"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis
I thought many times because of past disappointments & failures in areas of my life & relationships that setting new goals or daring to dream new dreams was a lost cause. I have discovered that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I'm so very thankful.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Pressing on Toward the Goal(s)
Pressing on Toward the Goal
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
To reach the goal I have found it very crucial to have goals along the way. I praise and thank God for the wisdom and discernment to set goals and for the power it takes to reach these goals. To Him be the glory!
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
To reach the goal I have found it very crucial to have goals along the way. I praise and thank God for the wisdom and discernment to set goals and for the power it takes to reach these goals. To Him be the glory!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Giving out of wealth or poverty?
Mark 12:41-44
The Widow's Offering
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
After reading/listening through the Gospel of Mark one of the things I have been challenged to examine is my heart's attitude when I serve and worship the Lord. Do I give "safely" out of the wealth of my money or do I give with "reckless abandonment" out of the poverty of my money? Do I give sparingly of my 24 hour day and only when it is convenient for me to do so or do I give generously of my time whether I "feel" like it or not?
The Widow's Offering
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
After reading/listening through the Gospel of Mark one of the things I have been challenged to examine is my heart's attitude when I serve and worship the Lord. Do I give "safely" out of the wealth of my money or do I give with "reckless abandonment" out of the poverty of my money? Do I give sparingly of my 24 hour day and only when it is convenient for me to do so or do I give generously of my time whether I "feel" like it or not?
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Loving this season.
I'm so thankful for the relationships the Lord has given me. Over and over again, with regard to the people I am in contact with on a regular basis, I see His glory and strength in these "good gifts" from above.
I love this season of life we are in. As I have read my blog entries from the past year or so I see how much the Lord has answered prayer and responded to the desires He has put on my heart. Hope does not disappoint.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I'm kind of in a season of renewed strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running and not weary and walking and not feeling faint.
Praise God!
I love this season of life we are in. As I have read my blog entries from the past year or so I see how much the Lord has answered prayer and responded to the desires He has put on my heart. Hope does not disappoint.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I'm kind of in a season of renewed strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running and not weary and walking and not feeling faint.
Praise God!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Am I in Christ Jesus or not?
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I can be "in" ministry, church, good relationships, and also be "into" living according to God's "law" but if I am not "in Christ Jesus" I am deceived to think that any of the things that I'm "into" will save me in the day of God's judgement and wrath. I'm hopelessly "in my sin" if I'm not "in Christ Jesus". As a Christian, if I'm not seeking His presence more than His principles I begin to live by the law and the law's purpose is to show me my sin and need of forgiveness and salvation. Living by the law doesn't save only being "in Christ Jesus" saves.
Romans 10:9-11
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:1-2
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I can be "in" ministry, church, good relationships, and also be "into" living according to God's "law" but if I am not "in Christ Jesus" I am deceived to think that any of the things that I'm "into" will save me in the day of God's judgement and wrath. I'm hopelessly "in my sin" if I'm not "in Christ Jesus". As a Christian, if I'm not seeking His presence more than His principles I begin to live by the law and the law's purpose is to show me my sin and need of forgiveness and salvation. Living by the law doesn't save only being "in Christ Jesus" saves.
Romans 10:9-11
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."
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