February 9, 2011

Praying for our Nation

Psalm 2

Psalm 2 gives a great warning for the nation. Unfortunately, it seems that our nation is teetering on the one described in psalms 2

Why are the nations so angry?
      Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
 ² The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
      the rulers plot together
   against the Lord
      and against his anointed one.
 ³ “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
      “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

Many in our nation cry freedom from God and freedom from His principles. Many view God as restrictive and impinging on their freedom. The next few verses serve as a warning. To those who rebel against God He will “express His displeasure.  However, blessed are those who put their trust in God. We need to pray that our nation be healed and return to putting their trust in God.

February 8, 2011

The beginning of 20 days of challenge!

Psalm 1

Few other passages in the Bible describe what is takes to walk with the Lord so explicitly. In Psalm chapter 1 David  begins with an observation of who is blessed.

He says; Blessed is the man who, walks not in the council of the ungodly ,Nor stands around with sinners ,or joins in with mockers.

 What does each of these mean to you? Do you have any of these influences in your life?

He also gives us what will happen if we don’t follow the Lord.  We will be like chaff which the wind blows away. In our society, chaff is a foreign concept. When threshing wheat or rice there is a part that is inedible.  This part is called chaff. It is lighter in weight and is removed by tossing and shaking.  If we do not walk with the Lord we will not be able to stand and when it comes time to be judged the ungodly will not be there.  There are areas of chaff in our lives that need to be removed because we are not perfect, but if we are in Christ the shaking to remove the chaff from our own lives. What are some areas of chaff in your life? Are there some people who are chaff in your life?

David Also gives us the benefits of walking with the Lord.  To walk with god our delight should be in His law. We should meditate on it day and night.  What does the portion about being a tree planted by the rivers of water mean to you?

David includes a reminder and a challenge to us at the end. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. God knows our path. He also knows the way of the ungodly. Do you often act like your path is in your own hands or do you realize that it is in God’s? He knows where you walk, and is your path a path that will lead you to destruction?

February 4, 2011

Daily Devotional and Daily Verse

 " A short excerpt from Dr. John Patrick"

One of the main things a Christian should do is practice acts 2:42

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

On continuing in the apostles doctrine.. It is important to read the word of God. Read a psalm a day and say the Lord’s prayer 2 times and ask God to stop you on a particular point and see what god is saying about it.  When you read other passages of scriptures it is important to know how to put them in your own terms, not just memorize the scriptures verbatim.  Each Christian should take some time and work on condensing a chapter of scripture down to its purest form to know what it is saying. It will help you to memorize the passage.

On fellowship and breaking of bread:  Find a support network of Christians. Get close to people who know how to pray. Have them to call you and ask you: Have you said your prayers today? Have you read your Bible today? And Have you just lied to me right now? Be encouraged, If you haven’t they can read to you and pray with you, and at that moment start over. It is a part of bearing one another’s burdens, but you do need to stretch yourself. ( Tip, if you can not afford time to read download an audio bible and listen to a passage on a drive or the gym or  at some free time)

On other things: Write down your story of conversion. Conversion is not an absolute for everyone. Everyone will have a different point of where God has brought them from.  At times when we are at our lowest God will remind of from where we came from. It is important to have your testimony.

February 2, 2011

Daily Verse

 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

Matthew 5:14-16

Daily Devotion

"Light of the World"

Have you ever been in a power outage? The first thing you do is look  for a light. Now, since we conviently have our cell phones we use them, but it is only temporary until we can find a flashlight. Without that light, we will stumble around and fall  as we attempt to move from place to place. Or we will just stay in one place because we are afraid to move.

Did you know that we are the world’s flashlight? Most of the world is looking for something to guide them through.  In Matthew 5:14-16 it says: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 During the power outage did you take your flashlight and hide it under a blanket or just carry it and not use it? No, of course not. In a world that is continuously without light we need to let our light shine. Our actions are a light that leads others closer to the Father.  We need not hide them under a blanket or behind a façade. We may be just the thing a person needs to gather up the courage to move or to keep someone from stumbling.  We are the light of the world!