For a brother...

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias.  The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”  And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”  And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.  But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on you name.  But the Lord said to him, “Go for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.  So Ananias departed and entered the house.  And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.   Acts 9:10-17

Personal Thought:

God visits Ananias in a vision and tells him, Rise and go lay hands on Saul and pray.  Could you imagine Ananias’ shock?  Lord, really Saul, an enemy, as he reminds God of who this man is, the man who persecuted Christians and has full authority from the chief priests to continue to do so.  God knowing full well who Saul was and what he had done tells Ananias, Go he is my chosen instrument to carry out my name.  So Ananias goes, probably many thoughts and fear of his own safety.  However, it is evident Ananias is a man who trusts God.  Ananias assured of God's love and comfort, enters the house laying his hands on Saul, calls him “brother”, and he prays.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you Father for Your grace and the change it brings into our lives.  It is your grace that draws us to the lost, to the sinners, and to see them without preconceived thoughts of who we think they are.  I pray Lord You fill us with Your love so we would love others.  I pray the words of Andrew Murray, Let us first seek to influence those around us in daily life.  Let us accept distinctly and joyfully our holy calling, that we are even now to live as the servants of the love of Jesus to our fellowmen.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Fighting the right battle…

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:10-12

On Friday, Dec. 14, the news of a school shooting was completely horrific and devastating.  So many questions unanswered, and faced with difficulty of what to do next.  For many it will be a time of grief and healing that needs to take place.  On the broader scale the challenge becomes how to handle this and prevent it from happening again.  The battle now focuses on the factors involved guns and mental illness.  However, guns do not cause this nor does mental illness.  Not everyone who owns a gun does things like that nor does every person who has a mental illness. The governor had it right when he said, “Evil visited this community today.”  Although guns and mental illness were factors in this, evil was the cause. 

The Monday after, of course it was on my mind but unspoken with my daughter.  Until I pulled in the school and there was a police car in the parking lot.  And the conversation began.  My daughter asked, “Mommy do you think he was bullied when he was a kid?”  Of course we have no clear answers, but I wonder if there was truth to that. There could have been emotional wounds from when he was a kid that Satan had rooted deeply in his being.  Without healing and the love of Jesus, Satan had his chance to reign.  The battle is against the evil forces. 

As Christmas is here, the birth of our Savior it is the remembrance that Jesus came to claim victory and conquer Satan. 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for sending Jesus our Savior and restoring us back to relationship with you.  Thank you for victory over evil through Jesus Christ.  I pray for the parents or families that lost children or loved ones.  I pray, Father, You comfort them at this time of grief in their lives.  I pray You would be their strength and guidance through the days to come.  I pray for the people You will place in their lives as comfort and support, to be Your hands of love reaching out to the families.  Lord I pray against the evil forces that they may be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy at this time.  I pray for the salvation of those that don’t know you.  I pray for the ones that do, that would draw nearer to you at this time.  In spite of the evil they are facing, I pray this Christmas for victory in their lives though Jesus.  May Your Presence protect them and bless them.  I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Knowing who you are…

One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side…   John 13:23

Personal Thought:

I have to confess, there was a time when I thought John was somewhat bragging or pompous by saying this.  However, through the years of my journey and coming to understand His love for me more and more, I realize John’s comment was one of security.  He was secure of the love Jesus had for him and therefore he could say with a sincere heart, he is the one whom Jesus loved. 

His statement wasn’t pompous or conceit, rather it was one of assurance.  Assurance of who he was, of who Jesus said he was, and he was fully secure of his identity.   

How assured are you to say, I am the one who Jesus loves?  If it’s uncomfortable or shallow in any way, than time is needed to spend with Jesus in prayer and meditate on his words.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, thank you for you have called us to you.  I pray for assurance of who you say we are, that we too Father, could say with a sincere heart, I am one whom Jesus loves, may these words sink deep into the heart.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

… A greater service!

Verse: 

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.   Mark 10:14

Vacation Bible School is always an exciting time for our church.  I have served at VBS for many years and always looked forward to it.  There is always amazement as the church comes together decorated to each year’s theme and watching the children come with joy.      

This year was very different for me at VBS.  I am so thankful for all who helped to make it happen; the directors, the registration crew, the worship team, the station leaders, the group leaders, the youth group serving, and all those behind the scenes that pulled together to make it happen.  We had 130+ (I think 137) children come and sign their name to a wooden cross, taking the step of faith to Jesus. 

A new thought came to mind this year about VBS, it is more than just getting a children’s program together it is bringing the children to Jesus.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Heavenly Father, I thank you for all who came to help be a part of bringing the children to You.  I pray, You bless them and encourage them for their service to You.  Thank you for the little children.  I pray for each child who signed the cross, that they would hold it dear in their hearts, that they would grow in relationship with You, and continue to seek You with zeal and excitement even now the week is over.  In Jesus Name, Amen.       

…Time to retreat.

Verse:

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.  So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.  Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.  3 John 9-11 (ESV)

3 John has been the scripture I’ve been studying.  I’m taking online college classes for Bible education and we have been learning formally how to dissect this book, in Hermeneutics.  I’m excited about it and it’s been going well so far.  Then I was faced with what felt like a huge mountain to climb, diagramming sentences.  And Monday night our building data assignment from 3 John was due.  Needless to say I was not happy with mine.  I read it over so many times thinking something was just missing.  Yet I handed it in anyway.  Today I realized, I think I lean more towards  devotional seeking when meditating on scripture.  And in a very informal way I do break down sentences (somewhat).  So I decided to “retreat” to some devotional time and process my thoughts on this scripture. Since I haven't posted in awhile, I figured I'd share it with all of you.

I (would be the writer of the book, the apostle John) have written something to the church, but Diotrephes (apparently in the church and the receiver of that letter) likes to put himself first (selfish), does not acknowledge our authority (rebellious).  So now if John comes to the church he will confront him about his behavior, talking wicked nonsense (gossip, slander) against them (John and the brethren).  John will not put up with it.  Diotrephes refuses to welcome the brethren and also stops those who want to help and puts them out of the church.  John tells the beloved do not imitate evil but imitate good.  Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.  

John gives us the command not to imitate evil, which we see the example in Dioptrephes’ behavior, but imitate good, which we see in Gaius’ behavior.  The beginning of this letter is addressed to the beloved Gaius who is walking in truth and supports the brothers who go and preach the gospel for Jesus.  Going even further John says, whoever does good is from God, whoever does evil has not seen God.  Sounds like, Diotrephes is on shaky ground, maybe a foundation of sand.  The thing is, Diotrephes is in the church and I would lean towards the direction of a leader, yet he is doing all these evil things, gossip, slander, refusing to help, and almost worse yet not letting others help the brethren.  Since Diotrephes won’t listen, John informs other faithful brothers who are walking in truth. 


Dear Lord Heavenly Father, Thank you for today.  Thank you for scripture and guiding us.  Lord I pray you continue to lead us to walk in the truth.  That we would imitate good, the good that comes from you.  Father I pray you would caution us when any temptation of these evil behaviors may begin to rise within. Thank you Lord for the people you place in our lives to help direct and steer us back on track.  In Jesus Name, Amen.    

…Prayer Warriors

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.   2 Corinthians 1:11

I am very thankful for the prayers of others for me.  I know some huge steps in my journey were through the prayers that have prayed for me.  Saturday I was given the opportunity to share at the ladies breakfast.  The response from women was awesome and encouraging.  So I have to say thank you for all of you who prayed for me.  For weeks prior and up to that day, I’d heard from many, I’m praying for you.  And God answered prayer.   Thank you!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us.  So often You do this through our prayers from others.  I am thankful for all the prayers for me.  Thank you for answering and blessing others through those prayers.   It is amazing when we can see the fruit from prayer warriors.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

…When I’m judgmental.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.”  If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.  Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.   James 2:8-13


Amazing how we judge other’s sin.  Yes, I'm guilty.  I’ve judged others sin before.  There can be a sin in someone else’s life but if we don’t understand the struggle of that sin, it becomes so easy to judge it.  Yet sin is sin.  These two are harsh, but yet let’s investigate them a little further. 
James 4:4 - You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 
Opps, maybe not realizing it right away, but there have been times I have had friendship with the world.   
Matthew 5:21-22 - “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
Murders will be subject to judgment and anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.  So does that mean anger toward someone can be equivalent to murdering them??

Prayer:
Dear Lord Father, Thank you Father for mercy.  The royal law in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, by keeping it we are doing right.  Lord how do we judge ourselves of sin?  Many times we justify our own actions, or we have an excuse for our sin.  And so often we expect others to be compassionate for us, we expect them to forgive us immediately.   But Lord when others struggle with things we don't relate to, do we do the same for them?  Many times our humanness puts judgment on them, we think we'll they shouldn't do that!  Lord forgive us, that so often the favoritism we show is to ourselves, yet our sin is sin and we are still lawbreakers.  No matter where we stumble we are guilty.  Lord help us never to excuse sin in anyway, whether our own or someone else's, but keep us from being judgmental, help us extend mercy to others around us, the mercy we want them to extend to us, the mercy You show us.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

...Reflection

As water reflects the man’s face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.

Proverbs 27:19

Hmm. How is my heart reflection today? Is my heart so focused on Jesus that I reflect him today?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for your love toward us. Lord I pray that our hearts would reflect your love to the outside world around us. Lord you have made each one of us precious in your sight, you have given us the desire to love you Lord, and the desire to be Christ like. Lord I pray today our reflection would resemble Jesus, to all who are surrounding us today. In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen.