Confronting or Judging?

“So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

Have you ever confronted someone who was sinning to walk away being told you were judgmental?

Oh brethren this will happen more times than not. Why, because we have fallen away from holding one another accountable. We have become quiet and timid, thus allowing sin to grow rampant.

We don’t want to step on toes, or hurt someone’s feelings.

And on the flip side of all that is the judgmental part that stems from jealousy and insecurity. I believe that is why Jesus gave us this passage.

We need to be careful when it comes to others. We need to be careful that we don’t jump to conclusions and we need to be careful that when we do confront or hold others accountable that we do it with love and gentleness.

We also need remember that the Lord sees the heart of all of us and when He comes he will bring ALL of our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our real motives behind everything we do.

So we need to make sure that we are in constant communication with the Lord, that we follow His leading and that we act and speak when He prompts us, not when we see fit. That only gets us in trouble.

Father help us to know when we are confronting because You told us to verse being judgmental because of jealousy or insecurity. Help us to be bold for You and hold one another accountable out of love, because without accountability we allow sin to grow and continue. Amen

Different Answers Same Underlying Meaning

“In the same way, ‘Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.’ The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.” Galatians 3:6-7

What does “Personal Relationship” mean to you?

I am sure all of our answers would come out differently but embedded throughout each answer would be the same underlying points.

A personal relationship with Christ must consist of…

Time

Investment

Love

Trust

Commitment

Faithfulness

Desire

Intimacy

Undivided attention

And it must consist of the entire heart belonging to Him.

Let’s spend time getting to know Jesus; it will be worth our time.

Jesus I love You and I want to put as much into You that this weak mortal body is can plus more. Thank You for putting Your absolute best into me. Thank YOU! Amen

Jacob's Relationship

"What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised." Genesis 28:15

I have heard that some of the greatest writing is that of which relates to real life situations, and that might be so. But for me, the best writing is found in the Word of God.

The stories are real life. They do relate to us today, and unlike other stories, God’s stories are to help us in our own personal lives and relationship with Him.

Jacob could have tried to live throughout the ole’ “Do you know who my grandfather and father are?”

Better yet, Jacob could have lived his life believing he was covered because of Abraham and Isaac’s relationship with the Lord, thus not having his own relationship with the Lord. But that is not at all what God wanted for him or for us.

God wanted a personal relationship with Jacob, a one on one thriving and growing relationship. God wanted the same wholehearted devotion from Jacob that his Grandfather and Father had.

Thus the amazing dream Jacob had.

“As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down on it. At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, ‘I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.” Genesis 28:12-15

After Jacob woke up he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it. He was afraid and said, ‘What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God-the gateway to heaven!” Genesis 28:16

Then, following that Jacob made his Vow.

“If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God. This memorial pillar will become a place for worshiping God, and I will give God a tenth of everything he gives me.” Genesis 28:20-22

Here is the crazy thing about Jacob’s vow. It left me feeling as though Jacob was telling God okay if you do this for me then I will do this and it bothered me. But guess what brethren, God reminded me that we do the same thing to Him; a lot and that bothered me even more.

I don’t want to determine my relationship with Christ based off of what He will do for me.

We can really learn a lot about relationships from God’s Word and His advice and stories will benefit us better in the long run than if we tried to have a relationship based off of a human’s perspective.

Father, thank You so much for Your Word and the amazing stories that are found in it! They relate to us on so many levels. May we spend more time investing in our relationship with You and in Your Word. Amen

The Foolish Five Vs. The Prepared Five

"So stay awake and be prepared, because yo do not know the day or hour of my return." Matthew 25:13

Have you read the story of the Ten Bridesmaids? It's a great story, if you haven't read it, it's found in Matthew 25.

In this Parable Jesus is illustrating the importance of being ready for His return. He describes the Prepared Five and the benefit that comes from being ready and prepared verse the Foolish Five and the consequences of waiting until the last minute. Let's take a look and see where we fall.

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

 

 

The Foolish Five           

 

1.They took no oil

 

2. They ran out of oil

 

The Result: They missed the Bridegroom

 

The Prepared Five

 

 

1. Took Oil

 

2. Brought extra oil just in case

 

The Result:  Were able to enter the marriage feast with the Bridegroom.

 

So what can we learn from this parable? We need to be ready and prepared at all times and we need to understand that it is our own responsibility to be ready for Christ. We cannot depend on others relationship with Christ to be good enough for us. 

 

You can't borrow or buy someone else's realtionship with Christ. You have to have your own. So really there is no need in sucking-up to your Pastor or trying to find favor with them, because in the end you will be unpreapred and found with the Foolish Five standing at the door knocking to get in, only to hear Christ say, "Sorry I don't know you."

 

I know that sounds so harsh, but the reality of it is, you need to be preparing your own heart for the return of Christ.

 

Jesus we really need You to reveal to us where we fall in this Parable. If we are trying to use Church and every now and then prayer to suffice remind us that it goes way beyond that. It's about our personal relationship with You. We want to be ready and prepared for when You return so we can enter the Kingdom of Heave with You. We love You and praise You for these amazing Parables that speak directly to us. Thank You for giving us the knowledge and wisdom to understand them. Amen

 

 

Given, Invested, Doubled

"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance." Matthew 25:29

Have you ever made a list of all the things the Lord has given you? Well if not, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Once you make out that list spend time in prayer with the Lord asking Him if you are making the most of each gift. If you are not, ask Him to help you invest better with what He has given you.

We don't want Christ to return and find that we have buried our gifts in the ground and are unfaithful.

For those who do that will have the little they are given taken away and will be thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:29-30)

Jesus thank You for the gifts You have given me. I pray I am using them for Your glory and that with every investment made, I pray they spread and double. It is my desire to hear You say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Amen

2 Reasons

"You don't have much faith." Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" Matthew 14:31

I can think of only two main reasons why we doubt the Lord.

1. Fear
2. Lack of faith due to lack of knowledge in who Christ is and says He is.

What reasons do you have for doubting Christ?

Jesus You know my heart and You know how much faith and trust I really have in You. Reveal those levels to me and develop in me greater faith. Help me not doubt You. You are greater than all of my fears and You have proven Your faithfulness and love to me over and over. Forgive me. Amen

Altar Sunday

Find the most humble position at the altar today. It's better to approach the altar humble than prideful.

Keeping Routine out of the Relationship

"But I warn you-unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!" Matthew 5:20

How do you keep from getting in a ritual or routine in your personal relationship with Christ?

If you have ever got stuck in one you will agree that complacency kicks in really quick, and brethren complancency is a bad thing.

The Pharisees and Religious leaders were a prime example of routine and ritual's when it came to their faith.

So much so they missed having a loving relationship with the One who came to save them.

I don't want to miss Jesus because I am stuck in a routine or a to do check list. I want my relationship with Christ to be alive and flourishing, not dead and complcent.

If I am not careful I can get there really quick and in doing so I walk away feeling empty.

Jesus wants a relationship with me that is fun, joyful, enjoying, interesting, full of love, excitment, and laughter. He also wants a relationship that is real and genuine and not a "Have to" but a "Want to"

How do you keep from getting in a routine or a ritual in your relationship with Christ?

Jesus may I take notice of Your warning given in Matthew 5:20. Show me all the areas that I have allowed routine or ritual to become habit thus dampering our relationship. Jesus it is Your love for me that leaves me desring more of You. Fuel the fire of our love within me. That is may burn bigger and brighter. I pray the fire never becomes dull or dim. Amen

A Child's Love

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead." Ephesians 2:4

He wrapped his little arms and legs around me and hung on so tightly whispering in my ear, "I love you sugar so much."

I could fill his precious love and even my love mix together, and it was right there in that moment that I felt just how strong Christ's love is for me.

He wraps His entire body around mine and whispers, "I love you Kristi. You are mine."

It's these moments that I love, I need, I live for. The moments when I feel the Lord's presence so strongly among me.

I need Him brethren. I need Him desperately.

Thank You Jesus for Your love and for expressing Your love through the love of our children. I pray You will pour out Your love today on those who are need of love. I pray they will experience Your presence in mighty way. Amen

How...

How can we as believers become more united?

How can we look to heaven and focus on the unity that will take place there and start that same unity here, right now?

I Wonder...

I wonder...

Does Jesus pull up a front row seat for the Presidental Debate?

Does He cringe at the comments that are made?

Does His heart break because of the lack of love?

Does He find humor in any of it?

Is He known by one or by both?

Who does He have a personal relationship with?

I wonder...

As He looks to what lies ahead if He is pleased or angered?

Now I wonder for us...

Us who are followers of Christ.

Have we stood back to long and allowed the bar of what Christ expects of us to be lowered?

I don't know what our future holds, BUT I do know...

That Christ is the ultimate ruler and authority.

I know that no matter what He is in control and will ALWAYS be in control.

I know that His name is to be glorified, His Word is to be our daily bread.

I know that the gate is NARROW and only a few will enter!

I know that we as followers of Christ should walk in the confidence and strength of God's protection and Word and stand up for what is right.

I know that we should vote!

And I know that no matter who wins, God is control and we need to trust Him all the way to the end!

Jesus knows and He has His children's best interest at heart. He will protect us and take care of us. Believe tht brethren it's straight from His Word.

Stand firm, stand strong, stay faithful, and do not compromise your faith for anything or anyone.

Sweet Nothing's

This has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that seeing Jesus at work in the life of my boys is amazing!

First I picked Avery up from school and he jumped in the car and said, "Mommy do you know what is a blessing?"

"What is a blessing?" I asked

Avery's exact words, " It's a blessing that I didn't have to worry about my lunch bag."

It was nothing huge but to him it was a blessing. To me it was huge because he gets it. He gets how the Lord blesses us and he knows that even small things are blessings.

Second, my sweet now four year old looked at me when we were picking up Cinderalla and said, "Mommy I don't like girls I only like you."

I LOVED THAT! It was precious and melted my heart.

Third, we were watching a movie on the Disney channel and one of the characters was stealing things and Avery said, "Mommy he is making a bad choice and Jesus is not okay with him stealing."

Then Dax chimes in and says, "Mommy that really breaks Jesus' heart and that makes Him sad."

It is in these moments that I see the Lord at work in the lives of my boys and that brings me joy!

It is so important that our children are being taught the Word of God and that they are seeing God's Word lived out in our lives.

I can't think of a more crucial time than now to ensure that our children know the truth and are standing upon the rock.

The Model Servant

“Jesus replied, ‘But if I don’t wash you, you won’t belong to me.” John 13:8

Peter didn’t understand why Jesus was persistent in washing his feet. All he knew is that Jesus the Messiah was washing his feet and that was not something a Master does. Only servants!

But then Jesus makes a profound statement, “But if I don’t wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

What does that mean, “If you don’t wash my feet I won’t belong to you?”

It means you have to be a servant. You have to lower yourselves to the most humble position, just as Christ did and serve.

Jesus did this to set the example for His disciples. He wanted them to follow His example and go out and serve others. Christ set that same example for us today.

How well are we serving others today?

Are we teaching our children what it means to serve?

Let’s take on the attitude of Christ and humble ourselves.

Jesus help me to follow the example You set for us. May I never demand to be served but willing to serve others at all times. Amen

Th

Let It Resonate

 

 

 

Father I pray that someone reading Your Word today will experience Your love for them in a way they they never have before.

 

I pray they will realize how rich in kindness You are.

 

I pray they will understand that You purchased their freedom through the blood of Your Son and that today their sins are FORGIVEN. (Ephesians 1:7)

 

 

Amen

 

Altar Sunday

Do you know someone in great need? If so, would you approach the Throne Room on their behalf.

What greater gift is there?

Jesus there are so many in greater need than I am. May I use all my energies on serving and praying for them, rather than focusing on myself.

Finish what You Started

"I strain to reach the end of the race and recieve the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." Philippians 3:14


I bounce around in my time with the Lord. But lately the Lord has been pulling me back. Stay here Kristi. Don't move from this chapter. I have things for You to learn right here.

Stay focused and finish what I asked you to start. No matter how hard it seems, no matter how frustrated or defeated things might get. Stay here. I have things right here for you to do for My glory.

This is teaching me real comittment, which is something I struggle with. No, not when it comes to my time with the Lord, more so in things that are to hard for me, or things that I feel set me up for failure.

Things that overwhelm me, or stress me out cause me to want to give up easily. Though I never do, my heart and words would tell you differently.

This often leads to a negative attitude. Anyone ever been there before?

Well if so I get it! So does the Lord and He calls us to perserve, to stay focused, comitted, faithful, and to trust in His will for our lives.

I am so thankful He has never given up on me. I am so thankful He was comitted to completing what God called Him to do here on earth. I am thankful for His love and faithfulness that carried Him all the way to the Cross. 

Jesus finished what He started and I want to do the same.

Jesus thank You for finishing what You started. You have shown me the importance of comittment no matter how hard it is. Help me to stay focused and finish what You have started in me. Change my heart and my mind to be just like Yours. Remove any negativity or thoughts of giving up. You have called us here for a time such as this and You have placed me in Ephesians for a reason. Help me to see and understand what You are teaching me in this wonderful book. Amen

Trust Issues

'For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good and his unfailing love fills the earth." Psalm 33:4-5

Do you struggle with trust issues? Maybe there is a reason why you do. If so does it affect your relationship with the Lord?

Do you find it hard to trust Him?

There are so many times in all of our lives when things happen that we don't understand why. Maybe we trusted God in a certain area for it to turn out differently than what we expected and that left us doubting Him.

And brethren I believe that in those times, when the Lord looks at our hearts, He understands our stuggle, our trust issue.

So do you know what He does? He reveals Himself to us through something we least expected. He shows us that His plans, His ways are better.

He uses His Word to speak to our doubtful hearts. He says, "My Word holds true, and everything I do is worthy of your trust. I love whatever is just and good and my unfailing love fills the earth."

There is really not a better place to go if you struggle with trust issues than the Word of God.

His Word is true friend, believe in His promises. He is faithful and His Word brings life and hope.

He is worthy of all of our trust.

Remember His ways are better than ours, so if some things turned out differently than you expected, it's okay. God is with you. He loves you. He has your best interest in mind at all times.

Let Him deliver you from your doubts.

Jesus You indeed our worthy of our trust. You are exactly who You say You are. Your every Word holds true. Help us not to doubt. Amen

The Need to Know More

"He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life." 1 John 1:1

In this mind boggling thought that I am loved by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords leaves me a little...speechless.

As I spend more time getting to know Jesus, it is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that He loves me unconditionally and desires to have a realtionship with me, a sinner.

What undeserved mercy!

I have spent a lot of time reading His Word to get out of it what I wanted and in doing that I have missed out on getting to know more about the One who desires to have a realitionship with me.

I don't know, maybe my lack of really getting to know Christ the way my heart desires is because of the shame I feel.

How sad to allow that to hinder my realtionship with Christ.

Jesus, the One who loves me, is not only loving, but He is patient (extremely patient) kind, Good, Just and Fair. He is the Word of Life, the Lamb of God. He is the light that penetrates every dark area in me. He is the One who knows what is best for me and my family. He is the One who has a plan for me, us. He is the One who went all the way to the cross to die for me.

The more I spend time with Him the more I realize how much He knows about me. Do I seek to know Him like He knows me? Am I nailing my sin and self to the cross so I can walk with Him in the newness of life He so eagerly desires to give me?

There is only greatness that comes from knowing and serving Christ. I will say, the more you seek Him the more you realize just how holy He is. So much that it makes you feel as though you should be face down.

Even then you don't feel low enough.

There is no greater thing than knowing Jesus. There is no greater thing than allowing Him to take control of your life and reveal to you things about Himself that will leave you amazed.

I want and need more of Him. How about you?

Jesus I want the most of You that this weak mortal body can contain. I want to experience Your love in the deepest most real way possible. Amen

The Only Words I Have

There are no words that would even come close to sufficing for the pain and suffering you are going through. I know I tell you often that I love you and it's only because love seems to cover a mulitude of all things.

Love is strong, because it's His love. I want you to know you are loved, your family is loved. And honestly Dana I can't get out any other words. The knot in my throat and the tears, they won't let anything else come out.

But besides that, I know with every ounce of Jesus that is in me, you my precious sister will be healed. I believe that and cling to that.

I hate cancer and I use the word hate very strongly.

But I love Jesus, I love His Word and those two things are beautiful, lovely, and forever. So I am spending time with Him, on my face for you. I am covering every part  of your body with His Word, because it is the only medicine there is that works.

There is hope in Him, there is comfort found in His Word. There is peace found in Him.

Hold on to Him Dana, He will hold you up. He will supply your every need for the day. He will show You His love.

Jesus as we seek Your face we ask that Dana feels Your constant presence. We pray protection for her and her family from any arrows Satan tries to shoot at them. I pray they will cling to You and remain faithful no matter the circumstances. Oh Father I pray that for all of us. Jesus there is no one that comforts, heals, or provides for us better than You. Jesus please relieve Dana's pain. Give her strength to continue to fight. Boost her immune system in her body. But most of all Father, reach down and remove ALL of the cancer from her body. Amen

Open Your Bible

"May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better." 2 Peter 1:2

Our desire for peace, love, comfort, hope, and healing is big. We do all that we can to ensure our lives are filled with them. So much that a lot of our prayers are, Lord please do this, let this happen, etc. And those arent' bad prayers.

But how can we constantly ask the Lord to bless me with this, bless them with that, bless, bless, bless...when we are not even taking the time to get to know Him better? Better yet, how can we expect our lives to change, or to become more like Him, if we are not spending time with Him, reading His Word?

Paul says, May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to KNOW Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better.

Wow, brethren Paul is telling us that if we want the special favor of God, then we are going to have to spend time getting to know Him. We are going to have to get in the Word and allow Him to teach us about who He is. Prayer is great, but in order to really know God we have to open our Bibles.

Then and only then will we begin to receive His special favor.

Before we begin to ask God for this and that, lets spend some time getting to know Him, through His Word.

Jesus You go on in 2 Peter and tell us that as we get to KNOW You better, Your divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. Help us to remember that knowing You is the most important thing. And in order to know You we have to spend time with You. Amen