I'm on a 1 Peter Kick at the moment.
1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to eveeryone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."
What struck me most from this verse, is the first sentence. How often do I really set Christ apart in my life, as LORD over all. every single detail. how often do I take the time in my day to hand over that control, and to set aside my day and my time FOR Him. How often do I check my heart, to make sure that I am setting Christ apart as LORD. So this is a challenge to me.
Also, I think that each day if we set Christ apart as Lord in our hearts (which is such a beautiful picture), I think that by that, we will be more engulged in His word and with that, comes knowing Him more intimately, as well as being able to give an answer to all with gentleness and respect...because we are so focused on Jesus.
This is my prayer for tonight. To set apart Christ as Lord in my heart. each day. each moment. and to know Jesus, more intimately each day. To give up my time, my effort, my desires....but to be completely engulfed with Him. My Savior...My Lover....My Friend!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
1 Peter 3:3-4
1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT Translation)
"Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
In the NKJV and ESV, in verse 4 it uses the phrase, 'hidden person of the heart.' where it says the 'beauty that comes from within.'
Back in the day, when I had money to spare, I shopped. A lot. Now that I don't really have money, and I feel God is calling me to more a simple life and to not live by all my wants, I don't really shop. At all really, for clothes. In fact, I purposivly try to stay away from shopping, simply because when I'm in a mall and I see things I want...its just not good. I get overwhelmed by this sense and feel of I WANT THAT, like bad...its not even healthy. So I try to flee from the temptation of that sin of my own desires, plus I hate the feeling that it gives me. I feel so greedy and selfish.
But the other day a few of us girls had a fun day and went to the mall. I purposively didnt buy anything, cuz i dont have money and my mother is taking me shopping tomorrow for a few things. And I did decent! But there is still always the, oh i want this, i wish i could have this...mentality.
and i think that a lot of are that way. we focus so much on our outer appearance more than our inner. granted, we want to look good, we need to take care of ourselves, but when we are taking more care of our physical appearance than our hearts appearance...something is seriously wrong. and i think thats y i really love this verse. cuz that is what it is saying basically. to be clothed in the beauty that comes from within. im one of those people who really believe that our beauty, comes from within. when we are beautiful on the inside, we will be much more beautiful on the outside. God created us, He has made each one of us beautiful. And when the hidden person of the heart, the beauty of that person is revealed, its like a light shines down on us and the beauty is there for everyone to notice. and that beauty, will radiate God's Glory. His Honor.
So may we not be so focused on materialistic things, but on our hearts. on what is within.
"Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."
In the NKJV and ESV, in verse 4 it uses the phrase, 'hidden person of the heart.' where it says the 'beauty that comes from within.'
Back in the day, when I had money to spare, I shopped. A lot. Now that I don't really have money, and I feel God is calling me to more a simple life and to not live by all my wants, I don't really shop. At all really, for clothes. In fact, I purposivly try to stay away from shopping, simply because when I'm in a mall and I see things I want...its just not good. I get overwhelmed by this sense and feel of I WANT THAT, like bad...its not even healthy. So I try to flee from the temptation of that sin of my own desires, plus I hate the feeling that it gives me. I feel so greedy and selfish.
But the other day a few of us girls had a fun day and went to the mall. I purposively didnt buy anything, cuz i dont have money and my mother is taking me shopping tomorrow for a few things. And I did decent! But there is still always the, oh i want this, i wish i could have this...mentality.
and i think that a lot of are that way. we focus so much on our outer appearance more than our inner. granted, we want to look good, we need to take care of ourselves, but when we are taking more care of our physical appearance than our hearts appearance...something is seriously wrong. and i think thats y i really love this verse. cuz that is what it is saying basically. to be clothed in the beauty that comes from within. im one of those people who really believe that our beauty, comes from within. when we are beautiful on the inside, we will be much more beautiful on the outside. God created us, He has made each one of us beautiful. And when the hidden person of the heart, the beauty of that person is revealed, its like a light shines down on us and the beauty is there for everyone to notice. and that beauty, will radiate God's Glory. His Honor.
So may we not be so focused on materialistic things, but on our hearts. on what is within.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
John 15:7
John 15:7
"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you."
Firstly, John chapter 15 is probably my most favorite chapter in the Bible. Simply because of the vine and the branches passage, which is what this verse is taken out of. And this morning as I was reading this, for some reason this verse just stood out to me. No matter how many times I read the chapter, it always tugs at my heart.
But this verse just got me this morning. Especially the ending of it, 'ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.'
There are some commands and some limitations in this statement, especially in the context and if you continue reading in the chapter.
But the fact that, if I remain in Jesus, in His love, as the Father loves Him, if i remain in that, and if the words from the Father, through Jesus remain in me. in my heart, and mind...whatever I wish, will be given to me. That is a huge saying.
But i think often we mistake it. I think that the verse is really saying, that if I accept, and remain and am consumed by His Love, and His Words (truth, Jesus), are inside of me, guiding me, leading me, and I am proclaiming that in my life and for myself, then He will give me what I ask. Cuz the truth is, if I am in Christ and His words are in me, a part of me, I won't wish for anything that is outside of Him. Anything outside of Him, should be nothing that even crosses my mind of wishful thinking or desires. My desire will be Him, and will be of Him!
Which is awesome!
Remain in God's love. Remain in Jesus.
"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you."
Firstly, John chapter 15 is probably my most favorite chapter in the Bible. Simply because of the vine and the branches passage, which is what this verse is taken out of. And this morning as I was reading this, for some reason this verse just stood out to me. No matter how many times I read the chapter, it always tugs at my heart.
But this verse just got me this morning. Especially the ending of it, 'ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.'
There are some commands and some limitations in this statement, especially in the context and if you continue reading in the chapter.
But the fact that, if I remain in Jesus, in His love, as the Father loves Him, if i remain in that, and if the words from the Father, through Jesus remain in me. in my heart, and mind...whatever I wish, will be given to me. That is a huge saying.
But i think often we mistake it. I think that the verse is really saying, that if I accept, and remain and am consumed by His Love, and His Words (truth, Jesus), are inside of me, guiding me, leading me, and I am proclaiming that in my life and for myself, then He will give me what I ask. Cuz the truth is, if I am in Christ and His words are in me, a part of me, I won't wish for anything that is outside of Him. Anything outside of Him, should be nothing that even crosses my mind of wishful thinking or desires. My desire will be Him, and will be of Him!
Which is awesome!
Remain in God's love. Remain in Jesus.
Monday, May 17, 2010
1 Peter 4:7
1 Peter 4:7
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray..."
I love verse 7 where it says to be clear minded and self controlled so that i can pray. So often my mind is definately not clear...and so often i am not self-controlled. this verse kind of reminds me of 2 Tim 1:7 where it talks about how we have been given a sound mind and power and not a spirit of fear. God really uses this verse to minister to me. and for some reason I feel this is almost like a sister verse. But my prayer, is for a clear mind and for self-control. to pray. fervently. and clearly. and purely.
And I want to add on the next few verses...just because I really like them. and it was part of my devotions this morning. So just let them touch your heart because there is a lot in the Word of God when we really let it penetrate our hearts and really look at what God is saying through His people.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all thing God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (8-11)
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray..."
I love verse 7 where it says to be clear minded and self controlled so that i can pray. So often my mind is definately not clear...and so often i am not self-controlled. this verse kind of reminds me of 2 Tim 1:7 where it talks about how we have been given a sound mind and power and not a spirit of fear. God really uses this verse to minister to me. and for some reason I feel this is almost like a sister verse. But my prayer, is for a clear mind and for self-control. to pray. fervently. and clearly. and purely.
And I want to add on the next few verses...just because I really like them. and it was part of my devotions this morning. So just let them touch your heart because there is a lot in the Word of God when we really let it penetrate our hearts and really look at what God is saying through His people.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all thing God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (8-11)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Today I was amazed by reading through the last part of the book of John. Just the charachter of Jesus and how incredible He is! Amazing!
So it's hard to pick one verse for today. and Im noticing that when you read something earlier in the day, then you read it again at night, sometimes it doesn't have the same affect. But its still God's word, and it's still incredible and touches the heart.
So this is the verse that really hit my heart earlier today.
John 17:10
"And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them." NKJV
This is taken from the passage where Jesus is praying for His Disciples. Which I believe He is talking about His Disciples or the Apostles as we also know them, because after this he then prays for all believers. but just the fact that He is talking to the Father, and He is stating that all those the Father has given to the Son, belong to both. and how Jesus is glorified in those who are His. which I think that, is true for all of us. We have the Spirit of God inside of us, the Spirit who was inside of Jesus while He was on earth, comforting Him, is comforting us and because of that, God is glorified in us.
It is just an incredible thought! and truth. Whoever belongs to Jesus, belongs to the Father. and He is glorified in them.
and Jesus prays for you. (keep reading John 17, and you will find a prayer for all believers!)
So it's hard to pick one verse for today. and Im noticing that when you read something earlier in the day, then you read it again at night, sometimes it doesn't have the same affect. But its still God's word, and it's still incredible and touches the heart.
So this is the verse that really hit my heart earlier today.
John 17:10
"And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them." NKJV
This is taken from the passage where Jesus is praying for His Disciples. Which I believe He is talking about His Disciples or the Apostles as we also know them, because after this he then prays for all believers. but just the fact that He is talking to the Father, and He is stating that all those the Father has given to the Son, belong to both. and how Jesus is glorified in those who are His. which I think that, is true for all of us. We have the Spirit of God inside of us, the Spirit who was inside of Jesus while He was on earth, comforting Him, is comforting us and because of that, God is glorified in us.
It is just an incredible thought! and truth. Whoever belongs to Jesus, belongs to the Father. and He is glorified in them.
and Jesus prays for you. (keep reading John 17, and you will find a prayer for all believers!)
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Ephesians 3:20
Ephesians 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ASK or IMAGINE, according to his power that is at work withing us...(v21)to Him be the glory..."
God is able to do more than we have ever asked, or ever even thought of or imagined in our heads. MORE than that, He can do. Do we realize this?! I think if we really grasped this thought and mentality, a lot of things would change in our lives and in how we deal with issues.
To Him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all we can ask for or imagine according to HIS power that is at work WITHIN us...to Him be the glory.
To God be the Glory.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ASK or IMAGINE, according to his power that is at work withing us...(v21)to Him be the glory..."
God is able to do more than we have ever asked, or ever even thought of or imagined in our heads. MORE than that, He can do. Do we realize this?! I think if we really grasped this thought and mentality, a lot of things would change in our lives and in how we deal with issues.
To Him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all we can ask for or imagine according to HIS power that is at work WITHIN us...to Him be the glory.
To God be the Glory.
John 9:33
John 9:33
"If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
This actually kind of goes with yesterdays verse!
It's plain and simple. Jesus could do everything, because He was from God. We have the same Spirit Jesus has. We are God's children.
Just a little side note. I was reading through John today, and I jsut found it interesting how the Pharisees and the Jews who disliked Jesus got so mad at Him for saying He was a son of God, yet they went and called themselves that....
just urks me!! and yet Jesus was still patient and endured, whilst standing His ground of course!
I love this Man! My Savior!
"If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
This actually kind of goes with yesterdays verse!
It's plain and simple. Jesus could do everything, because He was from God. We have the same Spirit Jesus has. We are God's children.
Just a little side note. I was reading through John today, and I jsut found it interesting how the Pharisees and the Jews who disliked Jesus got so mad at Him for saying He was a son of God, yet they went and called themselves that....
just urks me!! and yet Jesus was still patient and endured, whilst standing His ground of course!
I love this Man! My Savior!
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