Clear
3 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
4 The fearful heart will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
5 No longer will the fool be called noble
nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
6 For fools speak folly,
their hearts are bent on evil:
They practice ungodliness
and spread error concerning the LORD;
the hungry they leave empty
and from the thirsty they withhold water.
7 Scoundrels use wicked methods,
they make up evil schemes
to destroy the poor with lies,
even when the plea of the needy is just.
8 But the noble make noble plans,
and by noble deeds they stand. Isaiah 32:3-8
I was watching a fire in an outdoor fire pit in 16 degree weather today and I saw something very interesting. When the heat rose from the flames, it created a very unclear effect on what I was looking at on the other side of the fire. But when the fire was gone, the view became very clear. Our lives are very similar to this situation when sin attempts to enter our life. When evil tries to enter our life, the reality can be distorted and can make us question what we should be doing. We need to keep a clear mind by following the path our Lord makes and avoid the scoundrels of this world that use everything in their power to make things unclear for us.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Fantastic Friday #294- Laughter
Laughter
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:1-3
I wonder how many of you got a good laugh last night when I sent the email out without anything in the message except for one word. There is research that purports laughter can extend your life. I am sure many of you feel much better after a good belly laugh. I know that I have laughed quite a bit this week and so has my mother-in-law, probably because the kids have been so outrageous. So when you think of our Lord and what He has done for us, are you a solemn person filled with joy, or do you ever let yourself laugh with joy for what God has done for us. I think there is a solemn time for reverence for our Lord but I also think there is a time for laughter and joy. Take a moment to laugh this week, it just might remind you of how joyful your life can be.
Have a great weekend.
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:1-3
I wonder how many of you got a good laugh last night when I sent the email out without anything in the message except for one word. There is research that purports laughter can extend your life. I am sure many of you feel much better after a good belly laugh. I know that I have laughed quite a bit this week and so has my mother-in-law, probably because the kids have been so outrageous. So when you think of our Lord and what He has done for us, are you a solemn person filled with joy, or do you ever let yourself laugh with joy for what God has done for us. I think there is a solemn time for reverence for our Lord but I also think there is a time for laughter and joy. Take a moment to laugh this week, it just might remind you of how joyful your life can be.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Fantastic Friday #293- Sent
Sent
4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
Tonight I held my new nephew who is only two days old. As I reflect on holding his precious body in my arms, I think of how God has sent him to be placed in the care my brother and his wife and be a part of our lives as well. How many of us sit and think about where and how we were sent to the places in our life. Do you feel like you were sent for a purpose, and do you think God sent you to the perfect place and time? We shouldn't sit and ponder whether we think these things are true, we just need to stop and look back at scripture to see how perfect God's timing is in our lives. Just like in His perfect time He sent His Son for us, to redeem us and bring us into the family. He did this so we could be sent to the perfect place for His perfect plan to fulfill His purpose. Take a moment to reflect where He has sent you and know that it is within his perfect timing.
Have a great weekend.
4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
Tonight I held my new nephew who is only two days old. As I reflect on holding his precious body in my arms, I think of how God has sent him to be placed in the care my brother and his wife and be a part of our lives as well. How many of us sit and think about where and how we were sent to the places in our life. Do you feel like you were sent for a purpose, and do you think God sent you to the perfect place and time? We shouldn't sit and ponder whether we think these things are true, we just need to stop and look back at scripture to see how perfect God's timing is in our lives. Just like in His perfect time He sent His Son for us, to redeem us and bring us into the family. He did this so we could be sent to the perfect place for His perfect plan to fulfill His purpose. Take a moment to reflect where He has sent you and know that it is within his perfect timing.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Fantastic Friday #292- Greedy
Greedy
16 I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
17 I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
19 creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:16-21
The world is full of greed and if you look back in history it has always had some form of greed imbedded in society. In today's world, maybe it is because of the multimedia of our world that makes it more noticeable. Around every corner there is someone who is just waiting to make the next buck, or take advantage of the next person who walks up to them so they can make an even larger score. This time of year we see a different kind of greed, one that pursues that next big thing that will show our status in society. The problem is, that greed is a wicked behavior that one can find no peace in according to scripture, and you can see this by the most greedy who always want more. Why not focus on being humble with what you have and not look to build up what you think are treasures, for our treasures are elsewhere and we need to have focus and peace in our lives. I think it would make life a lot more pleasant.
Have a great weekend.
16 I will not accuse them forever,
nor will I always be angry,
for then they would faint away because of me—
the very people I have created.
17 I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
19 creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 57:16-21
The world is full of greed and if you look back in history it has always had some form of greed imbedded in society. In today's world, maybe it is because of the multimedia of our world that makes it more noticeable. Around every corner there is someone who is just waiting to make the next buck, or take advantage of the next person who walks up to them so they can make an even larger score. This time of year we see a different kind of greed, one that pursues that next big thing that will show our status in society. The problem is, that greed is a wicked behavior that one can find no peace in according to scripture, and you can see this by the most greedy who always want more. Why not focus on being humble with what you have and not look to build up what you think are treasures, for our treasures are elsewhere and we need to have focus and peace in our lives. I think it would make life a lot more pleasant.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Fantastic Friday #291-Regeneration
Regeneration
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8
What do you think of when you hear the word regeneration? For some of you that are old enough to remember, do you think of the six million dollar man being in such bad shape they had to totally rebuild him? "We can rebuild him, we have the technology to make him better, stronger, faster" directly from the show's introduction. Now take a look at yourself if you have accepted Christ into your life. Do you feel better and stronger with Christ in you? One great picture in this verse is how God used the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to see, hear, repent and believe. And once you believed, you became a regenerated person who was once dead but now alive in Christ. Now that is something worth praising.
Have a great weekend.
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8
What do you think of when you hear the word regeneration? For some of you that are old enough to remember, do you think of the six million dollar man being in such bad shape they had to totally rebuild him? "We can rebuild him, we have the technology to make him better, stronger, faster" directly from the show's introduction. Now take a look at yourself if you have accepted Christ into your life. Do you feel better and stronger with Christ in you? One great picture in this verse is how God used the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to see, hear, repent and believe. And once you believed, you became a regenerated person who was once dead but now alive in Christ. Now that is something worth praising.
Have a great weekend.
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