while and I missing them. I'll get back on the wagon tomorrow.
CJ
3.26.2010
Slacker!
I have been such a slacker lately! I haven't done my devotions in a
while and I missing them. I'll get back on the wagon tomorrow.
while and I missing them. I'll get back on the wagon tomorrow.
3.16.2010
Day 21: God Encounters
On this seventh day, review and reflect on all you have read this week. Take the time to revel in the ways you've encountered God in the past six days.
Day 20: Slow Down and Inquire
Read
Joshua 9:3-9,11,14-16
Pray
God of Peace, please show me any attachments that keep me from doing your will. Whether they are people, tasks or organizations, please show me. I want above all things to do you will and to be rid of those things that keep me from it. Amen.
CJ
Joshua 9:3-9,11,14-16
Pray
God of Peace, please show me any attachments that keep me from doing your will. Whether they are people, tasks or organizations, please show me. I want above all things to do you will and to be rid of those things that keep me from it. Amen.
CJ
3.15.2010
Day 19: Courageous When It Counts
Read
Joshua 1:1-9
Think
Embracing the words of verse 9 is not hard for me. I've seen God guide and protect my family so many times throughout the years that to not trust Him seems silly. Its human nature to get scared over the unknown, but God helps you overcome that. When my wife and I moved to Orlando, I knew God would be with us, guiding us, and would not allow us to fall because it was His will.
I get scared when I think about the future and making sure I can provide for my family. It's not just human nature, it also comes with being a man.
Pray
Provider of All Things, You know what I get scared about - providing for my family and the future. I know You that You've heard me and I thank You for that. I know that You will provide in Your perfect time and I thank You for that. Amen.
Live
When you find yourself i situations that expose your fears, remember the promises of God - His presence and his guidance for you into the future.
CJ
Joshua 1:1-9
Think
Embracing the words of verse 9 is not hard for me. I've seen God guide and protect my family so many times throughout the years that to not trust Him seems silly. Its human nature to get scared over the unknown, but God helps you overcome that. When my wife and I moved to Orlando, I knew God would be with us, guiding us, and would not allow us to fall because it was His will.
I get scared when I think about the future and making sure I can provide for my family. It's not just human nature, it also comes with being a man.
Pray
Provider of All Things, You know what I get scared about - providing for my family and the future. I know You that You've heard me and I thank You for that. I know that You will provide in Your perfect time and I thank You for that. Amen.
Live
When you find yourself i situations that expose your fears, remember the promises of God - His presence and his guidance for you into the future.
CJ
3.12.2010
Day 18: Leaving a Legacy
Read
Deuteronomy 34:1-4
Think
I think God takes disobedience (i.e. sin) so seriously because He knows what's He's doing and He's always right. When we disobey or sin, we're following the commands of God. I am really learning how to trust the promises of God. If He's always right and knows what He's doing, I have to listen and trust Him.
Pray
Payor of Sin-Debt, I need Your help to live a life of faith and obedience. Doing it on my own doesn't work. I have to Your help, Your guidance, Your love to do it. Help me honor You at all times. I love You and thank You for all You've done. Amen.
Live
Think of Moses-like people you kow - older, godly individuals living faithfully for God. Consider connecting with them and getting to know them and their stories.
CJ
Deuteronomy 34:1-4
Think
I think God takes disobedience (i.e. sin) so seriously because He knows what's He's doing and He's always right. When we disobey or sin, we're following the commands of God. I am really learning how to trust the promises of God. If He's always right and knows what He's doing, I have to listen and trust Him.
Pray
Payor of Sin-Debt, I need Your help to live a life of faith and obedience. Doing it on my own doesn't work. I have to Your help, Your guidance, Your love to do it. Help me honor You at all times. I love You and thank You for all You've done. Amen.
Live
Think of Moses-like people you kow - older, godly individuals living faithfully for God. Consider connecting with them and getting to know them and their stories.
CJ
3.10.2010
Day 17: You Were Once Slaves
Read
Deuteronomy 24:10-15,17-22
Think
The common theme that links the scenarios is that God is providing ways to take care of the destitute, foreigner, orphan and widow. He takes care of the lowly, meek, forgotten, helpless.
Pray
More often than not, I've ignored the homeless beggar. There have been a few times when I've felt God nudge me to give something (either my lunch or some money). Anymore I think things like "I wonder where his/her Lexus is parked?" (thanks Dateline) or the typical "he/she just wants alcohol" and haven't given anything.
Live
Now look back at the theme you wrote down from the passage and at the traits you noticed about God. How do you picture this God responding to you as you think about the situation you faced? Do you sense Him speaking a personal message to you? What is it? (If you have a tendency to assume what God's response would be, say, something similar to what an authority figure in your life might say, resist that.) IF you feel clueless about what God might be saying to you, offer this up to Him and ask Him to show you in the coming weeks.
CJ
Deuteronomy 24:10-15,17-22
Think
The common theme that links the scenarios is that God is providing ways to take care of the destitute, foreigner, orphan and widow. He takes care of the lowly, meek, forgotten, helpless.
Pray
More often than not, I've ignored the homeless beggar. There have been a few times when I've felt God nudge me to give something (either my lunch or some money). Anymore I think things like "I wonder where his/her Lexus is parked?" (thanks Dateline) or the typical "he/she just wants alcohol" and haven't given anything.
Live
Now look back at the theme you wrote down from the passage and at the traits you noticed about God. How do you picture this God responding to you as you think about the situation you faced? Do you sense Him speaking a personal message to you? What is it? (If you have a tendency to assume what God's response would be, say, something similar to what an authority figure in your life might say, resist that.) IF you feel clueless about what God might be saying to you, offer this up to Him and ask Him to show you in the coming weeks.
CJ
3.09.2010
Day 16: Live In His Presence
Read
Deuteronomy 10:12-21
Think
Read the passage alound slowly again.
Here are some ways to pray back the passage. Use as many of these suggestions as you wish.
Experiment with living in God's presence while acring for the rest of the world. Relax. Quiet yourself. Just be.
CJ
Deuteronomy 10:12-21
Think
Read the passage alound slowly again.
- What phrase is the most memorable? But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children - that's you! - out of all the other peoples.
- What quality of God stands out to you? He takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing. Why? As citizens of heaven, we are foreigners on this world and my God is a God who provides for foreigners.
- What command stands out to you? You must treat foreigners with the same loving care. Why? We have to learn how to treat our fellow man well - they're foreigners, too.
Here are some ways to pray back the passage. Use as many of these suggestions as you wish.
- Express to God your thoughts about living in His presence. Has living in His presence been important to you or not?
- Express to God those areas in which you would guess he considers you "hardheaded." (Pause and let this come to you. Don't necessarily go with the first thing that comes to mind.)
- Express to God your feelings about the have-nots you know (widows, orphans, foreigners). Talk to God honestly about how willing or unwilling you've been to include such people in your life.
Experiment with living in God's presence while acring for the rest of the world. Relax. Quiet yourself. Just be.
CJ
3.08.2010
Day 15: Listen!
Read
Dueteronomy 6:1-9
Think
How seriously do you take the words of God? Wow, this is a hard question. If I took it seriously, I would be following all of God's commands but I have to be honest and say that I'm not following all of them. I can't beat myself over it though. God works on different things at different points in your life, sometimes using scripture you've read a hundred times before to teach you something new. I can say I'm growing to love the words of God more and more.
Pray
Slowly and reverently, pray the words found in verse 4 and 5: "Hear, O Church! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (I used Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Luke 10:27 with footnoes from the NIV and changed Israel to Church to make it more personal). Repeat those words over and over again, letting what the words ask of you to sink into your heart.
Live
Memorize the words you just prayed, and pray them as often as you memorize them.
Dueteronomy 6:1-9
Think
How seriously do you take the words of God? Wow, this is a hard question. If I took it seriously, I would be following all of God's commands but I have to be honest and say that I'm not following all of them. I can't beat myself over it though. God works on different things at different points in your life, sometimes using scripture you've read a hundred times before to teach you something new. I can say I'm growing to love the words of God more and more.
Pray
Slowly and reverently, pray the words found in verse 4 and 5: "Hear, O Church! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (I used Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Luke 10:27 with footnoes from the NIV and changed Israel to Church to make it more personal). Repeat those words over and over again, letting what the words ask of you to sink into your heart.
Live
Memorize the words you just prayed, and pray them as often as you memorize them.
3.03.2010
Day 14: God Encounters
On this seventh day, review and reflect on all you ahve read this week. Take the time to revel in the ways you've encountered God in the past six days.
Day 13: God of the Asylum-City
Read
Numbers 35:9-15
Think
Spend time thinking about the God who is making Himself known here. Jot down a few words to describe Him.
Just
Merciful
Kind
Refuge
Pray
For a moment, set aside this passage. CHeck in with yourself-explore recent thoughts, feelings, and events in your life and how you're responded to them. Bring your thoughts to the God who created asylum-cities. Read the verses again. As you do, picture God entering the room. How do you relate to His presence? Does sharing your thoughts make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?
I want to start telling Him what is on my mind. I know He knows it already, but I also know He wants us to tell Him. He cares for and loves us and wants to be involved in the everyday activities.
Live
Think about what it's been like for you to be with the God who is both a God of justice and a God of refuge. Has it left you with questions or with new thoughts on how you want to deal with your sin in the future?
When I'm feeling tempted, I need to run to the God of Refuge. He's there to protect from it and to give me strength to run away from it. When I do sin, I need to run to the God of Forgiveness and repent of my sin.
CJ
Numbers 35:9-15
Think
Spend time thinking about the God who is making Himself known here. Jot down a few words to describe Him.
Just
Merciful
Kind
Refuge
Pray
For a moment, set aside this passage. CHeck in with yourself-explore recent thoughts, feelings, and events in your life and how you're responded to them. Bring your thoughts to the God who created asylum-cities. Read the verses again. As you do, picture God entering the room. How do you relate to His presence? Does sharing your thoughts make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?
I want to start telling Him what is on my mind. I know He knows it already, but I also know He wants us to tell Him. He cares for and loves us and wants to be involved in the everyday activities.
Live
Think about what it's been like for you to be with the God who is both a God of justice and a God of refuge. Has it left you with questions or with new thoughts on how you want to deal with your sin in the future?
When I'm feeling tempted, I need to run to the God of Refuge. He's there to protect from it and to give me strength to run away from it. When I do sin, I need to run to the God of Forgiveness and repent of my sin.
CJ
3.02.2010
Day 12: A Different Story
Read
Numbers 14:17-24
Think
What impresses me most about God is that He forgives even when we doubt Him. If I was god, I would probably would have zapped the whole human race out of existence for all the times we've doubted, sinned, gone astray, worshipped false idols, etc.
What impresses me most about Caleb is that he followed God passionately and was rewarded for it.
Pray
Forgiver of sin and doubt, I know I am more like the children of Israel in this story and I ask for Your forgiveness. Give me a spirit like Caleb, to live passionately for You, to not doubt You, to take risks for You. Amen.
Live
Imagine what it would feel like to have such trust in God that you would be willing to take whatever next steps God presents to you. Imagine what it would be like to be so different from others that you might be excluded because of it.
CJ
Numbers 14:17-24
Think
What impresses me most about God is that He forgives even when we doubt Him. If I was god, I would probably would have zapped the whole human race out of existence for all the times we've doubted, sinned, gone astray, worshipped false idols, etc.
What impresses me most about Caleb is that he followed God passionately and was rewarded for it.
Pray
Forgiver of sin and doubt, I know I am more like the children of Israel in this story and I ask for Your forgiveness. Give me a spirit like Caleb, to live passionately for You, to not doubt You, to take risks for You. Amen.
Live
Imagine what it would feel like to have such trust in God that you would be willing to take whatever next steps God presents to you. Imagine what it would be like to be so different from others that you might be excluded because of it.
CJ
3.01.2010
Day 11: Don't Forget
Read
Numbers 9:4-5,9-12
Think
I am most prone to forget who God is or what He's done when I get stuck in a rut or get in a period where I'm just going through the motions. I get stuck sometimes just doing or being and my mind wanders from God. I know that's where He longs for me to realize He's with me just like He is when things are bad or busy or great or or or or.... He loves me so much that He wants to be in the middle of the good times and the bad times and the come-whatever times.
CJ
Numbers 9:4-5,9-12
Think
I am most prone to forget who God is or what He's done when I get stuck in a rut or get in a period where I'm just going through the motions. I get stuck sometimes just doing or being and my mind wanders from God. I know that's where He longs for me to realize He's with me just like He is when things are bad or busy or great or or or or.... He loves me so much that He wants to be in the middle of the good times and the bad times and the come-whatever times.
CJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)