Thought for the day
The New Testament says that Jesus walked on water (John 6:16-21), but Professor Doron Nof believes there could be a less miraculous explanation -- he walked on a floating piece of ice. Nof, a professor of oceanography at Florida State University, said on Tuesday that his study found an unusual combination of water and atmospheric conditions in northern Israel which could have led to ice formation on the Sea of Galilee.
A drop in temperature below freezing could have caused ice thick enough to support a human to form on the surface of the freshwater lake near the western shore, Nof said. It might have been nearly impossible for distant observers to see a piece of floating ice surrounded by water. Nof said he offered his study as a "possible explanation" for Jesus' walk on water. It's nothing new.
There have been attempts to "explain away" the miracles of Jesus ever since -- well, ever since the time of Jesus. Every now and then, though, these attempts rise to preposterous levels. William Barclay, a well-known commentator, has attempted to come up with a possible "natural" explanation for many of Jesus' miracles as well. My favorite is probably his explanation of the feeding of the 5,000 (also found in John 6). According to Barclay, many of the people in the crowd had food to eat, but they selfishly kept it to themselves. But when Jesus smiled and shared the loaves and fishes that the little boy brought him, the crowd was moved with remorse. So, when the basket of food passed, they each put in some of their own food so that, in the end, there was plenty for everyone.
The miracle, then, according to Barclay, was not the multiplication of food, but the changing of peoples' hearts. Jesus "turned a crowd of selfish men and women into a fellowship of sharers." (The Gospel of John, Volume 1, p. 206) But, back to Nof's theory. Let me get this straight. The disciples got into a boat and started to cross the Sea of Galilee. It was dark. Jesus conveniently stepped onto a piece of ice which then floated across the sea. While this was happening, "a strong wind started to blow and stir up the sea." (John 6:18, GOD'S WORD).
Apparently Jesus had excellent balance because the wind and the waves were not enough to cause him to fall off of this piece of ice as it drifted several miles directly to the disciples' boat. I don't know about you, but it seems to me that may have taken a bigger miracle than walking on the water! Why would anyone go to such great lengths to try to discount what happened? I can only think of one reason.
If the miracles are indeed true, then they force a person to an undeniable conclusion -- that Jesus was indeed who he claimed to be (the Son of God): "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31) Thanks be to our God who time and again demonstrated his power over nature, disease, Satan, death, and ultimately his own death. We praise Him for His power, and humbly submit ourselves to His will!
Verses
Galatians 6:9
And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the broken-hearted And binds up their wounds.
Ephesians 4:29
Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Without a break let your prayers continue to be made.
2 Corinthians 8:9
You know the unconditional love of our Lord Jesus Christ; he had all the wealth of God and he became a pauper so that through his poverty we could become wealthy.
Prayer
Father, You are a sun and shield; a light to those who walk in darkness and a shield to protect us from the enemy’s arsenal. You will not withhold anything that will help us serve You better. The longer we walk this spiritual journey we become more trusting because we’ve seen Your mighty hand and outstretched arm leading us all along the way, just as You led the Israelites out of Egypt. You deliver us from our own peril and provide us with everything we need for this life and the next. We fully trust in You, O Lord Almighty.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday prayer & verses (31 08 2009)
Thought for the day
At the end of their first date, a young man takes his favorite girl home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for that important first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, "Darling, how 'bout a goodnight kiss?"
Horrified, she replies, "Are you mad? My parents will see us!"
"Oh come on! Who's gonna see us at this hour?"
"No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?"
"Oh come on, there's nobody around, they're all sleeping!"
"No way. It's just too risky!"
"Oh please, please, I like you so much!!"
"No, no, and no. I like you too, but I just can't!"
"Oh yes you can. Please?"
"NO, no. I just can't."
"Pleeeeease?..."
Out of the blue, the porch light goes on, and the girl's sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice the sister says: "Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he'll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud, tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!"
How embarrassing to realize that a conversation you thought was being held in secret was known to everyone in the house! There are some things we say that we don't want others to hear and some things we do that we don't want others to know about (sometimes with good reason). But, the truth is, much of what we try to keep hidden from others is because we know that what we are saying and doing is wrong and we don't want others to know about it.
If there's something in your life that you're trying to hide from others, you'd better be careful. And be reminded that there are no secrets we can keep from God. He sees all, He knows all, and He appreciates the person who is honest enough to allow God into every aspect of his life. For those who want to live in secret, the day is coming when those secrets will be revealed.
Paul spoke of "the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel." (Romans 2:16)
Solomon spoke of a time when "God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
May your live your life every day with the confidence that your hand is on the intercom button, God is on the other end, but you have nothing to be ashamed of.
Verses
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the treacherous attacks of the devil;
Psalm 147:3
He heals the broken-hearted And binds up their wounds.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask for in your prayers, with faith, you will receive.'
Psalm 34:9-10
Fear the Lord, ye who are to His work consecrated! No want shall they know to His promise who cling. The young lions lack food, and they hunger unsated: We who seek him shall never lack any good thing.
Prayer
Father, we pray for those who are walking in the valley of the shadow of death with a loved one today. Give them deep abiding peace and calm assurance in place of worry and fear as they’re confronted with the circumstances that surround them this day. We pray for their loved one who is waging war between life and death, that they will find a place of quiet rest near to Your heart, O God; a place where Your sweet Spirit ministers in ways where human words fall short. Help us to trust You for that which we can’t understand and to search the Scriptures for that which You want us to fully comprehend on this side about life and death. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
At the end of their first date, a young man takes his favorite girl home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for that important first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, "Darling, how 'bout a goodnight kiss?"
Horrified, she replies, "Are you mad? My parents will see us!"
"Oh come on! Who's gonna see us at this hour?"
"No, please. Can you imagine if we get caught?"
"Oh come on, there's nobody around, they're all sleeping!"
"No way. It's just too risky!"
"Oh please, please, I like you so much!!"
"No, no, and no. I like you too, but I just can't!"
"Oh yes you can. Please?"
"NO, no. I just can't."
"Pleeeeease?..."
Out of the blue, the porch light goes on, and the girl's sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice the sister says: "Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he'll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud, tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!"
How embarrassing to realize that a conversation you thought was being held in secret was known to everyone in the house! There are some things we say that we don't want others to hear and some things we do that we don't want others to know about (sometimes with good reason). But, the truth is, much of what we try to keep hidden from others is because we know that what we are saying and doing is wrong and we don't want others to know about it.
If there's something in your life that you're trying to hide from others, you'd better be careful. And be reminded that there are no secrets we can keep from God. He sees all, He knows all, and He appreciates the person who is honest enough to allow God into every aspect of his life. For those who want to live in secret, the day is coming when those secrets will be revealed.
Paul spoke of "the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel." (Romans 2:16)
Solomon spoke of a time when "God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
May your live your life every day with the confidence that your hand is on the intercom button, God is on the other end, but you have nothing to be ashamed of.
Verses
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the treacherous attacks of the devil;
Psalm 147:3
He heals the broken-hearted And binds up their wounds.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask for in your prayers, with faith, you will receive.'
Psalm 34:9-10
Fear the Lord, ye who are to His work consecrated! No want shall they know to His promise who cling. The young lions lack food, and they hunger unsated: We who seek him shall never lack any good thing.
Prayer
Father, we pray for those who are walking in the valley of the shadow of death with a loved one today. Give them deep abiding peace and calm assurance in place of worry and fear as they’re confronted with the circumstances that surround them this day. We pray for their loved one who is waging war between life and death, that they will find a place of quiet rest near to Your heart, O God; a place where Your sweet Spirit ministers in ways where human words fall short. Help us to trust You for that which we can’t understand and to search the Scriptures for that which You want us to fully comprehend on this side about life and death. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday prayer & verses (28 08 2009)
Thought for the day
VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the Problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD Good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't how this GOD good is then? Hmm? (Student was silent)
Professor: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, Young Fella. Is GOD Good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From. ... GOD . . .
Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer)
Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student had no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor: Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn't.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student: Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre)
Student: What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something. You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, and Flashing Light. But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and it's called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, Young Man?
Student: Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey? Professor: If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavour, Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar) Student: Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain? (The Class broke out into Laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . . . No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that You have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir? (The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student: That is it sir . . . Exactly! The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving………
NB: That student was Albert Einstein.
Verses
Hebrews 6:12
Thus you will not become sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience come into the possession of the promised blessings.
Luke 13:16
"So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Psalm 5:2
Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray.
Psalm 112:1,3
Hallelujah! Oh, the bliss of the man who reveres the LORD, who greatly delights in His ordinances. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness shall stand firm forever.
Prayer
Jesus, in certain situations I am fearful when You speak to my heart about being obedient. When You compel me like you did Esther to do or say something that’s not within my comfort zone I become fearful of the outcome which prevents me from stepping out in faith and following through with an obedient heart. Would You remind me that there is great blessing when I follow Your leading. Help me not to fear the outcome, for that is in Your hands. Thank You for Your prompting and for entrusting me to be a part of your grand purpose.
VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the Problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his New Christian Students to stand and . . .
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD Good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD ALL - POWERFUL?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My Brother died of Cancer even though he Prayed to GOD to Heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't how this GOD good is then? Hmm? (Student was silent)
Professor: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, Young Fella. Is GOD Good?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From. ... GOD . . .
Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this World?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer)
Professor: Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the World, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student had no answer)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to Identify and Observe the World around you. Tell me, son . . . Have you ever Seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, Tasted your GOD, Smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any Sensory Perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my Faith.
Professor: Yes, Faith. And that is the Problem Science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as Heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as Cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn't.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student: Sir, you can have Lots of Heat, even More Heat, Superheat, Mega Heat, White Heat, a Little Heat or No Heat. But we don't have anything called Cold. We can hit 458 Degrees below Zero which is No Heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as Cold. Cold is only a Word we use to describe the Absence of Heat. We cannot Measure Cold. Heat is Energy. Cold is Not the Opposite of Heat, sir, just the Absence of it.
(There was Pin-Drop Silence in the Lecture Theatre)
Student: What about Darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as Darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is Night if there isn't Darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the Absence of Something. You can have Low Light, Normal Light, Bright Light, and Flashing Light. But if you have No Light constantly, you have nothing and it's called Darkness, isn't it? In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make Darkness Darker, wouldn't you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, Young Man?
Student: Sir, my point is your Philosophical Premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the Premise of Duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can't even explain a Thought. It uses Electricity and Magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your Students that they evolved from a Monkey? Professor: If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shook his head with a Smile, beginning to realize where the Argument was going)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and Cannot even prove that this Process is an On-Going Endeavour, Are you not teaching your Opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar) Student: Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain? (The Class broke out into Laughter)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it? . . . No one appears to have done so. So, according to the Established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that You have No Brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then Trust your Lectures, sir? (The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student: That is it sir . . . Exactly! The Link between Man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving………
NB: That student was Albert Einstein.
Verses
Hebrews 6:12
Thus you will not become sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience come into the possession of the promised blessings.
Luke 13:16
"So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Psalm 5:2
Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray.
Psalm 112:1,3
Hallelujah! Oh, the bliss of the man who reveres the LORD, who greatly delights in His ordinances. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness shall stand firm forever.
Prayer
Jesus, in certain situations I am fearful when You speak to my heart about being obedient. When You compel me like you did Esther to do or say something that’s not within my comfort zone I become fearful of the outcome which prevents me from stepping out in faith and following through with an obedient heart. Would You remind me that there is great blessing when I follow Your leading. Help me not to fear the outcome, for that is in Your hands. Thank You for Your prompting and for entrusting me to be a part of your grand purpose.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday prayer & verses (27 08 2009)
Thought for the day
You've no doubt heard of Murphy's Law ("If anything can go wrong, it will.") You may have even heard of some of the corollaries to Murphy's Law ("If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.") But have you heard of the following new laws:
"The Law of Volunteering" -- If you dance with a grizzly bear, you had better let him lead.
"The Law of Avoiding Oversell" -- When putting cheese in a mousetrap, always leave room for the mouse.
"The Law of Reality" -- Never get into fights with ugly people, they have nothing to lose.
"The Law of Self-Sacrifice" -- When you starve with a tiger, the tiger starves last.
"Weiler's Law" -- Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.
"Law of Volunteer Labor" -- People are always available for work in the past tense.
"Conway's Law" -- In any organization there is one person who knows what is going on. That person must be fired.
"Osborne's Law" -- Variables won't; constants aren't.
"Main's Law" -- For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.
"The Law of Fools" -- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
"Law of Accuracy" -- When working toward the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer.
Corollary: Provided, of course, that you know there is a problem. There are some laws that truly are "laws" in that they always hold true. There are some laws that we wish weren't true. And there are some laws which, fortunately, are eventually removed from the books.
The New Testament speaks about the subject of "law" quite a bit. There is a sharp contrast drawn between the "old law" (given by Moses) and the "new law" (given by Jesus Christ). The apostle Paul spent several chapters in Romans discussing "the law" and its shortcomings (though he makes it clear that the law served an important role in his life).
Then in Romans 8, Paul refers to "the law of sin and death." What is that law? Simply this:
Whoever sins, must die (Rom. 6:23). It's a frightening law because we all know (even when we try to deny it) that we are guilty of sin, and so the punishment is inevitable. Fortunately, there is a "corollary" to the law of sin and death: "For the law of the Spirit in life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2). There's only one thing that can keep the law of sin and death from having its dreaded effect in our lives -- that's is to live a life "in Jesus Christ" according to the Spirit.
"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin." (Romans 8:3).
The law brings only the result of punishment. Jesus Christ brings a hope of blessing for those who live in Him. Folks, that's good news!
Verses
Revelation 12:11
But they conquered him on account of the blood of the Lamb and the truth they spoke and didn't love their life but were willing to die.
Matthew 8:17
[This was] to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases."
Deuteronomy 8:3
"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Corinthians 1:5
for in Him you have in every respect been enriched, with full power of expression and with adequate knowledge.
Prayer
Father, we’re grateful for the supernatural work You perform in our lives. Help us to follow Your leading in the small day to day promptings we receive from Your Spirit as we go about our activities. The way You cared for Moses is a great reminder that we are never without hope and our circumstances are never too grave when we walk in Your ways and trust You for that which concerns us. Amen.
You've no doubt heard of Murphy's Law ("If anything can go wrong, it will.") You may have even heard of some of the corollaries to Murphy's Law ("If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.") But have you heard of the following new laws:
"The Law of Volunteering" -- If you dance with a grizzly bear, you had better let him lead.
"The Law of Avoiding Oversell" -- When putting cheese in a mousetrap, always leave room for the mouse.
"The Law of Reality" -- Never get into fights with ugly people, they have nothing to lose.
"The Law of Self-Sacrifice" -- When you starve with a tiger, the tiger starves last.
"Weiler's Law" -- Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.
"Law of Volunteer Labor" -- People are always available for work in the past tense.
"Conway's Law" -- In any organization there is one person who knows what is going on. That person must be fired.
"Osborne's Law" -- Variables won't; constants aren't.
"Main's Law" -- For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.
"The Law of Fools" -- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
"Law of Accuracy" -- When working toward the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer.
Corollary: Provided, of course, that you know there is a problem. There are some laws that truly are "laws" in that they always hold true. There are some laws that we wish weren't true. And there are some laws which, fortunately, are eventually removed from the books.
The New Testament speaks about the subject of "law" quite a bit. There is a sharp contrast drawn between the "old law" (given by Moses) and the "new law" (given by Jesus Christ). The apostle Paul spent several chapters in Romans discussing "the law" and its shortcomings (though he makes it clear that the law served an important role in his life).
Then in Romans 8, Paul refers to "the law of sin and death." What is that law? Simply this:
Whoever sins, must die (Rom. 6:23). It's a frightening law because we all know (even when we try to deny it) that we are guilty of sin, and so the punishment is inevitable. Fortunately, there is a "corollary" to the law of sin and death: "For the law of the Spirit in life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2). There's only one thing that can keep the law of sin and death from having its dreaded effect in our lives -- that's is to live a life "in Jesus Christ" according to the Spirit.
"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin." (Romans 8:3).
The law brings only the result of punishment. Jesus Christ brings a hope of blessing for those who live in Him. Folks, that's good news!
Verses
Revelation 12:11
But they conquered him on account of the blood of the Lamb and the truth they spoke and didn't love their life but were willing to die.
Matthew 8:17
[This was] to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases."
Deuteronomy 8:3
"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Corinthians 1:5
for in Him you have in every respect been enriched, with full power of expression and with adequate knowledge.
Prayer
Father, we’re grateful for the supernatural work You perform in our lives. Help us to follow Your leading in the small day to day promptings we receive from Your Spirit as we go about our activities. The way You cared for Moses is a great reminder that we are never without hope and our circumstances are never too grave when we walk in Your ways and trust You for that which concerns us. Amen.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday prayer & verses (26 08 2009)
Thought for the day
I heard about a lady who spent some time in Egypt and brought back a rather unusual story. She was at a bazaar on one of Cairo's side streets, and saw a skull being exhibited. She asked the proprietor about it. He told her it was the skull of Cleopatra.
Alongside that skull was a smaller one, which piqued her interest. When she asked about that one, the proprietor said: "That m'lady is also Cleopatra's - but as a child."
While it may not surprise us that a vendor in a tourist area would make up such a story, we immediately recognize the obvious truth that there can't be two heads! It is an obvious truth in the physical realm, but one that we seem to need to be reminded of in the spiritual realm. "And he [God] has put all things under his [Christ's] feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
The church, the body of Christ, has only one head -- Jesus Christ. To use the words of a book by W. Griffith Thomas, "Christianity is Christ." Christ must be placed at the center of Christianity. He must be the focus of our faith.
Mr. Thomas made this observation in his book: "Christianity is the only religion in the world which rests on the Person of its founder. A man can be a faithful Mohammedan without in the least concerning himself with the person of Mohammed. So also a man can be a true and faithful Buddhist without knowing anything whatever about Buddha. It is quite different with Christianity [which] is so inextricably bound up with Christ that our view of the Person of Christ involves and determines our view of Christianity...."
And when Christ is placed at the center of our religion, then all the other elements of Christianity take on a completely new meaning. When he becomes the focus of our faith, we will see the church differently. The church isn't just an organization, but it is rather it is the spiritual body of Christ on earth. And when we see the church differently, we see ourselves differently as well. We are not just affiliated with an organization, as though we had joined the Kiwanis or the Elks Club. We see ourselves as members of the body of Christ who are joined together in unity and who live for the purpose of serving Jesus Christ, our one and only head.
Verses
2 Corinthians 5:7
(for our course here has to be guided by faith, not by what is visible) –
Exodus 23:25
"You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will keep you healthy.
John 10:10
The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.
Psalm 112:1,3
Let the Lord be praised. Happy is the man who gives honour to the Lord, and has great delight in his laws. A store of wealth will be in his house, and his righteousness will be forever.
Romans 12:12
If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying.
Prayer
Jesus, You taught Your followers that You are the vine and we are the branches. If we remain in You we will bear much fruit. Fruitfulness in our lives is not automatic nor can it be purchased or inherited since You are the sole source of our fruitfulness. Help us to be healthy vines bearing much fruit so that we bring glory to You and also bear witness to the world that we are truly Your disciples. Amen.
I heard about a lady who spent some time in Egypt and brought back a rather unusual story. She was at a bazaar on one of Cairo's side streets, and saw a skull being exhibited. She asked the proprietor about it. He told her it was the skull of Cleopatra.
Alongside that skull was a smaller one, which piqued her interest. When she asked about that one, the proprietor said: "That m'lady is also Cleopatra's - but as a child."
While it may not surprise us that a vendor in a tourist area would make up such a story, we immediately recognize the obvious truth that there can't be two heads! It is an obvious truth in the physical realm, but one that we seem to need to be reminded of in the spiritual realm. "And he [God] has put all things under his [Christ's] feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
The church, the body of Christ, has only one head -- Jesus Christ. To use the words of a book by W. Griffith Thomas, "Christianity is Christ." Christ must be placed at the center of Christianity. He must be the focus of our faith.
Mr. Thomas made this observation in his book: "Christianity is the only religion in the world which rests on the Person of its founder. A man can be a faithful Mohammedan without in the least concerning himself with the person of Mohammed. So also a man can be a true and faithful Buddhist without knowing anything whatever about Buddha. It is quite different with Christianity [which] is so inextricably bound up with Christ that our view of the Person of Christ involves and determines our view of Christianity...."
And when Christ is placed at the center of our religion, then all the other elements of Christianity take on a completely new meaning. When he becomes the focus of our faith, we will see the church differently. The church isn't just an organization, but it is rather it is the spiritual body of Christ on earth. And when we see the church differently, we see ourselves differently as well. We are not just affiliated with an organization, as though we had joined the Kiwanis or the Elks Club. We see ourselves as members of the body of Christ who are joined together in unity and who live for the purpose of serving Jesus Christ, our one and only head.
Verses
2 Corinthians 5:7
(for our course here has to be guided by faith, not by what is visible) –
Exodus 23:25
"You must serve only the LORD your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will keep you healthy.
John 10:10
The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered.
Psalm 112:1,3
Let the Lord be praised. Happy is the man who gives honour to the Lord, and has great delight in his laws. A store of wealth will be in his house, and his righteousness will be forever.
Romans 12:12
If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying.
Prayer
Jesus, You taught Your followers that You are the vine and we are the branches. If we remain in You we will bear much fruit. Fruitfulness in our lives is not automatic nor can it be purchased or inherited since You are the sole source of our fruitfulness. Help us to be healthy vines bearing much fruit so that we bring glory to You and also bear witness to the world that we are truly Your disciples. Amen.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday prayer & verses (25 08 2009)
Thought for the day
A man dressed as Napoleon went to see a psychiatrist at the urging of his wife. "What's your problem?" the doctor asked."I have no problem," the man replied.
"I'm one of the most famous people in the world. I have a great army behind me. I have all the money I'll ever need, and I live in great luxury."
"Then why are you here?"
"It's because of my wife," the man said. "She thinks she's Mrs. Smith."
Pride tends to do two things with us. It causes us to see ourselves as more important than what we really are. That's why Paul wrote, "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." (Rom. 12:3, NIV).
But pride also causes us to see other people as less important than what they are. Someone has described us as having a "crab mentality." The term refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot. As humans, we often act the same way. If we can't be somebody great, we can at least pull down others around us so that we look better by comparison!
In the Corinthian church, there was a lot of competition involving spiritual gifts. Those who had the more prominent or public gifts, such as the ability to preach or the ability to speak in different languages, regarded themselves as superior to those who held what they viewed as "less significant" gifts.
Paul says, though:"On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." (I Cor. 12:22-25, NIV).
May God help us not only to ourselves as He sees us, but to see others around us as He sees them as well.
Verses
Luke 1:37
For every promise from God shall surely come true."
Luke 13:16
"So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Mark 11:24
Therefore, I exhort you, All things whatever you pray for and ask, have faith that you have taken hold, and it shall be for you.
Isaiah 1:19
If only you are willing to obey, you shall feed on the best of the land;
Prayer
Father, I am thankful for the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures that provides an objective and accurate guide for every season of my life. The Bible is a lamp unto my feet and a light for the path that lies before me. It teaches, convicts, corrects, and trains me in the ways of godliness. Though many will choose other authorities to guide their lives, I choose Your Holy Book to equip me for the works You’ve called me to do in Your name. I rely on its inspired texts to sustain me in my lifetime commitment to walk in Your ways as I travel the Bible Road that leads to eternal life. Amen.
A man dressed as Napoleon went to see a psychiatrist at the urging of his wife. "What's your problem?" the doctor asked."I have no problem," the man replied.
"I'm one of the most famous people in the world. I have a great army behind me. I have all the money I'll ever need, and I live in great luxury."
"Then why are you here?"
"It's because of my wife," the man said. "She thinks she's Mrs. Smith."
Pride tends to do two things with us. It causes us to see ourselves as more important than what we really are. That's why Paul wrote, "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." (Rom. 12:3, NIV).
But pride also causes us to see other people as less important than what they are. Someone has described us as having a "crab mentality." The term refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot. As humans, we often act the same way. If we can't be somebody great, we can at least pull down others around us so that we look better by comparison!
In the Corinthian church, there was a lot of competition involving spiritual gifts. Those who had the more prominent or public gifts, such as the ability to preach or the ability to speak in different languages, regarded themselves as superior to those who held what they viewed as "less significant" gifts.
Paul says, though:"On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." (I Cor. 12:22-25, NIV).
May God help us not only to ourselves as He sees us, but to see others around us as He sees them as well.
Verses
Luke 1:37
For every promise from God shall surely come true."
Luke 13:16
"So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Mark 11:24
Therefore, I exhort you, All things whatever you pray for and ask, have faith that you have taken hold, and it shall be for you.
Isaiah 1:19
If only you are willing to obey, you shall feed on the best of the land;
Prayer
Father, I am thankful for the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures that provides an objective and accurate guide for every season of my life. The Bible is a lamp unto my feet and a light for the path that lies before me. It teaches, convicts, corrects, and trains me in the ways of godliness. Though many will choose other authorities to guide their lives, I choose Your Holy Book to equip me for the works You’ve called me to do in Your name. I rely on its inspired texts to sustain me in my lifetime commitment to walk in Your ways as I travel the Bible Road that leads to eternal life. Amen.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday prayer & verses (24 08 2009)
Thought for the day
English professors love to catch the errors students make in their term papers, and they love nothing better than to catch mixed metaphors. The "friends and survivors" of Calvin College English department collected this list of mixed metaphors and posted them on their web site:
"He swept the rug under the carpet."
"She's burning the midnight oil at both ends."
"It was so cold last night I had to throw another blanket on the fire."
"It's time to step up to the plate and cut the mustard."
"She's robbing Peter to pay the piper."
"He's up a tree without a paddle."
"Beware my friend...you are skating on hot water."
"Keep your ear to the grindstone."
"Sometimes you've gotta stick your neck out on a limb."
"Some people sail through life on a bed of roses like a knife slicing through butter."
There are no mixed metaphors in the Bible...or are there? There are certainly many metaphors (we are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world", Jesus is the "good shepherd" and the "bread of life" -- the list could go on and on). But surely there are no mixed metaphors. There's one scripture, though, that I've often struggled with because the metaphor seemed out of place.
In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus is talking about our attitude toward material things -- "treasures on earth", "mammon". Right in the middle of this passage, though, Jesus says, "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23-24)
Talking about a "good eye" and a bad eye" seems somewhat out of place in this discussion. But I learned something recently. I was doing some research on the word "envy" and checked the dictionary to see what the derivation of our English word is. Envy comes from two Latin words meaning "to look upon". Past usage included the phrase "to cast an evil eye upon".
An "evil eye" is one that looks with envy, A "good eye" is one that does not. Knowing that sheds new light on this passage. The metaphor (as always) is so very fitting, and serves as reminder to me that I need to learn the value of contentment in my own life.Is your eye good?
Verses
Numbers 23:19
For God is not man that He should lie, neither human that He should change his mind. When he gives His word, does He not perform it? Or does He promise and not fulfill it?
Matthew 15:30
Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them.
Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Psalm 55:17
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to express his unconditional love to you in a variety of ways so that you will always have what you need for every good work.
Prayer
“Jesus, we know that none of us are 100% humble, for we are clothed in these mortal, fallible bodies. But we do know that You are completely humble and we look to You as our example. As we clothe ourselves in Your righteousness we can overcome the pride that is ever before us. We recognize that no good thing can come from us, but all that is good comes from You. Remind us daily that gratitude is the antidote for feelings of pride. When we acknowledge that everything we have and all that we are is due to Your merciful blessings we are humbled and grateful to You, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank you, Amen.”
English professors love to catch the errors students make in their term papers, and they love nothing better than to catch mixed metaphors. The "friends and survivors" of Calvin College English department collected this list of mixed metaphors and posted them on their web site:
"He swept the rug under the carpet."
"She's burning the midnight oil at both ends."
"It was so cold last night I had to throw another blanket on the fire."
"It's time to step up to the plate and cut the mustard."
"She's robbing Peter to pay the piper."
"He's up a tree without a paddle."
"Beware my friend...you are skating on hot water."
"Keep your ear to the grindstone."
"Sometimes you've gotta stick your neck out on a limb."
"Some people sail through life on a bed of roses like a knife slicing through butter."
There are no mixed metaphors in the Bible...or are there? There are certainly many metaphors (we are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world", Jesus is the "good shepherd" and the "bread of life" -- the list could go on and on). But surely there are no mixed metaphors. There's one scripture, though, that I've often struggled with because the metaphor seemed out of place.
In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus is talking about our attitude toward material things -- "treasures on earth", "mammon". Right in the middle of this passage, though, Jesus says, "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23-24)
Talking about a "good eye" and a bad eye" seems somewhat out of place in this discussion. But I learned something recently. I was doing some research on the word "envy" and checked the dictionary to see what the derivation of our English word is. Envy comes from two Latin words meaning "to look upon". Past usage included the phrase "to cast an evil eye upon".
An "evil eye" is one that looks with envy, A "good eye" is one that does not. Knowing that sheds new light on this passage. The metaphor (as always) is so very fitting, and serves as reminder to me that I need to learn the value of contentment in my own life.Is your eye good?
Verses
Numbers 23:19
For God is not man that He should lie, neither human that He should change his mind. When he gives His word, does He not perform it? Or does He promise and not fulfill it?
Matthew 15:30
Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them.
Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Psalm 55:17
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to express his unconditional love to you in a variety of ways so that you will always have what you need for every good work.
Prayer
“Jesus, we know that none of us are 100% humble, for we are clothed in these mortal, fallible bodies. But we do know that You are completely humble and we look to You as our example. As we clothe ourselves in Your righteousness we can overcome the pride that is ever before us. We recognize that no good thing can come from us, but all that is good comes from You. Remind us daily that gratitude is the antidote for feelings of pride. When we acknowledge that everything we have and all that we are is due to Your merciful blessings we are humbled and grateful to You, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank you, Amen.”
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Friday prayer & verses (21 08 2009)
Thought for the day
Whether you watch it on TV or not, you all know of the "Survivor" TV show. As you might expect, plans for the next "Survivor" series have leaked out.
Mark Burnett, producer of "Survivor", plans to enlist 12 men who will be dropped in an unidentified suburb with a van, six kids (each of whom play two sports and take either a musical instrument or danceclass) and no access to fast food.
They must keep the house clean, correct all homework (receiving at least a "C+" on all papers), complete one science project, cook (OK, they can bring one cookbook), do laundry, care for a dog and a cat, grocery shop, buy birthday presents for kids' friends, etc.
Oh, and they also have access to television only when the kids are asleep and all chores are done, and none of the TV's have remote controls.
The competitions will consist of such things as attending a PTA meeting and accurately reporting the results; cleaning up after a sick child at 3:00 a.m; getting kids to church; making an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and getting a 4-year-old to eat a serving of peas.
The kids vote them off.
The winner gets to go back to his job. We all have to learn to survive. Survival that has little to do with living on a desert island or in the Outback of Australia, but much to do with just "getting by" from day to day. Perhaps you've had to learn to "survive" after being diagnosed with a deadly disease. Perhaps you've learned to "survive" while raising several children alone after the death or desertion of a mate. Perhaps you've had to "survive" the last few days of a month as you juggled expenses to make sure that there was enough money to cover meals before the next payday.
If you're in "survival mode," it's difficult for you to plan years down the road. It's all you can do to get through the day. And, as much as you might pray for it, you may find that there is no "immunity." The hardships don't disappear. And you learn that there is nothing you can do but lean on God.
Which is exactly what he wants you to learn. "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:8-10)May God's grace be with you as you strive to "survive" the difficulties you face today (and be assured that his grace is sufficient).
Verses
Matthew 8:13
Then he said to the centurion, "Go home now, and everything will happen as you have believed it will." And his servant was healed at that actual moment.
Exodus 15:26
He said, "You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you."
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Luke 6:12
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Proverbs 10:22
'Tis the Eternal's blessing that brings wealth, and never does it bring trouble as well.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of a circle of employees engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will know how to respond to each person. I ask that You would reveal to me any false motivation for carrying out good deeds. Remind me that it is for Your glory that I do these things. It is neither for the praise of others nor for personal advancement, but the advancement of the Gospel. Lord, help me to reach just one today with an unexpected act of kindness that will direct the recipient’s thoughts toward my Father in heaven. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Whether you watch it on TV or not, you all know of the "Survivor" TV show. As you might expect, plans for the next "Survivor" series have leaked out.
Mark Burnett, producer of "Survivor", plans to enlist 12 men who will be dropped in an unidentified suburb with a van, six kids (each of whom play two sports and take either a musical instrument or danceclass) and no access to fast food.
They must keep the house clean, correct all homework (receiving at least a "C+" on all papers), complete one science project, cook (OK, they can bring one cookbook), do laundry, care for a dog and a cat, grocery shop, buy birthday presents for kids' friends, etc.
Oh, and they also have access to television only when the kids are asleep and all chores are done, and none of the TV's have remote controls.
The competitions will consist of such things as attending a PTA meeting and accurately reporting the results; cleaning up after a sick child at 3:00 a.m; getting kids to church; making an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and getting a 4-year-old to eat a serving of peas.
The kids vote them off.
The winner gets to go back to his job. We all have to learn to survive. Survival that has little to do with living on a desert island or in the Outback of Australia, but much to do with just "getting by" from day to day. Perhaps you've had to learn to "survive" after being diagnosed with a deadly disease. Perhaps you've learned to "survive" while raising several children alone after the death or desertion of a mate. Perhaps you've had to "survive" the last few days of a month as you juggled expenses to make sure that there was enough money to cover meals before the next payday.
If you're in "survival mode," it's difficult for you to plan years down the road. It's all you can do to get through the day. And, as much as you might pray for it, you may find that there is no "immunity." The hardships don't disappear. And you learn that there is nothing you can do but lean on God.
Which is exactly what he wants you to learn. "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:8-10)May God's grace be with you as you strive to "survive" the difficulties you face today (and be assured that his grace is sufficient).
Verses
Matthew 8:13
Then he said to the centurion, "Go home now, and everything will happen as you have believed it will." And his servant was healed at that actual moment.
Exodus 15:26
He said, "You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you."
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Luke 6:12
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Proverbs 10:22
'Tis the Eternal's blessing that brings wealth, and never does it bring trouble as well.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of a circle of employees engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will know how to respond to each person. I ask that You would reveal to me any false motivation for carrying out good deeds. Remind me that it is for Your glory that I do these things. It is neither for the praise of others nor for personal advancement, but the advancement of the Gospel. Lord, help me to reach just one today with an unexpected act of kindness that will direct the recipient’s thoughts toward my Father in heaven. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thursday prayer & verses (20 08 2009)
Thought for the day
Below are some observations circulating under the title "Things I've Learned From Children" (author unknown). Those of you who are parents will sympathize. Those of you who are not will have something to look forward to! :-)
** If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42-pound boy wearing Pound Puppy underwear and a Superman cape.
** It is strong enough however to spread paint on all four walls of a 20 by 20 foot room.
** You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.
** When using the ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit.
** A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
** The glass in windows (even double pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
** When you hear the toilet flush and the words "Uh-oh," it's already too late.
** A six year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies.
** If you use a waterbed as home plate while wearing baseball shoes it does not leak -- it explodes.
** A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. foot house 4 inches deep.
** No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
** Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
** Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
** Always look in the oven before you turn it on.
** Plastic toys do not like ovens.
** The fire department in San Diego has at least a 5-minute response time.
** The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy.
** It will however make cats dizzy.
** Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
A good sense of humor will get you through most problems in life (unfortunately, mostly in retrospect). Allow me to add a few more things that we can learn from children: purity, humility, willingness to learn, quickness to forgive, and a trust in our Father.
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-4)
Find a child today, take a good look, and learn!
Verses
1 Peter 5:7
Let him in on all your problems, because you mean much to him.
John 6:63
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Matthew 21:22
Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."
Philippians 4:19
And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for us
Prayer
Father, help me to look beyond the immediate to the deeper meaning of each day’s task. May the hope You place within this redeemed heart of mine stir up a joyful spirit and an overcoming attitude regarding the difficulties I encounter throughout the day. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and renew a steadfast spirit within me as I rejoice in the unending hope I have in You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Below are some observations circulating under the title "Things I've Learned From Children" (author unknown). Those of you who are parents will sympathize. Those of you who are not will have something to look forward to! :-)
** If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42-pound boy wearing Pound Puppy underwear and a Superman cape.
** It is strong enough however to spread paint on all four walls of a 20 by 20 foot room.
** You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on.
** When using the ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit.
** A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
** The glass in windows (even double pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
** When you hear the toilet flush and the words "Uh-oh," it's already too late.
** A six year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year-old man says they can only do it in the movies.
** If you use a waterbed as home plate while wearing baseball shoes it does not leak -- it explodes.
** A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. foot house 4 inches deep.
** No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
** Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
** Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
** Always look in the oven before you turn it on.
** Plastic toys do not like ovens.
** The fire department in San Diego has at least a 5-minute response time.
** The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy.
** It will however make cats dizzy.
** Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
A good sense of humor will get you through most problems in life (unfortunately, mostly in retrospect). Allow me to add a few more things that we can learn from children: purity, humility, willingness to learn, quickness to forgive, and a trust in our Father.
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-4)
Find a child today, take a good look, and learn!
Verses
1 Peter 5:7
Let him in on all your problems, because you mean much to him.
John 6:63
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Matthew 21:22
Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive."
Philippians 4:19
And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for us
Prayer
Father, help me to look beyond the immediate to the deeper meaning of each day’s task. May the hope You place within this redeemed heart of mine stir up a joyful spirit and an overcoming attitude regarding the difficulties I encounter throughout the day. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and renew a steadfast spirit within me as I rejoice in the unending hope I have in You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Wednesday prayer & verses (19 08 2009)
Thought for the day
Once there was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a Beautiful diamond necklace.
The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird may have stolen it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for $50,000 for anyone who found it.
One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted and filthy and smelly. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace.
He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the $50,000 reward. He put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but somehow missed it and didn't catch it..He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace.
But strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away, feeling depressed. Then again he saw the necklace, right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river, althoughit was a disgusting thing to do as the river was polluted, and his whole body would become filthy. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came out feeling very depressed that he could not get the necklace that would get him $50,000.
Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what was the matter. The clerk didn't want to share the secret with the saint, thinking the saint might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell the saint anything. But the saint could see this man was troubled and being compassionate, again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it. The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He told the saint about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing.
The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upwards, toward the branches of the tree, instead of in the filthy river. The clerk looked up and true enough, the necklace was DANGLING on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.
Moral of the story:
Material happiness is just like the filthy, pollutedriver; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness in the spiritual world.We don't achieve the happiness we are looking for, no matter how hard we endeavor in the material life.
Instead we should look upwards, toward God, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the reflection of this happiness in the material world. This spiritual happiness is the only thing that can satisfy us completely.
May the Lord help us LOOK UP TO HIM.
Verses
Mark 5:36
But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just trust me."
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Joshua 1:8
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success
Colossians 4:2
Pray perseveringly, be attentive to prayer, and pray in a spirit of thanksgiving.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Prayer
Father, we pray for a sincere heart that is sensitive to Biblical truths as they apply to our lives. We struggle with forgetfulness and indifference – twin enemies of a living vibrant relationship with You. Father, we invite You to arrange the circumstances of our lives that will keep us patiently looking to You and asking for Your divine guidance. We earnestly seek You for spiritual revival. Revival for messengers who feed our indifference in favor of modern accepted philosophies of this world rather than the life-changing truths of the Gospel. Revival for those who sit in the church pews week after week who hear the life-changing truths of Your Word but leave unyielded to the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Revive both the messenger and listener so that our lives are a demonstration of the reality of a vibrant walk with Your Son, Jesus, our living Savior and Lord. Amen
Once there was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a Beautiful diamond necklace.
The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird may have stolen it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for $50,000 for anyone who found it.
One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted and filthy and smelly. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace.
He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the $50,000 reward. He put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but somehow missed it and didn't catch it..He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace.
But strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away, feeling depressed. Then again he saw the necklace, right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river, althoughit was a disgusting thing to do as the river was polluted, and his whole body would become filthy. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came out feeling very depressed that he could not get the necklace that would get him $50,000.
Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what was the matter. The clerk didn't want to share the secret with the saint, thinking the saint might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell the saint anything. But the saint could see this man was troubled and being compassionate, again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it. The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He told the saint about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing.
The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upwards, toward the branches of the tree, instead of in the filthy river. The clerk looked up and true enough, the necklace was DANGLING on the branch of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.
Moral of the story:
Material happiness is just like the filthy, pollutedriver; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness in the spiritual world.We don't achieve the happiness we are looking for, no matter how hard we endeavor in the material life.
Instead we should look upwards, toward God, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the reflection of this happiness in the material world. This spiritual happiness is the only thing that can satisfy us completely.
May the Lord help us LOOK UP TO HIM.
Verses
Mark 5:36
But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just trust me."
Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Joshua 1:8
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success
Colossians 4:2
Pray perseveringly, be attentive to prayer, and pray in a spirit of thanksgiving.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Prayer
Father, we pray for a sincere heart that is sensitive to Biblical truths as they apply to our lives. We struggle with forgetfulness and indifference – twin enemies of a living vibrant relationship with You. Father, we invite You to arrange the circumstances of our lives that will keep us patiently looking to You and asking for Your divine guidance. We earnestly seek You for spiritual revival. Revival for messengers who feed our indifference in favor of modern accepted philosophies of this world rather than the life-changing truths of the Gospel. Revival for those who sit in the church pews week after week who hear the life-changing truths of Your Word but leave unyielded to the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Revive both the messenger and listener so that our lives are a demonstration of the reality of a vibrant walk with Your Son, Jesus, our living Savior and Lord. Amen
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