Monday 31 October 2016
Sunday 30 October 2016
Wednesday 26 October 2016
Thursday 9 June 2016
BELIEVE
BELIEVE
-Mark 9:22-24, Psalms 34:8
A man brought his boy to Jesus to deliver him from demon possession. Jesus asked the father how long his son had been like this. The father replied that he had been afflicted since childhood. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”“‘If you can?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ ” (Mark 9:22 – 24).
Right now, Jesus invites you to believe — to believe in him and to believe the truths taught in the pages of Scripture that guide our lives daily and into eternity. Be honest like the man who spoke with Jesus and tell Jesus about your doubts and invite him to help you with your unbelief. He will. He doesn’t want you to believe these truths are the right answer. He wants you to take them in your heart where they will affect how you will live.
Here is the promise: what you once thought was impossible will now be possible. The more you believe, the more you see and discover the power of God. The more you believe, the more he changes you from the inside out to become the kind of person you have only dreamed about — filled with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These virtues are displayed in your life like fruit on a tree for others to taste and enjoy.
When we think and act like Jesus, empowered by his presence within us, little by little we become like Jesus. This is not only the most truthful and abundant way to live, but it is truly the best gift we can give to our family and others God places sovereignly into our lives.
So, spiritual pilgrim, BELIEVE.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)
- Randy Frazee
www.bible.com
Monday 6 June 2016
GRATEFUL FOR GRACE
Grateful For Grace
Luke 7:47
One of life’s bitterest ironies from God’s point of view is that the lowlifes of Jewish society, the tax collectors and prostitutes and “sinners,” were more likely to listen to Jesus and welcome his message of grace and forgiveness. The church people, the Pharisees and teachers, didn’t need him and didn’t want him.
It’s because they weren’t aware of their many sins and because they rated themselves proficient and advanced in personal holiness by comparison with the lowlifes that they were uninterested in the message of a Savior. “Saved from what?” they thought. “I’m fine!” Then there were people like the woman who had lived a sinful life, who wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and then anointed him with some of her perfume. Criticism broke out like water from a ruptured dam, but Jesus shushed them: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).
People on the margins of society know their failures. They are painfully aware of their failures. Their thirst for hope and a rescue makes the gospel sound sweet in their ears. They are grateful for grace. People whose pride keeps them unaware of their own need, not so much. Jesus’ observation back then is still true today--people who know they’ve been forgiven much will love much.
www.bible.com
Luke 7:47
One of life’s bitterest ironies from God’s point of view is that the lowlifes of Jewish society, the tax collectors and prostitutes and “sinners,” were more likely to listen to Jesus and welcome his message of grace and forgiveness. The church people, the Pharisees and teachers, didn’t need him and didn’t want him.
It’s because they weren’t aware of their many sins and because they rated themselves proficient and advanced in personal holiness by comparison with the lowlifes that they were uninterested in the message of a Savior. “Saved from what?” they thought. “I’m fine!” Then there were people like the woman who had lived a sinful life, who wet Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and then anointed him with some of her perfume. Criticism broke out like water from a ruptured dam, but Jesus shushed them: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).
People on the margins of society know their failures. They are painfully aware of their failures. Their thirst for hope and a rescue makes the gospel sound sweet in their ears. They are grateful for grace. People whose pride keeps them unaware of their own need, not so much. Jesus’ observation back then is still true today--people who know they’ve been forgiven much will love much.
www.bible.com
Thursday 26 May 2016
THE ROAD TO INTEGRITY
THE ROAD TO INTEGRITY
Proverbs 28:6
Proverbs 2:7-10
Only God’s Spirit can create integrity within us, but everything in the world can rob us of it. People and situations will intentionally and unintentionally corrupt and compromise our integrity. We aren’t born with a heart of integrity, and if we want it, we have to fight for it.
If we want to fight for deep-rooted integrity, it means that we must intimately know, understand, and love God’s truth. It’s this truth that develops wisdom in our lives and helps us discern and put into practice the standards and boundaries that form a heart of integrity.
To fight also means to surround ourselves with people who are always watching and holding us accountable. Sins multiply in silence and seem smaller with a lack of accountability. We are much more likely to continue to compromise when no one cares that we are doing it or will not find out. Accountability is hard, but is a key ingredient to taking responsibility for our actions and words.
Fighting for integrity will grow our capacity to face and change the obstacles that continually force us to compromise God’s truth. It makes it a little easier to not over-promise things, change jobs or find a different circle of friends.
Fighting doesn’t mean we will ever be perfect. We all fall down. We all make mistakes. No matter how much integrity we have, we will never be perfect. This is especially true in times of fear, disaster, and chaos when the temptation is even greater to make a wrong choice. The key is to take responsibility for your actions and own up to our mistakes. Having a heart of integrity helps us recognize mistakes and reach out for God’s grace and forgiveness.
Integrity is not something that you either have or don’t have; it’s a lifestyle that we must intentionally strive for. Be intentional about striving for God’s truth and wisdom. Fight against everything that tries to distract and rob us of integrity. Determine to run hard after the things that matter.
www.bible.com
Proverbs 28:6
Proverbs 2:7-10
Only God’s Spirit can create integrity within us, but everything in the world can rob us of it. People and situations will intentionally and unintentionally corrupt and compromise our integrity. We aren’t born with a heart of integrity, and if we want it, we have to fight for it.
If we want to fight for deep-rooted integrity, it means that we must intimately know, understand, and love God’s truth. It’s this truth that develops wisdom in our lives and helps us discern and put into practice the standards and boundaries that form a heart of integrity.
To fight also means to surround ourselves with people who are always watching and holding us accountable. Sins multiply in silence and seem smaller with a lack of accountability. We are much more likely to continue to compromise when no one cares that we are doing it or will not find out. Accountability is hard, but is a key ingredient to taking responsibility for our actions and words.
Fighting for integrity will grow our capacity to face and change the obstacles that continually force us to compromise God’s truth. It makes it a little easier to not over-promise things, change jobs or find a different circle of friends.
Fighting doesn’t mean we will ever be perfect. We all fall down. We all make mistakes. No matter how much integrity we have, we will never be perfect. This is especially true in times of fear, disaster, and chaos when the temptation is even greater to make a wrong choice. The key is to take responsibility for your actions and own up to our mistakes. Having a heart of integrity helps us recognize mistakes and reach out for God’s grace and forgiveness.
Integrity is not something that you either have or don’t have; it’s a lifestyle that we must intentionally strive for. Be intentional about striving for God’s truth and wisdom. Fight against everything that tries to distract and rob us of integrity. Determine to run hard after the things that matter.
www.bible.com
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