He is the way

What makes a Christian a Christian is not perfection but forgiveness. ~ Max Lucado

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (1 John 2:1)

Prayers for today

Father, when I set goals give me the courage to reach higher than I think possible and fill me with confidence that with you beside me all things are possible. ~ Amen

Dear Lord, I often say I will forgive, but still keep resentment within me.  Starting with me, let me begin a  chain reaction of forgiving love. ~ Amen

When I need reassurance Lord, let me feel that You are near me.  It isn’t always easy to remember that You care. ~ Amen

Weekly Bible Readings – May 24 – May 31

Trying to be God

There is a lot of uncertainty in my life right now, and I don’t know from one minute to the next what is going to happen.  One thing I do know is that I am not God, even though I try to be.  It’s not something I consciously do, but I am guilty of it.  Not one time, not two times, not even twenty times, but all the time.

I think I know what’s best for everyone, just because I read my Bible, go to church, and try to live the right kind of life.  I try to fix everyone and everything that I think needs fixing.  I’m always preaching “let go and let God”, but I don’t practice it.  I believe in the power of God, I really do, but I am a product of the “instant” generation.  I want instant results, and of course, I want the results to be what I want them to be.  I don’t give God time to handle the situation I pray so earnestly about.  And you know what, I make an even bigger mess of the situation.  I then go crying back to God, putting the situation squarely back in His hands, only to snatch it back yet again.  It’s a vicious cycle, one I can’t seem to break.

As I look at the mess that is my life, a mess of my own making, I am resolved to finally let go and let God.  I am done trying to shape and mold people into the person I believe they ought to be.  Just like I have my own quirks and idiosyncrasies (and hate to be called on the carpet about them), so do the people I want to change.  I can’t change anyone, especially a grown person, no matter how hard I try.  Only one person can bring about a change in a person and that is God.

Am I gonna screw it up again?  Probably.  I’m human and Satan is coming at me with both barrels.  He knows my weaknesses and he’s going to use them against me.  But I am going to stay prayerful keep forefront in my mind that I am not God.

Father God, I pray that you will forgive me for trying to assume the power that only You have.  Help me Lord to realize that no matter how good my intentions may be, I cannot force anyone to change.  Help me Lord to learn to wait on You, live for You, and trust in You to handle every situation that arises.  I ask this and all other things in the mighty name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.

Ask the Savior to help you

With all that is going on in the world today, it is so easy to get discouraged.  Throwing in the towel and giving up seems the easiest thing to do.  I encourage (as I encourage myself), don’t give up.  Ask the Savior to help you.

When it seems like the storm you’re going through is a category 5 hurricane, ask the Savior to help you.

When traveling through the valley and you just can’t take another step, ask the Savior to help you.

When your bills outweigh your money, ask the Savior to help you.

When sickness racks your body and relief seems nowhere to be found, ask the Savior to help you.

When people disappoint you, hurt you and use you, ask the Savior to help you.

When life just seems too much to bear, ask the Savior to help you.

No matter what you are going through, there is no sickness God can’t heal, no pain He can’t soothe, and no problem He can’t solve.  We just need to call upon Him.

I think these words from Yield Not to Temptation sum it all up nicely:

Ask the Savior to help you,

Comfort, strengthen and keep you;

He is willing to aid you,

He will carry you through.

To Him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,

Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;

He who is our Savior, our strength will renew;

Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.

Weekly Bible Readings – May 17 – May 23

A Second Time by Lamont Scott

A Second Time
5/12/2009

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time.
JONAH 3:1

“Jonah didn’t like the assignment God gave him. God directed him to leave his homeland and go to the enemy city of Nineveh, a hostile and evil center of idol worship. There Jonah was to warn the people of God’s impending judgment and urge them to repent. The Hebrews hated the people of Nineveh, so the rebellious prophet fled in the opposite direction, hoping for a different word from God that was more to his liking. Instead, God was determined that his word to Jonah would be obeyed (Isa. 55:11). He spoke to Jonah again. His second message was the same as the first. However, during the interval, Jonah had been buffeted by storms and had traveled in the stomach of a fish for three days. This time, he was prepared to hear God again and do His bidding.
God also spoke to the prophet Jeremiah two times (Jer. 33:1-3). But Jeremiah accepted God’s word to him the first time. The second time God spoke to him was to give him a fuller revelation of what He had first told him.
What God says to us next will depend on how we responded to His previous word to us. If, like Jonah, we disobeyed His earlier instructions, God will give them a second time. If we obeyed His first directive, as Jeremiah did, He will give us a fresh and deeper expression of His will (Matt. 25:23).

If you have not received a fresh word from God, return to the last thing God told you and examine your obedience. Is the Lord still waiting for your obedience? Seek to be like Jeremiah, and properly respond to your Lord’s instructions the first time.”

Remember, we have the truth and if the GOSPEL be hid, it is hid from them that are lost!!!!!!!!!

********************************************************************

Lamont Scott, a preacher and teacher of the word of God, is currently working with the youth at Farriss Drive Church of Christ in Huntsville, AL.

Doing What’s Right

Do what is right this week, whatever it is, whatever comes down the path, whatever problems and dilemmas you face – just do what’s right. ~ Max Lucado

For Your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. (Psalms 143:11)

Prayer for today

Show me the path where I should go, Dear Lord, point out the right road for me to walk.  I have no hope except in You. ~ Amen

Weekly Bible Readings – May 10 – May 16

Next Page »