Encouragement
4-29-11
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Isn't it wonderful that God not only provides for our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs, but that He also provides a way in which we can make sense out of our world and the things that occur within it.
Various philosophies and sciences over the course of human history have attempted to provide description and ultimately meaning to our lives. In each one of these endeavors, people have prescribed laws, rules, regulations, and models of thought to live by to reach enlightenment and/or peace. All of these contraptions are man-made, however.
God doesn't call to us to jump through a number of hoops to get to Him. He calls us to simply have a relationship with Him through Jesus. I find that both comforting and quite revolutionary.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Isn't it wonderful that God not only provides for our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs, but that He also provides a way in which we can make sense out of our world and the things that occur within it.
Various philosophies and sciences over the course of human history have attempted to provide description and ultimately meaning to our lives. In each one of these endeavors, people have prescribed laws, rules, regulations, and models of thought to live by to reach enlightenment and/or peace. All of these contraptions are man-made, however.
God doesn't call to us to jump through a number of hoops to get to Him. He calls us to simply have a relationship with Him through Jesus. I find that both comforting and quite revolutionary.
Encouragement
03-21-11
Psalm 18: 1-3
1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
From where do we draw true strength? Do we look to ourselves, to our friends and family, to our bank accounts to provide us with security and peace?
Throughout our lives we face a multitude of challenges. They may be present in our relationships, our professions, even within our own hearts and minds. Our days may be full of turmoil with only sporadic periods of calm. But this type of life, this bumpy and tossed sea, is not the life for a Christian.
While it is true us that God allows it to rain on both the just and the unjust, both the believer and non-believer, He provides a rock for us to stand upon; a sure foothold. We can take refuge within His love. We can be assured that whatever trial we are facing at the time, though it may seem unending, He will be with us. He will shield us and save us. We need to look to Him, not the vanities of this world for that assurance. It is only in God that we will find a true measure of peace.
Psalm 18: 1-3
1 I love you, LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
From where do we draw true strength? Do we look to ourselves, to our friends and family, to our bank accounts to provide us with security and peace?
Throughout our lives we face a multitude of challenges. They may be present in our relationships, our professions, even within our own hearts and minds. Our days may be full of turmoil with only sporadic periods of calm. But this type of life, this bumpy and tossed sea, is not the life for a Christian.
While it is true us that God allows it to rain on both the just and the unjust, both the believer and non-believer, He provides a rock for us to stand upon; a sure foothold. We can take refuge within His love. We can be assured that whatever trial we are facing at the time, though it may seem unending, He will be with us. He will shield us and save us. We need to look to Him, not the vanities of this world for that assurance. It is only in God that we will find a true measure of peace.
Encouragement
3-28-11
Luke 11: 27-28
27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
It doesn't matter who are parents are or where we come from. We may have been born wealthy or poor. We may have had parents that loved us or abandoned us. Our lives may have been full of parental affection or full of harch demands. Regardless, we have a Heavenly Father who wants us to know Him and in knowing Him provide for us emotionally, spirtually, and physically. Jesus says that "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b NIV).
Luke 11: 27-28
27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
It doesn't matter who are parents are or where we come from. We may have been born wealthy or poor. We may have had parents that loved us or abandoned us. Our lives may have been full of parental affection or full of harch demands. Regardless, we have a Heavenly Father who wants us to know Him and in knowing Him provide for us emotionally, spirtually, and physically. Jesus says that "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b NIV).
