A Lenten meditation caused me to ponder how much Jesus gave up. Matthew 26:17-29 is telling the story of Jesus' last Passover meal with His disciples. Today as I read thru these passages I was struck by how Jesus totally gave up everything, down to his very blood for us! How much more can a someone give than their blood! Its the life force of all humans, and Jesus gave His for my sins and yours. Wow! Jesus so totally have up all of life,all health,all his body all for us. Do we truly get it? Today it just hit hard how much Jesus gave, down to his blood. We don't give that much to anyone or thing do we? We have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful to God for!
Dear God, Thank-you is so little to say, but with all thanksgiving and praise in my heart, I thank-you for Your Son's work on the cross for me!AMEN!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Where's Your Ministry?
Mark 5:1-20 The story of the demon possessed man is told here. He had a legion of demons. Wow! He was a very messed up person before Jesus met him! Jesus commanded the legion of demons into a herd of pigs and totally freed the man forever! The man wanted to come with Jesus. But Jesus said no. How surprised the man must have been. Instead Jesus sent the man home to his friends and family. His mission was to tell all of them what God had done for him. That is exactly what the man did, he shared his story all over his home area!
If God has sent you "home" to minister do not think it isn't a ministry! Wherever God sends you is a ministry area. Because you can always tell others what God has done for you personally! You can always share what scripture blessed you today. Do not neglect your "home" ministry area. In years to come you will see the blessings of God on those around you. Be faithful to the mission God's give you, where ever that may be.
See you in ministry soon!
If God has sent you "home" to minister do not think it isn't a ministry! Wherever God sends you is a ministry area. Because you can always tell others what God has done for you personally! You can always share what scripture blessed you today. Do not neglect your "home" ministry area. In years to come you will see the blessings of God on those around you. Be faithful to the mission God's give you, where ever that may be.
See you in ministry soon!
God walks with you and I
Psalm 138:1-2 This Psalm is such a blessing to me in almost every verse. First you praise God with your whole heart,sing and worship Him. Remember how much God loves us, He sent Jesus for us!
Psalm 138:3,7 says "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.(7)Though I walk in the midst of trouble You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies and Your right hand will save me.(8) The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever..." What promises from God! What encouragement, for whatever is happening in your life at this moment! Yes, God sees you and me. Yes God will see us thru these difficult moments. Hang on, trust God, He "will perfect that which concerns " you and I today!
Psalm 138:3,7 says "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.(7)Though I walk in the midst of trouble You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies and Your right hand will save me.(8) The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever..." What promises from God! What encouragement, for whatever is happening in your life at this moment! Yes, God sees you and me. Yes God will see us thru these difficult moments. Hang on, trust God, He "will perfect that which concerns " you and I today!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Question answered
A reader of my blog asked me if these come from a book or something I've read. If I quote a book I will be sure to tell you and give credit where credit is due. Usually these little entries come from my own personal time studying God's word and praying and mediating. I only share what God tells me too. Its up to you to ask God if its correct for your life. I hope these entries are encouraging you to seek God harder. God bless you reader!
Carolyn
Carolyn
Do I really understand?
Mark 14:6-9 "Jesus said, " Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done with be told in memory of her. '"
Jesus was talking about the lady with the alabaster box that we talked about the other day. The people around her criticized her greatly, remember. I don't think we totally understand this lady and others like her. She gave extravagantly. She gave in a way that was despised by those around her. She gave ahead of tradition, this was burial oil. She worshiped as she gave! She adored and loved Jesus extravagantly!... Do I? Do you?... Its something to consider as we continue on our Lenten journey to grow closer to God, to learn more about our Lord Jesus.
Jesus was talking about the lady with the alabaster box that we talked about the other day. The people around her criticized her greatly, remember. I don't think we totally understand this lady and others like her. She gave extravagantly. She gave in a way that was despised by those around her. She gave ahead of tradition, this was burial oil. She worshiped as she gave! She adored and loved Jesus extravagantly!... Do I? Do you?... Its something to consider as we continue on our Lenten journey to grow closer to God, to learn more about our Lord Jesus.
The why behind Lent
To respond to one followers request for information about Lent, when it started and why its 40days I did a bit of online research. Basically Lent is not in the Bible, but using the examples of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, Moses and Elijah's 40 days with God, the church decided early on to set aside 40 days each year to concentrate on getting closer to God and to make sure one's life was following God's rules. It was also intended to increase your understanding of what Jesus went thru for us to have forgiveness of our sins. After the Protestant Reformation many churches did not observe Lent at all as part of the split with Roman Catholic church. However Methodist, Presbyterians,Lutherans, and others did keep Lent in their liturgy.
I looked on several websites but found the most concise information on the UMC.org website for the United Methodist Church. If you put in the following sentence in the search box for the website you will find a wealth of information and some fun articles to read. Try;
"What is Lent and why does it last forty days"
My own experience has been that as I set aside these 40 days to spend more time with God, searching scriptures,praying and aligning myself as best a human can with God's ideals, that then Easter/Resurrection Sunday has about 500% more meaning to me!! An added bonus is all you learn from God during this time that hopefully makes us better people to share God to those around us. After all isn't that our mission or purpose in life?
I looked on several websites but found the most concise information on the UMC.org website for the United Methodist Church. If you put in the following sentence in the search box for the website you will find a wealth of information and some fun articles to read. Try;
"What is Lent and why does it last forty days"
My own experience has been that as I set aside these 40 days to spend more time with God, searching scriptures,praying and aligning myself as best a human can with God's ideals, that then Easter/Resurrection Sunday has about 500% more meaning to me!! An added bonus is all you learn from God during this time that hopefully makes us better people to share God to those around us. After all isn't that our mission or purpose in life?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Give, Deny, Follow
"Give extravagantly like the lady with the alabaster box, who anointed Jesus with expensive oil." WOW! That's a huge instruction for the season of Lent and giving alms. I am meditating on this and just what does this mean for me this year.
Luke 9:23 tells us to daily deny our self and follow Jesus. Perhaps part of Lent is to deny yourself and more fully follow Jesus. Yes! Each day let God tell you how to deny your own ideas and motives and instead follow His plan for your day. Deny self gratification and instead glorify Jesus in all you do today!
Mark 1:1-20 is where Jesus is calling some of His first disciples. Did they already know Him or know what He was going to be doing? Did Jesus just say "come" and the came or did He have to convince them? Who really knows, but it appears that they just went when called from this scripture. Do I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so closely or quickly?
Its interesting this is what God spoke to me early this morning, because so far today I have not done so well doing this! But that's what Lent is all about, realizing where you are blowing it, seeking forgiveness and starting over again with renewed purpose and energy for our Lord!
Today be listening as God speaks to you and shows you how to give of yourself extravagantly, to deny yourself, and follow God's leading explicitly.
Luke 9:23 tells us to daily deny our self and follow Jesus. Perhaps part of Lent is to deny yourself and more fully follow Jesus. Yes! Each day let God tell you how to deny your own ideas and motives and instead follow His plan for your day. Deny self gratification and instead glorify Jesus in all you do today!
Mark 1:1-20 is where Jesus is calling some of His first disciples. Did they already know Him or know what He was going to be doing? Did Jesus just say "come" and the came or did He have to convince them? Who really knows, but it appears that they just went when called from this scripture. Do I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so closely or quickly?
Its interesting this is what God spoke to me early this morning, because so far today I have not done so well doing this! But that's what Lent is all about, realizing where you are blowing it, seeking forgiveness and starting over again with renewed purpose and energy for our Lord!
Today be listening as God speaks to you and shows you how to give of yourself extravagantly, to deny yourself, and follow God's leading explicitly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)