Scripture: Psalm 39:4 "Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure."
Observe: Two comparisons are made to our life: one is a handbreadth and the other a breath. Both are very short. A breath, 20 per minute, so your life is but just 3 seconds? A handbreath (2.5 - 4 inches) one of the shortest measurements we make. Even those who seem secure, there life too is very short.
Apply: There is value in knowing that our life is short. What am I living for. In comparison eternity has no time limits or measurements. I should be investing in those things that last forever and are outside of time and measurement.
Prayer: Your word and people last forever Jesus. Give me greater investment in both, help me to see these investments as eternal and "not in vain". Help me to be wise in what I invest in. IJN, Amen
SCRIPTURE "Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I have become as sound brass or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1)
OBSERVATION It is so easy to say the right things and mean well, however, if the heart is not the source of what comes forth, then it is like my dad would say often, it's all hot air ... meaningless words that come forth and can often bring discomfort. Or the words can be boastful and bold yet just noise to people's ears because they know that the heart, credibility and intent are not behind the words stated. The words can be profound words quoted from great men or even like the sound angels. Yet, if we have malice in our hearts, our tongues cannot disguise the true heart behind our words. The word says that if we have ought against our brother, leave our offering at the alter first and go back first to extend grace and resolution.
APPLICATION I've witnessed and experienced recently how people will intentionally and unintentionally hurt others or taint their character for their own desires. I've felt the hurt of being blindsided others. Yet, their words differed from what I knew was in their heart and on their mind. Then I thought, how often am I guilty of the same. I know what is right, yet I fall into the same mindset of saying what I think is right or expected yet feeling bitterness within ... all hot air. Yet, how do you love when you are being hurt or wrongfully judged? Perhaps let the hot air turn to a cool wind of integrity trusting that God sees and will either teach me a great lesson or wrong the right.
Then I can have a little peace and patience to check my heart and process through the bitterness. Perhaps then I can trust that God knows and others hopefully would see me for who I hope to be ... a man of God in spite of the people factor.
PRAYER Lord, let me mouth represent my heart and my soul. When I am wrongfully judged or offended, may I remember your word so that I will not be guilty of spewing hot air that only fans the heat rather then cooling the fire. May I trust in your intervention or lesson learnt.
Seeking God has rewards SCRIPTURE "Psalms 69:32 (AMP) 32 The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him [as your first need], let your hearts revive and live! "
OBSERVATION 1. The humble -- will see justice (the wicked punished eternally and excluded from heaven. 2. Seeking god is inquiring for and requiring Him as my first need. 3. Let your hearts revive and live
APPLICATION When I seek God as my first need, my heart can revive, and live the abundant life. I need to thank the Lord for bringing me into the abundant life.
PRAYER Lord, I thankyou so much for all the books/messages, relationships/translations of the Bible/Bible studies, etc. that have brought me to this place in my life. In one way I have come full circle. I am again experiencing you and the abundant life like I felt in college. You are my best friend, you are my bridegroom, you are my Lord and King, and I bow before you and worship you as the Holy One. The completely "other". You are not a human with a few more abilities, and less faults, you are completely other.
Title: "Life is Short"
ReplyDeleteScripture: Psalm 39:4 "Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure."
Observe: Two comparisons are made to our life: one is a handbreadth and the other a breath. Both are very short. A breath, 20 per minute, so your life is but just 3 seconds? A handbreath (2.5 - 4 inches) one of the shortest measurements we make. Even those who seem secure, there life too is very short.
Apply: There is value in knowing that our life is short. What am I living for. In comparison eternity has no time limits or measurements. I should be investing in those things that last forever and are outside of time and measurement.
Prayer: Your word and people last forever Jesus. Give me greater investment in both, help me to see these investments as eternal and "not in vain". Help me to be wise in what I invest in. IJN, Amen
Title: Hot Air
ReplyDeleteSCRIPTURE
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I have become as sound brass or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1)
OBSERVATION
It is so easy to say the right things and mean well, however, if the heart is not the source of what comes forth, then it is like my dad would say often, it's all hot air ... meaningless words that come forth and can often bring discomfort. Or the words can be boastful and bold yet just noise to people's ears because they know that the heart, credibility and intent are not behind the words stated. The words can be profound words quoted from great men or even like the sound angels. Yet, if we have malice in our hearts, our tongues cannot disguise the true heart behind our words. The word says that if we have ought against our brother, leave our offering at the alter first and go back first to extend grace and resolution.
APPLICATION
I've witnessed and experienced recently how people will intentionally and unintentionally hurt others or taint their character for their own desires. I've felt the hurt of being blindsided others. Yet, their words differed from what I knew was in their heart and on their mind. Then I thought, how often am I guilty of the same. I know what is right, yet I fall into the same mindset of saying what I think is right or expected yet feeling bitterness within ... all hot air. Yet, how do you love when you are being hurt or wrongfully judged? Perhaps let the hot air turn to a cool wind of integrity trusting that God sees and will either teach me a great lesson or wrong the right.
Then I can have a little peace and patience to check my heart and process through the bitterness. Perhaps then I can trust that God knows and others hopefully would see me for who I hope to be ... a man of God in spite of the people factor.
PRAYER
Lord, let me mouth represent my heart and my soul. When I am wrongfully judged or offended, may I remember your word so that I will not be guilty of spewing hot air that only fans the heat rather then cooling the fire. May I trust in your intervention or lesson learnt.
Title: "We have the same Holy Spirit"
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
Scripture: 1 Cor. 12:13 "We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body. It didn't matter whether we were Jews or Greeks.
Observe: It doesn't matter who you are it is the same Holy Spirit who comes into you.
Apply: I shouldn't think less of another Christian because we both have the same Holy Spirit inside of us.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to like other Christians because we have the same Holy Spirit.
Seeking God has rewards
ReplyDeleteSCRIPTURE
"Psalms 69:32 (AMP)
32 The humble shall see it and be glad; you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him [as your first need], let your hearts revive and live! "
OBSERVATION
1. The humble -- will see justice (the wicked punished eternally and excluded from heaven. 2. Seeking god is inquiring for and requiring Him as my first need. 3. Let your hearts revive and live
APPLICATION
When I seek God as my first need, my heart can revive, and live the abundant life. I need to thank the Lord for bringing me into the abundant life.
PRAYER
Lord, I thankyou so much for all the books/messages, relationships/translations of the Bible/Bible studies, etc. that have brought me to this place in my life. In one way I have come full circle. I am again experiencing you and the abundant life like I felt in college. You are my best friend, you are my bridegroom, you are my Lord and King, and I bow before you and worship you as the Holy One. The completely "other". You are not a human with a few more abilities, and less faults, you are completely other.