"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
A friend shared something with me yesterday that she heard a pastor preach. It was so good I just had to share it with you. The pastor was getting a little weary and discouraged so he voiced his heart to the Lord in prayer. The Lord answered him and the conversation that he and Jesus had went something like this:
Pastor: Lord, I am getting weary and I just don't think I can make it
Jesus: I know just how you feel.
Pastor: I have given my all and the people just aren't listening.
Jesus: I know just how you feel.
Pastor: Even my children aren't listening and heeding. They are living after their own desires, I am concerned but it seems as if no matter what I say or do there is no change.
Jesus: I know just how you feel.
The conversation went on and each time the pastor voiced his feelings, Jesus' reply was always, "I know just how you feel". The truth of it is that Jesus really does know how you feel. He has been where you are: tired, hungry, weary in body, rejected, acquainted with sorrow, grief and pain, tested in every area just like you are.
I had another friend years ago who had five children, all just a year or so apart. One day when she was tired she said to Jesus, "You weren't a woman, or a mother, you don't know what it is like having so many children pulling on you all at once and demanding your attention all the time. You don't know what it is like not to have a moment to yourself. You don't know how I feel." His reply to her was, "Yes, I do know. I had crowds of people always around me, pressing upon me, wanting my attention and making their demands. They would not leave me alone." So I repeat: Jesus does know how you, and I, feel regardless of who we are or what we are going through in life. Like the saying goes, He has "been there and done that".
It doesn't matter what you may be going through this morning, Jesus is touched by the feelings of your infirmities because He truly does know what it feels like because He has been through it too.
Have a great day. When Jesus says He knows how you feel... He really knows how you feel.
For further reading:
Isaiah 53:3
Mark 3:10
Matthew 4:2,3
John 19:28
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
"Earth Day"
"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:25
I discovered that today is "Earth Day". This means that people will be celebrating the planet earth today. But some will take it a step further than just acknowledging that we should take care of the earth, they will actually worship "Mother Earth" today.
In the beginning God gave mankind dominion over the earth so I agree that we should take care of the planet by being good stewards of it. But... we should not worship or give homage to it. Throughout the ages man has resorted to worshipping the creation more than the Creator. Today is no different- people are still doing the same thing.
If we (even Christians) aren't careful we can be guilty of doing the same. I know none of us are going to go out and create a stone or wooden idol or a golden calf and worship it. But there are other created things that we can worship. Remember the story of the rich young ruler? What kept him from receiving eternal life? He worshipped his money and riches. When he asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life, Jesus told him to obey the commandments. He had obeyed the ones that had to do with his dealings with man. But when Jesus told him to go sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow Him he could not. Why? His riches had his heart. Therefore, they were the object of his worship. Therefore, he broke the very first commandment which was- "You shall have no other gods before me".
While others are "worshipping" the earth today, this would be a good time to take spiritual inventory and check and see what has your heart. Does the Lord truly have it? Is it divided between Him and something else? Do your riches have your heart? Do other people have it? Are you worshipping religion instead of God? Are you worshipping any created thing more than you are worshipping the Creator?
Have a great day. What is your object of worship? The Creator or what He has created?
For further reading:
Genesis 1:26, 28
Genesis 2:15
Psalm 115:15,16
Luke 18:18-24
Exodus 20:3
I discovered that today is "Earth Day". This means that people will be celebrating the planet earth today. But some will take it a step further than just acknowledging that we should take care of the earth, they will actually worship "Mother Earth" today.
In the beginning God gave mankind dominion over the earth so I agree that we should take care of the planet by being good stewards of it. But... we should not worship or give homage to it. Throughout the ages man has resorted to worshipping the creation more than the Creator. Today is no different- people are still doing the same thing.
If we (even Christians) aren't careful we can be guilty of doing the same. I know none of us are going to go out and create a stone or wooden idol or a golden calf and worship it. But there are other created things that we can worship. Remember the story of the rich young ruler? What kept him from receiving eternal life? He worshipped his money and riches. When he asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life, Jesus told him to obey the commandments. He had obeyed the ones that had to do with his dealings with man. But when Jesus told him to go sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow Him he could not. Why? His riches had his heart. Therefore, they were the object of his worship. Therefore, he broke the very first commandment which was- "You shall have no other gods before me".
While others are "worshipping" the earth today, this would be a good time to take spiritual inventory and check and see what has your heart. Does the Lord truly have it? Is it divided between Him and something else? Do your riches have your heart? Do other people have it? Are you worshipping religion instead of God? Are you worshipping any created thing more than you are worshipping the Creator?
Have a great day. What is your object of worship? The Creator or what He has created?
For further reading:
Genesis 1:26, 28
Genesis 2:15
Psalm 115:15,16
Luke 18:18-24
Exodus 20:3
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
"Tarry"
"And God said..." Genesis 1:3a
What a difference just one word from the Lord makes. It can bring light into a dark situation, peace into chaos, joy into sorrow. It can bring healing where there is sickness. "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." (Matthew 8:8b) It brings life where there is death. "And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." (Mark 5:41) Just one word from the Lord is so powerful that it can change the very situation you are in. It can give renewed strength and hope, it can give direction and guidance, it can give clarity when you can't figure out what is going on.
The answer to our problems is found in a word from the Lord. That is what we need more than anything else- to hear Him speak to us. Why does it seem that we can't get that word that is needed- that word that He speaks to us that changes everything? Mostly it's because we are seeking a word from Him through other people. We want some man to speak to us for God. Does He use others to speak to us and into our lives? Yes, He does. But He desires to speak to you Himself. He doesn't always do it through someone else.
Also, we aren't willing to sit still long enough to hear Him speak. We want an answer and we want it now- or sooner. Everything has to be "instant" for us. God does speak to us at times immediately, but more often than not there is a "waiting on Him" period where we have to take the time to be still and listen. I personally believe that we have lost the discipline of "waiting on the Lord". The older saints called it "tarrying". Just because it is not a modern term doesn't mean that it has "gone out of style". Jesus commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power. I believe He hasn't changed and still requires that we tarry at times in order to hear and receive from Him. Let me give you my simple definition for tarrying- sit still, be quiet and don't get up until you hear from God.
Have a great day. You need to hear a word from the Lord- that's where your answer lies, but it is very hard to hear Him when you won't be patient and sit still long enough to listen.
For further reading:
1 Timothy 2:5
Luke 24:49
Numbers 22:19
1 Samuel 3:8-10
Psalm 40:1
What a difference just one word from the Lord makes. It can bring light into a dark situation, peace into chaos, joy into sorrow. It can bring healing where there is sickness. "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." (Matthew 8:8b) It brings life where there is death. "And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." (Mark 5:41) Just one word from the Lord is so powerful that it can change the very situation you are in. It can give renewed strength and hope, it can give direction and guidance, it can give clarity when you can't figure out what is going on.
The answer to our problems is found in a word from the Lord. That is what we need more than anything else- to hear Him speak to us. Why does it seem that we can't get that word that is needed- that word that He speaks to us that changes everything? Mostly it's because we are seeking a word from Him through other people. We want some man to speak to us for God. Does He use others to speak to us and into our lives? Yes, He does. But He desires to speak to you Himself. He doesn't always do it through someone else.
Also, we aren't willing to sit still long enough to hear Him speak. We want an answer and we want it now- or sooner. Everything has to be "instant" for us. God does speak to us at times immediately, but more often than not there is a "waiting on Him" period where we have to take the time to be still and listen. I personally believe that we have lost the discipline of "waiting on the Lord". The older saints called it "tarrying". Just because it is not a modern term doesn't mean that it has "gone out of style". Jesus commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power. I believe He hasn't changed and still requires that we tarry at times in order to hear and receive from Him. Let me give you my simple definition for tarrying- sit still, be quiet and don't get up until you hear from God.
Have a great day. You need to hear a word from the Lord- that's where your answer lies, but it is very hard to hear Him when you won't be patient and sit still long enough to listen.
For further reading:
1 Timothy 2:5
Luke 24:49
Numbers 22:19
1 Samuel 3:8-10
Psalm 40:1
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
"God's Searching Eyes"
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." 2 Chronicles 16:9a
God's all seeing eyes are continually looking over His creation. Some believe that He is looking for something bad in their lives, something to judge them for or something so that He can punish them about. They see God only as someone who is out to "get them". On the contrary, His all seeing eyes are searching for someone He can help.
God is not on the "look out" for ways He can punish you- He is looking for ways He can help you. He is looking for those who need His help, for those who need His strength, for those who need His peace and His comfort. When Adam disobeyed the Lord and brought sin upon all mankind, God's all seeing eyes saw it. He saw Adam's sin and failure, but He also saw his need. He saw the need of mankind, which was a Savior. There was the opportunity for God to show Himself strong and mighty to save on our behalf. He sent His Son Jesus who told us that He came to "seek and to save that which was lost". In other words, He came looking for those who were lost and too weak to save themselves.
He is still doing the same thing today- "seeking out those who need His strength". He is looking for those that He can lift up, those He can give renewed hope to, those who have been broken so that He can put them back together again, those who are discouraged so that He can encourage and revive them. Is that you this morning? His eyes see you and not only are they looking at you, they are looking at you with pity, compassion, mercy and grace, desiring to lift you up and strengthen you at the point of your every need.
Have a great day. His eyes are upon you looking for ways He can show Himself strong on your behalf.
For further reading:
2 Corinthians 12:9
Luke 19:10
Proverbs 15:3
1 Peter 3:12
Psalm 31:24
God's all seeing eyes are continually looking over His creation. Some believe that He is looking for something bad in their lives, something to judge them for or something so that He can punish them about. They see God only as someone who is out to "get them". On the contrary, His all seeing eyes are searching for someone He can help.
God is not on the "look out" for ways He can punish you- He is looking for ways He can help you. He is looking for those who need His help, for those who need His strength, for those who need His peace and His comfort. When Adam disobeyed the Lord and brought sin upon all mankind, God's all seeing eyes saw it. He saw Adam's sin and failure, but He also saw his need. He saw the need of mankind, which was a Savior. There was the opportunity for God to show Himself strong and mighty to save on our behalf. He sent His Son Jesus who told us that He came to "seek and to save that which was lost". In other words, He came looking for those who were lost and too weak to save themselves.
He is still doing the same thing today- "seeking out those who need His strength". He is looking for those that He can lift up, those He can give renewed hope to, those who have been broken so that He can put them back together again, those who are discouraged so that He can encourage and revive them. Is that you this morning? His eyes see you and not only are they looking at you, they are looking at you with pity, compassion, mercy and grace, desiring to lift you up and strengthen you at the point of your every need.
Have a great day. His eyes are upon you looking for ways He can show Himself strong on your behalf.
For further reading:
2 Corinthians 12:9
Luke 19:10
Proverbs 15:3
1 Peter 3:12
Psalm 31:24
Monday, April 19, 2010
"What Are You Living For?"
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." Matthew 6:19
I came across this quote by Joan of Arc and felt this was a good way to start the week-- with a reminder to stay focused on the things that really matter. "Everyone gives their life for what they believe. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing and yet they give their lives to that little...or nothing.
One life is all we have, we live it and it's gone. What do you live for?"
What are you giving your life for? What are you spending it on? What do you live for? That which is temporary or eternal? That which pleases self or pleases God? That which has eternal value or no real value at all? Are your sights set on material possessions or heavenly treasures? Do you work harder to get more and more possessions but are negligent in developing a closer relationship to the Lord? Where do your priorities lie? On heavenly or earthly things?
Like the quote says, people give their lives for what they believe. They make it the goal and focus of their lives. And they also spend themselves and their resources to secure that which they believe is most important. When you look at your life, does the evidence of your "spending" (spending yourself) weigh heavier toward those things that money cannot buy or those things that moth and rust destroy and thieves steal?
Am I saying that having possessions is wrong? Of course not, unless they have your heart, unless they are your goal, unless they are your focus and you are neglecting the things that are truly valuable. Many Christians are living their lives centered around accumulating more and more material possessions. Remember that these things are going to pass away and will have no eternal riches attached to them. So stay focused on laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Have a great day. What you spend your life on is a clear indication of what you believe is most important.
For further reading:
Matthew 6:21,33
Proverbs 23:5
Luke 18:22
Philippians 3:8,13,14
I came across this quote by Joan of Arc and felt this was a good way to start the week-- with a reminder to stay focused on the things that really matter. "Everyone gives their life for what they believe. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing and yet they give their lives to that little...or nothing.
One life is all we have, we live it and it's gone. What do you live for?"
What are you giving your life for? What are you spending it on? What do you live for? That which is temporary or eternal? That which pleases self or pleases God? That which has eternal value or no real value at all? Are your sights set on material possessions or heavenly treasures? Do you work harder to get more and more possessions but are negligent in developing a closer relationship to the Lord? Where do your priorities lie? On heavenly or earthly things?
Like the quote says, people give their lives for what they believe. They make it the goal and focus of their lives. And they also spend themselves and their resources to secure that which they believe is most important. When you look at your life, does the evidence of your "spending" (spending yourself) weigh heavier toward those things that money cannot buy or those things that moth and rust destroy and thieves steal?
Am I saying that having possessions is wrong? Of course not, unless they have your heart, unless they are your goal, unless they are your focus and you are neglecting the things that are truly valuable. Many Christians are living their lives centered around accumulating more and more material possessions. Remember that these things are going to pass away and will have no eternal riches attached to them. So stay focused on laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
Have a great day. What you spend your life on is a clear indication of what you believe is most important.
For further reading:
Matthew 6:21,33
Proverbs 23:5
Luke 18:22
Philippians 3:8,13,14
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