Sunday, April 20, 2014
Love this quote!
And remember another favorite quote of mine: “You don’t have to be the one at fault to be the one who’s sorry.” ~Robert Brault
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Another great devotion ...
A heart overflowing with gratitude and thanks results in praise. When we pray and experience God moving and answered prayer, our natural response is praise in gratitude, which in turn creates an opportunity for further prayer to God and praise! Thanksgiving brings glory to God and makes Him known.
Yet, even in difficult times, gratitude has power. Novelist, theologian and Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis said, 'We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is 'good,' because is it good, if 'bad' because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.'
The expression of gratitude and thanks to God magnifies His majesty and power. As we bring our attention to His sovereignty, whilst still remembering what He has done for us, our faith is stirred up and our hope for what is to come is increased.
Yet, even in difficult times, gratitude has power. Novelist, theologian and Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis said, 'We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is 'good,' because is it good, if 'bad' because it works in us patience, humility, and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.'
The expression of gratitude and thanks to God magnifies His majesty and power. As we bring our attention to His sovereignty, whilst still remembering what He has done for us, our faith is stirred up and our hope for what is to come is increased.
And here's a great word from the LORD through Bev Robinson ...
April 19, 2014. I know you don't feel well, but going into great detail over what is wrong and how you feel with those who aren't praying for you is embedding sickness more deeply into your body. Think and speak in ways which portray hope and faith more than how you feel. Your body hears all of what you are saying and responds accordingly. Beloved, think, speak and act in hope of healing. Listen to Me. Think faith, speak faith and act in faith and you will be amazed what a difference it makes.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
One of my devotions for today ...
Key Scripture: Luke 23:46
Thought for Today: The Resurrection is not an event, it is a person.
When Jesus spoke His very last words in Luke 23:46, His life on Earth ended. But His eternal reign in our lives was just beginning.
Likewise, the end of this study is meant to be a new beginning in your relationship with Christ.
The seven sayings that Jesus cried out on the cross, when paralleled with the way Jesus appeared to His disciples on the road to Emmaus after His death, are designed to be a Seven-Mile Miracle. By focusing on the significance of each of Jesus' final words, you may gain unique perspective on who Jesus is, what He has done for you, and how He wants to reveal Himself to you every day.
Interestingly enough, the very people that knew Jesus the best-the disciples that followed Jesus over the course of His life-did not recognize Him as they walked with Him to Emmaus in Luke 24.
Still in shock from the events that unfolded just days earlier, the disciples likely saw the Passover meal they shared with Jesus in Luke 22 as their last meaningful time with Him.
However, Jesus wanted to break bread one final time with His disciples to share one more parting lesson.
Jesus wanted His disciples to see that His life and death were more than a series of events. In His resurrection, Jesus wanted to be remembered at a deeper level.
When Jesus broke bread with His disciples after He rose from the grave, they realized the Resurrection is not an event, it is a person.
The way Jesus revealed this to His disciples is indicative of the way Jesus wants to show Himself to you today.
When He sat down for the only meal He'd share with the disciples after His death, Jesus took the bread, blessed the bread, broke the bread, and gave the bread to His disciples.
Every step of this process parallels the way Jesus works in and through you.
Just as He took the bread in His hands, He takes you from a place of uncertainty and brings you into a life of faith, hope, and certainty.
Just as He blessed the bread, He blesses you and favors you with a new life found only in Him.
Just as He broke the bread, He breaks you not to discourage you, but to increase your dependency on Him.
And finally, just as He gave the bread to His disciples, He gives you to the world for the sake of His glory.
These stages can be painful, but remember that God doesn't want to hurt you; He wants to reunite with you.
When Jesus broke bread with His disciples, the bread never left His hands. And when He finally stretched forward to give the bread to His disciples, they saw His nail-scarred hands and their eyes were opened to see Jesus as the risen Lord.
Jesus wants to reunite with you today. Open your eyes to see Him as the resurrected Son of God.
PRAY:
Jesus, you are powerful, loving, and faithful. I surrender my life to the daily process of following your purposes. Take me from my old ways, bless me with your grace, break me of anything holding me back from you, and give me to the world so that I may glorify your name. You are the Resurrection, Jesus, and I am forever grateful for the life you have given me. I love you, Jesus. In your name, Amen.
APPLY:
As you reach the end of this study, we pray that God has changed your heart and your perspective to bring you closer to Him. If God has stretched your faith and changed your heart in any way during this series, we want to celebrate with you. Share what God has done in your life through this study by sharing this Reading Plan on Twitter or Facebook. Also, tweet what has impacted you the most on Twitter with the hashtag #7MileMiracle. We can't wait to celebrate God's work in your life.
Thought for Today: The Resurrection is not an event, it is a person.
When Jesus spoke His very last words in Luke 23:46, His life on Earth ended. But His eternal reign in our lives was just beginning.
Likewise, the end of this study is meant to be a new beginning in your relationship with Christ.
The seven sayings that Jesus cried out on the cross, when paralleled with the way Jesus appeared to His disciples on the road to Emmaus after His death, are designed to be a Seven-Mile Miracle. By focusing on the significance of each of Jesus' final words, you may gain unique perspective on who Jesus is, what He has done for you, and how He wants to reveal Himself to you every day.
Interestingly enough, the very people that knew Jesus the best-the disciples that followed Jesus over the course of His life-did not recognize Him as they walked with Him to Emmaus in Luke 24.
Still in shock from the events that unfolded just days earlier, the disciples likely saw the Passover meal they shared with Jesus in Luke 22 as their last meaningful time with Him.
However, Jesus wanted to break bread one final time with His disciples to share one more parting lesson.
Jesus wanted His disciples to see that His life and death were more than a series of events. In His resurrection, Jesus wanted to be remembered at a deeper level.
When Jesus broke bread with His disciples after He rose from the grave, they realized the Resurrection is not an event, it is a person.
The way Jesus revealed this to His disciples is indicative of the way Jesus wants to show Himself to you today.
When He sat down for the only meal He'd share with the disciples after His death, Jesus took the bread, blessed the bread, broke the bread, and gave the bread to His disciples.
Every step of this process parallels the way Jesus works in and through you.
Just as He took the bread in His hands, He takes you from a place of uncertainty and brings you into a life of faith, hope, and certainty.
Just as He blessed the bread, He blesses you and favors you with a new life found only in Him.
Just as He broke the bread, He breaks you not to discourage you, but to increase your dependency on Him.
And finally, just as He gave the bread to His disciples, He gives you to the world for the sake of His glory.
These stages can be painful, but remember that God doesn't want to hurt you; He wants to reunite with you.
When Jesus broke bread with His disciples, the bread never left His hands. And when He finally stretched forward to give the bread to His disciples, they saw His nail-scarred hands and their eyes were opened to see Jesus as the risen Lord.
Jesus wants to reunite with you today. Open your eyes to see Him as the resurrected Son of God.
PRAY:
Jesus, you are powerful, loving, and faithful. I surrender my life to the daily process of following your purposes. Take me from my old ways, bless me with your grace, break me of anything holding me back from you, and give me to the world so that I may glorify your name. You are the Resurrection, Jesus, and I am forever grateful for the life you have given me. I love you, Jesus. In your name, Amen.
APPLY:
As you reach the end of this study, we pray that God has changed your heart and your perspective to bring you closer to Him. If God has stretched your faith and changed your heart in any way during this series, we want to celebrate with you. Share what God has done in your life through this study by sharing this Reading Plan on Twitter or Facebook. Also, tweet what has impacted you the most on Twitter with the hashtag #7MileMiracle. We can't wait to celebrate God's work in your life.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
O LORD give me ears to hear YOU!
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS:
You are not only about to step into a new day, but a new order as well. Adjustments will have to be made to accommodate your newness of life. You will not be able to hang on to old mindsets and advance at the same time. I will show you the things that must be released before you can be free, says the Lord. Your part is obedience to do what I reveal to you.
1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
How bout' trying this exercise out ...
Make a list of any challenges that you are currently facing. Beside each of them, write the name of Jesus. Begin to praise God, focusing on Jesus and declaring the power of His name over your situation.
Acts 4:10-12
Philippians 2:9-10
Acts 4:10-12
Philippians 2:9-10
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Steps
Recognize what I am thinking
Simple thought that plays over and over again in my head
And then what am I feeling about this thought
Ask the LORD about it
Speak to the truth
Another breakdown of the steps:
What is the phrase I am thinking?
What is the inner man feeling?
What is the body feeling physically?
What am I thinking?
What is my belief?
What does GOD say?
What do I want to do about it?
And still another breakdown:
What is my brain thinking?
What am I feeling in inner man & body?
What do I want to do with it? Fight? Flight? Freeze? Or ok with it?
Recognize my belief system in it.
Replace false belief with GOD'S truth.
If there has been an offense, look at it as, is there something I could have done differently?
Recognize what I am thinking
Simple thought that plays over and over again in my head
And then what am I feeling about this thought
Ask the LORD about it
Speak to the truth
Another breakdown of the steps:
What is the phrase I am thinking?
What is the inner man feeling?
What is the body feeling physically?
What am I thinking?
What is my belief?
What does GOD say?
What do I want to do about it?
And still another breakdown:
What is my brain thinking?
What am I feeling in inner man & body?
What do I want to do with it? Fight? Flight? Freeze? Or ok with it?
Recognize my belief system in it.
Replace false belief with GOD'S truth.
If there has been an offense, look at it as, is there something I could have done differently?
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