"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
There is a home improvement show that I like to watch from time to time. The show is about a carpenter/contractor who goes in and "fixes" correctly people's homes after the original contractor did a terrible job.
This week one of the shows was about a kitchen floor that had to be replaced for an elderly lady because it was installed improperly. This carpenter and his team didn't just fix what was wrong with the floor, but they went on and redid the whole kitchen. When he was finished, the lady had a brand new kitchen- new appliances, new cabinets, countertops- the works. It wasn't only fixed correctly but it was much better than she had before.
As I thought about that episode, I couldn't help but think about how Jesus- the Master Carpenter- takes our "houses" (lives) that have been destroyed by sin and comes in and "repairs" them and puts them back together again.
Not only does He put us "back together again" by giving us life, but He makes us so much better than we were when He found us. He made us into brand new creations- old things passed away and all things are become new. He doesn't just give us life, but He gives us eternal life and abundant life.
Is your life broken by sin? Has it left your life in shambles? Jesus specializes in taking what is broken and not only does He put it back together again but He makes it brand new.
Have a great day. Jesus not only repairs our destroyed lives, but He leaves us so much better than He found us by giving us a new life.
For further reading:
John 10:10; 1:4
Isaiah 58:12
Ephesians 3:20
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
"The Fish's Belly"
"So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey." Jonah 3:3
The first time God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah disobeyed and ran in the opposite direction. But later Jonah obeyed and did what God told him to do in the first place. Between the first time God told Jonah to go and the second time, Jonah found himself in the midst of a storm and in the belly of a big fish. Just think, if Jonah had obeyed the first time he could have saved himself a lot of grief, trouble and pain.
We tend to be like Jonah at times. The Lord will give us instructions and we "run" from it. While we are "running" we go through our own problems that are attached to the disobedience. If only we would learn to just obey the first time, we too could save ourselves from going through some of the things we go through because of disobedience. Disobedience will always take us to a "fish's belly"- a place of darkness, a place where there is no peace, no rest, confusion, distress, frustration, guilt, condemnation, and the list goes on.
Are you running from the command of the Lord this morning? Has He instructed you to go in a specific direction yet you are running in another? Are you ignoring Him altogether and going in your own direction, following your own plan? Are you putting off doing what He has told you to do? Perhaps that explains why you are going through some of what you are going through-- the "fish's belly"?
Have a great day. We could save ourselves a lot of pain and grief if we would just obey the Lord the first time.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 15:22
Romans 8:1
Hebrews 2:1-3
The first time God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah disobeyed and ran in the opposite direction. But later Jonah obeyed and did what God told him to do in the first place. Between the first time God told Jonah to go and the second time, Jonah found himself in the midst of a storm and in the belly of a big fish. Just think, if Jonah had obeyed the first time he could have saved himself a lot of grief, trouble and pain.
We tend to be like Jonah at times. The Lord will give us instructions and we "run" from it. While we are "running" we go through our own problems that are attached to the disobedience. If only we would learn to just obey the first time, we too could save ourselves from going through some of the things we go through because of disobedience. Disobedience will always take us to a "fish's belly"- a place of darkness, a place where there is no peace, no rest, confusion, distress, frustration, guilt, condemnation, and the list goes on.
Are you running from the command of the Lord this morning? Has He instructed you to go in a specific direction yet you are running in another? Are you ignoring Him altogether and going in your own direction, following your own plan? Are you putting off doing what He has told you to do? Perhaps that explains why you are going through some of what you are going through-- the "fish's belly"?
Have a great day. We could save ourselves a lot of pain and grief if we would just obey the Lord the first time.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 15:22
Romans 8:1
Hebrews 2:1-3
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
"Encounter Change"
"And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Acts 9:6
Yesterday we talked about having a personal encounter with the Lord. This morning I want to talk a little more on that subject.
When we have a true encounter with the Lord Jesus, something takes place in us. Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the church and stop the preaching of the gospel message. When he met Jesus while on his way to Damascus, it brought a change in Saul's life- a change in his purpose, his agenda and in his direction.
We see this true in the lives of all those in the Bible who had a personal encounter with the Lord. Their lives were forever changed. They were not the same people. Saul persecuted the church before. After the encounter he joined the church. Saul imprisoned those who were preaching the gospel of Jesus, afterward he himself preached it boldly everywhere he went. Saul had his life "mapped out". He was fulfilling his own plan, but once he met Jesus it was no longer about his plans in life but about Jesus' plan for him. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Saul went in a totally different direction guided by the Lord and not self interest. "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city."
There is no way that you can stay the same once you have truly "met" Jesus. He is the life changer. He takes us from darkness into light, from death into life, from burdened down to freedom, from confusion to peace and He makes us a new "creation"- that means we stop being the same people we once were. "But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." (v. 21,22)
If you have had an encounter with Jesus it will be evident- you won't possess the same ole religious only behavior, because you have experienced the life giving power of the One who changes and transforms. Having this encounter just gets you "on the new path" heading in a new direction- His direction and not your own. But daily you have to have fresh encounters with the Lord Jesus. This is why you cannot neglect the place of communion with Him- it has to be part of your daily life. Each time you encounter Him there is new life, new peace, new joy, new direction and new purpose that is imparted to you.
Have a great day. When we encounter Jesus, we are not the same. And each time we encounter Him we change a little more.
For further reading:
Acts 9
2 Corinthians 5:17
Yesterday we talked about having a personal encounter with the Lord. This morning I want to talk a little more on that subject.
When we have a true encounter with the Lord Jesus, something takes place in us. Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute the church and stop the preaching of the gospel message. When he met Jesus while on his way to Damascus, it brought a change in Saul's life- a change in his purpose, his agenda and in his direction.
We see this true in the lives of all those in the Bible who had a personal encounter with the Lord. Their lives were forever changed. They were not the same people. Saul persecuted the church before. After the encounter he joined the church. Saul imprisoned those who were preaching the gospel of Jesus, afterward he himself preached it boldly everywhere he went. Saul had his life "mapped out". He was fulfilling his own plan, but once he met Jesus it was no longer about his plans in life but about Jesus' plan for him. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Saul went in a totally different direction guided by the Lord and not self interest. "And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city."
There is no way that you can stay the same once you have truly "met" Jesus. He is the life changer. He takes us from darkness into light, from death into life, from burdened down to freedom, from confusion to peace and He makes us a new "creation"- that means we stop being the same people we once were. "But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." (v. 21,22)
If you have had an encounter with Jesus it will be evident- you won't possess the same ole religious only behavior, because you have experienced the life giving power of the One who changes and transforms. Having this encounter just gets you "on the new path" heading in a new direction- His direction and not your own. But daily you have to have fresh encounters with the Lord Jesus. This is why you cannot neglect the place of communion with Him- it has to be part of your daily life. Each time you encounter Him there is new life, new peace, new joy, new direction and new purpose that is imparted to you.
Have a great day. When we encounter Jesus, we are not the same. And each time we encounter Him we change a little more.
For further reading:
Acts 9
2 Corinthians 5:17
Monday, October 18, 2010
"Encounter Relationship"
NOTE: I am doing and feeling much better. God is faithful and I praise Him for that. Thank you for the love, words of comfort, support and prayers you have prayed for me. I have been so blessed by each of your notes. I am so blessed to have such wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord in my life! Love and blessings, Lorraine
Coffee Break
"Encounter Relationship"
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven." Acts 9:3
Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute any Christians that he found there. But something happened to him before he got there. He had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest ." (v. 5) As a result, Saul's purpose and agenda completely changed. He still went to Damascus but instead of arresting the Christians and persecuting the church, he preached the same message he was trying to destroy and became a Christian himself. "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." (vvs.19,20)
Why such a dramatic change in Saul? He was already a religious person. He knew the scriptures and he kept the law. It's one thing to be religious, it is another thing to have a relationship. Saul changed from being just religious to having a relationship with the Lord. This happened when he had a personal encounter with Jesus.
A personal encounter with Jesus is what brings about the change. You can't have a relationship with the Lord based on someone else's experience. Just because your pastor, your parents, your spouse, your friend or your coworker has had an experience with the Lord and is a Christian doesn't mean you are. Just because you were born into a Christian family or hang around Christian people doesn't mean that you have a relationship with the Lord. Just because you sit in church doesn't mean you have a relationship with the Lord- look at Saul. It doesn't happen by "association". It happens by encounter- you have to "meet" Him for yourself.
There were other men who were with Saul when he had his encounter, yet none of them had an encounter with Jesus- and none of them had a change take place in their lives. Have you had this personal, life changing encounter with Jesus? Are you living in relationship with Him or are you just having a religious existence?
Have a great day. A personal encounter with Jesus brings you into a life changing relationship with Him.
For further reading:
Acts 9
Philippians 3:4-8
Coffee Break
"Encounter Relationship"
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven." Acts 9:3
Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute any Christians that he found there. But something happened to him before he got there. He had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. "And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest ." (v. 5) As a result, Saul's purpose and agenda completely changed. He still went to Damascus but instead of arresting the Christians and persecuting the church, he preached the same message he was trying to destroy and became a Christian himself. "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." (vvs.19,20)
Why such a dramatic change in Saul? He was already a religious person. He knew the scriptures and he kept the law. It's one thing to be religious, it is another thing to have a relationship. Saul changed from being just religious to having a relationship with the Lord. This happened when he had a personal encounter with Jesus.
A personal encounter with Jesus is what brings about the change. You can't have a relationship with the Lord based on someone else's experience. Just because your pastor, your parents, your spouse, your friend or your coworker has had an experience with the Lord and is a Christian doesn't mean you are. Just because you were born into a Christian family or hang around Christian people doesn't mean that you have a relationship with the Lord. Just because you sit in church doesn't mean you have a relationship with the Lord- look at Saul. It doesn't happen by "association". It happens by encounter- you have to "meet" Him for yourself.
There were other men who were with Saul when he had his encounter, yet none of them had an encounter with Jesus- and none of them had a change take place in their lives. Have you had this personal, life changing encounter with Jesus? Are you living in relationship with Him or are you just having a religious existence?
Have a great day. A personal encounter with Jesus brings you into a life changing relationship with Him.
For further reading:
Acts 9
Philippians 3:4-8
Friday, October 15, 2010
"Counting My Blessings"
"Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." Psalm 40:5
God hasn't just done one or two wonderful works, He has done many more than we could count or are even aware of. The same is true in each one of our lives individually. He has done so many wonderful works, answered so prayers, given daily provisions, shown acts of mercy and kindness, that it is impossible to name them all. There is an old hymn that we used to sing when I was a little girl- "Count Your Blessings". It encouraged you to count your many blessing one by one and just see what God has done.
This morning I want to encourage you to take time today to "count your blessings". Too often we spend our time talking about what we don't have, how we feel that God has failed us or we concentrate primarily on our needs. We forget to be thankful for the many things we have been blessed with. So why not take time today to just sit down and thank God for all the wonderful works He has done in your life. Spend some time thinking about your blessings and counting them instead of spending time thinking solely about your needs. When you start counting your blessings, you will quickly discover the blessings become way too many to count.
Have a great day. Count your blessings instead of counting your needs.
For further reading:
Psalm 92:1; 68:19; 75:1; 97:12
Ephesians 1:3
God hasn't just done one or two wonderful works, He has done many more than we could count or are even aware of. The same is true in each one of our lives individually. He has done so many wonderful works, answered so prayers, given daily provisions, shown acts of mercy and kindness, that it is impossible to name them all. There is an old hymn that we used to sing when I was a little girl- "Count Your Blessings". It encouraged you to count your many blessing one by one and just see what God has done.
This morning I want to encourage you to take time today to "count your blessings". Too often we spend our time talking about what we don't have, how we feel that God has failed us or we concentrate primarily on our needs. We forget to be thankful for the many things we have been blessed with. So why not take time today to just sit down and thank God for all the wonderful works He has done in your life. Spend some time thinking about your blessings and counting them instead of spending time thinking solely about your needs. When you start counting your blessings, you will quickly discover the blessings become way too many to count.
Have a great day. Count your blessings instead of counting your needs.
For further reading:
Psalm 92:1; 68:19; 75:1; 97:12
Ephesians 1:3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)