Covenant
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:19-20
Pact, arrangement and promise all synonymous with the word Covenant. Have you taken any time this week to think about a promise or deal you have made recently. Did you follow through with that promise, or did your life get too busy to follow through. We all have commitments we make and sometimes we cannot follow through on them which could have a real impact on the relationship we have with others. Take a look at this scripture and notice the covenant God has made with us, one that will not be broken, one that He will not go back on. When we make our promises or deals with people, maybe we should model these after God's covenant and not go back on these. If we followed through like God has with His covenant, maybe our relationships would be stronger. If our relationship with God is stronger in remembering His covenant, our lives would more focused on those promises and less on ourselves.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
Fantastic Friday #509 - Dispute
Dispute
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 6:1-9
Have you had a dispute in the past that has led to someone filing a lawsuit against you or you filed against someone else? What was the real reason behind the lawsuit? Was the lawsuit valid or was it someone that was out to harm you and your family financially. When things like this occur, it is not just the financial harm that can come to someone, it is also emotionally taxing and people can begin to ask if themselves if they really did something wrong. For people who are going through this, or have gone through these circumstances there are some things to think about. For the people who are going through it, what is the real reason for this challenge you are faced with and are you placing everything at God's feet. For those who have gone through it, can you see how God weaved His plan together and can you see how faithful He is always? In either case of hardship or reflection we need to remember how faithful God is and know that He will take care of those who believe in Him and honor Him.
Have a great weekend.
If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 6:1-9
Have you had a dispute in the past that has led to someone filing a lawsuit against you or you filed against someone else? What was the real reason behind the lawsuit? Was the lawsuit valid or was it someone that was out to harm you and your family financially. When things like this occur, it is not just the financial harm that can come to someone, it is also emotionally taxing and people can begin to ask if themselves if they really did something wrong. For people who are going through this, or have gone through these circumstances there are some things to think about. For the people who are going through it, what is the real reason for this challenge you are faced with and are you placing everything at God's feet. For those who have gone through it, can you see how God weaved His plan together and can you see how faithful He is always? In either case of hardship or reflection we need to remember how faithful God is and know that He will take care of those who believe in Him and honor Him.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Fantastic Friday #508 - Why?
Why?
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:12-13
I am guilty of asking this question too many times. Do you find that you are wondering why, asking why and feeling a sense of why? It is human nature to ask these questions because we seek knowledge. However, when we go through a difficult time we tend to ask that quickly, typically saying why me and why now? Our memories are short and tend not to remember coming out of those struggles and challenges and who brought us out of them. What we tend to focus on is why God is allowing this. Well this scripture is a good reminder of how we need to approach God, and not get discouraged. It is through our sufferings that make us strong and through our challenges that make us lean into Him even more. Don't ask why, but ask how do you want me to respond Lord.
Have a great weekend.
12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:12-13
I am guilty of asking this question too many times. Do you find that you are wondering why, asking why and feeling a sense of why? It is human nature to ask these questions because we seek knowledge. However, when we go through a difficult time we tend to ask that quickly, typically saying why me and why now? Our memories are short and tend not to remember coming out of those struggles and challenges and who brought us out of them. What we tend to focus on is why God is allowing this. Well this scripture is a good reminder of how we need to approach God, and not get discouraged. It is through our sufferings that make us strong and through our challenges that make us lean into Him even more. Don't ask why, but ask how do you want me to respond Lord.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Fantastic Friday #507 - Endurance
Endurance
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-6
There are many scriptures that have an impact on people, but this one has a specific meaning to me. Persistence, perseverance and patience are all words that are synonymous with endurance, and what's even more interesting is I used this same scripture exactly one year ago to discuss the world around us and how we should allow God to encourage us. A big question to ask is do I pay enough attention to the scriptures that are written to teach us, or do I pass them off during certain worldly times as just good words. If we just look at them as just words, then we are missing the point, because within the words there is meaning and they can teach and guide. Remember, they are God's words and God's scriptures that are meant to teach and encourage. If we are encouraged by God's words, think about how many others can be encouraged by you through Him.
Have a great weekend.
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-6
There are many scriptures that have an impact on people, but this one has a specific meaning to me. Persistence, perseverance and patience are all words that are synonymous with endurance, and what's even more interesting is I used this same scripture exactly one year ago to discuss the world around us and how we should allow God to encourage us. A big question to ask is do I pay enough attention to the scriptures that are written to teach us, or do I pass them off during certain worldly times as just good words. If we just look at them as just words, then we are missing the point, because within the words there is meaning and they can teach and guide. Remember, they are God's words and God's scriptures that are meant to teach and encourage. If we are encouraged by God's words, think about how many others can be encouraged by you through Him.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Fantastic Friday #506 - Rich
Rich
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
How do you perceive being rich? A lot of people focus first on money and belongings. I heard someone say this week that if you aren't happy already, money isn't going to make you happy, but if you are happy, money will make you a lot happier. Truly there's a problem with this statement because the riches of this world are not where true happiness lies. If you focus on this scripture, God's glorious riches are not listed in terms of money or possessions, but His Spirit. Think about how much happier you are when you focus on the indwelling Spirit in you compared to something that won't be here tomorrow. God knows that love is a true richness that we should embrace this love that God provides through His fullness. So when you think about richness, think about these things, because God can make you happy when you aren't and happier when you are.
Have a great weekend.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
How do you perceive being rich? A lot of people focus first on money and belongings. I heard someone say this week that if you aren't happy already, money isn't going to make you happy, but if you are happy, money will make you a lot happier. Truly there's a problem with this statement because the riches of this world are not where true happiness lies. If you focus on this scripture, God's glorious riches are not listed in terms of money or possessions, but His Spirit. Think about how much happier you are when you focus on the indwelling Spirit in you compared to something that won't be here tomorrow. God knows that love is a true richness that we should embrace this love that God provides through His fullness. So when you think about richness, think about these things, because God can make you happy when you aren't and happier when you are.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Fantastic Friday #505 - Do Good
Do Good
8 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging waragainst the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:8-10
What do we do when we cannot do good? Our lives are constantly filled with doing this thing and that thing in order to accomplish something. Many times we get so caught up in doing whatever we think is important to us that we forget all that is happening around us. This is when the enemy strikes, when our guard is down and we are not focused on what God wants us to do. When sin sneaks in and keeps us from doing good the enemy wins, or at least he thinks he wins. The interesting thing is that even though our sinful nature lives in us, we are rescued by God through Jesus and His death and resurrection. We can rejoice by knowing we have God living in us if we just take the moment to remember that we have Him.
Have a great weekend.
8 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging waragainst the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:8-10
What do we do when we cannot do good? Our lives are constantly filled with doing this thing and that thing in order to accomplish something. Many times we get so caught up in doing whatever we think is important to us that we forget all that is happening around us. This is when the enemy strikes, when our guard is down and we are not focused on what God wants us to do. When sin sneaks in and keeps us from doing good the enemy wins, or at least he thinks he wins. The interesting thing is that even though our sinful nature lives in us, we are rescued by God through Jesus and His death and resurrection. We can rejoice by knowing we have God living in us if we just take the moment to remember that we have Him.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 1, 2016
Fantastic Friday #504 - Shift
Shift
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:16-18
I find myself restless at times and find myself shifting around wondering what I am going to do next. I tend to question why certain things happen and why they happen to good people. I wonder whether the challenges we have in our life are really good for me or those impacted. Then moments when I see this scripture remind me how in control God is in our lives. The truth He has outlined in His word is firm and unchanging just like Him. The gifts and rewards we receive are all from Him, including those things that allow us to be challenged so we can realize how important He is in our life. So let us not be restless and let us be firm in our beliefs in these days.
Have a great weekend.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:16-18
I find myself restless at times and find myself shifting around wondering what I am going to do next. I tend to question why certain things happen and why they happen to good people. I wonder whether the challenges we have in our life are really good for me or those impacted. Then moments when I see this scripture remind me how in control God is in our lives. The truth He has outlined in His word is firm and unchanging just like Him. The gifts and rewards we receive are all from Him, including those things that allow us to be challenged so we can realize how important He is in our life. So let us not be restless and let us be firm in our beliefs in these days.
Have a great weekend.
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