Enthusiasm

Peter said, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:36-47

This is the kind of enthusiasm I want to have for the Lord.
Why do we not have time for our Christian brothers and sisters?
Why do we not share EVERYTHING we have?
This says they got together every day.
This says they sold stuff to give.
I really need to think. Really.

Hosea Is Hard

The book of Hosea is kinda hard for me. It is written like a poem and has meanings I don't know all about but it has helped having a group of us girls talk about it for the last couple of Fridays in a little Bible study/mom release session we do.

This scripture stuck out to me today.
I have been thinking about it.

Hosea 10:12-13
Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the LORD,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
You have plowed wickedness;
You have reaped iniquity,
You have eaten the fruit of lies,
Because you trusted in your own way,
In the multitude of your mighty men.

Leaving My Mark

My Grandmom and Grandpop gave me a devotional journal that I read pretty regularly. I could not help but to be moved by this one...

I Want to Leave My Mark for You
by Anita Corrine Donihue

Scripture:
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Devotional:
I know not what each day holds or what time I have left to serve. This I do know, dear Lord, I want to leave my mark for You.
Help me to make every day count. Remind me to lay aside my own wants, to be willingly inconvenienced and used for You. Let me not put anything before You, no matter how good it seems. Help me shed bad habits that slow me down from doing Your will.
I can only leave my mark for You by replacing idle time with purposeful movement. When I rest, I open my heart that You may fill me with Your strength and spirit.
Teach me to let go of yesterday, live fully today, and look with excitement toward tomorrow. I am awed as I daily come to know You more. I feel You shower love upon me like a refreshing summer rain.
Even though I am unworthy, I long to reach the end of life's journey and see You face-to-face. In the meantime, Lord may I use each day, each hour, each moment to leave my mark for You. Amen.

List Fan

I am not sure where I get it from (ahemmm.... mom!) but I am a big fan of lists. The lists in the Bible are sometimes what helps me the most to understand what God wants us to know in the Bible. SO, here is a Bible list....

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with

• The belt of truth buckled around your waist,
  
• The breastplate of righteousness in place,
• Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up

• The shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
• The helmet of salvation and
  
• The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Idea from Aubrey Johnson

From his book Love More, Sin Less..

Sanctification is the process of growing more in love with that which is truly worthy of love.

Temptation is Measuring Love

Sanctification is Maturing Love

There are 3 ways to view the work of sanctification:

1. Position - you are a child of God.
2. Process - your heart is changed.
3. Product - your life is reformed.
   

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Rain is like the Word

Isaiah 55:10-11

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

(remember this next time it rains or snows and you wish it wouldn't.) :-)

Saturday's Sign

When you see a play- ground sign you should think of

Psalm 33:3

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the crosswalk sign you should think of

Micah 6:8

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the yield sign you should think of..

Joshua 24:23

"Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel"

Saturday's Sign

When you see a Do Not Enter sign you should think of..

Proverbs 4:14-15

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the T intersection sign you should think of

Job 33:14
For God does speak - now one way, now another - though man may not perceive it.

Resolutions

Do you get THINK magazine?
If not, you should! It is great!

These are a few Biblical based New Year's Resolutions to think about that they put in the January 2011 issue of THINK.

1. Pray daily and develop a deeper love for God - 1 Thess 5:17
2. Practice at least one random act of kindness daily expecting nothing in return - Luke 10:25-37
3. Have regular family devotions - Deut 6:4-8, Prov 22:6, Eph 6:4
4. Bring one person to Christ - Matt 28:18-20
5. Guard your heart (even with media) - Prov 4:23
6. Don't be anxious for anything - Philip 4:6
7. Delight in the Law of the Lord, His judgments, and His Omnipotence - Ps 1, Ps 97:8, Rom 8:28-39
8. Become as a little child - Matt 18:3, Prov 20:11
9. Keep your tongue from evil - Ps 34:13, Prov 16:24
10. Be slow to anger - Prov 16:32, Eph 6:4
11. Quench not the Spirit - 1 Thess 5:19
12. Remember the Lord's Day - John 20:19, Acts 20:7, Ex 20:8-10
13. Trust in the Lord - Prov 3:5-6, Is 43:1
14. Give the glory and honor due to Christ - Is 9:6, Luke 2:11, John 3:16
15. Be patient - Ps 27:14
16. Give thanks in everything - Philip 4:4
    

Saturday's Sign

When you see a Hospital street sign you should think of

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

THINK

Quote from July 2009 THINK magazine page 9:

To believe in Jesus as the Son of God means that we trust what He says is true and authoritative.

The temptation to listen temptation to listen to the world or our peers remains with us. Whether we listen to the world or listen to the words of Jesus will make a difference in our future. The Lord ended the Sermon on the Mount with these words:

Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. On that day many will say to me "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness."

Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:21-27)

Postmodern Christianity, which has rejected absolutes, claims that what a person believes is insignificant as long as he believes and loves Jesus. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the Rest Area sign then you should think of

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the Deaf Child Safety sign you should remember

Mark 9:37
Whoever wel- comes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the No Parking sign you should think of:

Philemon 1:6
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

It also says:
"As you see various No Parking signs, remember that when it comes to practicing your faith there is no standing/ stopping/ parking. Rather actively live a life of faith and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Think of a way you can share your faith with a friend, family member, co-worker or even a stranger."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Server the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is GOD;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into his courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse of the heavens shows the work of His hands.

Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold; sweeter also than honey in the combs.

Saturday's Sign

When you see the Signalman Sign you should think of:

Zechariah 10:8
I will signal for them and gather them in. Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before.