Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. So He found men, told them to follow Him, and made disciples (followers) of them. They in turn went out to seek and to save what was lost. And so the cycle continues as each disciple is made, he or she then going out to seek and to save by pointing all to Jesus.
As followers, our mission is very clear. That doesn't always make it easy.
Luke 14:33
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
A disciple, follower of Jesus, belongs to the King. Everything he/she has belongs to His kingdom. It is at the King's disposal to call for at anytime. Our very lives belong to Him. We may look like we are doing a job, such as bagging groceries or answering phones or running a megadollar corporation, but really we are seeking what is lost so they may be saved by Jesus. We own nothing. We have given it to the King. We may be driving a car, but that car is at the disposal of the King. Sometimes this seems like a hardship because satan loves to lie to us. The truth is, in giving up everything, nothing or no one owns us but Jesus. We can use the things God has given us, but they do not rule over us. We do not bow down to anything or anyone but Jesus Christ. And we find freedom in serving our Lord and Master.
Matt 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"He will beautiful the afflicted ones with salvation."
“Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet(qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:12-13).
Wow! We have been "translated" into Jesus' kingdom. As I picture coming into the presence of the King, I know that God would not have me come in rags. No, He has clothed me, changed me, transformed me in His very own daughter. A Cinderella transformation has been made and now I call Him not only King, but also Father.
My heart overflows with love for the One Who has done this for me. No wonder satan tries to get me to believe that I am in rags, dirty, unworthy to come into the presence of the King. With the focus on me, I am unable to see the truth and rejoice in my Father's love. His blood has washed me clean. I have been "delivered from the power of darkness." I have been set free and placed into the kingdom of God. I can rejoice in what God has and is doing. My focus in on Him and He is my Savior, Deliverer, King, Lord, Beloved.
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
<< Psalm 149 >>
New American Standard Bible
Wow! We have been "translated" into Jesus' kingdom. As I picture coming into the presence of the King, I know that God would not have me come in rags. No, He has clothed me, changed me, transformed me in His very own daughter. A Cinderella transformation has been made and now I call Him not only King, but also Father.
My heart overflows with love for the One Who has done this for me. No wonder satan tries to get me to believe that I am in rags, dirty, unworthy to come into the presence of the King. With the focus on me, I am unable to see the truth and rejoice in my Father's love. His blood has washed me clean. I have been "delivered from the power of darkness." I have been set free and placed into the kingdom of God. I can rejoice in what God has and is doing. My focus in on Him and He is my Savior, Deliverer, King, Lord, Beloved.
1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
<< Psalm 149 >>
New American Standard Bible
Thursday, April 22, 2010
What am I thinking?
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." (Col 3:1-3 )
If I take time out of my day to monitor my thoughts, what is it I am thinking about? Is my mind set on things above? Do I believe God will take care of provision for my physical life and leave that to Him? If I believe that, truly believe that, than my mind will not be preoccupied with taking care of me. I will put myself into His loving Hands and obey the command to set my mind on things above.
There is a lot of discussion lately on the great commission. I hear often that we have been commanded to go and spread the Word and that is true. But Jesus also told us to do a lot of other things - like love your enemies, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, turn the other cheek, love God, love others... In Col 3, we are told to set our mind on things above. It appears to me that none of God's Word can be taken apart with more emphisis on one part than another. It is a whole. It seems if you are doing one part, than you may be doing the whole. If that is the case, setting my mind on things above would place me in the position of doing God's will in all things. Loving God, loving others, spreading His love would be a reflection of where I set my mind. Please, Lord, help me to have a mind set on You.
If I take time out of my day to monitor my thoughts, what is it I am thinking about? Is my mind set on things above? Do I believe God will take care of provision for my physical life and leave that to Him? If I believe that, truly believe that, than my mind will not be preoccupied with taking care of me. I will put myself into His loving Hands and obey the command to set my mind on things above.
There is a lot of discussion lately on the great commission. I hear often that we have been commanded to go and spread the Word and that is true. But Jesus also told us to do a lot of other things - like love your enemies, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, turn the other cheek, love God, love others... In Col 3, we are told to set our mind on things above. It appears to me that none of God's Word can be taken apart with more emphisis on one part than another. It is a whole. It seems if you are doing one part, than you may be doing the whole. If that is the case, setting my mind on things above would place me in the position of doing God's will in all things. Loving God, loving others, spreading His love would be a reflection of where I set my mind. Please, Lord, help me to have a mind set on You.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Never alone
Hebrews 13:5b "because God has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Not only am I never alone, but my companion is God of this universe. He created all things and everything that is, is because of Him. This tree in front of me, He created. The grass, the sky, the moon, the sun, everything from His hand. Yet, He never leaves my side. I have been fortunate over the years to have family and friends, yet not one of them has always been able to be with me. No one else can possibly know what I think, what I feel at all times - only God who loves me. When I cry out, He hears me. He does not turn and walk away - He hears and comes. He knows every giant I see, every fear that grips me - that is why He reminds me that He is here with me.
He has made so many promises - always ahead the promised land. But those who looked at the seen, spoke of the giants in the land, lost sight of Who was with them on their side. They didn't listen when He told them to not fear. He was there - He knew their fear, yet He reminded them that their Creator would take care of them. No giant is too big for Him.
Today He reminds me through His Word that He knows all and is here with me. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He knit together everyone of us in our mother's wombs. He knows us intimately. He knows every detail of our lives. The "giants" do not scare Him. He is God. And He is with us.
Not only am I never alone, but my companion is God of this universe. He created all things and everything that is, is because of Him. This tree in front of me, He created. The grass, the sky, the moon, the sun, everything from His hand. Yet, He never leaves my side. I have been fortunate over the years to have family and friends, yet not one of them has always been able to be with me. No one else can possibly know what I think, what I feel at all times - only God who loves me. When I cry out, He hears me. He does not turn and walk away - He hears and comes. He knows every giant I see, every fear that grips me - that is why He reminds me that He is here with me.
He has made so many promises - always ahead the promised land. But those who looked at the seen, spoke of the giants in the land, lost sight of Who was with them on their side. They didn't listen when He told them to not fear. He was there - He knew their fear, yet He reminded them that their Creator would take care of them. No giant is too big for Him.
Today He reminds me through His Word that He knows all and is here with me. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He knit together everyone of us in our mother's wombs. He knows us intimately. He knows every detail of our lives. The "giants" do not scare Him. He is God. And He is with us.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
God is good all the time
Psalm 107
BOOK V : Psalms 107-150 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe
God is good and His love endures forever. I miss a little church where that refrain was a common greeting - often I was met with a "God is good" to which one replied "all the time." As I read the above scripture, I realized we are told to say (speak out) that God is good - perhaps so we will remember this fact when it is needed most.
The rest of the psalm is one I have related to most of my life. It lists many different situations where God has rescued His children - and a common refrain is repeated, " Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." I have cried out so many times and He has delivered me. It is definitely not because of me or my "good" behavior (which is most often not there), but because He is God and He is love. He is my Father. I so desperately need Him - all the time. It is not always so apparent to me, yet in those times of distress, I am reminded of the reality that I need Him every second of every day. Thank You, God, that You are there every second. Forgive me for the times that I so arrogantly try to stumble through this life forgetting how much I need You. It is when I don't have the answers that I realize I never really have had them and it is foolish of me to think myself wise without talking to my Father.
Today I remind myself that God is good all the time. I need to be reminded. I need to hear it for those times when satan screams lies. We need to tell of the times that God has delivered us - for ourselves and for one another. It is for His glory that we speak of what a good God He is - full of mercy and grace. It is not because of us that He delivers us - but completely because of who He is. I have done nothing to merit God delivering me. In fact, it is just the opposite. My actions would damn me. Yet God loves me, forgives me, sent His only Son to die for me. I cannot imagine I would do the same for anyone - and God knows that and still He loves me, delivers me, and is there for me every second of every day.
BOOK V : Psalms 107-150 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe
God is good and His love endures forever. I miss a little church where that refrain was a common greeting - often I was met with a "God is good" to which one replied "all the time." As I read the above scripture, I realized we are told to say (speak out) that God is good - perhaps so we will remember this fact when it is needed most.
The rest of the psalm is one I have related to most of my life. It lists many different situations where God has rescued His children - and a common refrain is repeated, " Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress." I have cried out so many times and He has delivered me. It is definitely not because of me or my "good" behavior (which is most often not there), but because He is God and He is love. He is my Father. I so desperately need Him - all the time. It is not always so apparent to me, yet in those times of distress, I am reminded of the reality that I need Him every second of every day. Thank You, God, that You are there every second. Forgive me for the times that I so arrogantly try to stumble through this life forgetting how much I need You. It is when I don't have the answers that I realize I never really have had them and it is foolish of me to think myself wise without talking to my Father.
Today I remind myself that God is good all the time. I need to be reminded. I need to hear it for those times when satan screams lies. We need to tell of the times that God has delivered us - for ourselves and for one another. It is for His glory that we speak of what a good God He is - full of mercy and grace. It is not because of us that He delivers us - but completely because of who He is. I have done nothing to merit God delivering me. In fact, it is just the opposite. My actions would damn me. Yet God loves me, forgives me, sent His only Son to die for me. I cannot imagine I would do the same for anyone - and God knows that and still He loves me, delivers me, and is there for me every second of every day.
Friday, January 15, 2010
What kind of God is He?
Matthew 6:33 But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So security seems in short supply lately. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their retirement funds, their insurance, their families, their health. In one school district, the security of tenure has been taken away from teachers - all are up on the chopping block. Companies are closing their doors and taking away jobs that people have had for thirty years. Many in American are struggling.
Faith becomes an important issue. In whom or what am I trusting? What is it I am seeking after? In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus tells us not to be anxious for our lives - "as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink..as to what you shall put on..." "for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." We can give our service to money trying to get all that we think we need, or we can give our service to God and allow our Father in heaven to take care of our needs.
If I choose to believe the truth that God is a good Father Who loves me then I do not allow thoughts that lead to worry and anxiety. I seek my King as to how He wants me to serve in His Kingdom on a daily basis. I remember Who He is - King - and it is about His kingdom, and not the illusion of my own kingdom here on earth. He will take care of me - supplying me with food and clothes - just as He did His people in the desert. I need to concentrate daily on being part of His kingdom, seeking His righteousness, and leave the rest to Him.
So security seems in short supply lately. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their retirement funds, their insurance, their families, their health. In one school district, the security of tenure has been taken away from teachers - all are up on the chopping block. Companies are closing their doors and taking away jobs that people have had for thirty years. Many in American are struggling.
Faith becomes an important issue. In whom or what am I trusting? What is it I am seeking after? In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus tells us not to be anxious for our lives - "as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink..as to what you shall put on..." "for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." We can give our service to money trying to get all that we think we need, or we can give our service to God and allow our Father in heaven to take care of our needs.
If I choose to believe the truth that God is a good Father Who loves me then I do not allow thoughts that lead to worry and anxiety. I seek my King as to how He wants me to serve in His Kingdom on a daily basis. I remember Who He is - King - and it is about His kingdom, and not the illusion of my own kingdom here on earth. He will take care of me - supplying me with food and clothes - just as He did His people in the desert. I need to concentrate daily on being part of His kingdom, seeking His righteousness, and leave the rest to Him.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thank You, God!
Awright, so it is Thanksgiving and I blog on thankfulness. Yet for days this thankfulness has been building and building. The words, "from whence I came," have been going through my mind for days. God has brought me so far and delivered me from so much. I am so grateful to Him for all He has done.
This year there has been a release from temporal things that only He could grant me. I am so grateful for the new home He has provided us, and yet I see it so strongly as simply a tool - something He can use. God, as the Master Craftsman, Master Artist, Master Being takes everything and creates. He is not limited by time - He knows the beginning and the end. He loves me. The One Who knows me better than anyone else, knows everything about me, He loves me. My heart fills that One such as Him loves one such as me. And it is not only me that He loves. He loves all. It is beyond mind boggling. All that He has done for me, He will do for anyone. There are no favorites in God's kingdom - each is His favorite. And so, I am thankful. Thankful that He holds my tomorrows, that each day comes from Him, thankful that He doesn't give up on me, thankful for His continual presence in my life. Thankful for His love. There is so much to be thankful to Him for. I could spend eternity and never touch on it all as His mercies are new every morning. Today I am grateful that He has granted me thankfulness and filled my heart with Him.
This year there has been a release from temporal things that only He could grant me. I am so grateful for the new home He has provided us, and yet I see it so strongly as simply a tool - something He can use. God, as the Master Craftsman, Master Artist, Master Being takes everything and creates. He is not limited by time - He knows the beginning and the end. He loves me. The One Who knows me better than anyone else, knows everything about me, He loves me. My heart fills that One such as Him loves one such as me. And it is not only me that He loves. He loves all. It is beyond mind boggling. All that He has done for me, He will do for anyone. There are no favorites in God's kingdom - each is His favorite. And so, I am thankful. Thankful that He holds my tomorrows, that each day comes from Him, thankful that He doesn't give up on me, thankful for His continual presence in my life. Thankful for His love. There is so much to be thankful to Him for. I could spend eternity and never touch on it all as His mercies are new every morning. Today I am grateful that He has granted me thankfulness and filled my heart with Him.
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