Monday, June 11, 2012
A Beacon of Light
Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter. ~ Bono
Scripture:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (New International Version)
Have you ever met a person who seem to light up a room as they enter? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something about them seems to make the world around them a brighter place. For some unexplained reason, just being around them makes you happy. There are certain people I have met that make me feel this way.
Once we begin to engage in conversation, I begin to understand why. The light of Jesus has been lit in their hearts. It really doesn’t matter what the conversation is about, it becomes obvious they are filled with the Holy Spirit by virtue of not what they do or say but by how they make me feel. I feel a sense of comfort.
That is how it’s supposed to be with Christians. You should be able to see one another, not by what they do or say, but by the light that emanates from within. The spirit of Christ that resides within their hearts.
I often pray for that same light to be lit within me. I pray that others can see the spirit of Christ in my spirit. I pray that the Holy Spirit indwells in my heart and that others can see and feel it. And when I am feeling down, I pray that He will reignite the fire, so that others will be drawn to it, not for my edification, but for His.
Does the light of Jesus Christ burn within your Spirit?
Be Blessed.
PRAYER:
My Father, My Lord, My Savior. We who have been reconciled into Your kingdom by the saving grace of Christ Jesus, come before You once again with praises and thanksgiving on our tongues. Lord, we come honoring You for the gift of fresh grace and mercy. Lord, You blessed me and kept me once again and I say thank You. Father, we come before You asking that You would magnify Your power and Your presence in our lives. Lord, we know that we don't always do what is right in Your eyes, but we thank You for forgiveness. We realize and recognize that sometimes we don't always act Christ like. Lord, we come asking that Your light that shines within us would be magnified so that others may see it and seek after it in the same way we did. Lord, we ask that You would continue to bless our loved ones, our family members and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Someone needs a miracle today, so we come claiming a miracle for someone else today, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Scripture:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (New International Version)
Have you ever met a person who seem to light up a room as they enter? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something about them seems to make the world around them a brighter place. For some unexplained reason, just being around them makes you happy. There are certain people I have met that make me feel this way.
Once we begin to engage in conversation, I begin to understand why. The light of Jesus has been lit in their hearts. It really doesn’t matter what the conversation is about, it becomes obvious they are filled with the Holy Spirit by virtue of not what they do or say but by how they make me feel. I feel a sense of comfort.
That is how it’s supposed to be with Christians. You should be able to see one another, not by what they do or say, but by the light that emanates from within. The spirit of Christ that resides within their hearts.
I often pray for that same light to be lit within me. I pray that others can see the spirit of Christ in my spirit. I pray that the Holy Spirit indwells in my heart and that others can see and feel it. And when I am feeling down, I pray that He will reignite the fire, so that others will be drawn to it, not for my edification, but for His.
Does the light of Jesus Christ burn within your Spirit?
Be Blessed.
PRAYER:
My Father, My Lord, My Savior. We who have been reconciled into Your kingdom by the saving grace of Christ Jesus, come before You once again with praises and thanksgiving on our tongues. Lord, we come honoring You for the gift of fresh grace and mercy. Lord, You blessed me and kept me once again and I say thank You. Father, we come before You asking that You would magnify Your power and Your presence in our lives. Lord, we know that we don't always do what is right in Your eyes, but we thank You for forgiveness. We realize and recognize that sometimes we don't always act Christ like. Lord, we come asking that Your light that shines within us would be magnified so that others may see it and seek after it in the same way we did. Lord, we ask that You would continue to bless our loved ones, our family members and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Someone needs a miracle today, so we come claiming a miracle for someone else today, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Learning to Forgive
Remember, Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~ Paul Boese
Scripture:
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11
Saints, Is there anyone in your life that you say you hate? Are there people in your life who have wronged you and therefore you can't forgive them? Do you sometimes get angry at those people in your life you profess to love and say mean and hurtful things to them? Do you have a mean spirit?
Now some of you may not believe this, but there are times in my life when I can be mean spirited. And if you are honest with yourselves you too will admit that there has been a time or two in your life when you too have been mean and hurtful to someone you love. In a moment of anger you may have said or done something to someone you say you love.
When someone hurts us our first reaction is to hurt them back; just as much or even more than they hurt us. It doesn't matter who it is. Your significant other, your children, a friend, or even your parents. There is nothing worse than someone you love doing or saying something that they know is going to hurt not just your feelings, but it will hurt your heart and soul.
However, I have good news for you. As you grow in your faith and in your knowledge in Christ you will begin to develop a forgiving spirit, a loving spirit, a spirit that will bridle your tongue and your actions. The more that you grow in the word of God, the more you will become Christ like.
Keep in mind that if someone loves you, you can overlook their moments of anger. If a brother or sister hurts you, don't just turn the other cheek, but put yourself in their place and think about what might have caused their reaction.
Remember that person loves you, so do I, But God loves you best.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God we start our day with a spirit of love. We will show love and compassion to those around us. Our prayer this day is that we may learn to be more patient with those around us and try to remember that words spoken in anger can be forgiven. Father, help us to develop a more forgiving spirit. A spirit that is not easily riled. Help us to recognize when our loved ones are being used against us by satan in an effort to cause us to stumble. Lord, touch our brothers and sisters who have a mean spirit, casting out that vile and wicked demon in the name of Jesus. Have mercy and show favor to Your saints right now. Touch, bless and anoint Your saints who are reading this message. Father, we don't know the needs of Your children, but we know that You do. As we humble ourselves before You this day, in reverence to You, in honor of You, and because of who You are, we will sings songs of praise to You all day long. When we think about Your blessings, we will stop and say, thank You Lord. In the name of Your son, we humbly submit this prayer and claim our victories. Amen.
Scripture:
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11
Saints, Is there anyone in your life that you say you hate? Are there people in your life who have wronged you and therefore you can't forgive them? Do you sometimes get angry at those people in your life you profess to love and say mean and hurtful things to them? Do you have a mean spirit?
Now some of you may not believe this, but there are times in my life when I can be mean spirited. And if you are honest with yourselves you too will admit that there has been a time or two in your life when you too have been mean and hurtful to someone you love. In a moment of anger you may have said or done something to someone you say you love.
When someone hurts us our first reaction is to hurt them back; just as much or even more than they hurt us. It doesn't matter who it is. Your significant other, your children, a friend, or even your parents. There is nothing worse than someone you love doing or saying something that they know is going to hurt not just your feelings, but it will hurt your heart and soul.
However, I have good news for you. As you grow in your faith and in your knowledge in Christ you will begin to develop a forgiving spirit, a loving spirit, a spirit that will bridle your tongue and your actions. The more that you grow in the word of God, the more you will become Christ like.
Keep in mind that if someone loves you, you can overlook their moments of anger. If a brother or sister hurts you, don't just turn the other cheek, but put yourself in their place and think about what might have caused their reaction.
Remember that person loves you, so do I, But God loves you best.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Father God we start our day with a spirit of love. We will show love and compassion to those around us. Our prayer this day is that we may learn to be more patient with those around us and try to remember that words spoken in anger can be forgiven. Father, help us to develop a more forgiving spirit. A spirit that is not easily riled. Help us to recognize when our loved ones are being used against us by satan in an effort to cause us to stumble. Lord, touch our brothers and sisters who have a mean spirit, casting out that vile and wicked demon in the name of Jesus. Have mercy and show favor to Your saints right now. Touch, bless and anoint Your saints who are reading this message. Father, we don't know the needs of Your children, but we know that You do. As we humble ourselves before You this day, in reverence to You, in honor of You, and because of who You are, we will sings songs of praise to You all day long. When we think about Your blessings, we will stop and say, thank You Lord. In the name of Your son, we humbly submit this prayer and claim our victories. Amen.
