Today's Reading:
Isaiah 60-62, John 1
In John 1:35-40 -
We learn that Andrew and John were disciples of John the Baptist.
As soon as Jesus, the Lamb of God, appears on the scene Andrew and John spent the day with Jesus. Can you imagine the questions they had for Jesus or do you think they sat amazed and silent hanging on to every word of the Savior? It is obvious, the time spent with Jesus changed their lives. They were so excited about meeting Jesus they went and found their brothers and brought them to Jesus. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus who later became Peter.
John brought his brother James to Jesus.
In the scriptures, Andrew never wrote a book or preached a huge sermon but he faithfully brought others to Christ. Andrew did what we are called to do.
Every Christian is called to go and make disciples of all nations.
Do I have the zeal and excitement Andrew did about my relationship with Christ?
Today - who will I reach out to and tell them about my Savior?
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Divine Mentor - Patience like God - Debbie Higginbotham
This is what spoke to me this morning from the Bible reading.
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Observation. If only we had a small amount of the patience our Father has, how wonderful that would be. When you think about sin today and how it is out of control in this world you have to wonder how can our God have patience with any of us. We are all of a sinful nature. His love for His children is so great that He does not want any of us, no matter what sins we have committed, to perish. That is why He is slow to anger and has amazing patience, so that one day we wake up and see Him for who He truly is. He is patiently waiting for us.
Application. Everyday, I thank my Father for His patience with me. I turned away from Him a long time ago for many years. He had amazing patience with me. He sent many trials my way to get my attention. As stubborn as I was, His patience was greater. It took several years of trials in my life, but He got my attention. Today, I never fail to thank Him for loving and being patient with me. Because He felt I was worth it and was patient, I came back to Him with open arms and a changed person. He does this for all His children.
Prayer. Father, you amaze me everyday with your unfailing love and patience. I don't have the degree of patience with people that you do, so I pray that as you have been patient with me I will also be patient.
Divine Mentor- He Is Patiently Waiting
Today's Reading: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; II Peter 3
Scripture: II Peter 3:9 " The Lord is not slack concerning His promise...but is longsuffering [patient] toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Observation: Jesus has promised that He is coming again to put an end to this world and reign over a new heaven and a new earth. The early believers, expecting this to happen in their lifetime, had begun to question and doubt. Peter reminds them that God is patiently waiting until all have had an opportunity to bow to Him and confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Application: Jesus may come in my lifetime--He is surely coming in someone's lifetime!
Until then, I have promised Him that I will do all I can to give others the opportunity to know Him. Today I will: 1) pray for our Cross Pointe team in the Congo as they are even now sharing the story of Jesus with people who have never heard, and 2) pray for opportunities today to share the story of Jesus with people who, even in Atlanta, have never heard. God is waiting.
Prayer: Lord God, I thank You for your love for every person whom You have created. Thousands of people around the world (including the USA) will hear today of Your love for them, their need for repentance, and a Savior who died for them. Soften each heart as they listen, that the Holy Spirit may bring them to You. Amen.
Scripture: II Peter 3:9 " The Lord is not slack concerning His promise...but is longsuffering [patient] toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Observation: Jesus has promised that He is coming again to put an end to this world and reign over a new heaven and a new earth. The early believers, expecting this to happen in their lifetime, had begun to question and doubt. Peter reminds them that God is patiently waiting until all have had an opportunity to bow to Him and confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Application: Jesus may come in my lifetime--He is surely coming in someone's lifetime!
Until then, I have promised Him that I will do all I can to give others the opportunity to know Him. Today I will: 1) pray for our Cross Pointe team in the Congo as they are even now sharing the story of Jesus with people who have never heard, and 2) pray for opportunities today to share the story of Jesus with people who, even in Atlanta, have never heard. God is waiting.
Prayer: Lord God, I thank You for your love for every person whom You have created. Thousands of people around the world (including the USA) will hear today of Your love for them, their need for repentance, and a Savior who died for them. Soften each heart as they listen, that the Holy Spirit may bring them to You. Amen.
Nothing can undo His love
Today's Reading:
Isaiah 53-56 2Peter 2
Isaiah 54:10
'Though the mountains move and the hills shake,
My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,
says your compassionate Lord."
This verse was made for me because I have allowed myself to become too busy to journal this week. As each day passed as I prayed throughout the day asking God to forgive me for not making time for just him. I promised myself I would sit down no matter what and journal today. Not because I felt I needed it but because I felt guilty and feared what next week would be like. So with this verse God removed all those feelings of guilt that are not of Him. He has once again confirmed with me that no matter what may happen or what I might do or not do He is always here for me. I really needed this because I have an ongoing struggle with feeling worthy of Christ dying for me. I question myself and I need to remind myself instead that yes, Christ died for me and yes, God's promises are real.
My prayer is that Our Father will continue to show his patience and love as we stumble through this life that he has blessed us with.
Isaiah 53-56 2Peter 2
Isaiah 54:10
'Though the mountains move and the hills shake,
My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,
says your compassionate Lord."
This verse was made for me because I have allowed myself to become too busy to journal this week. As each day passed as I prayed throughout the day asking God to forgive me for not making time for just him. I promised myself I would sit down no matter what and journal today. Not because I felt I needed it but because I felt guilty and feared what next week would be like. So with this verse God removed all those feelings of guilt that are not of Him. He has once again confirmed with me that no matter what may happen or what I might do or not do He is always here for me. I really needed this because I have an ongoing struggle with feeling worthy of Christ dying for me. I question myself and I need to remind myself instead that yes, Christ died for me and yes, God's promises are real.
My prayer is that Our Father will continue to show his patience and love as we stumble through this life that he has blessed us with.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Divine Mentor - ANGER - Teresa H.
Scripture for Today:
Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2
Scripture that God used to speak to me Today:
Isaiah 54:16-17
...And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me", declares the Lord.
Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2
Scripture that God used to speak to me Today:
Isaiah 54:16-17
...And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me", declares the Lord.
God created us all, even those that wrong us and cause us pain; however, those that set out to destroy us will not prevail and as a child of the King, the Lord will bring about justification to those who have done us wrong.
Dear Lord,
Please take away this deep rooted anger and resentment that is inside of me. Help me to see others through your eyes and to love them like you do. Please take away my desire for revenge on those who have wronged me. Allow me to truly forgive and give me peace in my heart and mind. Help me to live my life in a way that others can see you through me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Divine Mentor- "What Else Matters?"
Isaiah 50-52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16 "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty."
Observation: When asked how I know the Bible is true, I talk about Peter. Can you imagine this rough, impetuous fisherman, who denied even knowing Jesus because he was scared and went into hiding during the crucifixion, showing up later to make up stories about a risen Jesus- and for what? To spend the rest of his life in poverty, traveling from place to place, ridiculed and worse, finally to be crucified himself- upside down?? Why would he give up his life for a lie?
Application: Most people in Gwinnett County (including church "attenders"), let alone Atlanta and the rest of the country, do not believe that Jesus is God's Son, risen from the dead, the ONLY way to a relationship to the ONE TRUE GOD, and the ONLY way to eternity in Heaven. They don't adamantly reject the idea- they just don't have a reason to believe it. What am I doing about that? Does anything else matter?
Prayer: O God, nothing in my life should matter to me more than You, and nothing matters more to You than bringing souls to an eternal relationship with You. Show me those souls today. Amen.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16 "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty."
Observation: When asked how I know the Bible is true, I talk about Peter. Can you imagine this rough, impetuous fisherman, who denied even knowing Jesus because he was scared and went into hiding during the crucifixion, showing up later to make up stories about a risen Jesus- and for what? To spend the rest of his life in poverty, traveling from place to place, ridiculed and worse, finally to be crucified himself- upside down?? Why would he give up his life for a lie?
Application: Most people in Gwinnett County (including church "attenders"), let alone Atlanta and the rest of the country, do not believe that Jesus is God's Son, risen from the dead, the ONLY way to a relationship to the ONE TRUE GOD, and the ONLY way to eternity in Heaven. They don't adamantly reject the idea- they just don't have a reason to believe it. What am I doing about that? Does anything else matter?
Prayer: O God, nothing in my life should matter to me more than You, and nothing matters more to You than bringing souls to an eternal relationship with You. Show me those souls today. Amen.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Divine Mentor - Listening to God - Isaiah 48 - KJV by: barbara hutchinson
This entire chapter deals with listening to our FATHER and hearing through all the clamor, chaos & confusion of this world. Our DADDY speaks only truth to us even if it is uncomfortable & so very contrary to what this world has to say.
HE begins in verse 1 with the word HEAR,
vs 6 Thou hast HEARD.
vs 12 HEARKEN unto ME
vs 14 all ye, assemble yourselves and HEAR
vs 15 I, have spoken
vs 16 Come ye near unto me, HEAR ye this
vs 18 O that thou hadst HEARKENED
begins chapter 49 with LISTEN
It is so vitally important that we take time to seek HIS VOICE and actually sit & LISTEN to hear what HE has to say and talk to & with HIM not just at HIM. PRAYER MUST BE A TWO WAY CONVERSATION. So often our prayers are centered on just what we want for our families, friends & ourselves and we do all the talking, get up & walk off & expect GOD to obey us..... & then be offended when HE didn't immediately respond to us. Not giving HIM the respect to have HIS say in the matter.
HE sees the entire battle field, what is coming up from behind, what is laying out ahead of us waiting, what is coming at us from our blind sides. We have a very myopic view of what is right in front of us, that is why we must live in faith with HIM & not by sight in this world. So simpe but oh so profound in our lives to HEAR what HE has to say about the matter.
I did not like it when my children gave me a list of to do things for them but never gave me the time of day to have a say in the matter. I was angry, offended & not very inclined to bless them in anyway. But thank YOU my DADDY for having more long suffering patience with us YOUR children today. But HE is trying to tell us to slow down from the business of each day, this very day we are in, put away the noisy distractions of the lies & interruptions of this world from tv, internet, cell phones, smart phones, work, etc. that demand our attention. Let alone all the things we pile on our plates to be accomplished by our own expectations & of those around us to be fulfilled in this one day. Then become disappointed when we do not finish them.
If we cannot REST IN HIM, how can we HEAR HIM and that is the MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT MUST BE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST EACH DAY. It is the blessing of tranquility, calmness, harmony, serenity, complete satisfaction of peace beyond all understanding no matter what our circumstances are, must be Our FATHERS supernatural heavenly manifested presence of full measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over in abundance of spiritual insight, revelation knowledge , wisdom, understanding we must follow HIS voice, listen & obey.
Knowledge is an input, wisdom is the output.
So contrary to the worlds voice filled with fear.
My prayer for each of us:
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY DADDY pull each of us up into YOUR lap as I did my little ones YOU so graciously share with me when they were so tired & weary, sometimes confused when things did not happen as they wanted it to be, speak tender, soothing & comforting WORDS we need to HEAR that takes away the fear and we understand in child like faith that YOU know whats in our best interest far better than we do so we rest in YOU as my children did in my tender loving arms protecting them. How much more are we protected in YOURS. YOU never give us more than we can handle. Thats how YOU grow us up in YOU.
To be not afraid but strong & courageous in YOU who is our hope, happiness, contentment, optimisim, anticipation, expectation of everything good pertaining to life.
We understand & take to heart the promise of truth YOU inspired to be written Ps. 118:8 IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE (TRUST) IN MAN.
OH, that we fully understand that a promise broken becomes a lie.....YOU cannot lie, we cannot lie when we diligently speak YOU LORD JESUS our FATHERS WORD, PROMISE, VOW, OATH, COVENANT OF EVERYTHING GOOD PERTAINING TO LIFE that has exposed, consumed, destroyed satan the liar of everything evil pertaining to death that is so pervasive in our lives from this world.
Thank YOU DADDY for listening to my prayer for us YOUR CHILDREN in the ANNOINTED SACRIFICE OF OUR LORD JESUS THROUGH YOU SWEET HOLY SPIRIT AMEN.
HE begins in verse 1 with the word HEAR,
vs 6 Thou hast HEARD.
vs 12 HEARKEN unto ME
vs 14 all ye, assemble yourselves and HEAR
vs 15 I, have spoken
vs 16 Come ye near unto me, HEAR ye this
vs 18 O that thou hadst HEARKENED
begins chapter 49 with LISTEN
It is so vitally important that we take time to seek HIS VOICE and actually sit & LISTEN to hear what HE has to say and talk to & with HIM not just at HIM. PRAYER MUST BE A TWO WAY CONVERSATION. So often our prayers are centered on just what we want for our families, friends & ourselves and we do all the talking, get up & walk off & expect GOD to obey us..... & then be offended when HE didn't immediately respond to us. Not giving HIM the respect to have HIS say in the matter.
HE sees the entire battle field, what is coming up from behind, what is laying out ahead of us waiting, what is coming at us from our blind sides. We have a very myopic view of what is right in front of us, that is why we must live in faith with HIM & not by sight in this world. So simpe but oh so profound in our lives to HEAR what HE has to say about the matter.
I did not like it when my children gave me a list of to do things for them but never gave me the time of day to have a say in the matter. I was angry, offended & not very inclined to bless them in anyway. But thank YOU my DADDY for having more long suffering patience with us YOUR children today. But HE is trying to tell us to slow down from the business of each day, this very day we are in, put away the noisy distractions of the lies & interruptions of this world from tv, internet, cell phones, smart phones, work, etc. that demand our attention. Let alone all the things we pile on our plates to be accomplished by our own expectations & of those around us to be fulfilled in this one day. Then become disappointed when we do not finish them.
If we cannot REST IN HIM, how can we HEAR HIM and that is the MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT MUST BE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST EACH DAY. It is the blessing of tranquility, calmness, harmony, serenity, complete satisfaction of peace beyond all understanding no matter what our circumstances are, must be Our FATHERS supernatural heavenly manifested presence of full measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over in abundance of spiritual insight, revelation knowledge , wisdom, understanding we must follow HIS voice, listen & obey.
Knowledge is an input, wisdom is the output.
So contrary to the worlds voice filled with fear.
My prayer for each of us:
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY DADDY pull each of us up into YOUR lap as I did my little ones YOU so graciously share with me when they were so tired & weary, sometimes confused when things did not happen as they wanted it to be, speak tender, soothing & comforting WORDS we need to HEAR that takes away the fear and we understand in child like faith that YOU know whats in our best interest far better than we do so we rest in YOU as my children did in my tender loving arms protecting them. How much more are we protected in YOURS. YOU never give us more than we can handle. Thats how YOU grow us up in YOU.
To be not afraid but strong & courageous in YOU who is our hope, happiness, contentment, optimisim, anticipation, expectation of everything good pertaining to life.
We understand & take to heart the promise of truth YOU inspired to be written Ps. 118:8 IT IS BETTER TO TRUST IN THE LORD THAN TO PUT CONFIDENCE (TRUST) IN MAN.
OH, that we fully understand that a promise broken becomes a lie.....YOU cannot lie, we cannot lie when we diligently speak YOU LORD JESUS our FATHERS WORD, PROMISE, VOW, OATH, COVENANT OF EVERYTHING GOOD PERTAINING TO LIFE that has exposed, consumed, destroyed satan the liar of everything evil pertaining to death that is so pervasive in our lives from this world.
Thank YOU DADDY for listening to my prayer for us YOUR CHILDREN in the ANNOINTED SACRIFICE OF OUR LORD JESUS THROUGH YOU SWEET HOLY SPIRIT AMEN.
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