February 10
The media constantly fills our ears and eyes with messages. Yet, despite all this most of the thoughts we have come from one source. Ourselves. Self-talk can be good or bad. Every idea, or act of love, begins as a thought. Every sin, or crime begins as a thought. We can control what we think or how long we think it.
One of the most important instructions in the Bible deals with controlling self-talk.
“ bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Praying the Prayer of Jabez
February 9
Bruce Wilkinson wrote, The Prayer of Jabez. The book is based on two lesser-known verses in Chronicles in the Bible. Those versus, a prayer, are no longer obscure.
I prayed the prayer for thirty days and found myself leading a small group and assisting an interim pastor when our senior pastor went on emergency medical leave.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me. and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.
So God granted him (Jabez) what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
Bruce Wilkinson wrote, The Prayer of Jabez. The book is based on two lesser-known verses in Chronicles in the Bible. Those versus, a prayer, are no longer obscure.
I prayed the prayer for thirty days and found myself leading a small group and assisting an interim pastor when our senior pastor went on emergency medical leave.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me. and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.
So God granted him (Jabez) what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Baby Blanket
February 7
Joy is a baby blanket person. These are people who grow up dragging baby blankets around for peace and comfort.
When a dear friend died unexpectedly a family took her in for the night. Their seven-year-old son had a tattered blanket called “Bob.” During the night the boy silently lays “Bob” in her arms and goes back to his room.
"My heart melts. He gave up his baby blanket to comfort me. It was God's way of loving me that night."
"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
Joy is a baby blanket person. These are people who grow up dragging baby blankets around for peace and comfort.
When a dear friend died unexpectedly a family took her in for the night. Their seven-year-old son had a tattered blanket called “Bob.” During the night the boy silently lays “Bob” in her arms and goes back to his room.
"My heart melts. He gave up his baby blanket to comfort me. It was God's way of loving me that night."
"Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
God know Our Needs
February 6
I stepped briskly out the front door—onto glare ice. I slid off the front stoop and came down hard on the cement steps.
This is dumb. Why am I in Connecticut in February in freezing rain? As a consultant I can work anywhere. Why not Florida?
Shortly after my fall I receive a call that leads to a six-month contract in the Sunshine State just what I was looking for and the answer to my wife’s prayers.
"Your father knows that you need these things. Seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." (Luke 12:30-31)
I stepped briskly out the front door—onto glare ice. I slid off the front stoop and came down hard on the cement steps.
This is dumb. Why am I in Connecticut in February in freezing rain? As a consultant I can work anywhere. Why not Florida?
Shortly after my fall I receive a call that leads to a six-month contract in the Sunshine State just what I was looking for and the answer to my wife’s prayers.
"Your father knows that you need these things. Seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." (Luke 12:30-31)
Diections from God
February 5
A pastor in Connecticut gives us a couple’s name to look up when we arrive
in Sarasota, Fl. We lose the note. Weeks later a Sarasota attorney tells me he and his wife are helping people start a church. He hands me a calling card for South Shore Community Church with a map on the back. On Sunday after the service we meet Bob and Anne Gamble and become friends.
That summer we tell our Connecticut pastor we lost her note. She writes the couples name again, “Bob and Anne Gamble.” God gave us a name,we misplaced the note so He gave us a map to find His church.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)
A pastor in Connecticut gives us a couple’s name to look up when we arrive
in Sarasota, Fl. We lose the note. Weeks later a Sarasota attorney tells me he and his wife are helping people start a church. He hands me a calling card for South Shore Community Church with a map on the back. On Sunday after the service we meet Bob and Anne Gamble and become friends.
That summer we tell our Connecticut pastor we lost her note. She writes the couples name again, “Bob and Anne Gamble.” God gave us a name,we misplaced the note so He gave us a map to find His church.
"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:6)
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Special Breakfast
February 4
I am having breakfast with a friend from church. He asks, " would you like to join me and a few other guys for prayer, bible reading and accountability."
He had no way of knowing but on New Year's Day I had written out my annual goals including finding an accountability partner. Joy prayed for this diligently. God often gives us more than what we ask for. In this case He threw in a group for study and fellowship.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
I am having breakfast with a friend from church. He asks, " would you like to join me and a few other guys for prayer, bible reading and accountability."
He had no way of knowing but on New Year's Day I had written out my annual goals including finding an accountability partner. Joy prayed for this diligently. God often gives us more than what we ask for. In this case He threw in a group for study and fellowship.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wrong Gate
February 1
Just before takeoff I notice a friend, Edna, takes a seat up front. Once in the air she comes back to visit. She asks me why I am going to New York? Surprised I said, "I'm not. This plane is going to Baltimore."
Edna is furious. “We said Baltimore when each passenger boarded.” The flight attendant says sternly
We can get going so fast that we don't hear the directions for our lives. For a long time I was headed for the wrong gate.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go by it. (Matthew 7:13)
Just before takeoff I notice a friend, Edna, takes a seat up front. Once in the air she comes back to visit. She asks me why I am going to New York? Surprised I said, "I'm not. This plane is going to Baltimore."
Edna is furious. “We said Baltimore when each passenger boarded.” The flight attendant says sternly
We can get going so fast that we don't hear the directions for our lives. For a long time I was headed for the wrong gate.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go by it. (Matthew 7:13)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)