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In reading through Acts 6-10 this week I was challenged once again by the life (and death) of Stephen.
When you are dead and gone what will people remember about you?
The bible speaks of Stephen as being...
Honest, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, full of faith and power...
He did great wonders and miracles and the spirit that he spoke with was irresistible!
He knew his Bible enough to recount the history of Israel to a captive audience and point them to Christ.
And in the end, when it came down to laying down his life for The Lord he loved, with his dying breath he asked for forgiveness for those who so wrongfully sought his death.
In comparison in Acts 8 we see Simon the Sorcerer. A man who hears the gospel, makes a confession of faith and then seeks to gain God's gifts through manipulation! Can you imagine the audacity of someone trying to buy a piece of the Holy Spirit's power?
But sadly enough, it happens every day. Instead of living spirit-filled lives we try to falsify the working of the Spirit in our lives so that the praise goes to us for our good efforts instead of glorifying God for what He has done in us and through us.
This week has been a rough mix of chasing kids and chasing my quiet time...visitor's leaving, a baby shower that caught me by surprise because I forgot to write it down, a fine arts contest, a crying baby on a growth spurt. I can feel the Spirit calling and more often than not this week I found myself saying, "In a few minutes...right after I finish _____...tomorrow I'll get up earlier." Whatever the excuse, it just kept getting put off and my walk with the Lord and relationship with my family suffered because of it.
Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. It did not come by accident but by fully giving himself to God.
Today is a new day, and my timer just popped up to say, "It's time for your daily Bible reading!"
And my answer? I already beat you to it!
Don't let anything keep you from walking with Him today!
Be blessed,
Casandra
Showing posts with label Good Morning Girls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Morning Girls. Show all posts
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
You cannot lie to God
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If you know anything about the book of Acts, when you hear the names Ananias and Sapphira you automatically think about lying and the consequences that it brings.
In Acts chapter 5 the church was just beginning and already sin was creeping in. In case you don't remember, in Exodus 20 God expressed his opinion about lying. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." (v.16) In other words, don't lie!
Lying for some people is not just an occasional sin, it's a way of life. One lie leads to another, which leads to another, until you cannot distinguish between what is true and what you have invented to cover up all of the untruths that you have previously told!
In v. 5 and 11 we see the affect that one lie had upon the other new believers. The Bible says that "great fear" came upon them all. They had lied to God and since the days of Adam and Eve we know that you can't lie to God. Many have tried, but God is omniscient! He knows everything, so while you may be able to pull the wool over the eyes of your fellow man, God is not fooled by your double-tongue.
Okay, okay, so maybe you are not the bold-faced liar that you accuse others of being. That's fine. But let's hold off on the self-righteous patting ourselves on the back for just a moment. What about the inner man? Have I been lying to myself about my walk with the Lord? Have I been feeding myself the age old lie that it doesn't matter what I do if the end result brings happiness? Have I been deceived into believing that I am walking with God when I never read His Word, or meditate on it, and my prayer life can be described as emergency only?
Take a moment to reflect.
In the rest of chapter 5 we see the apostles filled with boldness for Christ. Boldness to return to the temple and continue preaching salvation through Jesus' name. They had the religious leaders scrambling because they feared that this new teaching would conquer the world. The apostles were spending time in prayer, they were sharing what they had learned of Christ, they were obeying God's commands. They "ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
God sees our hearts and men see our actions. So often Christians are accused of being hypocrites because we say one thing and our lives say another. You can lie to man, but you cannot lie to God.
Get honest today!
If you know anything about the book of Acts, when you hear the names Ananias and Sapphira you automatically think about lying and the consequences that it brings.
In Acts chapter 5 the church was just beginning and already sin was creeping in. In case you don't remember, in Exodus 20 God expressed his opinion about lying. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." (v.16) In other words, don't lie!
Lying for some people is not just an occasional sin, it's a way of life. One lie leads to another, which leads to another, until you cannot distinguish between what is true and what you have invented to cover up all of the untruths that you have previously told!
Proverbs 6:17, 19, lists lying as one
of the six things that the Lord hates!
In v. 5 and 11 we see the affect that one lie had upon the other new believers. The Bible says that "great fear" came upon them all. They had lied to God and since the days of Adam and Eve we know that you can't lie to God. Many have tried, but God is omniscient! He knows everything, so while you may be able to pull the wool over the eyes of your fellow man, God is not fooled by your double-tongue.
Okay, okay, so maybe you are not the bold-faced liar that you accuse others of being. That's fine. But let's hold off on the self-righteous patting ourselves on the back for just a moment. What about the inner man? Have I been lying to myself about my walk with the Lord? Have I been feeding myself the age old lie that it doesn't matter what I do if the end result brings happiness? Have I been deceived into believing that I am walking with God when I never read His Word, or meditate on it, and my prayer life can be described as emergency only?
Take a moment to reflect.
In the rest of chapter 5 we see the apostles filled with boldness for Christ. Boldness to return to the temple and continue preaching salvation through Jesus' name. They had the religious leaders scrambling because they feared that this new teaching would conquer the world. The apostles were spending time in prayer, they were sharing what they had learned of Christ, they were obeying God's commands. They "ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
Does this describe your heart attitude and your life?
When you are spoken of does it reflect Christ in you?
God sees our hearts and men see our actions. So often Christians are accused of being hypocrites because we say one thing and our lives say another. You can lie to man, but you cannot lie to God.
Get honest today!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Praying to the God of the impossible
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Okay, so today I was not up at 4 a.m. (Praise the Lord!), but I didn't let that stop me. When the "baby alarm" went off I hopped up and started Acts chapter 4.
The tension is building between the apostles and the religious leaders. Peter and John are not quietly converting people in a dark corner somewhere. They are in the temple, and about 5,000 men have believed after witnessing the miracle of the lame man made whole! Talk about fruitful witnessing!
The religious leaders confront them with the question, "Where is your authority to do this coming from?", which was well within their rights to question anyone rising up and claiming to be a prophet. But they take no glory for themselves. Peter uses it as another opportunity, being led by the Holy Ghost, to preach Christ. Who is their authority? Jesus of Nazareth, the same one who you crucified and God raised from the dead. In His name only is there salvation. Peter knew it, and he boldly shared what he knew with those around him.
The miracle couldn't be denied so the religious leaders try to silence the voice proclaiming Christ. Christ cannot be silenced and Peter tells them just that.
Okay, so today I was not up at 4 a.m. (Praise the Lord!), but I didn't let that stop me. When the "baby alarm" went off I hopped up and started Acts chapter 4.
The tension is building between the apostles and the religious leaders. Peter and John are not quietly converting people in a dark corner somewhere. They are in the temple, and about 5,000 men have believed after witnessing the miracle of the lame man made whole! Talk about fruitful witnessing!
The religious leaders confront them with the question, "Where is your authority to do this coming from?", which was well within their rights to question anyone rising up and claiming to be a prophet. But they take no glory for themselves. Peter uses it as another opportunity, being led by the Holy Ghost, to preach Christ. Who is their authority? Jesus of Nazareth, the same one who you crucified and God raised from the dead. In His name only is there salvation. Peter knew it, and he boldly shared what he knew with those around him.
It's all about Jesus!
The miracle couldn't be denied so the religious leaders try to silence the voice proclaiming Christ. Christ cannot be silenced and Peter tells them just that.
"We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."The crowd gives glory to God. The believers give glory to God and pray for His help, His boldness to continue preaching and the power to continue healing even though they are facing persecution from the very ones who claim to believe in God. And what happened?
When they prayed, God answered.
Ah...herein lies the key that so many of us are missing today. We want God's help but we don't ask for it. We ask for it, but we don't truly believe that God can answer our prayers. Or we only pray for what we believe is in the realm of God's possibilities. The apostles prayed and God gave them "great power" and "great grace" (v. 33).
This past Sunday my husband challenged our Sunday School class to take a piece of paper and write down three prayer requests that we believed were impossible. I'm sure many thought that he would collect them and pray for us, but his response was, "Now that you have written them down...start praying for them!
Our God can do the impossible!
As I spoke to a friend last night I challenged her to take the prayer challenge as well.
We need God! We all have things in our lives that seem or are humanly impossible. It's as simple as that. We can't do it without His help.
We need Jesus! Yesterday we were challenged to stop begging from this world. The government can't do it, our self-motivation is not enough, sometimes even our well-meaning families cannot provide what we need to make it through.
We need the Holy Spirit! When you are feeling down and all alone, do not fall prey to the Devil's lies. As believers, we have the Source of all comfort!
Start believing, start praying, and be bold in praising God for what He, and only He can do, is doing, and will do in your life!
Be blessed!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Stop begging from this world!
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Once upon a time...I had free time. Life with two children was easy and I could actually choose what I was going to do next. Now with four kids under the age of six life is sometimes a roller coaster ride of racing to prevent the next major disaster from crashing the house down around my weary shoulders. Those leisurely times for in depth study of the Word seemed like a thing of the past...until...my children decided to change the definition of "the crack of dawn" from sunrise to about 3 or 4 a.m.
My first response was, of course, frustration. After attending to the needs of three out of the four I was wide awake and desperately craving, begging for my much needed sleep. As I blearily watched my two month old coo and smile at me I thought, "What if this is Jesus calling?" I'm always crying out for His help, desiring to spend time with Him, "Why not now?" So here I am, meeting "the crack of dawn" with a smile instead of a grimace, because I asked God for help, expecting to receive something good...like more sleep...and I received something so much better!
Today I joined in with www.womenlivingwell.org in their study in the book of Acts. Since there is no way that I would trust myself to write in my precious Bible with one eye open I printed out the chapters from www.biblegateway.com and then used a template from www.printablepaper.net to print lined paper on the back side of the chapters. With my first grader's stash of colored pencils I was all set, and this is what the Lord showed me today in Acts chapter 3...
The blind man was sitting by the gate begging daily, "expecting to receive something" from the world around him. On this particular day, he cried out to Peter and John and was commanded to stop begging from this world and to "look on them". He had expected to receive "something" but what he received was far better than what he expected! His life was touched by Jesus and he was never the same again!
In v.7 we see his physical need taken care of as his feet and ankle bones are strengthened. Then in v. 8 and 16 we see that his spiritual need was also met. And as a public testimony of the effect that Jesus had on his life he "just had to praise Him"! His changed life was obvious. Do others marvel at the change in you since you met Jesus?
When the crowds turned to wonder at Peter and John Peter takes advantage of the moment to point them to Christ. First he gives it to them straight - you delivered Him to Pilate, you denied Him, you desired His death, and then you killed Him. These are not words of one trying to win the favor of this world. But Peter doesn't stop there. He acknowledges that they may have acted through ignorance in the past, but he informs them that the prophecies that they have been waiting for have been fulfilled - the promise to Abraham has been fulfilled - in Jesus Christ! Stop begging from this world! Repent and be converted from unbelief to belief, because only in Jesus will you find perfect healing through faith in His name.
Hallelujah! What a way to start the day. When I call on Jesus, all things are possible!
Once upon a time...I had free time. Life with two children was easy and I could actually choose what I was going to do next. Now with four kids under the age of six life is sometimes a roller coaster ride of racing to prevent the next major disaster from crashing the house down around my weary shoulders. Those leisurely times for in depth study of the Word seemed like a thing of the past...until...my children decided to change the definition of "the crack of dawn" from sunrise to about 3 or 4 a.m.
My first response was, of course, frustration. After attending to the needs of three out of the four I was wide awake and desperately craving, begging for my much needed sleep. As I blearily watched my two month old coo and smile at me I thought, "What if this is Jesus calling?" I'm always crying out for His help, desiring to spend time with Him, "Why not now?" So here I am, meeting "the crack of dawn" with a smile instead of a grimace, because I asked God for help, expecting to receive something good...like more sleep...and I received something so much better!
Today I joined in with www.womenlivingwell.org in their study in the book of Acts. Since there is no way that I would trust myself to write in my precious Bible with one eye open I printed out the chapters from www.biblegateway.com and then used a template from www.printablepaper.net to print lined paper on the back side of the chapters. With my first grader's stash of colored pencils I was all set, and this is what the Lord showed me today in Acts chapter 3...
The blind man was sitting by the gate begging daily, "expecting to receive something" from the world around him. On this particular day, he cried out to Peter and John and was commanded to stop begging from this world and to "look on them". He had expected to receive "something" but what he received was far better than what he expected! His life was touched by Jesus and he was never the same again!
In v.7 we see his physical need taken care of as his feet and ankle bones are strengthened. Then in v. 8 and 16 we see that his spiritual need was also met. And as a public testimony of the effect that Jesus had on his life he "just had to praise Him"! His changed life was obvious. Do others marvel at the change in you since you met Jesus?
When the crowds turned to wonder at Peter and John Peter takes advantage of the moment to point them to Christ. First he gives it to them straight - you delivered Him to Pilate, you denied Him, you desired His death, and then you killed Him. These are not words of one trying to win the favor of this world. But Peter doesn't stop there. He acknowledges that they may have acted through ignorance in the past, but he informs them that the prophecies that they have been waiting for have been fulfilled - the promise to Abraham has been fulfilled - in Jesus Christ! Stop begging from this world! Repent and be converted from unbelief to belief, because only in Jesus will you find perfect healing through faith in His name.Hallelujah! What a way to start the day. When I call on Jesus, all things are possible!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Lessons from Luke - What makes a treasure a treasure?
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As I type the rain is softly falling playing a lovely cadence on the tin roof. It sounds beautiful, but even as I listen to it I dread the consequences that it will bring...muddy pathways, wet laundry, and disappointment to the eyes of little boys who so love to jump in puddles. However, without that rain I wouldn't have this majestic glimpse of what Eden must have looked like when it was tended and loved by the Father's hand.
I can only imagine that after hearing Jesus preach many turned away and went back to their homes to live their lives just as they had before. Sure, He was interesting to listen to at first, and they enjoyed seeing His miracles, but Jesus was not a flashy magician who came to play with the emotions of the people. His words probed deeper than the surface into the depth of their hearts.
When teaching I used this same passage many times to help the children understand that because they are born sinners they have a natural desire to do what is wrong, but goodness is a trait that must be developed. If you were seeking to find a treasure like a precious pearl, you don't look just anywhere. A treasure like that takes time to mature.
If you could see the treasure within your heart what would it look like? Would it be dirty, dark, smelly, broken and cast aside, or shining reflecting the radiant light of God. If I invited you to my home to see my most valuable treasure what would you think of me if you saw it tossed into a mud puddle in the yard where my children play? I would be ashamed to show it to you after speaking so highly of its value and esteem. If I really valued it I would take the time to care for it.
We have a great treasure in Christ! His Word is the principal foundation of our lives. If we do not remain rooted and grounded in Him we will be driven and tossed by the storms of this life.
I want my treasure, the treasure of my heart, to be as good, as brilliant, and as rich as it possibly can be. And in order to attain that goal, I know that many times I will need to polish, clean, shine, and remove any dirt that would want to remain hidden in the corner.
How embarrassing it is when my mouth speaks and the words that come out do not please the Lord. My prayer is for God to help me take root in His Word, to allow the Spirit to be my daily guide, and to proclaim the hope that is only found in Christ.
As I type the rain is softly falling playing a lovely cadence on the tin roof. It sounds beautiful, but even as I listen to it I dread the consequences that it will bring...muddy pathways, wet laundry, and disappointment to the eyes of little boys who so love to jump in puddles. However, without that rain I wouldn't have this majestic glimpse of what Eden must have looked like when it was tended and loved by the Father's hand.
I can only imagine that after hearing Jesus preach many turned away and went back to their homes to live their lives just as they had before. Sure, He was interesting to listen to at first, and they enjoyed seeing His miracles, but Jesus was not a flashy magician who came to play with the emotions of the people. His words probed deeper than the surface into the depth of their hearts.
When teaching I used this same passage many times to help the children understand that because they are born sinners they have a natural desire to do what is wrong, but goodness is a trait that must be developed. If you were seeking to find a treasure like a precious pearl, you don't look just anywhere. A treasure like that takes time to mature.
If you could see the treasure within your heart what would it look like? Would it be dirty, dark, smelly, broken and cast aside, or shining reflecting the radiant light of God. If I invited you to my home to see my most valuable treasure what would you think of me if you saw it tossed into a mud puddle in the yard where my children play? I would be ashamed to show it to you after speaking so highly of its value and esteem. If I really valued it I would take the time to care for it.
We have a great treasure in Christ! His Word is the principal foundation of our lives. If we do not remain rooted and grounded in Him we will be driven and tossed by the storms of this life.
I want my treasure, the treasure of my heart, to be as good, as brilliant, and as rich as it possibly can be. And in order to attain that goal, I know that many times I will need to polish, clean, shine, and remove any dirt that would want to remain hidden in the corner.
How embarrassing it is when my mouth speaks and the words that come out do not please the Lord. My prayer is for God to help me take root in His Word, to allow the Spirit to be my daily guide, and to proclaim the hope that is only found in Christ.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Galatians 6:9
Friday, January 25, 2013
Lessons from Luke - A baby changes everything!
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My husband has a little book written in 1955 called The New Testament in Verse written by Alvy E. Ford. Ford summarizes Luke 2 with these words:
What God was doing wasn't visible to all even though he prepared it in the face of all people! The shepherds were the first to receive the Good News. And later on in the chapter we see a simple man named Simeon who was waiting for God to fulfill His promise.
Simeon was just and righteous and being led and taught by the Holy Spirit. God does not give His Spirit to just anyone! Simeon's life pleased God and he was blessed to have seen Jesus, the Long awaited Messiah, the Lord's anointed, the Light of the Gentiles, and the Glory of Israel.
May my life also be one that pleases God, just and holy in His sight, led and fed by the Holy Spirit! I don't want to miss out on any of the blessings God has in store for me. As we head to Peru, we want to share "the hope of nations"! There are those who are waiting and hoping that their good works will be good enough to get them into heaven, but we have a more sure hope of salvation in Jesus Christ!
Jesus
grew as a normal child but always under the grace of God. As
Christians we can grow and be strengthened in our faith if, and only if,
we faithfully follow God. If we ask Him to, He will give us His wisdom.
Every day we live in the grace of the salvation we have in Christ! What a wonderful blessing from God! We can't do it on our own! We need His wisdom to live righteously, to
grow spiritually, and to walk daily according to His Word.
Another example to follow is Christ's example of obedience in all things. He was "subject unto" His parents! What a novel idea in this day and age. He truly lived up to the commandment to honor His earthly father and mother. We know what we SHOULD do, but it is often difficult to submit our own fleshly will that wants to do what it wants to do! We know what we want our children to do, but are daily fighting against their own self-will and pride. If God Al
mighty, the Maker of all things, could willingly subject Himself in obedience to mortal man, can we not do the same? What a different place the world would be if we followed the example of Christ!
The last verse of Luke 2 states, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Jesus increased in wisdom. The book of James tells us that wisdom comes from God, and if we don't have it, then we need to ask for it, and God will supply it liberally!
Jesus also increased in stature, meaning He literally "grew up", just like the rest of us did. That doesn't take much effort, it just happens naturally, which is also something that God is orchestrating in our lives.
Last, Jesus not only grew in His spiritual and physical life, but also in His daily relationships with others. This is where "the rubber meets the road" in our daily Christian walk. We can't make excuses for being at odds with everyone around us while claiming to love God. Jesus may have been perfect, but the people around Him were not. (I know somebody is saying, "Amen!" to that one!).
So while we are passing our years "as a tale that is told" here in this life, we should also be growing in wisdom. Don't have enough? Keep asking God for more! The more wisdom that we have, should be reflected in our daily walk with God and our relationships with others.
Some boast in their great knowledge, bu I know that my wisdom will always fail me. Some claim you should "follow your heart", but I know that my heart will always lead me to seek my own desires. I need God's help to submit and surrender my will and my life to Him.
Let's follow the example of Christ today!
Be blessed!
-Casandra
A Baby Changes Everything!
Christ's coming fulfilled the hope of nations.
My husband has a little book written in 1955 called The New Testament in Verse written by Alvy E. Ford. Ford summarizes Luke 2 with these words:
Mary at Bethlehem, brings forth a Son,
Lays in a manger; redemption's begun.
Jesus conceived by the blest Holy Ghost.
Shepherds are told by the Heavenly Host.
What God was doing wasn't visible to all even though he prepared it in the face of all people! The shepherds were the first to receive the Good News. And later on in the chapter we see a simple man named Simeon who was waiting for God to fulfill His promise.
Simeon was just and righteous and being led and taught by the Holy Spirit. God does not give His Spirit to just anyone! Simeon's life pleased God and he was blessed to have seen Jesus, the Long awaited Messiah, the Lord's anointed, the Light of the Gentiles, and the Glory of Israel.
May my life also be one that pleases God, just and holy in His sight, led and fed by the Holy Spirit! I don't want to miss out on any of the blessings God has in store for me. As we head to Peru, we want to share "the hope of nations"! There are those who are waiting and hoping that their good works will be good enough to get them into heaven, but we have a more sure hope of salvation in Jesus Christ!
Christ's life gives us an example to follow.
Live under the grace of God daily.
Live in obedience to God's commands daily.
Another example to follow is Christ's example of obedience in all things. He was "subject unto" His parents! What a novel idea in this day and age. He truly lived up to the commandment to honor His earthly father and mother. We know what we SHOULD do, but it is often difficult to submit our own fleshly will that wants to do what it wants to do! We know what we want our children to do, but are daily fighting against their own self-will and pride. If God Al
mighty, the Maker of all things, could willingly subject Himself in obedience to mortal man, can we not do the same? What a different place the world would be if we followed the example of Christ!
Live in a continual state of growth.
The last verse of Luke 2 states, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Jesus increased in wisdom. The book of James tells us that wisdom comes from God, and if we don't have it, then we need to ask for it, and God will supply it liberally!
Jesus also increased in stature, meaning He literally "grew up", just like the rest of us did. That doesn't take much effort, it just happens naturally, which is also something that God is orchestrating in our lives.
Last, Jesus not only grew in His spiritual and physical life, but also in His daily relationships with others. This is where "the rubber meets the road" in our daily Christian walk. We can't make excuses for being at odds with everyone around us while claiming to love God. Jesus may have been perfect, but the people around Him were not. (I know somebody is saying, "Amen!" to that one!).
So while we are passing our years "as a tale that is told" here in this life, we should also be growing in wisdom. Don't have enough? Keep asking God for more! The more wisdom that we have, should be reflected in our daily walk with God and our relationships with others.
Some boast in their great knowledge, bu I know that my wisdom will always fail me. Some claim you should "follow your heart", but I know that my heart will always lead me to seek my own desires. I need God's help to submit and surrender my will and my life to Him.
Let's follow the example of Christ today!
Be blessed!
-Casandra
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lessons from Luke - From Shepherds to Preachers!
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The shepherds communicated their good news in a way that astounded and amazed their audience (v.18). They had become preachers and heralds of the Messiah's coming to earth! When they finally returned to work their message remained the same. They returned glorifying and praising God for the wondrous gift He had brought into their lives that night. They were different! Forever changed by their encounter with Emmanuel - God with us!
We have the GOOD NEWS as well today and no matter the situation, circumstance, or excuse, we need to boldly proclaim the same Good News that those preaching shepherds proclaimed!
Tell Somebody!
When you hear good news you just can't help but share it!
True good news comes from God...
The reason for the shepherds praises in Luke 2:20 were the things that they had heard and seen. God had spoken to them from heaven through the appearance of the angels, and their meeting with God forever changed their lives!Good news often comes when you least expect it...
In Luke 2:8 they were simply going about their daily lives on the sheep watching night shift. Sheep do not just take care of themselves, and predators don't just hang up their hunting instincts just because it the sun goes down. These were not easily frightened men. They surely faced all kinds of dangers from predators, animal and human alike, who were after their sheep. It was just another night's work in the sheep fold.Good news should motivate us to action...
However, in v.9 these brave night watchmen were suddenly filled with fear, until they heard the message from their celestial visitors. In v. 15, they immediately decided to leave everything and go and verify the message they had heard. In v. 16, we learn that they wasted no time in getting there. They were moved to action!Good news is meant to be shared...
After seeing the promised Messiah in v.17 they testified about what they had seen. Oh sure, they could have said, "That was awesome!" and spent weeks reminiscing among themselves about the glorious sight they had witnessed, but they couldn't. This news was just TOO GOOD! They had to share it with anyone and everyone who would listen. They just had to TELL SOMEBODY!Our Good News should impact lives...
When you have good news to share, I mean really good news, you don't keep it to yourself, you don't whisper it in a corner, you can't really even express it on paper. What do you want to do? You want to shout it from the rooftops!The shepherds communicated their good news in a way that astounded and amazed their audience (v.18). They had become preachers and heralds of the Messiah's coming to earth! When they finally returned to work their message remained the same. They returned glorifying and praising God for the wondrous gift He had brought into their lives that night. They were different! Forever changed by their encounter with Emmanuel - God with us!
We have the GOOD NEWS as well today and no matter the situation, circumstance, or excuse, we need to boldly proclaim the same Good News that those preaching shepherds proclaimed!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
That's a friend...
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Elisabeth, who had already faced the challenge of being barren in a society where bearing children was seen as God's blessing upon your home, was suddenly faced with the "impossible" challenge of bearing a child in her old age. A child whose job would be to "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17) She didn't complain about the circumstance of her life, the economy, or how she was enjoying her life being free from the duties of child rearing, or how she was just too old and out of shape for this task set before her. Now, we don't know what she thought or felt, but we do know how she responded.
How did she respond? She called Mary blessed! Elisabeth knew just what Mary needed to hear to calm her heart and point her in the right direction. She was living proof of the impossible hand of God at work! I'm sure their time together was very encouraging for Mary.
Yesterday, we visited two different homes for two different reasons. In one home we were excitedly sharing what God had done in our lives in preparing our way to leave for Peru. This was something that was on our list of the seemingly impossible because our feeble minds cannot see the hand of God working all over the world to fulfill His plan at the exact moment He desires. We could only see today and hope for tomorrow; but we believed God, encouraged others to do the same, and were giving Him the glory for what He had done.
In the second home we also shared tidings of joy, but were able to comfort a heart full of sorrow. Our plans never include the loss of loved ones because we can only see today and hope for tomorrow. It is a challenge that no one wants to face, but we can still believe God, encourage others to do the same, and give Him the glory for Who He is and the praise for His sustaining grace.
We are to live like Jesus! Trust the Father, lift up the down trodden and the weary, and when it is all said and done, give God the praise because He is the Mighty One. He alone can take the challenging circumstances of life and weave them with strands of His love so that His grace shines through to those around us.
Luke 1:45-50
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
How do you respond to the "impossible" challenges of life?
In Luke 1:45-50, we see the response of two women to two different "impossible" situations in their lives. These were not bad luck, or the hand of destiny dealing them a blow, but God ordained challenges that were placed into their lives for one simple reason: for His glory!Elisabeth, who had already faced the challenge of being barren in a society where bearing children was seen as God's blessing upon your home, was suddenly faced with the "impossible" challenge of bearing a child in her old age. A child whose job would be to "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17) She didn't complain about the circumstance of her life, the economy, or how she was enjoying her life being free from the duties of child rearing, or how she was just too old and out of shape for this task set before her. Now, we don't know what she thought or felt, but we do know how she responded.
Elisabeth believed the word of the Lord.
Zacharias was the one who received the message from the angel. He then was struck dumb! Can you imagine the conversation they had when he told her what the angel had said? I know I would have had to read it twice! She believed her husband and believed that God's word would be fulfilled in her life.Elisabeth encouraged Mary in the Lord.
Fast forward a few months and along comes Mary. Like a typical woman she had received some astonishing news and probably wanted to share it with someone. However, in her society, she could not openly admit that she, an unmarried woman, was about to have a baby! That would have definitely sealed her death sentence. So she runs over the hills to visit her cousin. Did she spend her trip wondering how she would explain her message from the Lord to Elisabeth? If she did we'll never know because God allowed the message to go before her as baby John the Baptist leaped in Elisabeth's womb.How did she respond? She called Mary blessed! Elisabeth knew just what Mary needed to hear to calm her heart and point her in the right direction. She was living proof of the impossible hand of God at work! I'm sure their time together was very encouraging for Mary.
Mary gave glory and praise to God.
In her song of praise Mary rejoices in the Lord and does not take any of the glory for herself. She does not sing about being the only unmarried woman to ever be with child having never known a man. Mary does not exalt herself. She exalted the name of the Lord and stated that if anyone ever called her blessed in generations to come, it would be because of what God had done in her. She was only a servant of the Mighty One!We need to follow their example.
Many times in my life I have face challenging circumstances that were out of my control. Deaths, life threatening surgeries, miscarriages, and at times loss of health and home. In my perfectly planned out life these things NEVER would have occurred, but God's plans are not always our plans. His ways are not always our ways. Yet I have learned that God's plan is always for my good, and like Elisabeth and Mary I have learned to believe God's Word, to encourage others to do the same, and to give Him the glory and the praise for the results that only He could bring about in the first place."A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17
In the second home we also shared tidings of joy, but were able to comfort a heart full of sorrow. Our plans never include the loss of loved ones because we can only see today and hope for tomorrow. It is a challenge that no one wants to face, but we can still believe God, encourage others to do the same, and give Him the glory for Who He is and the praise for His sustaining grace.
We are to live like Jesus! Trust the Father, lift up the down trodden and the weary, and when it is all said and done, give God the praise because He is the Mighty One. He alone can take the challenging circumstances of life and weave them with strands of His love so that His grace shines through to those around us.
How will you respond to life's challenges today?
Monday, January 14, 2013
Get excited!
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So he would know the story well. (If it were written down he could read it again and again!)
So he would know the TRUE story of Christ.
But BEWARE! You can't teach what you don't know, and shouldn't teach what you don't believe. We need to meditate on God's Word and ask for His guidance and strength to share His word with others.
I am excited to read, meditate, study and memorize God's Word this year. I am excited about sharing God's Word with my English and Spanish online study groups. I am excited about sharing God's Word in Peru in less than two weeks.
I am EXCITED!
- In two weeks my family will be heading back to the mission field of Peru after being on deputation for three years!
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| My first trip to Peru back in 1998! |
- Today also marks the beginning of the online Good Morning Girls Bible study on Living Like Jesus: Luke 1-8! With so many days spent traveling I found it difficult to join a ladies Bible study anywhere for any length of time. In Peru I was used to holding a study in our home with some fellow teachers. When I discovered GMG online I was thrilled to start a Bible study group online which has now expanded to an English group and a Spanish group!
Luke 1:1-4
In these first four verses of Luke we see the reason why this account of Christ was written. There were many teaching about Christ, but not all were teaching the truth. Luke was one of the eyewitnesses of Christ's ministry here on earth, and he wanted to tell what truly happened in a lasting and permanent way. He had spent time thinking about what he wanted to say, he had investigated the facts, and he was ready to write them in the order they occurred. But more importantly, he was led by the Spirit of God.Luke was a decided, diligent, man of details dedicated to declaring the Truth of God!
Why did he write to Theophilus?
So he would know the story of Jesus.So he would know the story well. (If it were written down he could read it again and again!)
So he would know the TRUE story of Christ.
What can we learn from Luke?
We have the TRUE LIGHT of the world and we need to combat those who are teaching error with the TRUTH. We have a responsibility to teach other of Christ so that they can teach others and the message of the gospel marches on.But BEWARE! You can't teach what you don't know, and shouldn't teach what you don't believe. We need to meditate on God's Word and ask for His guidance and strength to share His word with others.
I am excited to read, meditate, study and memorize God's Word this year. I am excited about sharing God's Word with my English and Spanish online study groups. I am excited about sharing God's Word in Peru in less than two weeks.
Won't you join in me in getting excited
about the things that matter most in this life?
Monday, November 19, 2012
International Week of Gratitude
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Say "thank you" is one of the first polite things we teach our
children to say with their words or through sign language. No please,
no baba. No thank you, no baba. And so out of a sense of obligation in
order to obtain their desired object of affection, they may say it but
don't always mean it from the heart!
I can be the same way in giving thanks with my own words, when someone does or gives something to me, even in a prayer, because I know it's right to do so; but at the same time, not really being thankful in my heart.
Over at Good Morning Girls this is the International Week of Gratitude in our Bible studies. Today as I reflect on these verses I am truly thankful that God chose me.
I am thankful -
I can be the same way in giving thanks with my own words, when someone does or gives something to me, even in a prayer, because I know it's right to do so; but at the same time, not really being thankful in my heart.
Over at Good Morning Girls this is the International Week of Gratitude in our Bible studies. Today as I reflect on these verses I am truly thankful that God chose me.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:He chose me! Before I was born, before the foundation of the world, He chose me! And while being thankful that He looked upon me in my dreadful state of sin and separation, paying the price to reconcile me to Himself, I am keenly aware that He chose me and then gave me a task - to bear fruit that remains and to be holy and blameless before Him in love. Neither one can be accomplished without surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, gaining that vital nutrition that only comes from time spent abiding in the True Vine.
I am thankful -
- That God chose me!
- That He saved me!
- For the Holy Spirit working in my life this year
- For opportunities to share God's Word with others
- For a godly husband who loves me
- For my two beautiful boys
- For lessons learned on deputation
- For the opportunity to serve God in Peru
- For my family
- For our friends all over the world
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| Our Thankful Tree! |
Friday, November 9, 2012
Finishing up GMG study on Colossians
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What an amazing 8 weeks this has been studying the book of Colossians! God has taught me much through it and my thanks goes out to Good Morning Girls for organizing this study. If you've never experience a GMG Bible study, I encourage you to join up for the next one. Starting November 12th, the materials will be available for a 4 week Advent study, starting right after Thanksgiving and finishing up before Christmas. What a perfect time to study God's Word focusing on Christ. After all, the reason to give thanks and celebrate is that He came and gave His life for us!
The part that spoke to me from today's final passage in Colossians was Paul's message to Archippus in verse 17, "And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it."
He was encouraging him to fulfill the ministry he had been given as God would want him to. Some authors think that he might have been the son of Philemon and that his task was to help Onesimus be received back into Philemon's house. Regardless of what his task was, his real responsibility was to obey God's leading in his life.
Paul, who probably had every reason to give up and quit, did not, and he encouraged others to do the same. He gave John Mark a second chance and knew that the most important thing we can do with our lives is obey God's calling to reach the lost.
Man-made ministry will come and go, but God's will abides.
As my husband and I travel on deputation to return to Peru it is so easy to look around us and get discouraged. This passage immediately reminded me that we have received a ministry from the Lord, and part of fulfilling the calling that God has placed on our lives is this phase of deputation. Although it is not our ultimate goal nor our final destination, it is God's will for us right now.
No matter what the difficulties may be in doing what God has called you to do, know this, "It's not in vain!" If we truly keep our hearts focused on Jesus, as the next Bible study promotes, then it will be easy for our actions to line up with His will.
Keep growing in the Word day by day!
Casandra
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." I John 2:17
The part that spoke to me from today's final passage in Colossians was Paul's message to Archippus in verse 17, "And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it."
He was encouraging him to fulfill the ministry he had been given as God would want him to. Some authors think that he might have been the son of Philemon and that his task was to help Onesimus be received back into Philemon's house. Regardless of what his task was, his real responsibility was to obey God's leading in his life.
Paul, who probably had every reason to give up and quit, did not, and he encouraged others to do the same. He gave John Mark a second chance and knew that the most important thing we can do with our lives is obey God's calling to reach the lost.
Man-made ministry will come and go, but God's will abides.
As my husband and I travel on deputation to return to Peru it is so easy to look around us and get discouraged. This passage immediately reminded me that we have received a ministry from the Lord, and part of fulfilling the calling that God has placed on our lives is this phase of deputation. Although it is not our ultimate goal nor our final destination, it is God's will for us right now.
No matter what the difficulties may be in doing what God has called you to do, know this, "It's not in vain!" If we truly keep our hearts focused on Jesus, as the next Bible study promotes, then it will be easy for our actions to line up with His will.
Keep growing in the Word day by day!
Casandra
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