Yesterday I was reminded that everything I go through is used by God to make me more like Jesus - if I let it!
Yesterday our washing machine was leaking from underneath. So, I took it apart to prayerfully find the problem and fix it cheaply! I couldn't find the problem but managed to get water all over the floor multiple times. That was fun.
After debating about whether I should call in a professional or not, I decided to put the washer back together and test it again to see if I could see where the leak was coming from.
Hours later I was still trying to put the cabinet back together. I almost lost my faith fighting with a stupid machine. While grumbling around our laundry room and making lots of "don't come in here and bother me" noises, I was reminded that God was using this to develop patience in me.
After complaining to Him about His timing, I refocused my mind on that truth and finally asked God to help me put the washing machine back together. In the process of putting the machine back together I lost one of the clips I needed to snap the back onto the cabinet. After looking everywhere for that clip, I figured I just didn't need it.
Got the washer put back together and ran a load of laundry. Guess what! No leak! Not sure how God fixed the machine but He must have done something when I wasn't looking.
Guess what else! I found the clip I was missing. It is inside the cabinet. When our washer gets to the spin cycle, we can hear the metal clip making some wonderful noises against the metal frame it's caught on inside the cabinet.
I keep telling Tammy, "Just close the laundry room door and you won't hear the noise!"
Today I'm thanking God for healing my broken washing machine and for pouring out His grace for me!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Romans
Reading Romans this morning.
Romans 1:1 "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Good News."
Powerful words from Paul. Paul proudly calls himself "a slave of Christ Jesus." Strange words in a culture where slavery was a very real position. A position that was not sought out. A position no one wanted.
Yet, Paul in essence says, "I've chained myself to Jesus. I've chosen to be a slave of His! I've found the best way to live and that is in total submission to Jesus our King!"
Most days I don't find myself living as a slave for Jesus. Most days I fight for what I think are my rights, my privileges! I'm slowly learning that a position of slavery in God's family is better than a position of nobility outside of God's family.
The amazing thing is that Jesus elevates our status and says "I call you friends." Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, calls me His friend. The One who can pick up the earth by His fingers wants to know me; wants to be known by me!
I'm humbled! I'm working on making Paul's statement true for myself.
"Trent, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to preach His Good News!"
Romans 1:1 "This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Good News."
Powerful words from Paul. Paul proudly calls himself "a slave of Christ Jesus." Strange words in a culture where slavery was a very real position. A position that was not sought out. A position no one wanted.
Yet, Paul in essence says, "I've chained myself to Jesus. I've chosen to be a slave of His! I've found the best way to live and that is in total submission to Jesus our King!"
Most days I don't find myself living as a slave for Jesus. Most days I fight for what I think are my rights, my privileges! I'm slowly learning that a position of slavery in God's family is better than a position of nobility outside of God's family.
The amazing thing is that Jesus elevates our status and says "I call you friends." Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, calls me His friend. The One who can pick up the earth by His fingers wants to know me; wants to be known by me!
I'm humbled! I'm working on making Paul's statement true for myself.
"Trent, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to preach His Good News!"
Thursday, November 19, 2009
speaking with God
Do you ever wish God would speak to you? I do!
Listen to Hebrews 1:1 "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son."
God still speaks to us - everyday - through the life of Jesus!
The bible also teaches that God speaks through His Holy Spirit. I've heard it taught that God speaks through the Holy Spirit in 4 ways:
1) the Bible
2) prayer
3) other people
4) circumstances
The message that God is speaking to us every moment of every day is: become like Jesus. Take on His thoughts, actions, attitudes, suffering, patience, love, mercy, ...
Today, God wants us to use every thing we go through to become more like Jesus.
God, may I be reminded of this today. As I'm hit with things that make we want to react in my ways, let me choose Your ways! Let me choose life! Thanks for speaking loudly to humanity through Jesus!
Listen to Hebrews 1:1 "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son."
God still speaks to us - everyday - through the life of Jesus!
The bible also teaches that God speaks through His Holy Spirit. I've heard it taught that God speaks through the Holy Spirit in 4 ways:
1) the Bible
2) prayer
3) other people
4) circumstances
The message that God is speaking to us every moment of every day is: become like Jesus. Take on His thoughts, actions, attitudes, suffering, patience, love, mercy, ...
Today, God wants us to use every thing we go through to become more like Jesus.
God, may I be reminded of this today. As I'm hit with things that make we want to react in my ways, let me choose Your ways! Let me choose life! Thanks for speaking loudly to humanity through Jesus!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Psalm 119:143
Encouraged by Psalm 119:143 today. "As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in Your commands."
As the stress of life press against you, may you find joy and peace in the loving words of our Creator!
He tells us He'll never leave us, that He's made us more than conquerors, that we can do all things through Him, to bring our heavy burdens to Him and that He will give us rest!
May you rest in God's love for you today!
As the stress of life press against you, may you find joy and peace in the loving words of our Creator!
He tells us He'll never leave us, that He's made us more than conquerors, that we can do all things through Him, to bring our heavy burdens to Him and that He will give us rest!
May you rest in God's love for you today!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Psalm 119
Have been reading Psalm 119 this morning. Here are some highlights for me from that passage.
vs 7 "As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank You by living as I should!"
Vs 9 "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word."
Vs 11 "I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
Vs 15 "I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways."
Vs 18 "Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions."
Vs 27 "Help me understand the meaning of Your commandments, and I will meditate on Your wonderful deeds."
Vs 28 "Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing Your instructions."
Vs 36 - 37 "Give me an eagerness for Your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word."
Obeying God's commands is the greatest way to live! It's the best way to thank Him for all He's done for us! Obedience is better than sacrifice!
vs 7 "As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank You by living as I should!"
Vs 9 "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your word."
Vs 11 "I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
Vs 15 "I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways."
Vs 18 "Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions."
Vs 27 "Help me understand the meaning of Your commandments, and I will meditate on Your wonderful deeds."
Vs 28 "Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing Your instructions."
Vs 36 - 37 "Give me an eagerness for Your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word."
Obeying God's commands is the greatest way to live! It's the best way to thank Him for all He's done for us! Obedience is better than sacrifice!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Hebrews 2 - 4
Spent time reading Hebrews chapters 1 - 4 this morning. Very challenging and encouraging chapters!
2:18 "Since (Jesus) has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested."
In those moments of suffering and testing, Jesus is there to help! He knows exactly what we are facing because He too faced suffering and testing. The question is - are we turning to Jesus for the help we need? Today, am I turning to Jesus for the help I need? Today, are you turning to Jesus for the help you need?
3 times in chapter 3 and 4 it says, "Today, when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts."
After all that God has done and continues to do it's amazing to me that we have to be reminded not to harden our hearts towards God. Our God who loves us passionately and gave all He had so that we could be freed from the curse of sin and death. But the reality is that we must be reminded not to harden our hearts to Him.
3:12 says "You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today', so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."
There is a spiritual battle raging around us all the time. We are constantly under attack by the enemy. He wants to deceive us away from God. He wants us to join his rebellion against God and the armies of Heaven.
Today, as God is speaking to us, let's respond quickly to Him! Let's not ignore what He is telling us. Let's not get arrogant and think we can handle things without His strength and wisdom. Let's respond to our loving Father immediately in all He asks!
Have an epic day writing an epic story with your life!
2:18 "Since (Jesus) has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested."
In those moments of suffering and testing, Jesus is there to help! He knows exactly what we are facing because He too faced suffering and testing. The question is - are we turning to Jesus for the help we need? Today, am I turning to Jesus for the help I need? Today, are you turning to Jesus for the help you need?
3 times in chapter 3 and 4 it says, "Today, when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts."
After all that God has done and continues to do it's amazing to me that we have to be reminded not to harden our hearts towards God. Our God who loves us passionately and gave all He had so that we could be freed from the curse of sin and death. But the reality is that we must be reminded not to harden our hearts to Him.
3:12 says "You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today', so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God."
There is a spiritual battle raging around us all the time. We are constantly under attack by the enemy. He wants to deceive us away from God. He wants us to join his rebellion against God and the armies of Heaven.
Today, as God is speaking to us, let's respond quickly to Him! Let's not ignore what He is telling us. Let's not get arrogant and think we can handle things without His strength and wisdom. Let's respond to our loving Father immediately in all He asks!
Have an epic day writing an epic story with your life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
