"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of God's people."
I thought it was pretty cool that Philemon was known as someone who refreshes hearts. Later in v. 20, Paul not only points out again that Philemon has that characteristic, but Paul hopes that he will also benefit from Philemon's character/gift. What does it mean to refresh another person's heart in Christ? Perhaps for Philemon it is largely based on his love (for God's people) and his faith (in the Lord Jesus) (v. 4, 7). For me it seems that those who have refreshed me, brought comfort and understanding were those with similar characteristics, too; they were able to speak out of love fueled by their faith in Christ. It reminds me that love for others coupled with faith in Christ can be a combination that blesses and encourages many. This is definitely an area I hope to grow in...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
These verses stood out to me b/c I've felt really lazy and bored these past few days. I don't know what I should be doing and don't have the motivation to do anything. But when I read these verses I know that I needed to take them to heart. I needed to pray for more wisdom and put myself in more situations to create opportunities if God so willed it. I pray that I will continue to keep these verses in mind and be more purposeful and that I will be in continued prayer for more wisdom and guidance.
These verses stood out to me b/c I've felt really lazy and bored these past few days. I don't know what I should be doing and don't have the motivation to do anything. But when I read these verses I know that I needed to take them to heart. I needed to pray for more wisdom and put myself in more situations to create opportunities if God so willed it. I pray that I will continue to keep these verses in mind and be more purposeful and that I will be in continued prayer for more wisdom and guidance.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Romans 8: 35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 love this passage. "...in all these things we're more than conquerors through him who loved us." It's easy to say that God loves us. It's easy to think in our heads that He does. But it's hard to believe it for ourselves, and act according to our believes. I know that God loves me anyhow. There's nothing more, or less, that I can do to increase or lessen His love for me. But it still takes faith to live out what I believe. I find that every time as I step out in faith, God reveals Himself to me, and allows me to love and believe in Him more. He has never failed me. It's so true that NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ.
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 love this passage. "...in all these things we're more than conquerors through him who loved us." It's easy to say that God loves us. It's easy to think in our heads that He does. But it's hard to believe it for ourselves, and act according to our believes. I know that God loves me anyhow. There's nothing more, or less, that I can do to increase or lessen His love for me. But it still takes faith to live out what I believe. I find that every time as I step out in faith, God reveals Himself to me, and allows me to love and believe in Him more. He has never failed me. It's so true that NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ.
Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
It was encouraging to read Romans again. It's packed! I'm reminded again that we've been FREE from the yoke of slavery. We're no longer slaves to sin. The curse of sin has be broken, and we've been set free, and we now are slave to righteousness. It sounds bad to be a slave, but not only that we're slaves, we're also heirs of God, partakers of Chirst's inheritance. I was reminded that I can serve two master. I can't serve God and what's evil at the same time. God bought be with a great price. My life is in Him. His.
It was encouraging to read Romans again. It's packed! I'm reminded again that we've been FREE from the yoke of slavery. We're no longer slaves to sin. The curse of sin has be broken, and we've been set free, and we now are slave to righteousness. It sounds bad to be a slave, but not only that we're slaves, we're also heirs of God, partakers of Chirst's inheritance. I was reminded that I can serve two master. I can't serve God and what's evil at the same time. God bought be with a great price. My life is in Him. His.
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
this verse stuck out to me b/c i've been struggling with my fear in sharing about my faith with those i love. i do feel like i'm being a slave to fear and i don't like it. i need to focus on the fact that God loves me and is with me...that i don't need to do it on my own and that He will not love me less if i fail. i pray that i may be able to break free from this fear that makes me anxious and worried and scared and instead be able to have peace and comfort knowing that my God is not one that leaves me to fight and suffer on my own.
this verse stuck out to me b/c i've been struggling with my fear in sharing about my faith with those i love. i do feel like i'm being a slave to fear and i don't like it. i need to focus on the fact that God loves me and is with me...that i don't need to do it on my own and that He will not love me less if i fail. i pray that i may be able to break free from this fear that makes me anxious and worried and scared and instead be able to have peace and comfort knowing that my God is not one that leaves me to fight and suffer on my own.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Romans 3:3-4a
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar.
It's so good to know and be reminded that even when I lack faith, God's faithfulness remains true and it is not determined by my weakness. Praise God!
It's so good to know and be reminded that even when I lack faith, God's faithfulness remains true and it is not determined by my weakness. Praise God!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
I've been thinking a lot about how we need to be witnesses to those who don't know Christ, but I struggle with this b/c I don't know how or what I could say to them about God when I know they don't believe in Him. Now I know that it is really God that has the power to change their hearts and that I need to just share about Him and what He's done, but I lack faith that God will change their minds and hearts b/c they are so closed to the idea of Him.
But this verse made me have some hope again b/c of its simple truth. It is true that when you think about how the entire world came to be and how many billions of things needed to be put together just right for life to exist and how intricate our bodies are...it's hard not to believe and see how powerful and amazing God is. And this gives me hope b/c even those I cannot even imagine God changing their hearts and minds would have to stop and think about this...and this gives me hope that God will change their hearts and minds. And it also gives me hope b/c I'm reminded through this verse that God meets each person where ever they are at and even those "farthest" away from him are never too far away for him b/c He is present everywhere.
I've been thinking a lot about how we need to be witnesses to those who don't know Christ, but I struggle with this b/c I don't know how or what I could say to them about God when I know they don't believe in Him. Now I know that it is really God that has the power to change their hearts and that I need to just share about Him and what He's done, but I lack faith that God will change their minds and hearts b/c they are so closed to the idea of Him.
But this verse made me have some hope again b/c of its simple truth. It is true that when you think about how the entire world came to be and how many billions of things needed to be put together just right for life to exist and how intricate our bodies are...it's hard not to believe and see how powerful and amazing God is. And this gives me hope b/c even those I cannot even imagine God changing their hearts and minds would have to stop and think about this...and this gives me hope that God will change their hearts and minds. And it also gives me hope b/c I'm reminded through this verse that God meets each person where ever they are at and even those "farthest" away from him are never too far away for him b/c He is present everywhere.
Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
I can be judgmental sometimes. I judge others before I judge myself. This verse reminds me that judgment (or my judgment toward others) should reflect how I do things, too. I can't judge when I commit the same sins. I need to be careful of that when I judge, and I need be merciful when I do. God has mercy on us, and I need to do that, too. It's easy to see the little mistakes of others, and miss the red flags in my own life. I want to be able to measure others with the standard that I do to myself. I want to be able to give grace to others as God has given gracious to me. Help me to be more like you, God.
I can be judgmental sometimes. I judge others before I judge myself. This verse reminds me that judgment (or my judgment toward others) should reflect how I do things, too. I can't judge when I commit the same sins. I need to be careful of that when I judge, and I need be merciful when I do. God has mercy on us, and I need to do that, too. It's easy to see the little mistakes of others, and miss the red flags in my own life. I want to be able to measure others with the standard that I do to myself. I want to be able to give grace to others as God has given gracious to me. Help me to be more like you, God.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
2 Cor 13:5-6
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? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
These verses are interesting to me b/c I've been spending sometime lately examining myself and my faith. I've been thinking specifically about my faith and if I "believe" in it enough to share it with those who don't know Christ or if I'm too scared of what they will say or how they will react. Paul says to the Corinthians, "do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" I pray that my fears will disappear and my faith will be found true as I remember that Jesus is in me and that God has given me a spirit of power, love and discipline (2 Tim 1).
These verses are interesting to me b/c I've been spending sometime lately examining myself and my faith. I've been thinking specifically about my faith and if I "believe" in it enough to share it with those who don't know Christ or if I'm too scared of what they will say or how they will react. Paul says to the Corinthians, "do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" I pray that my fears will disappear and my faith will be found true as I remember that Jesus is in me and that God has given me a spirit of power, love and discipline (2 Tim 1).
2 Cor 11:30-31, 12:8-10 (more to back blog!)
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying....
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
During a 13-hr drive to California last week, God gave me much time to think. I didn't know how much I needed this break (break from Seattle, the familiar environment). Amongst the many things, one that really stood out was how weak I am without Christ. I thought about many things that I do, or am even good at, but as I pondered on those thoughts, I realized that I am nothing without Christ. As much as I'd like to boast about abilities or talents, I realized that anything that I have were 1st Christ's; nothing that I have was not first His. My abilities, my gifts, my material things, anything, there's nothing that I can claim for myself. At first I really felt weak. Almost empty inside (the thought of not having God in my life.) But we are not meant to live without God. I realized that the talents and abilities that I have are really His, and it's a privilege to reflect Him in our lives. It's true that when I'm weak, then I'm strong, because there's nothing I can do (on my own ability) to reflect His glory more beautifully. It's only when I say, "It's all yours, God." that He can shine through. So, let we boast all the more in our weaknesses so that people know how weak we are, but how great He is! And the great part is...that we're His!
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
During a 13-hr drive to California last week, God gave me much time to think. I didn't know how much I needed this break (break from Seattle, the familiar environment). Amongst the many things, one that really stood out was how weak I am without Christ. I thought about many things that I do, or am even good at, but as I pondered on those thoughts, I realized that I am nothing without Christ. As much as I'd like to boast about abilities or talents, I realized that anything that I have were 1st Christ's; nothing that I have was not first His. My abilities, my gifts, my material things, anything, there's nothing that I can claim for myself. At first I really felt weak. Almost empty inside (the thought of not having God in my life.) But we are not meant to live without God. I realized that the talents and abilities that I have are really His, and it's a privilege to reflect Him in our lives. It's true that when I'm weak, then I'm strong, because there's nothing I can do (on my own ability) to reflect His glory more beautifully. It's only when I say, "It's all yours, God." that He can shine through. So, let we boast all the more in our weaknesses so that people know how weak we are, but how great He is! And the great part is...that we're His!
2 Cor 9:6-7 (back blogging)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
These verses remind me to sow generously for God. I sow in different areas of my life, in sports, in family, in doing things that are fun, in God. God is challenging me to be intentional with how I sow and what I'm sowing toward. I want to sow generously toward what God had intended me to do. Lately, I've been examining life; how I life, things that I do, what I have, and things that I want. Specifically, I think God's challenging me to look into the next 2 years of my life and to examine how I can live strategically & purposefully with Him in mind. It's so easy to waste time, and let our days go by, but God called us to live a full life! Pray that I will sow Kingdom-ward, and live life with a purpose in mind!
These verses remind me to sow generously for God. I sow in different areas of my life, in sports, in family, in doing things that are fun, in God. God is challenging me to be intentional with how I sow and what I'm sowing toward. I want to sow generously toward what God had intended me to do. Lately, I've been examining life; how I life, things that I do, what I have, and things that I want. Specifically, I think God's challenging me to look into the next 2 years of my life and to examine how I can live strategically & purposefully with Him in mind. It's so easy to waste time, and let our days go by, but God called us to live a full life! Pray that I will sow Kingdom-ward, and live life with a purpose in mind!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
2 Cor 11:30, 12:10
v11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
v12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I do agree that in my weakness God shows his power best, but I wish I could say as Paul does that I "delight" in my weakness. I'm learning that it is hard for me to admit outwardly about my weakness and in times of difficulties. That is what I'm learning as I ask my friends to intercede for my grandfather and family. I'm realizing that my faith is weak and it is hard for me to pray with faith that my grandpa and family's hearts can be changed, but as I realize and admit my weakness to God, He is able to do much more.
v12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I do agree that in my weakness God shows his power best, but I wish I could say as Paul does that I "delight" in my weakness. I'm learning that it is hard for me to admit outwardly about my weakness and in times of difficulties. That is what I'm learning as I ask my friends to intercede for my grandfather and family. I'm realizing that my faith is weak and it is hard for me to pray with faith that my grandpa and family's hearts can be changed, but as I realize and admit my weakness to God, He is able to do much more.
2 Cor 9:6, 10-11
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously...Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanks giving to God.
These verses though familiar to me really stood out to me when I read it this time b/c they are verses I want to live by. I want to always "sow" generously....to me this means not just give generously in the monetary sense (though that is important too), but to give of my time, heart and skills generously. I feel like I've been holding myself back recently when it comes to giving of myself, and I don't want to do that. I think I hold back for fear of being hurt or disappointed, but I know that I need to trust that God, who provides for all my needs, will use it for His kingdom and will use it to grow His kingdom.
These verses though familiar to me really stood out to me when I read it this time b/c they are verses I want to live by. I want to always "sow" generously....to me this means not just give generously in the monetary sense (though that is important too), but to give of my time, heart and skills generously. I feel like I've been holding myself back recently when it comes to giving of myself, and I don't want to do that. I think I hold back for fear of being hurt or disappointed, but I know that I need to trust that God, who provides for all my needs, will use it for His kingdom and will use it to grow His kingdom.
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