I haven't been feeling well this week and I've realized how hard it is for me to slow down. The song below by Third Day sums up my stuggle best. I'll post more on this topic soon.
Slow Down
by: Third Day, Revelation album, track 2
Tell me to slow down
If you think that the road that I'm on is going nowhere
Tell me to slow down
If you know that I'm going too fast for my own good
Tell me to slow down
If the way is leading to a dead end
Tell me to slow down
Turn around, let me change the way I'm going
Oh, I don't want to let go
Of all the things that I know
Are keeping me away from my life
Oh, I don't want to slow down
No, I don't want to look around
But I can't seem to work it out
So help me, God
Tell me to slow down
If you see that I'm running too fast in the wrong race
Tell me to slow down
If you think that I can't keep up with my own pace
Tell me to slow down
'Cause you know if there's ever any question
Tell me slow down
Turn around, and I'm changing my direction
Oh, I don't want to let go
Of all the things that I know
Are keeping me away from my life
Oh, I don't want to slow down
No, I don't want to look around
But I can't seem to work it out
So help me, God
Tuesday, April 20
Thursday, April 1
Life and breath and everything!
Praise to the Lord who gives us life!
Acts 17:24-28 (ESV)
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.'
Psalm 127:3 (ESV)
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Acts 17:24-28 (ESV)
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.'
Psalm 127:3 (ESV)
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Friday, March 19
Wisdom from above is...
James 3 begins with a somber warning against the misuse of our tongue particularly against using our tongue to curse others and stir up dissension. The chapter ends with a contrast of worldly wisdom vs. wisdom from above. One of the things I love about the Word is that it contains both specific admonishments to guard ourselves from unrighteous acts, as well as specific disciplines to cultivate and pursue.
James 3:13-18 (ESV)
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18 (ESV)
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Sunday, February 28
Equipped with everything good for every good work
What a wonderful and generous God we serve! So many times he reminds us that he provides all that we need to follow him; he preserves us through his word and by his might. I pray these scriptures would encourage you as you persevere in pursuing his will.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Grace be with all of you. Hebrews 13:25 (ESV)
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Grace be with all of you. Hebrews 13:25 (ESV)
Sunday, February 7
The Radiance of the Glory of God!
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3a (ESV)
Typically I don't like to cut off a verse in the middle, but this sentence alone gives me an overwhelming amount of wonderful revelation to meditate on. I pray that it would bless your hearts as well. Grace & peace to each of you this lovely Sunday evening!
Typically I don't like to cut off a verse in the middle, but this sentence alone gives me an overwhelming amount of wonderful revelation to meditate on. I pray that it would bless your hearts as well. Grace & peace to each of you this lovely Sunday evening!
Wednesday, January 6
Gentleness & Repentance
Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I want to characterize my involvement in the pro-life movement. Through my time in the Word, prayer, and conversations with family and friends, I am convinced that any ministry I commit to must have the gospel at it's heart. Regarding abortion, it can become a temptation to vilify opponents instead of desiring for them to find freedom in Christ. The verses below from 2 Timothy 2 give excellent advice on how to correct opponents of the truth: with gentleness. I pray that I would keep the gospel in the forefront of my heart not just in my pro-life pursuits but in all aspects of my life. Once I was a captive but now I have been reconciled; may this be my hope for all!
2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV)
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV)
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
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