17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
One thing that I miss deeply as Paula and I search for a new church home in uptown Charlotte is the daily counsel, friendship and encouragement from another brother or sister in Christ. Sure, I have quite a few Christian acquaintances and friends but it is only as you get involved in authentic relationships in your home church and community where you live that God can begin to mold, shape and encourage you, often through the faithfulness and love of close friends with whom you interact several times throughout the week. Please take advantage of the godly people that Jesus has placed in your life to help sharpen you as you help sharpen them, because these people are your greatest blessing in the Lord, and it is through these relationships that your faith and love will grow and deepen in your own personal journey of knowing and loving God more.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Blessing from the Lord
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14
Well, one thing that I did not inherit from my parents, at least as of yet, are houses and wealth, however; the Lord has blessed me with the most beautiful and loving prudent wife named Paula. Paula and I had one of those days yesterday, you probably know the kind of day, where my driving was getting to her and her complaining about my driving was getting to me. In the end though, it was most likely God who reminded me just how fortunate I am to have such an incredible blessing from Him. As we celebrate 15 years of marriage this coming week we are committed to not let the enemy ruin any part of the miracle that God has created in us. Today, remember the blessing of your wife that God has so graciously given to you so undeservedly, and be sure that she knows how thankful you are for the love and balance that she brings to your life. Paula, this one is for you, happy anniversary week and I vow to give all of my love to you, forever!
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14
Well, one thing that I did not inherit from my parents, at least as of yet, are houses and wealth, however; the Lord has blessed me with the most beautiful and loving prudent wife named Paula. Paula and I had one of those days yesterday, you probably know the kind of day, where my driving was getting to her and her complaining about my driving was getting to me. In the end though, it was most likely God who reminded me just how fortunate I am to have such an incredible blessing from Him. As we celebrate 15 years of marriage this coming week we are committed to not let the enemy ruin any part of the miracle that God has created in us. Today, remember the blessing of your wife that God has so graciously given to you so undeservedly, and be sure that she knows how thankful you are for the love and balance that she brings to your life. Paula, this one is for you, happy anniversary week and I vow to give all of my love to you, forever!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Lord
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?"
"The son of David," they replied.
43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,
44 " 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet." '
45 If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Matthew 22:41-45
Dictionary. Com defines “Lord” as: “a person who has authority, control or power over others; a master, chief or ruler.” Knowing this then, how would you describe your own personal relationship with God? Is Jesus in control of the events that take place in your life? Do you filter your thoughts and actions through the loving guidance and power of God’s Spirit who lives inside of your heart of hearts? Have you accepted the amazing gift of God’s Spirit into your life in order that Jesus could indeed be Lord of all for you; in control of everything, your thoughts; your actions; your dreams, desires and ambitions, your relationships; what you do for a living; how you spend your money; how you spend your time? Listen, Jesus wants to be the Lord of your life, not to ruin your fun, but indeed to give you an abundant life that is unimaginable! His way is always that best way as He has a much larger perspective than you and I and if you could see the plans that He has for you, you would be blown away by His incredible love. Surrender to His Lordship today and start living out the masterpiece that your Lord is creating in you!
"The son of David," they replied.
43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,
44 " 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet." '
45 If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Matthew 22:41-45
Dictionary. Com defines “Lord” as: “a person who has authority, control or power over others; a master, chief or ruler.” Knowing this then, how would you describe your own personal relationship with God? Is Jesus in control of the events that take place in your life? Do you filter your thoughts and actions through the loving guidance and power of God’s Spirit who lives inside of your heart of hearts? Have you accepted the amazing gift of God’s Spirit into your life in order that Jesus could indeed be Lord of all for you; in control of everything, your thoughts; your actions; your dreams, desires and ambitions, your relationships; what you do for a living; how you spend your money; how you spend your time? Listen, Jesus wants to be the Lord of your life, not to ruin your fun, but indeed to give you an abundant life that is unimaginable! His way is always that best way as He has a much larger perspective than you and I and if you could see the plans that He has for you, you would be blown away by His incredible love. Surrender to His Lordship today and start living out the masterpiece that your Lord is creating in you!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Love
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:23-32
More than obeying all the commandments; more than building a godly empire of disciples; more than achieving great wealth to be given away to those in need; more than being a servant of all or a great man or woman of God – what your Father in heaven wants more than any of these things is your love and devotion to Him. Listen, the reason that God created you with the ability to choose and the reason that He came and suffered a horrible death on the cross in order to restore your relationship with Him is because He longs for your attention, for your devotion, for your heart to fall in love with Him all over again, just as it was when He first created Adam and Eve. God longs for you today to pour out your heart to Him, to trust Him with everything that you own, everything that you are and everything that you ever hope to be. Jesus wants to be your best friend, the reason that you get up in the morning and the last person you talk to, even at the end of the most difficult day. Do you love Him, not just with words but with the way that you live your life? Is He the Lord of everything that you do? Have you asked for His Holy Spirit to fill your heart of hearts in order that through His power you could reflect this beautiful love relationship to the world around you? Fall in love with your Creator and Friend today!
Matthew 22:23-32
More than obeying all the commandments; more than building a godly empire of disciples; more than achieving great wealth to be given away to those in need; more than being a servant of all or a great man or woman of God – what your Father in heaven wants more than any of these things is your love and devotion to Him. Listen, the reason that God created you with the ability to choose and the reason that He came and suffered a horrible death on the cross in order to restore your relationship with Him is because He longs for your attention, for your devotion, for your heart to fall in love with Him all over again, just as it was when He first created Adam and Eve. God longs for you today to pour out your heart to Him, to trust Him with everything that you own, everything that you are and everything that you ever hope to be. Jesus wants to be your best friend, the reason that you get up in the morning and the last person you talk to, even at the end of the most difficult day. Do you love Him, not just with words but with the way that you live your life? Is He the Lord of everything that you do? Have you asked for His Holy Spirit to fill your heart of hearts in order that through His power you could reflect this beautiful love relationship to the world around you? Fall in love with your Creator and Friend today!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Power of Praise
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
Psalm 8:2
I will never forget the first time, as a young believer in Christ who was just discovering how to fall in love with Jesus in a very real and tangible way when I praised Him, out loud, not just saying the words but truly worshiping my God and Savior from my heart of hearts. I will never forget that day or the words of the worship song “I love you Lord” as in that moment all of the problems in my life that seemed insurmountable at times just seemed to disappear and become irrelevant in the midst of God’s amazing love and glory and power. There is truly power in praise that lifts your spirit to a different dimension where God’s healing and peace begin to work on the broken areas of your life in a way that you are restored and made new as a result of God’s amazing love and power that is available to all who would seek Him, love Him and accept His amazing gift of redemption in a genuine way. Today as you start your day, tell your Father in heaven how much you love Him, praise the Lord with all of your heart and ask Him for His guidance and direction today as you learn to love Him more.
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
Psalm 8:2
I will never forget the first time, as a young believer in Christ who was just discovering how to fall in love with Jesus in a very real and tangible way when I praised Him, out loud, not just saying the words but truly worshiping my God and Savior from my heart of hearts. I will never forget that day or the words of the worship song “I love you Lord” as in that moment all of the problems in my life that seemed insurmountable at times just seemed to disappear and become irrelevant in the midst of God’s amazing love and glory and power. There is truly power in praise that lifts your spirit to a different dimension where God’s healing and peace begin to work on the broken areas of your life in a way that you are restored and made new as a result of God’s amazing love and power that is available to all who would seek Him, love Him and accept His amazing gift of redemption in a genuine way. Today as you start your day, tell your Father in heaven how much you love Him, praise the Lord with all of your heart and ask Him for His guidance and direction today as you learn to love Him more.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Hard Work
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:6-11
One of the reasons for the successes that I have realized outside of God’s amazing blessing and provision can be attributed to plain old fashioned hard work. I have the privilege of working in an industry where complacency abounds among my competitors and so success can be easily achieved, simply by doing my job every day to the best of my ability. One of the things that sets a Christ follower apart from other people in this world is the fact that you and I as His children work everyday not for worldly gain or for recognition by our peers or even for the self satisfaction that comes from achieving something above and beyond our own abilities, no, you and I in our heart of hearts toil and labor every day for the joy that comes from knowing that we are working for the one who loves us dearly and gave His life in order that we could be free. This godly motivation keeps us pressing on, even when the world and other people may have let us down and even when the monetary reward for our efforts is not in line with the results that have been achieved. The reason is simple, for you and I have been called to a much higher purpose than just worldly gain or fleeting recognition. Yes, you and I have been called by God to live a life of love and hard work for His purpose in order that our lives may have an everlasting impact on this world for Jesus Christ. Remember this today as you give your all for His Glory and His purposes as other people are watching and the work that you do today could help make an eternal difference in another person’s life - reflect His love and diligence today as you live your life for the King!
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:6-11
One of the reasons for the successes that I have realized outside of God’s amazing blessing and provision can be attributed to plain old fashioned hard work. I have the privilege of working in an industry where complacency abounds among my competitors and so success can be easily achieved, simply by doing my job every day to the best of my ability. One of the things that sets a Christ follower apart from other people in this world is the fact that you and I as His children work everyday not for worldly gain or for recognition by our peers or even for the self satisfaction that comes from achieving something above and beyond our own abilities, no, you and I in our heart of hearts toil and labor every day for the joy that comes from knowing that we are working for the one who loves us dearly and gave His life in order that we could be free. This godly motivation keeps us pressing on, even when the world and other people may have let us down and even when the monetary reward for our efforts is not in line with the results that have been achieved. The reason is simple, for you and I have been called to a much higher purpose than just worldly gain or fleeting recognition. Yes, you and I have been called by God to live a life of love and hard work for His purpose in order that our lives may have an everlasting impact on this world for Jesus Christ. Remember this today as you give your all for His Glory and His purposes as other people are watching and the work that you do today could help make an eternal difference in another person’s life - reflect His love and diligence today as you live your life for the King!
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