So I had a 30 day challenge....and while I completed the 30 days worth of devos, I stopped posting them up here. .....I apologize!!! I have a billion excuses (and a lot are pretty valid) but it's whatever.
Moral of the story.
I need to stick to blogging once a week and not every day! Because that way I don't get 'blogger burn out'.
Love you all! Sorry I've been so absent! Got some good blogs forming in my head, so be on the lookout!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thirteen & Fourteen
Sorry Sorry Sorry!!!! The past four days have been crazy! Waking up early, babysitting, doing church stuff, going to work, hanging with the fam. So my bad for not posting. But here they are!!
Hope your devos are going fantastic!
Day 13
Isaiah 57:1-2 1 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from evil to come. 2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. (NLT)
While this passage doesn't explain everything, it does shed some light on perhaps why people who are good and love God pass away before "their time". Or at least the time we think they should pass. This passage personally gives me peace.
Day 14
Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:14 Then the Lord will be your delight I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!" (NLT)
The Lord is everything I need. Not only does He guide me and provide me with the strength I need to pursue His plan, he also is everything I need to be satisfied. He not only leads, but fulfills everything I need. He is my joy! He is my desire.
Hope your devos are going fantastic!
Day 13
Isaiah 57:1-2 1 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from evil to come. 2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. (NLT)
While this passage doesn't explain everything, it does shed some light on perhaps why people who are good and love God pass away before "their time". Or at least the time we think they should pass. This passage personally gives me peace.
Day 14
Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:14 Then the Lord will be your delight I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!" (NLT)
The Lord is everything I need. Not only does He guide me and provide me with the strength I need to pursue His plan, he also is everything I need to be satisfied. He not only leads, but fulfills everything I need. He is my joy! He is my desire.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Twelve
Day 12
When I was little, I was always confused why God had a Chosen People: the Israelites. Did He not love everyone the same? Why does the Bible single them as His special children?
I don't really know all, or even most, of the answers. But I do know that God is good. And Great. And that this weeks devos answered some of what I used to wonder.
First, the Old Testament
Then the New Testament
The Lord never intended to not save the Gentiles, to not love them. He's called all of us. Even in the old testament, throughout the prophets, he extends His grace to the "not chosen" people. In the New Testament Paul argues the Gentiles case. God has chosen us to be His people.
1 Peter 2:8-9 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” (NLT)
We're His!
When I was little, I was always confused why God had a Chosen People: the Israelites. Did He not love everyone the same? Why does the Bible single them as His special children?
I don't really know all, or even most, of the answers. But I do know that God is good. And Great. And that this weeks devos answered some of what I used to wonder.
First, the Old Testament
- Isaiah 56: 6 "I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do no desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my commandments." (NLT)
Then the New Testament
- Acts 15:8-9 8 God knows the people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles [non-Jews] by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. (NLT with added explanation)
- Acts 15:11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus. (NLT)
The Lord never intended to not save the Gentiles, to not love them. He's called all of us. Even in the old testament, throughout the prophets, he extends His grace to the "not chosen" people. In the New Testament Paul argues the Gentiles case. God has chosen us to be His people.
1 Peter 2:8-9 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” (NLT)
We're His!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Eleven
Day 11
It's hard to trust God when you don't see Him. It's hard to trust His plan when you see "nothing" being accomplished. It's rough sharing your faith when all you receive in return is rejection. It's next to impossible to take the next step when you don't trust where your foot will land.
It's a good thing that none of it is in our own hands. Even when we don't understand or comprehend, the Lord has good in store for us (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Isaiah 55 8-9 "8 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (NLT)
As children of God, we can have full confidence in the Lord's plan for our lives. For the last month I've been struggling with finding solid fellowship. I have amazing friends! Don't get me wrong. But finding those who share my faith and want to grow as badly as I do has been rough. I feel like I'm not doing enough, not sharing enough, not searching hard enough. When I do share, I feel like my words are rejected. Even shunned and laughed at. But His ways are far beyond my ways. I know He has good planned for me.
Isaiah 55:10-11 10 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (NLT)
It's not up to me who accepts or declines God's Word. But it is up to me whether I live a lifestyle that screams Jesus. God's Will will be done, with or without my help. I only need to trust and give my all to Him.
Thank goodness it's not up to me! ;)
It's hard to trust God when you don't see Him. It's hard to trust His plan when you see "nothing" being accomplished. It's rough sharing your faith when all you receive in return is rejection. It's next to impossible to take the next step when you don't trust where your foot will land.
It's a good thing that none of it is in our own hands. Even when we don't understand or comprehend, the Lord has good in store for us (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
Isaiah 55 8-9 "8 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (NLT)
As children of God, we can have full confidence in the Lord's plan for our lives. For the last month I've been struggling with finding solid fellowship. I have amazing friends! Don't get me wrong. But finding those who share my faith and want to grow as badly as I do has been rough. I feel like I'm not doing enough, not sharing enough, not searching hard enough. When I do share, I feel like my words are rejected. Even shunned and laughed at. But His ways are far beyond my ways. I know He has good planned for me.
Isaiah 55:10-11 10 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (NLT)
It's not up to me who accepts or declines God's Word. But it is up to me whether I live a lifestyle that screams Jesus. God's Will will be done, with or without my help. I only need to trust and give my all to Him.
Thank goodness it's not up to me! ;)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Ten
Feeling so much better today. Yay good sleep.
Proud of you all!!! We're a third of the way through this 30 Day Challenge. Keep it up!
S Acts 13: 38-39 38 "Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God--something the law of Moses could never do. (NLT)
O Paul had been preaching to the Jewish people in the synagogue, telling them that the law could not save them. Works were not enough. Following all 600+ laws of the Torah could not bring salvation. Only belief in Christ can make one right with God.
A Do I live by the law? Or by Christ? Many times I "do things" just so I can feel accomplished. I try to earn my way to Christ. But the Bible is very clear that only belief and God's grace will bring salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us vcan boast about it. (NLT)
P Thank you Jesus that it is all you and none of me!
Proud of you all!!! We're a third of the way through this 30 Day Challenge. Keep it up!
S Acts 13: 38-39 38 "Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God--something the law of Moses could never do. (NLT)
O Paul had been preaching to the Jewish people in the synagogue, telling them that the law could not save them. Works were not enough. Following all 600+ laws of the Torah could not bring salvation. Only belief in Christ can make one right with God.
A Do I live by the law? Or by Christ? Many times I "do things" just so I can feel accomplished. I try to earn my way to Christ. But the Bible is very clear that only belief and God's grace will bring salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us vcan boast about it. (NLT)
P Thank you Jesus that it is all you and none of me!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Nine
Today I'm pretty sick with a head cold. So I'm just going to post the passage I got this morning and let the Word do the talking. :)
Isaiah 54:4-6 4 "Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don't be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood. 5 For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven's Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth. 6 For the Lord has called you back from your grief--as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband," says your God. " (NLT)
Isaiah 54:4-6 4 "Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don't be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood. 5 For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven's Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth. 6 For the Lord has called you back from your grief--as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband," says your God. " (NLT)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Eight
Today is an absolutely gorgeous day here in North West Washington. Too bad I'm in school and at work for most of the day. Oh the irony. Here's day 8! Keep it up all you 30 Day Challengers! And if you haven't started, it's alright, you can finish the challenge with me. :) You can be 22 Day Challengers. Still just as cool!
Day 8
S Isaiah 53:4-5 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (NLT)
O Isaiah is talking about deliverance for Jerusalem (or Israel) through God's servant (the Messiah). He prophecies what the Servant will endure for God's people. That every sin of God's people (and ultimately the world) are placed on the Servant's shoulders.
A Do you really understand how great and important the Cross is? We take it for granted so so often. God's Grace for us is incredible!!! If we could just wrap our minds around even a part of the Cross, our perspective would change drastically. "He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." Jesus Christ died and took your sins so you can have relationship with Christ. Grace and Christ's sacrifice is at the center of Christianity (what Christianity should be.)! No other religion can claim that. No other religion requires nothing but acceptance of God's gift: the Cross. His Son.
P Lord, so often we take for granted what you did on that Cross. Remind me daily of your incredible love and sacrifice. Remind me that you have made me clean, pure, holy, but that cleanliness did come at a very high price. You alone are good Lord. Thank you for accepting me just as I am.
Day 8
S Isaiah 53:4-5 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (NLT)
O Isaiah is talking about deliverance for Jerusalem (or Israel) through God's servant (the Messiah). He prophecies what the Servant will endure for God's people. That every sin of God's people (and ultimately the world) are placed on the Servant's shoulders.
A Do you really understand how great and important the Cross is? We take it for granted so so often. God's Grace for us is incredible!!! If we could just wrap our minds around even a part of the Cross, our perspective would change drastically. "He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." Jesus Christ died and took your sins so you can have relationship with Christ. Grace and Christ's sacrifice is at the center of Christianity (what Christianity should be.)! No other religion can claim that. No other religion requires nothing but acceptance of God's gift: the Cross. His Son.
P Lord, so often we take for granted what you did on that Cross. Remind me daily of your incredible love and sacrifice. Remind me that you have made me clean, pure, holy, but that cleanliness did come at a very high price. You alone are good Lord. Thank you for accepting me just as I am.
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