welcome

John 2:23-24 
“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

First impressions are critical in terms of lasting impact. Harry Beckwith calls this “Mastering the welcome.” 

God breaks into our earthly dimension with this first sign that Jesus is no ordinary guy. What does Jesus use as his master welcome? Make sure the party keeps going and let it flow. What kind of God do we worship?

Pray for someone you know who is marrying soon or newlyweds.

quickclip: sharing faith with a stranger

how do you share Jesus with a stranger? (5:16)

celebrate others

Luke 15:23-24
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

The story of the prodigal son is well known. What gets missed is the party and what happens after the momentous meeting between father and wayward son. The older brother story. 

We all want to be appreciated in life. When this is based on insecurity, we can be a bit overbearing. With God there is always more than enough love to go around. It’s OK to celebrate someone else being blessed.

Who can you celebrate with this week?

an open confession

OK, so here is the story. I have always considered this a teaching blog. It was not meant to build a community. I have a large audience which gets this in e mail form, rather than having to check out the blog. 

I have always responded to everyone's e mails when you write, but the gist is, I didn't want to create a community where people who have way too much time on their hands comment in a pithy, sarcastic or crude way about what is dear to me. 

Jesus. 

I love him more than I do my mother. And I love her a lot. So if you are going after Jesus it is a bit like you going after my mother. 

More confession. 

I was already prejudiced against the blogger community because I read the anti-Christian blogs and blog comments. Believe me, I was not bothered by this because I didn't consider myself up to the task of going Fight Club on you. Actually, I was always rather disappointed by the intellectual competition. So, now you have arrogance on my part, to add to the mix.

At least I was smart enough to stay out of the fray until I got a better attitude about bloggers. I do actually want to connect through comments. Lucky for you, right?

No more no comments. 

My webmaster Rob, has been bugging me to add the "comments" feature for a couple of years now and I finally agreed. 

He is right; I was wrong. 

So comment. Send this link to your friends. Go ahead. I will not disappoint.

And by the way, I am even on Facebook now.

"Ohh, he is really getting out there..."

And another by the way...Carlos, you closed the deal. 

folks check out www.ragamuffinsoul.com

this matters

Yesterday, after having lunch, I stopped at a party for Lisa: birthday/ graduation/ college scholarship celebration. What a great time to be graduating from High School. "A whole life ahead of you" and such comes to mind. What an amazing young woman (Lisa is at the back left next to the one goofy guy/son sitting with the godchicks). 

How do I know it's a great time for someone like Lisa? How can I be sure?

She gets it.

I really like the quote:

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

Then I remember another one: 

"If you want God to laugh, just tell him your plans."

These are not mutually exclusive statements. 

The specifics can vary widely but you can become the kind of person who has a lot to do with what your future is going to hold. 

I am going to comment on this during the week. High school graduates, high school students, and those who love them, check it out. Who knows, I might come up with something.

Hey Lisa- you rock

brain-based afternoon

Had lunch in Pasadena (seared Ahi sandwich) with my friends Steve Goodwin and Rich Melheim. We talked about Rich's brain-based research performing arts preschool project and the possibilities of expanding from Southern California to India, China and Korea. If you know Melheim, it doesn't surprise you. Could start a revolution in education and plant a few churches while we are at it. 

Our waiter's name was "Dane." I told him my name and he said, "That's my name, too. But I go by 'Dane,' because it is just too confusing." I told him I use my middle name "Ed" whenever I need to give my name in public. I call this, "Starbucks Ed."

So, if your name is Terry, Robin, Sam, Pat, Ricky, Mel...Dane and Ed salute you!

visiting Kristina at school

Drove down to UC Riverside yesterday to see our baby girl, Kristina, perform in her first play at the University Playworks. The plays are written by students, and I didn't know what to expect. A Marxist interpretive dance of the life of Robin Yount, or something like that. I don't know.

The small theatre was packed and it was great! Theatre people are so energized. There is a lot of talent in the playwrights. Again, I am amazed at how important it is to know that you are telling a story. The more you get that right, everything else begins to fall into place.

Good to meet her friend Zach, too. Dude did not want to be there, but he made the most of it and we had a chance to connect. Talked about minor league baseball and the strengths and waknesses of Intelligent Design, among other things. I love college. 

my friend's birthday

Guys are so different than women when it comes to personal life. Philip (pictured here) is someone I am as close to as just about anyone; we have connected as friends, confidants and colleagues for about four years now. So, what is the "different than women" angle?

Today is Philip's birthday. We meet often on Friday morning for coffee and so we just happen to get together this morning. 

P: "O, by the way, today's my birthday."

D: "No way." (what I really meant: "Am I an idiot for not knowing that.")

So how many women out there are very close to someone and you don't know their birthday? Is this a guy thing or is it just me?

I did a preemptive strike with Philip. My birthday is exactly one week later on June 6.

Philip you are one of the coolest, most authentic gifted guys I know. Even though I don't know your birthday. Now I do. 

Happy birthday, friend! Love you, man...(guy talk for intimate expression of affection)

his people

Isaiah 51:11

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Sound familiar? Look at Revelation 21:24. God’s plan is echoing throughout history. He is rescuing and restoring his people. “His people” means anyone who wants God in their lives. Jesus makes this clear.

Pray for those seeking God that they will be receptive. 

see

Psalm 145:7

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

There will be a day when God will be visible to all. His love will be seen through his people and the only way to avoid seeing it will be by denying it.

Be an ambassador for Jesus by who you are.

where is God?

God prepares all people to know him
beauty, justice, relationships, spirituality (N.T. Wright)

expanding

the younger generations have a problem with the church; God loves the younger generations
let's join what God is doing

hope

Psalm 126:6

They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

With God, timing is everything. To know there will be reason for joy someday because of past experience makes present suffering possible. You have seen God work before. 

Pray for an attitude of hope.

Congressional leadership

At the American Legion yesterday, had time to talk to Congressman Brad Sherman, and his aide Matt. Matt remembered my name and who I was and and introduced me before the Congressman had a chance to say anything. Kind of like Hector Elizando in The Princess Diaries (Hector belonged to my health club and is a pretty down to earth guy, but that's for another day). Matt gets high marks by me. Gracious and effective at what he does.

Congressman Sherman gets high marks, too. Here is why. Every time I have heard him speak in a public gathering, he uses a lot of self-effacing humor. He does a preempt on what people think about politics and politicians and sets the tone for everyone to relax. This is a big thing when it comes to leadership and speaking. Instead of regurgitating some internet joke from an e mail forward, just find a way to cut up on yourself. That'll work.

best friends

the Holy Spirit is not the third wheel of the Trinity

want what God wants

Psalm 45:7

 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

Who are the happiest people on earth? Those walking through the gates of Disneyland? Those who have the most money and the most fame? Those who are the strongest and most powerful?

No, those who want what God wants for the world.

How does God show up in joy in your life?

A 90 year old vet

I spent the day intrigued by a 90 year old guy named, "Leo." 

Only his third day in WWII, at Guadalcanal, Leo Nonn was captured. He was held in a Japanese prison camp in China, and then in Japan, for the next three years. 

Leo is still sharp and still proud to be a soldier. I saw in the Canoga Park Memorial Day parade in the American Legion Post 308 truck. 

I went over to the Legion afterward for a bbq. Leo was in his element, eating, drinking, and laughing with his old cronies. Good for you, Leo! 

This is what freaks me out. I know what three years are like. How many things can happen in that time. How much you can accomplish. How much you can grow. You can really do a lot in three years.

Leo gave three years of his life away. He didn't get to do anything. I can't imagine what hardship and pain he was put through in that camp. I can't imagine what it was like to sit there and expect you have a good chance of dying. Day after day. Night after night. 

I can't fathom how many of Leo's dreams; how much of his soul wasted away during those years. Yet, those weren't wasted years. 

Through the time, energy, and yes, often a part of your soul, guys like you, Leo, give a chunk of their life for guys like me. It wasn't a waste. You already know that. 

It is an inspiration. 

Thank you...

spread

He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.

There will always be time to celebrate. This is how God works. When the blessings come, and they will, share them with your friends and with those in need. The more you spread your joy around, the more your own joy is expanded. Or as Agape says, “Sprinkle sunshine on each other, you might get a drop on you.”

When is the last time that you had a celebration alone? Exactly.

DragonForce - Through the Fire and Flames

Why do I like this video so much? I am worthless at Guitar Hero, would never reach this level in Hero 3 anyway, and I have no hair.

But the guitars...

grateful

Ezra 6:22 There was great joy throughout the land because the Lord had caused the king of Assyria to be favorable to them, so that he helped them to rebuild the Temple of God, the God of Israel.

What do you do when good fortune comes from a completely unexpected place? Do you take it for granted? Do you figure you deserve it as payback for all the bad things that come your way from unexpected places? Or do you say, “Thanks God, you’re the best” and join positive and grateful people along the path of appreciation?

What can you give thanks for today that was totally unexpected?

dance

2 Samuel 6:14

14 David was dancing for the LORD with all his might, but he wore only a linen cloth. 

David and the Israelites won a great battle and get the Ark of the Covenant back. Now they return home and celebrate. The King takes off his robe and boogies down the road like the common people. His wife tells him she is embarrassed, and she doesn’t like the way he dances.

At least wives are so much more understanding today about how we dance. “Celebrate good times, come on...”

Have you ever danced for the LORD? Just wait until no one’s home, crank up the music and let ‘er rip! “

I mean it

Deuteronomy 16:15 For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the Lord your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all.

God: You will have a party and you will enjoy it for a whole week and that’s an order!

Christians: You can’t possibly mean that. The last thing the world needs is to see Christians having fun at church. They won’t think we take you seriously enough.

God: I didn’t ask you what you think. Now, have fun. It is me you are celebrating. I like it when you are happy.

What would someone think of the God you worship when they look at your main attitude of life?

abundance

Deuteronomy 14:26 When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want—cattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household. 

“Scarcity mentality” means there isn’t enough to go around and so I have to be selfish and look out for my self. This means being stingy with what I invest in God’s mission through my local church. This means I neglect to consider those in need. I may even criticize my church for not doing enough for those in need, but personally I don’t do jack. Christians are an interesting bunch.

“Abundance mentality” is God’s thinking. Always more than enough to go around. This text from Deuteronomy is instructions for worshipers who are coming to church with a big offering after the harvest. Look again at what it tells the worshipers to do. Interesting...

What would be different about your life if you had abundance mentality?

not what you think

 Numbers 10:12 “Five days later, on the fifteenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly of all the people, and you may do no ordinary work on that day. It is the beginning of the Festival of Shelters, a seven-day festival to the Lord.

I love how this passage sounds- very churchy. “You must call another holy assembly...” That’s just what we need. Sounds dull enough to be spiritual. “Hey, how would you like to join me at the holy assembly?”

Wait a minute. This is God speaking. Wait another minute. This is not a boring gathering of pretentious people going through the motions. It is the start of a seven day party!!

How do our preconceived notions of what the Bible talks about get corrected when we actually read it?

best

Numbers 10.10

Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. And blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind the Lord your God of his covenant with you. I am the Lord your God.

God is telling his people to blow the trumpets and loudly proclaim that he is their God, whenever they come together for worship. Prior to this verse, he just told them to blow the trumpets as an alarm when they are attacked by their enemies. Either way, God keeps showing up. 

Through challenging circumstances and wondrous occurrences, God just keeps showing up and does what he does best. Being God. So, we might as well pucker up. 

Pray for God to protect you.

expand

lev 23.4

In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.

Is it becoming clear that God had his people celebrate a lot? These biblical texts we have been reading this week are all from the early days of God with his people. I thought he was a God of rules who wants to make sure we never enjoy ourselves?

The great Dampener? The great Downer? I guess not.

Pray to expand your vision of God and what he represents.

fun

ex 12.14

This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.

I can remember ordering the children to have fun when they were younger. “Now go outside and have fun. That’s an order!”

Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows that to remember what he has done that is so amazing brings us joy. Since the incarnation and the resurrection of Jesus are in the middle of it all, the ways we could screw up Christmas and Easter with things that aren’t connected to Jesus as many. We still manage to experience that joy.

Pray to be more open to the good things that are going on around you today.

celebrate

Monday

“Celebration” is defined as “utter joy in ourselves, our life, and our world as a result of our faith and confidence in God’s greatness, beauty, and goodness.” (The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible) This may be the most difficult spiritual discipline to actually practice. 

Relying on God can’t be forced or faked. Others will be able to tell. It’s one thing to study Scripture and see that greatness, beauty and goodness can’t be ignored. If you are inspired by these attributes you will have joy pouring out of you.

Don’t be afraid of letting yourself be impressed by God. Pray for this.

dirt

People are people and the key to connecting begins and ends with humility

John 6 Bible Study- Feed Me

Jesus surprises everyone

now

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;

      he will lead them to springs of living water.

   And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

We don’t lose our need for Jesus when we live in his complete Kingdom for good. We are now living in this new creation, and as Jesus continues to expand his Kingdom, he expands our understanding if we let him, so he might expand our usefulness.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you as you invite him in. 

openness

James 3:15-18

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

We don’t have 100% understanding of the mind of God. Not even close. We do have an indication of what might be from God. That which reflects God’s character. We do have everything we need to live his Way.

Pray for openness for God to build your character.

wisdom

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

When you want to understand something that will help you make progress living God’s Ways, he will give it to you. All you have to do is ask.

Pray for wisdom in matters of faith and life.

wander

2 John 1:9

Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

When you start getting away from the overall message of the Bible and start adding to it then you have wandered away from God. There is nothing that is happening today that changes the way you would think about the Bible. God has known what is happening today from eternity.

Pray for confidence to actually take God at his Word.

skepticism

1  Peter 1:16

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

The first disciples are eyewitnesses and are the source behind almost all of the New Testament. The fact that the stories vary and appear to us this way doesn’t make me think they are less accurate. They appear more accurate, because if I was making it up as the editor, I would have made them all as identical as possible! A reasonable hypothesis is they are left with their differences (though no doctrine is different) because this is how it happened according to the eyewitness.

Pray for any personal skepticism to be based on reason.

straight ahead

Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

God is always moving ahead of us and we do well to keep up. This doesn’t just mean moving forward, it also means not veering to the left or right. Straight ahead. How?

Be open. Be receptive. Be ready. Put one foot in front of the other. That works.

 

Pray for perseverance in walking with the Spirit.

receive

John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

We are not waiting for the Spirit of truth to come. If Jesus is your Lord and you trust in him, he has given you his Spirit. The Spirit of truth, or Holy Spirit, is with you in a guiding way as a person of the Trinity. All that is required is you receive him.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you with guidance this day.

with

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

As a Christian, you may not always have a chance to find out from Jesus what he really has in mind for you at any given moment. His guidance is available some how and some way, just not always how you think it is going to happen. One thing is for sure, though. if you try to live life without Jesus, you know what will happen every time. With him is always better than without him.

Pray for more and more openness to receive from Jesus what he wants to give you.

seniors

Luke 2:27
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. 

This is about Simeon at the time when the newborn Jesus is brought to the Temple for dedication. Simeon is so in tune to God that God sends the Holy Spirit directly to prompt him. Simeon has been waiting for this moment for a long time. He gives his blessing and this is a blessing that comes back to him. He knows this baby is unique.

Pray for senior adults in your life who are faithfully following God’s ways.  

Word

Matthew 23:16
"Woe to you, blind guides!”

A straight careful reading of the Bible informed by good solid scholarship is the source of making decisions about faith and life that are beneficial. When you just take something in the Bible and try to plug it into your life, or when you try to find verses that will back up what you have already decided, there is much room for error. Disciples of Jesus learn the difference.

Pray for God to give you more hunger in reading his Word.

youth

Going to Mexico with 30 high schoolers on a mission trip. Pray. See you Monday.

D

Jeremiah 1:7-8

7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Jeremiah is afraid he is too young to speak God’s truth. God says this is nonsense. If you are a teenager reading this, when you are speaking out of the Word of God, you will be a wise person. Your words will bring blessing. Wisdom has nothing to do with age when it is based on God’s Word. The Word has been around forever.

Pray for a young person in your life to be more open to God’s wisdom.

Obadiah 1

1 This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom.

When God gives a vision to his prophet, the prophet is wise to listen. There are times when God is speaking into your life and you may miss it. Does he have something for you to accomplish that will take his power and all your attention? Seek to discover what he is doing in the world and how he is calling you to join him.

Pray for God to show you what he is accomplishing in your midst.

future

Isa 42:16

 16 I will lead blind Israel down a new path,
      guiding them along an unfamiliar way.
   I will brighten the darkness before them
      and smooth out the road ahead of them.
   Yes, I will indeed do these things;
      I will not forsake them.

When we try to do things our own way without God’s guidance, it is like walking into a new situation blind. It isn’t about predicting the future, it is about who is with us as the future meets us. With God, even the darkest places shine and the roughest places are smooth sailing, eventually.

Pray for God to show you any blind spots you may be experiencing. 

covered

Isa 30:20-21

 20 Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. 21 Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,  “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

This is a fascinating account of the presence of God in our lives. Tough times don’t mean God isn’t there. In fact, tough times are allowed by God. But, rather than keeping our distance from him, when we stick close, connecting through scripture and prayer, it make us so much more receptive to his voice. He has us covered, no matter what.

Pray for someone going through hard times today.

together

how do we live the life we are designed to live?

shine

Ps 73:24
 24 You guide me with your counsel,
       and afterward you will take me into glory.

When God guides us and we follow, good always results. To be in God’s glory is to experience his presence so much that others will be effected by what God is doing in our life. Being faithful and open brings more opportunity to shine.

Who has been shining in your life lately? Pray for them.

justice

Ps 67:4
 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
       for you rule the peoples justly
       and guide the nations of the earth.

God guides all people; those who trust in him and those who don’t. From the laws of physics to the laws of the land, people are being guided by God always. We can reject his guidance and we see this happen in nations, as well as in our own lives. We may not like what God is teaching us but we know it is fair.

Pray for those who govern today that they would see the wisdom of God. 

God prepares

Psalm 31:3
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, 
       for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

God is solidly behind everything we do that comes from him. There is nothing that can stop God if he wants to accomplish something and he has a willing disciple. This is different than deciding what to do from our own desires and then inviting God to bless what we have decide. God wants in from the beginning.

Pray for God to show you what he is already preparing for you to do.

youth

Job 32:8-9
8 But it is the spirit in a man, 
       the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wise, 
       not only the aged who understand what is right.

It is not experience alone that is a teacher. In business leadership if you have an ineffective 20 year employee they call this, “having one year’s experience 20 years in a row.” This happens if you are experienced in what doesn’t work or if you aren’t applying what you are learning. Staying open to the Holy Spirit affects every area of our life. We are open to wisdom that comes from the source of all wisdom.

Learn something from someone younger than you today.

somewhere else

1 Chronicles 10:13
13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance

It is never a good idea to go against God, but it is a really bad idea for someone like Saul who should know better. Saul is King of Israel and sees the power of God at work throughout his life. Saul continues to ignore it to the point he goes to a palmreader for guidance.

When we don’t want to hear from God because we don’t like what we are hearing there is always the option of getting guidance somewhere else. Good luck.

Pray for God give you more openness to his word.

John 5:1-15 Bible Study

Whiners can become winners...

next

2 Kings 22:14

14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the New Quarter of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple wardrobe.

At this time in Israel’s journey, they have lost their way because the Bible is missing. Then they discover it hidden in the Temple and they don’t know what to do. Notice these court scholars have to go outside of the court to find out what the Bible means.

Huldah knows.

Who taught you about Jesus growing up? Who are you teaching?

protect

2 Samuel 5:19

19 So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

When you have to battle evil in your life, it is a good idea to have God in your corner. Without God, it doesn’t matter how strong you are or how tough you are. Satan has a lot more experience.

Pray for courage and protection in challenging situations today.

donkey

Numbers 22:20

20 That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."

If for no other reason, read this story because it includes a talking donkey. I remember seeing Francis the Talking Mule movies as a kid (old age disclaimer alert!). He was kind of funny with his sidekick Donald O’Conner, but this donkey in Exodus is only trying to be helpful!

Sometimes, even a donkey can see what isn’t obvious to a man. Well Balaam listens and learns. Only do what God tells you.

Is there anything God wants from you that you are resisting? Do you own a donkey?

don't miss out

what if you missed the most significant day of your life?-- The walk to Emmaus revisted

guidance

God’s guidance comes from “an interactive friendship that gives direction and purpose to daily life.” So reads the Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible. We will look at some texts concerning guidance from scripture and apply them to actions our lives.

 

God’s “sacred home” is a great metaphor for the reality of the Trinity that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share eternally. We are invited into the Trinity to be blessed, renewed and covered for the Kingdom Work God does through us. You don’t have travel anywhere, though. We are surrounded.

 

Think of how you are immersed in God’s presence as you go through this day.

 

Numbers 12:8

8 With him I speak face to face,

       clearly and not in riddles;

       he sees the form of the LORD.

       Why then were you not afraid

       to speak against my servant Moses?"

 

When we are walking close with God we are connected with our greatest source of wisdom. Well, who walked closer than Jesus? What he teaches and what he models are correct 100% of the time. If you don’t have a clear understanding from scripture of decisions you are making, why not? Is it that the Bible doesn’t have anything to do with what you are considering or is it you know you are gong with what you want, and not necessarily what God wants?

 

For the rest of the week, try thinking of Bible teachings that connect with the things you are doing.

John 4:43-54 Bible Study

the relationship between father and son

some day

Revelation 22:3
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

We will live in the new creation, the city of God, where we will serve God by ruling with him forever. This is our future and we catch glimpses of it right now when God uses us in remarkable ways to bring his reign into the world in ways we are aware, and in ways we are unaware.

Pray for God to keep you especially sensitive to where he is working, and join him.

watching

Revelation 19.10
10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus.

In this passage, John is going to worship an angel sent from God. The angel lets him know that it is only God we worship. Angels work for God just like we do. Instead of little statues of angels around the house, we could have statues of our friends! So, thank God for angels, but don’t make them something they are not.

Thank God for the angel watching over you today.

rule

Revelation 5.10
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.

We will rule with God in the new creation. The new creation has begun with the death and resurrection of Jesus. So, even today, this is happening as we bless those around us and care for our world. We represent God when we serve.

Pray for God to make you more responsible in your service.

the new Peter

the resurrection of Jesus brings the rebirth of many lives...just ask Peter

gifts

1 Peter 4:10
10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

When we serve, God is giving us energy and guidance. He also gives us talents and skills. A spiritual gift can be seen as an extra dose of God’s power beyond our human capabilities. You discover this when you serve effectively.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 for examples of these gifts.