Galatians 6:14
14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
There is a difference between confidence and pride. Here Paul clearly describes confidence...it is in the using of our talents and our abilities, not for our own good, but for the good of others and their eternal futures knowing God Himself has placed them in us to further His Kingdom. Are you a manager? Manage in the Spirit, treating others as you would have them treat you. Are you in retail? Work as to the Lord Himself, helping others and leaving an imprint of Christ's love on their lives. Are you a parent? Parent through the filter of the Bible raising your children to be who God has called them to be and disciplining them so as to live according to the Word. Are you an artist? Create, perform and share your art for His glory alone. Sing with passion for the Lord as you use your voice to praise Him in your talent. Paint with brushstrokes of awe in the creativity of our Lord. As you take on a role for stage or film glorify the Lord God Almighty in roles that bring hope to a hurting world. Whatever it is you do, boast not in how hard you've worked or how many kudos you have received. Boast only in the fact that were it not for Christ everything you do would be in vain.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Psalm 42:5
Psalm 42:5
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.
Psalm 42:5 NASB
Jobs are dwindling. Money is tight. Crime seems to be on the rise. Natural disasters seem to be increasing in both destructiveness and sheer number of events. People are angry and hurting. Life, if taken in through the television, print or electronic news, can be downright overwhelming and discouraging. It's easy to feel the weight of the world on our shoulders when we see so much need and hurt all around us.
However, if we could put a filter over the TV screen, the newspaper page or the computer monitor that would allow us to see things through God's newscast we would see that He never fails. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He never gives up on us and will never leave us in the middle of a situation where He is not quick to save us if we would just cry out for His help. He loves us so much, and the heartache of this world is only amplified in His heartache knowing the full breadth of what He offers...and yet is continually rejected.
He is our hope. He is our fortress and our strong Deliverer. He offers us peace in ways that we will never understand or even begin to imagine, but He does.
Are you living as if He's really fighting for you? Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death fearing no evil for the Lord, Your God, is with you? Are you offering help and hope to those around you in how you care for them, respond to them, or provide for their needs? Put the filter over the newscast of your life and ask God to open your eyes to the HOPE of His PRESENCE (presents).
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.
Psalm 42:5 NASB
Jobs are dwindling. Money is tight. Crime seems to be on the rise. Natural disasters seem to be increasing in both destructiveness and sheer number of events. People are angry and hurting. Life, if taken in through the television, print or electronic news, can be downright overwhelming and discouraging. It's easy to feel the weight of the world on our shoulders when we see so much need and hurt all around us.
However, if we could put a filter over the TV screen, the newspaper page or the computer monitor that would allow us to see things through God's newscast we would see that He never fails. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He never gives up on us and will never leave us in the middle of a situation where He is not quick to save us if we would just cry out for His help. He loves us so much, and the heartache of this world is only amplified in His heartache knowing the full breadth of what He offers...and yet is continually rejected.
He is our hope. He is our fortress and our strong Deliverer. He offers us peace in ways that we will never understand or even begin to imagine, but He does.
Are you living as if He's really fighting for you? Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death fearing no evil for the Lord, Your God, is with you? Are you offering help and hope to those around you in how you care for them, respond to them, or provide for their needs? Put the filter over the newscast of your life and ask God to open your eyes to the HOPE of His PRESENCE (presents).
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Matthew 27: 63-66
Matthew 27: 63-66
63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”
65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
The Pharisees were used in this instance to set up the greatest lie Satan has ever told...that Jesus didn't really rise again. Isn't it interesting, though, how God took care of the hole in their story? They themselves were the ones who asked for the guards ~ THEY themselves said, "This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body...." And yet, when they discovered the guards ran away for fear of the consequences of not keeping His body in the tomb, the Pharisees immediately said they couldn't keep Him in the tomb!
The truth of the matter is, HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN! GLORY HALLELUJAH, HE IS RISEN INDEED!!
Happy Easter!
63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”
65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
The Pharisees were used in this instance to set up the greatest lie Satan has ever told...that Jesus didn't really rise again. Isn't it interesting, though, how God took care of the hole in their story? They themselves were the ones who asked for the guards ~ THEY themselves said, "This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body...." And yet, when they discovered the guards ran away for fear of the consequences of not keeping His body in the tomb, the Pharisees immediately said they couldn't keep Him in the tomb!
The truth of the matter is, HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN! GLORY HALLELUJAH, HE IS RISEN INDEED!!
Happy Easter!
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