"The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them: he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God, he and his whole family."
Acts 16:34
Sometimes I ponder some of the people I shall meet in heaven. I'd love to converse with this jailer. As he'd put the shackles on the feet of Paul, he had no way of knowing it was Apostle Paul, future author of many new testament books. But, after an earthquake loosed the chains and threw open the prison doors, the jailer fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas saying, "What must I do to be saved?" Sometimes, it takes a catastrophic event to magnify our own mortality. The power of God brought this man to his knees. Following his conversion to Christianity, his tender ways were evident as he washed their wounds and set a meal before them in his house.
Lord, what a marvelous way of life you've provided : being filled with joy! Now, the jailer is freely worshiping Christ in heaven. I look forward to meeting you someday, sir.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
With God as my Witness
"God...is my witness how I constantly remember you in my prayers at all times."
Romans 1:9
Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, but what he has written here holds true for all believers who pray. God is my witness! He sees and hears who I pray about, what I praise him for, how my heart is invested in it, where I am when in prayer and why I am praying for certain people. The very God who made all the universe witnesses what I have to say. He has promised not only to listen, but to be my proactive intercessor. In this same vein, I shamefully know he's my witness to my failure in prayer - all the times I do not thank him, praise him or just talk to him about my day.
Lord, may I be as proactive as you are when it comes to communicating with you. Why would I hold back when I love you so?
Romans 1:9
Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, but what he has written here holds true for all believers who pray. God is my witness! He sees and hears who I pray about, what I praise him for, how my heart is invested in it, where I am when in prayer and why I am praying for certain people. The very God who made all the universe witnesses what I have to say. He has promised not only to listen, but to be my proactive intercessor. In this same vein, I shamefully know he's my witness to my failure in prayer - all the times I do not thank him, praise him or just talk to him about my day.
Lord, may I be as proactive as you are when it comes to communicating with you. Why would I hold back when I love you so?
Thursday, July 26, 2012
My Houseguest
"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
John 14: 23
If someone was going to move in with me, it would have to be someone special - not a stranger. Amends would have to be made: move some furniture, make room, set an extra place. It would be a sacrifice, but what a wonderful houseguest to have, the Creator of the Universe! So, when something goes wrong with the plumbing, He knows just what to do. He is the Master Builder.
Oh, Father, all kidding aside, I relish your company in my home. I will keep the place clean and tidy so just put your feet up and relax. Thank you for loving me, just as I am.
John 14: 23
If someone was going to move in with me, it would have to be someone special - not a stranger. Amends would have to be made: move some furniture, make room, set an extra place. It would be a sacrifice, but what a wonderful houseguest to have, the Creator of the Universe! So, when something goes wrong with the plumbing, He knows just what to do. He is the Master Builder.
Oh, Father, all kidding aside, I relish your company in my home. I will keep the place clean and tidy so just put your feet up and relax. Thank you for loving me, just as I am.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Marvelous Creation
"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Romans 1:20
How can a person still reject God after a careful examination of the precision of creation? Consider the rising and setting of the sun, the passing of the seasons, the water's boundaries, the gravitational pull, the moon and stars, the intricate design of a maple leaf or butterfly wing, the compound eye of a housefly, the heady aroma of a hyacinth, the deciduous nature of some trees, the violence of a tornado or the soft mew of a kitten. No, it is far more sensible for me to believe in my Creator than to think this all begat with a big bang.
Father, thank you for the beautiful world around me.
Romans 1:20
How can a person still reject God after a careful examination of the precision of creation? Consider the rising and setting of the sun, the passing of the seasons, the water's boundaries, the gravitational pull, the moon and stars, the intricate design of a maple leaf or butterfly wing, the compound eye of a housefly, the heady aroma of a hyacinth, the deciduous nature of some trees, the violence of a tornado or the soft mew of a kitten. No, it is far more sensible for me to believe in my Creator than to think this all begat with a big bang.
Father, thank you for the beautiful world around me.
Monday, July 23, 2012
How Do I Look?
"When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false.'"
John 1:47
Jesus searched Nathanael's heart prior to meeting him and was impressed by his sincerity. If Jesus saw me approaching, what would he declare? To consider this, I must ask how do I see myself? I know my thoughts, opinions and beliefs better than any other person. Do I like what's there? Is it impressive to the King of all kings? Honestly, I would not impress the dullest person on my best day.
Jesus, I pray that others would see you when they see me, your kindness and loving mercy. Create in me something of refinement.
John 1:47
Jesus searched Nathanael's heart prior to meeting him and was impressed by his sincerity. If Jesus saw me approaching, what would he declare? To consider this, I must ask how do I see myself? I know my thoughts, opinions and beliefs better than any other person. Do I like what's there? Is it impressive to the King of all kings? Honestly, I would not impress the dullest person on my best day.
Jesus, I pray that others would see you when they see me, your kindness and loving mercy. Create in me something of refinement.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
God Sings
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
Imagine the Lord rejoicing in song over me! Shouldn't it be the other way around? Like the dry ground, I absorb the tenderness in his voice when I read "he will quiet you with his love." In such a chaotic world of loud commercials, ringing phones, the clatter of vehicles or the din of the radio, I yearn for the quiet promised here. Why would the Lord take great delight in me? Because I am robed in the righteousness of Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for being a Mighty Savior. Even in your weakness on the cross, you are stronger than anything on earth. May my lifesong sing to you.
Zephaniah 3:17
Imagine the Lord rejoicing in song over me! Shouldn't it be the other way around? Like the dry ground, I absorb the tenderness in his voice when I read "he will quiet you with his love." In such a chaotic world of loud commercials, ringing phones, the clatter of vehicles or the din of the radio, I yearn for the quiet promised here. Why would the Lord take great delight in me? Because I am robed in the righteousness of Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for being a Mighty Savior. Even in your weakness on the cross, you are stronger than anything on earth. May my lifesong sing to you.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Don't Open That Door!
"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:7
God is explaining to Cain how to stay out of trouble. There is always a decision to be made somewhere along the way and, heaven help me if I open that door where sin is crouching. It will be like a demon springing out at me shouting, "Gotcha!" But, there is a willful reach of my hand for the knob, isn't there? "You must master it", says God. Why does Satan desire to have me if all he'll do is torment me until I weep and gnash my teeth? God, on the other hand, desires a relationship with me, just as my parents do. He truly loves me.
Jesus, when my hand is reaching for the knob, speak to me down deep in my soul. Protect me, by the power of your Holy Spirit, from this very real enemy.
Genesis 4:7
God is explaining to Cain how to stay out of trouble. There is always a decision to be made somewhere along the way and, heaven help me if I open that door where sin is crouching. It will be like a demon springing out at me shouting, "Gotcha!" But, there is a willful reach of my hand for the knob, isn't there? "You must master it", says God. Why does Satan desire to have me if all he'll do is torment me until I weep and gnash my teeth? God, on the other hand, desires a relationship with me, just as my parents do. He truly loves me.
Jesus, when my hand is reaching for the knob, speak to me down deep in my soul. Protect me, by the power of your Holy Spirit, from this very real enemy.
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