Sunday, August 19, 2007
Showing the True Character of Christ
Remember, show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself. ~ Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
Scripture:
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Psalm 18:35 (New International Version)
Everyday, we are judged by the people we come into contact with. Our family, friends, co-workers, and even total strangers form an opinion about us based upon what they see and what we say. Now, very seldom will people admit it, but it’s true. We too judge others the same way.
Have you ever seen a total stranger and formed an opinion about them without them saying anything? Think not? How many times have you seen a young black man walking down the street wearing saggy pants, with tattoos on his arms and not think he was up to no good? Or, how often have you seen a homeless person, ragged, standing on the corner asking for change and say to yourself, that they were an alcoholic or drug addict?
Believe it or not, there are many of us who have our own vices, dirty little secrets and things we have overcome. People don’t see our skeletons or our past indiscretions because since becoming a part of the body of Christ, we have won the victory through Christ Jesus. But, that still doesn’t give us the right to judge others.
You and I are who we are ONLY because of Who’s we are. We have been given a second chance at life because God sustains us. He has given us the shield of victory and reached down into the muck and mire of our lives to lift us up and make us great. Not because we are worthy, but because He is!
When people look at us, we should be wearing our faith like a banner for the whole world to see.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Our Father, our Lord, Our Savior, we come before You once again to honor You. Lord, we submit our will to Yours. Father, we pray that You would show us new revelations everyday in Your word. We ask that You would continue to guide our lives with Your word. Search our hearts Lord. Help us to identify those things in our lives that are not pleasing to You. Cover us Lord, Hide us Lord. Keep us Lord. Father, we come before the alter of sacrificing to leave the things in our lives that we want resolved. We recognize that our problems are too big and too heavy for us to carry alone. We desire breakthroughs for ourselves, our loved one, and most of all, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, may something that we do or say this day, show just how wonderful You are. We pray that You would magnify the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, not for our own edification, but so that others can see You in our lives. We love You Lord, we praise and uplift Your most holy name. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we submit our prayers. Amen.
Scripture:
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. Psalm 18:35 (New International Version)
Everyday, we are judged by the people we come into contact with. Our family, friends, co-workers, and even total strangers form an opinion about us based upon what they see and what we say. Now, very seldom will people admit it, but it’s true. We too judge others the same way.
Have you ever seen a total stranger and formed an opinion about them without them saying anything? Think not? How many times have you seen a young black man walking down the street wearing saggy pants, with tattoos on his arms and not think he was up to no good? Or, how often have you seen a homeless person, ragged, standing on the corner asking for change and say to yourself, that they were an alcoholic or drug addict?
Believe it or not, there are many of us who have our own vices, dirty little secrets and things we have overcome. People don’t see our skeletons or our past indiscretions because since becoming a part of the body of Christ, we have won the victory through Christ Jesus. But, that still doesn’t give us the right to judge others.
You and I are who we are ONLY because of Who’s we are. We have been given a second chance at life because God sustains us. He has given us the shield of victory and reached down into the muck and mire of our lives to lift us up and make us great. Not because we are worthy, but because He is!
When people look at us, we should be wearing our faith like a banner for the whole world to see.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Our Father, our Lord, Our Savior, we come before You once again to honor You. Lord, we submit our will to Yours. Father, we pray that You would show us new revelations everyday in Your word. We ask that You would continue to guide our lives with Your word. Search our hearts Lord. Help us to identify those things in our lives that are not pleasing to You. Cover us Lord, Hide us Lord. Keep us Lord. Father, we come before the alter of sacrificing to leave the things in our lives that we want resolved. We recognize that our problems are too big and too heavy for us to carry alone. We desire breakthroughs for ourselves, our loved one, and most of all, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, may something that we do or say this day, show just how wonderful You are. We pray that You would magnify the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, not for our own edification, but so that others can see You in our lives. We love You Lord, we praise and uplift Your most holy name. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we submit our prayers. Amen.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
The Right to Choose
Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility. ~ Oprah Winfrey
Scripture:
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? Isaiah 40:14 (New International Version)
Our lives consist of a series of choices. Some of those choices, we make, while other choices are made for us. When we are young and unable to make our own decisions, our parents are there to make the right choices for us. However, as we grow in age and knowledge, we can begin to make our own informed choices.
There were times in my youth where I did not always make the right choice, or at the very least I made some pretty stupid choices. For example, I know that there were times in high school; I chose to do the wrong thing in an effort to be accepted by the “in crowd.” Many of my choices would later lead to a series of heartbreaks and disappointments for me later in life. I realize that even as an adult, many of my choices were still bad ones. There is one very important fact that I have come to realize though, it’s never too late to make the right choice.
When we choose good over bad, right over wrong, light over darkness; we are in fact making the right choice. Even when our lives seem to be out of sorts, the choices that we make can still bless us. You see, I prefer to praise God in the midst of my storms instead of singing the blues all of the time. Each morning when I rise, I choose to have a good day no matter how dismal the world around me appears to be. I want to be a writer so I make a conscience decision to work at my craft on a daily basis.
So often we take the privilege of choice for granted. We don’t realize that there are many people in this world who cannot make their own choices. Even in this great country of ours, the right to choose has been taken away for some who did not or could not make the right choice.
The right to choose is still yours to make. Will you make the right one?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, so often we feel that our lives are not our own. We believe that our destiny in life is chosen by others. Dear Lord, help us to remember that the choice is always ours. When we find ourselves caught up in wrong situations, help us to see our way out. When others see our failures, help us to realize our victories. Help us always to remember, that the right to choose is ours alone. Even You, give us the right to choose. May the choices and decisions I make in my life, be pleasing to You. May I always remember that many of the choices that I make will impact my life forever. Lord, I choose You. I am blessed, that You have also chosen me. I thank You Lord for loving me enough to choose me to serve You. Glory to God. Hallelujah. Thank You Father for the gift of life, Your Son and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in his name that we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? Isaiah 40:14 (New International Version)
Our lives consist of a series of choices. Some of those choices, we make, while other choices are made for us. When we are young and unable to make our own decisions, our parents are there to make the right choices for us. However, as we grow in age and knowledge, we can begin to make our own informed choices.
There were times in my youth where I did not always make the right choice, or at the very least I made some pretty stupid choices. For example, I know that there were times in high school; I chose to do the wrong thing in an effort to be accepted by the “in crowd.” Many of my choices would later lead to a series of heartbreaks and disappointments for me later in life. I realize that even as an adult, many of my choices were still bad ones. There is one very important fact that I have come to realize though, it’s never too late to make the right choice.
When we choose good over bad, right over wrong, light over darkness; we are in fact making the right choice. Even when our lives seem to be out of sorts, the choices that we make can still bless us. You see, I prefer to praise God in the midst of my storms instead of singing the blues all of the time. Each morning when I rise, I choose to have a good day no matter how dismal the world around me appears to be. I want to be a writer so I make a conscience decision to work at my craft on a daily basis.
So often we take the privilege of choice for granted. We don’t realize that there are many people in this world who cannot make their own choices. Even in this great country of ours, the right to choose has been taken away for some who did not or could not make the right choice.
The right to choose is still yours to make. Will you make the right one?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father, so often we feel that our lives are not our own. We believe that our destiny in life is chosen by others. Dear Lord, help us to remember that the choice is always ours. When we find ourselves caught up in wrong situations, help us to see our way out. When others see our failures, help us to realize our victories. Help us always to remember, that the right to choose is ours alone. Even You, give us the right to choose. May the choices and decisions I make in my life, be pleasing to You. May I always remember that many of the choices that I make will impact my life forever. Lord, I choose You. I am blessed, that You have also chosen me. I thank You Lord for loving me enough to choose me to serve You. Glory to God. Hallelujah. Thank You Father for the gift of life, Your Son and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in his name that we pray. Amen.
