For the Glory of God...

Proverbs 25:2 NIV
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."

God wants me to keep certain matters to myself, things that may be hurtful to others, things that may drive people away from God, things that may hurt the Kingdom, things that result from my prideful nature, these matters I must conceal. And if I do keep these matters concealed, it glorifies God. But I must continue to witness for Christ, to reveal what he has done and is doing in my life. I must reveal my testimony to others for the Glory of the Lord.

Lord, help me to keep my pride in check, help me to conceal things that build me up and to reveal things that build Christ up through natural easy going talk, let my words be comfortable for others, let my words make sense and be understandable. So that you my Lord receive the glory. Use me Lord for your purpose.

His Presence...

Acts 2:28 NIV
"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'"

Peter preached this in the first sermon after pentecost. They had just received the Holy Spirit and were speaking in everyones own language. Here, Peter quotes from Psalm 16:8, a truely amazing promise of what God will do if I am faithful to him.

When my relationship is right with God, I will know where he wants me to go and what he wants me to do. And when my relationship is right with him, I will delight in his presence, and really want to be with him in quiet time and in prayer, I hear and see him in people, experiences and my surroundings. But the only way these promises will happen for me is if I spend time with my Lord, quality time, to get to know him.

Lord that I may know you so well that I know your will and am willing to act on your desires and purposes, to affect your kingdom in some small way. Help me Lord to keep you as my priority. To you my Lord be the glory.

That You May Believe...

John 20:8, 27, 29, 31 NIV
"Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

Then he (Jesus) said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

What an incredible progression of belief... the disciples and women saw the risen Jesus and believed, Thomas touched the risen Lord and believed, Jesus blessed those who believe without seeing, and Gods words are written for us to believe and have life in his name.

Each of these had to happen for my salvation. Amazing. The Lord is risen today and is taking me with him. I am risen with him. Without seeing I believe, I know though my faith in his word that He is mine and I am his. Amazing! Lord I thank you for your grace leading to my salvation. Help me to continue strong in your word, to know you, and to remain in you. To you my God be the glory.

Finish Strong...

John 19:30 NIV
"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

It is finished. Jesus was true to his entire mission, he never gave up, always focused on his purpose - to atone for my sins. He was God in the flesh, he could accomplish anything, yet he called on God to help him through prayer. He modeled sinless perfection through his holiness, his words provided wisdom and guidance, and his acts showed true love and leadership through service and humility; and his ultimate gift was himself on this good Friday so that I may receive life eternal.

Lord, you have blessed me in so many ways, I am so very grateful. Help me to see you in all my daily activities; to remember your passion for me. And while your work was finished on the cross, the work you gave me to do is not. Help me to see this work, give me the strength to accomplish this work, and the perseverance to complete it. To finish strong, just as you finished strong. To you my Lord be the glory.

Family...

John 19:26-27 NIV
"When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

Jesus thought and cared for his family while on the cross. And John obeyed Jesus' direction. But why did Jesus choose John to care for his mother Mary? Jesus had several other brothers, one of which (James) became the leader of the early church, certainly they were trustworthy. And John had so much to do after Jesus was gone, being one of the twelve. John and Mary both followed Jesus' direction; John took Mary into his house and May left her house to live in John's house.

I too must care for my family and follow Jesus' lead. Help me Lord to care for my family, to make my time for them a priority, especially in one on one get togethers. To love and cherish them in good times and in bad times. To you Lord be the glory.

When Dry...

Luke 23:31 NIV
"For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Jesus said this as they lead him to the cross. God was among them in the flesh, what could be greener than that? What could be more obivious than Gods peace, truth, love available to all, and all contained in one complete package called Jesus Christ. Yet most people did not see it, if fact they were so blinded they killed him. Jesus said weep for yourselves for a time is coming when it with be dry, when it will require great faith to accept God. What will they do when it is dry? And what will it take for me to persevere when it is dry?

Lord may you and your kingdom continue to grow. May your  works continue to bring green to this dry and needy world. May I help water in some small way. Give me eyes for what you what me to see and willing hands and feet for where you want me to go and what you want me to do. To make a small difference for you Lord. To you my God be the glory.

Ready...

God called to him . . . . And he said, ’Here I am’ - Exodus 3:4

"Readiness means having a right relationship to God and having the knowledge of where we are. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father. “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” John 17:22. Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready - he is ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the person who is ready, and it is on fire with the presence of God Himself." - Oswald Chambers, Utmost for His Highest, Apr18, excerpt.

Lord that my relationship may be right with you, through my quiet time and prayer life. Help me to spend this time getting ready for what you are planning for me to do for you. To you my Lord be the glory.

What You Do...

John 21:25 NIV
"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."

Jesus did many miraculous things while he was on earth and after he rose; so many that John said the world could not hold the written books. Incredible! The entire world could not hold this.

To me the world is a massive place, but even the things Jesus did for the short time while on earth could not hold them. Imagine how many things he has done since then. And how many things he continues to do today. In just my life alone he does so many wonderful things, many of which I don't even recognize.

Lord you are amazing! I thank you for the things you do in my life. You guide me, you mature me, you strengthen me, you give me wisdom and understanding, you show me love and grace, and provide me with your peace. Lord may I have eyes for what you do in my life, and may what you do in me be used to further your kingdom and your plans in some small way. To you Lord be the glory.

The Side of Truth...

John 18:37 NIV
"...the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Jesus is truth, this is what he testified to throughout his ministry. No one can get to the Father, to life eternal, without belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior. And everyone who is on the side of the truth, who believes in Jesus, will listen to his word, to his truth.

But I must do more than just listen, I must do what it says. Lord help me to see your truth, help me to accept it for my life, help me to apply it to my walk. And I know if I do, my walk will be pure, it will be honoring to you Lord. To you Lord be the glory.

Jesus' Peace...

John 20:21 NIV
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Jesus' peace, who could ask for more! Peace from the Holy, Risen Jesus. Lord, I accept your peace, may it be your light for me and those that are around me. I joyfully go for you Jesus, guide me with your peace.

Rise! Let Us Go...

Mark 14:36, 41-42 NIV
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Rise! Let us go! Jesus confronted his enemy and his trial head on, no complaining, no grumbling, just prayer, confirming Gods will, then forward assault. Confronting the enemy head on. Not easy to do, great courage and great love; total passion for his mission.

It is easy for me to stay comfortable, to be safe, but that is not what Jesus wants me to do. He wants me to confront my enemy, trial and burden. But the good news is I dont have to do it alone, Christ is there with me, helping me all the way. Jesus says "my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matt 11: 30. But a yoke is for two, Jesus on one side, me on the other. Then my problem is made easy. And I have to want it, to take thes yoke. And when I do, nothing can defeat me.  "No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates inner invincibility" Oswald Chambers.

Lord help me to face my problems head on, lighten my trials, help me to remember that you are there to lighten my load, all I need to do is reach out for your yoke. To you Lord be all the glory.

For People...

Proverbs 22:4 NIV
"Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."

The Lord respects humility, and this verse promises that those who are humble will be rewarded with riches, honor, and life. Maybe not in this life here on earth, but for certain in Gods kingdom, and with Gods riches.

Help me Lord to be less prideful, less selfish; help me to think more of people and their needs and less of myself. To show humility in all I do and in all I say. Help me to have your heart Lord for people. To you Lord be the glory.

Do The Right Thing...

Proverbs 21:2-3, 13, 21 NIV
"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."

God wants me to do the right thing. To have his heart for those in need. To love those that are poor. And my love must be demonstrated by my action. I cannot just talk about it but must put it into action.

Lord give me your wisdom. Help me to know your heart, help me to help the poor; to do the right thing. To you Lord be the  glory.

His Name...

John 17:11 NIV
"...Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one."

Jesus prayed for the protection of believers through the power of the Fathers name. His name provides our protection. Protection from danger and evil caused by satan,  surrounding me in a fallen world, protection from my sinful nature. But not just the name of the Father, the name of Jesus, the name given by the Father. The name of Jesus protects me. When I call on the name of Jesus, I can be confident that protection is mine. Whatever I need, whenever I need it, I just call on the name Jesus.

And when I depend on Jesus Christ for my protection, I will be "in" him, just as he is in the Father. We are made complete through this, complete in Christ, complete in the Father. Safe and secure, nothing to fear, just the love of Christ as I am with him and I am in him.

Lord help me to apply your name to my everyday life, to remember to come to you for help. May this be so. To you Lord almighty be the glory.

Love Is Security...

Proverbs 20:28 NIV
"Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure."

This passage speaks to what is important - Love. It is not wealth, it is not power, or control, or things that are owned; it is love and faithfulness that matter. They matter in my home, in my work place, and in my network of friends. Love from people and faithfulness are what protect and secure me and keep me safe.

But people will not show me their love and faithfulness unless I have given mine to them. I must love the people I care about and I must be faithful to the people that I love. And when I do, when I really show them true love, I too will be loved. I must have a humble nature, I must not think of myself as a"king" as this passage describes, but as a servant, showing humility to those people that I need to love.

Lord help me to accomplish this, help me to demonstrate the love of Christ to those people that matter to me. For you Lord, your kingdom, and your glory; may it be so.

Overcome the World...

John 16:33 NIV
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

There is no reason for me to worry about my worldly problems; I am in Christ and He has overcome the world and it's problems. Thank you Lord for this promise; thank you Lord for turning my problems into hope; into knowing that I have a life with you. To you my Lord be all glory honor and praise.

Remain In Me...

John 15:5, 7 NIV
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

What an incredible promise! My job is to remain in Christ (to know and understand him through the bible and through payer), and if I do remain in him, I will bear much fruit (success in things I do and say for his kingdom), and my wishes (that are of Gods will) will be done for me. Lord may you be glorified in what I do, say and think. Remain in me Lord, may your Spirit fill me with your truth and your love.

Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life

John 14:6-7, 10, 12 NIV
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."

Jesus says that if I believe in him, I will be able to do greater things than the works he did. Maybe not the miracles that Jesus did, but I certainly have many opportunities to do the great work of witnessing Christ to people thereby helping them to see Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Lord, give me the eyes to see you in every opportunity, the heart to feel for those people that you bring before me, and the strength to boldly proclaim you in those situations. To you Lord be the glory.

Solid Words...

Matthew 26:33 NIV
Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

Peter makes a bold statement here of his commitment to Jesus, something he was not ready to accomplish. He was just not as ready to do what his words claimed he would do. Just a few hours later, Peter would come under pressure about his involvement with Jesus and he would fall into self protection mode and deny that he even knew Jesus. This was the fire that changed Peter. Later, Jesus would reinstate him and Peter would witness tirelessly for Jesus.

Lord that I can have the courage to stand strong for you, to let my words be solid and that I can speak boldly for you. Let my yes be yes and my no be no.

Sift as Wheat...

Luke 22:31-32 NIV
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
To be sifted as wheat is to be tempted, to see what faith remains as wheat and what is blown off like chaff. Satan has asked permission to try Peter and the disciples here to see if their faith would fail them; just as he did with Job.
But Jesus, showing great love by calling Peter twice, prayed that his faith would not fail during the trial. And while Peter did deny Jesus three times, he did repent and used this to strengthen those around him, becoming a leader of the early church.
Lord that I may stand strong in the face of my temptations. That I may come out stronger in every trial. But I need your help Lord, I cannot do it alone. Be with me Lord, pray for me as you did for Peter, strengthen me so that I may turn back and use the victory to strengthen my family and my friends. All glory be yours Lord.

What's in a Name....

Proverbs 18:10 NIV
"The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Jesus!
I need to "run" to the name of Jesus more often. To call on your name as my strong tower. My Protector. Whenever. Whatever. Nothing is stronger than the name of Jesus. Nothing is more blessed than the name of Jesus.  I need your help Jesus. I need your blessings Jesus. Guide me. Protect me. Comfort me. Always Jesus! Forever Jesus!
Jesus!

Wash Their Feet...

John 13:14-15 NIV
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Lord, you have set a very high standard for me to follow, to wash the feet of my friends and the people around me; and not just my friends, but, even as you washed the feet of your betrayer, I too am to wash those of my enemies. Lord, help me to act when I have the opportunity to serve those around me, whether they are friends or not, help me to see their need and to do as you would. Help me to not feel that any act of service is below me, but to do what is needed. To those who need it. To show your love.