring Discipline

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Hebrews 12:1-8

Quote of the Day

“Life is always a discipline, for the lower animals as well as for men: it is so dangerous that only by submitting to some sort of discipline can we become equipped to live in any true sense at all.”

-          Havelock Ellis

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Many a good Christian is quick to quote; ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ when referring to someone else’s children and spiritually speaking when it comes to all God’s other children: specifically giving ourselves a pass on the need for a little Godly application of the paddle of wisdom to the seats of our better understanding.

No one will readily admit that they enjoy discipline: whether it is a child or an adult.  No one likes being scolded: told they are wrong and most certainly most don’t relish paying the consequences that might result from our choices and actions.

While God is quick to forgive our sins: He doesn’t always spare us from the by products of what our sin creates.  And sadly often it takes a little interventional discipline from God to sometimes get our attention before we are willing to humble ourselves and repent.

However, as Christians, if we truly desire the fullness of God’s best in our lives: we must accept the reality that arriving at God’s best for us and becoming all God wants us to be, is going to require a little bit more than a little discipline from us and discipline being administered to us.

While we may not relish the process: we can be assured we will be a better person if we will but head, learn from and grow from our disciplinary experiences.

And I’m almost sure that when God has to discipline His children:  it does hurt Him more than it hurts us.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you amazingly patient, abundantly kind and excessively gracious: but thank you that you are also lovingly concerned enough that you are willing to discipline when that is what is needed.  Help me to learn from my mistakes and failures and may I be quick to respond and willing to learn from those times when your correction and disciplinary interventions are needed.

“If men live decently it is because [God’s] discipline saves their very lives for them.”

-          Sophocles

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Monday, January 23rd

January 23, 2012

Beware of Mockers and Scoffers

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:3-4

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen..

Jude 1:17-25

Quote of the Day

“The cruelest foe is a masked benefactor.”

-          Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Scripture warns and instructs us that in the last days we must be watchful and aware. 

We need to watch for His return and be diligent and faithful serving in the fields, sowing and gathering the harvests.

We also need to be aware that in the last days many false teachers who would scoff at the truth of God; who would mock Christ on the Cross will appear as lambs in the midst of the flock; while in reality they are nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Beware those who would teach as pleasing and tickling your ears.  Avoid those who seek to turn faith into a politically correct socially acceptable, palatable presentation that offends no one and convicts men’s hearts of nothing.

Remember the Word is like a two edged sword; it is sharp and it cuts to the quick and gets to the heart of the matter.

Anyone who is not for God is against Him and the enemy of our soul often finds his greatest victories in the midst of the sheep.

So may we seek God, entreat Him for wisdom and beseech him for discernment so that we will not be deceived.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are true and faithful, just and righteous and your yes is yes and your amen is amen; and I can depend and count on you; for these things I am grateful.  Help me to be discerning, diligent and to be faithful to search the scriptures and test the spirits, so that I might not be deceived or tricked.  Keep me alert, aware and focused so that I will always stay true and faithful to you and you alone.

“The face of the enemy frightens me only when I see how much it resembles mine.”

-          Stanislaw J. Lec

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Saturday, January 21st

January 21, 2012

A Few Words to the Church

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:17

These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 

Revelation 3:1-3

These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

   Revelation 3:7-10

…these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

  Revelation 3:14-19

Quote of the Day

“If you would be pungent, be brief, for it is with words as with sunbeams: the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.”

-          Robert Southey

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

God has said it: as the New Testament Church, we the body-of-believers need to heed it.

Having said that – enough said!

Today’s Prayer

Father, as with those around your throne may we add our declarations proclaiming glory, honor power and praise be unto thee and unto the Lamb.  Make me cognoscente of your warnings and may I be diligent to follow their directives.  !

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come.”

-          The Bible (Revelation 22:19-20)

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Friday, January 20th

January 20, 2012

The Desires Of Your Heart

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalms 37:3-4

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:3

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.    

   Romans 8:1-6

Quote of the Day

“Our desires always increase with our possessions.  The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.”

-          Samuel Johnson

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Who is there among us that does not have a desire or longing for something we would like to achieve, accomplish or have?

But I wonder, if I were to take a poll among Christians, how many would have in their top ten of desires, ‘A closer relationship with God?’

God has promised to provide the desires of our hearts, yet sadly many in the church have taken that to mean God is obligated to give us the toys, possessions, recognition and so on that we think we must have to have a full and complete life.   Not everyone stops to take into account the qualifications that He places on this promise.  He promises to provide the desires of the heart to those who delight in Him; those who seek the things of the Spirit, rather than those of the flesh; those who walk uprightly before Him. 

I contend if our delight is in the Lord and our hearts are focused on Him day and night that our desires might become less physical and more spiritual.

If we would meet God’s prerequisites, I wonder if our desires would not be more of Him; more of His power; more of His presence in our lives.

It would seem that the end of the matter is this: are our desires His or ours?  Which would be preferable and more rewarding, fulfilling and beneficial?  His of course! 

Today’s Prayer

Father, hallowed, holy, righteous are you and greatly to be praised.  Help me to delight more fully in you so that your desires for me become my desires too.  May my hearts desire be more of you!

“One of the great tragedies in life is to lose your heart’s desire.”

-          George Bernard Shaw

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Thursday, January 19th

January 19, 2012

A Good Return Policy

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up..

Hosea 6:1

Quote of the Day

“The need for devotion to something outside ourselves is even more profound than the need for companionship: No man can live for himself alone.”

-          Ross Parmenter

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Regardless of our circumstance or situation:  our best alternative and the most complete and satisfying solutions to all our questions will come from returning to our first love, the author and finisher of our faith, our only true hope and our source for all that we will need.

To return implies going back to and when we have challenges or face struggles in our lives our first response should be to return to the source of all our hope and in whom our faith is.  Some might say this could just as easily be worded (turn to) as to return might imply that there was a removal from or a departure: and this may not always be the case.

Yet there are many times when we do find ourselves outside of God’s perfect will and we walk rather in His permissive will, so to return to the perfection of His desires for us would be appropriate.

Remember David prayed to God asking for a return to the joy of his salvation.

We need to always turn to Him, but if life has brought us a bit away from the fullness and closeness in the relationship we should want and He desires for us: then we should humble ourselves, return to His arms and allow Him to perfect in us His righteousness and holiness.

Being a human of many imperfections: I find it is often necessary to return to the fundamentals of my faith and to return to a place of peace and rest to commune with Him regularly.  And in truth probably you find this same thing to be true too.  So may we all be ready, willing and expedient to return to Him any time we sense we are not as close as we aught to be.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are holy, beautiful beyond description, far above the greatest thought or ideas I can image and I want to worship and adore you and praise you for who you are.  Thank you for your blessings on me and help me to remember You never move from where you are so when I am not as close to you as I need to be; all I need to do is return to you.

“Guidance means I can count on God.

Commitment means God can count on me.”

-          Anonymous

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns

Thought for Wednesday, January 18th

January 18, 2012

Be Prudent – But Not Foolish

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!  For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9:13-27

Quote of the Day

“Be wisely worldly, but not worldly wise.”

-          Francis Quarles

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Most, if not all of us, have heard it said of someone in our spiritual lives; that they are ‘so heavenly minded – they are of no earthly good.’

Now on some level, this seems a bit paradoxical.  How can you be too heavenly minded?  Yet it is possible.   Look at the Scribes and Pharisees who ridiculed and chastised Jesus for hanging out with sinners.  Look at the woman caught in adultery who was brought to Jesus to be charged and punished: where was her partner and why did they all ‘drop their rocks and split; when Jesus charged them to cast their stones if they were not guilty of such a sin?

Paul says in the text above that we need to not be so holy minded and remove ourselves to such a high place of spiritual supremacy and superiority that we forget the very purpose for which we are to be laboring.  We need to also remember that before Christ – we were nothing more than sinners in need of saving grace.

Jesus spent most of His time with the people who many churches shun.  Shouldn’t we do like-wise?

Jesus didn’t come to heal the healthy – He came to minister to the sick and hurting and needy.  Shouldn’t we be doing this too?

We don’t have to become like the sinner or love the sin; but we must be willing to embrace the sinner; love the sinner and see them as a soul Jesus died for, just the same as He died for us.

Our objective should be to reach out and touch hearts and lives, not to push them away or avoid them all together.

We have been called to make disciples of all men – not just the ones we think are worthy.  For truth be told, no one is really worthy, only forgiven, loved and accepted by the Heavenly Father just the way they are when they bow at His feet and accept His gift of salvation. 

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are so loving, compassionate and forgiving and I am so honored and blessed to be called your child.  Thank you!  Help me to reach out to others and love them, regardless of their circumstance or situation, just as you have loved me regardless of mine.

“The better part of valor is discretion.”

-          William Shakespeare

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns