Get Naked

Scripture
John 11:38-44 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."


Observation
Every time Jesus sees us dying He is moved and wants to do something about it. The stone in front of Lazarus' tomb represents sin. WIthout the stone taken away we are merely stuck inside a dark hole. Jesus can see that we are capable of getting out of the hole, but others see us rotting. They pray for sinners and believeing theyll rise again but they cant take us out of the hole. Only Jesus can command us out of the hole of death. Than when we come out we still have wraps on us which represent scars, memories, hard feelings, bitterness, shame, guilt. When Jesus said "take off the grave clothes and let him go" He was talking to satan to take off all that he bounded him with. Because with Christ he is new and free.

Application
We all sin, everyday. We make mistakes and are left with guilt, shame, bitterness, memories etc. But when we come before Jesus, He forgives us for those sins and wants us to take off the grave clothes. To walk as new creations to believe in life and not death. But first we have to move the stone in front of our hole of death and allow God to call us out.

Prayer
Lord,
With all your glory, strength, power, and authority move my stone. I want out of the hole of death and live in the light of who you are. God, take off my grave clothes with your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Forgive me for sinning because I know its wrong and yet I still do it. I exalt you with my life. I follow you and want you all the days of my life. I raise you up with my prayers, with my voice, and with my heart. You are why I live, I breathe, i love. You are absolutely everything to me, never leave my side or else I'd be lost.
I love you Always, Amen.

The Condemned

Scripture
John 8:10-11 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Observation
Jesus did not just say your not condemned, He declared it meaning that there is absolutely no condemnation in Christ. He sees it all, knows it all and yet He continues loving us as if we were His perfect little children. God told us to be like little children because He wants to treat us that way. With our innocence and purity God is holding us. That woman was probably ready to die, took a breath and said in her heart, i'm ready. But Jesus had other plans for her. Just like he has different plans with us. We think life will go one way, than he changes it in an instant. And thats the point that God raises us off the ground, dusts us off, and tells us to go and sin no more.

Application
Condemnation is something I struggle with. I condemn myself way too much and can't even enjoy life. God didn't want me to get so down on myself but to live a peaceful, joyful life filled with His love and glory. I am my worst critic. I see myself and think the worst, but knowing that God sees me and thinks the best of me only makes me feel better. Knowing that my perfect Father in heaven sees me in a glorious light, makes me want more of Him.

Prayer
God,
I am free in you because you already paid the price of sin. I believe in your mercy and forgiveness. I believe in your love and kindness which I will follow all the days of my life. I love you more than anything else in the world. You are the air i breathe, the water i drink, the food i eat, the smile on my face, the joy in my heart, the love that surrounds me, and the peace that comforts me.
I love you always, Amen.

12/17/07 "Faith as Base"

Scripture
2 Peter 1:4-8 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation
Peter was not talking to people who had ever enduring faith. This piece was for those whose faith wanted to get stronger. With faith being the base: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love will keep you in Gods presence and working for His glory without stopping.

Application
Once we feel unproductive and ineffective thats what we become. Thats what I am. My faith is floating in the air and its like I can't catch it. Its like my old strong self is gone. I can't find it. I feel stuck in a weak body with no way out. I feel choked and I hate feeling this way. I just want to go back of how it was. Breathing, freedom, peaceful.

Prayer
God,
I need your peace today. I am so far away and I know its not you making me feel stuck. Father, catch me in your arms. Catch me from falling so far down that I cant get up any longer. God, make me ready to fight this cold. I know its just a temporary feeling and you have made me a stronger person filled with your power and love. Thank you for always loving me with your grace and holiness. Only you are exalted so high and make the world go round.
I love you always, Amen.

12/7/07 "Put your clothes on!"

Scripture
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Observation
When Paul says "clothe yourselves" with certain virtues, he isn't saying just put it on your head he is saying wear it like the clothes on your back. When your cold you put a jacket on with gratefulness - that's how those clothes need to be put on. Do that plus forgive one another. Why does he mention forgiveness separately? Because its more important than the others. When you forgive your showing that compassion, kindness, humility, and gentleness, and patience. Then comes love the biggest one of all. Love is bigger than all the virtues. Once you have love the rest is easy to attain.

Application
If I have love I can do all things. I can forgive, I can keep going forward in life. I can live longer with God. Love is the ultimate virtue. Everything else just falls into place. God wants things to go in a pyramid sense in our hearts. 1. Love
2. Forgiveness
3. All others
Once I have love, I have it all. It will become clear because God is love and once I have Him I have everything I need.

Prayer
My Love,
You hold my heart in your hands. You have my everything. Take care of me. Be there for me, love me, use me, have me. I am yours. I love you more than anything in this world. I would do anything for you. Keep me safe in your arms.
I love you Always, Amen.

12/5/07 "Its Never over"

Scripture
Ephesians 5:17 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is

Observation
We live in this life with constant distraction. Everything around us can take our mind off what God wants. Everyday things want to take our mind off the real goal but God still wants us to reach for the right things. There has to be an understanding of Gods will vs. our own will. Our will wants to move us to what we essentially want and keep us away from Gods ultimate plan. When we are foolish we become blind but if we have an understanding of Gods will than it'll be harder to stray away from it.

Application
Reading the Bible, praying, fasting are some of the things that help me understand the will of God but I have to keep on reaching for His will. Everyday is a struggle inside of me. I want to get up and pray and take that time but I don't. And I'm actually destroying my spirit life. No one is hurting it but me. So what I need to do is simple: Be stronger. Keep going for that understanding. Remain hungry and never think its over. With God, its never over.

Prayer
Father,
I never want it to be over. I never want to give up. Never want to surrender. You are the flag that keeps on blowing. The heart that keeps on pumping. You are my ever-lasting battery. You are my everything. All that I need and want is you because you make me whole. You created me and strengthen me . Keep doing it. Don't give up on me...Don't give up.
I love you Always, Amen.

12/4/07 "Creep"

Scripture
Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Observation
Everyone has an old self. Everyone has memories and scars from the past. Everyone has the devil trying to creep up adn make us do what we once did but are trying to get away from. The devil tries to capture everyone by attacking and deceiving and tricking us to go back and do what we liked doing. But what God is trying to teach us is that even though we have the devil trying to kill us, He is making us new and giving us a new way of life. A new way of thinking, a new way of loving, a new way of being ourselves. A way that is full of holines and righteousness, a way where we are not only holy and righteous before people but before God.

Application
Every teaching, no matter the topic is essentially about renewal. Pastors, teachers, apostles, evangelists, and prophets are all trying to get the message across of putting our new self on and being like our creator. They know the struggles but also know what God is capable of.

Prayer
Father,
I know what you are capable of. You have shown your power to me many times and don't stop showing me. Allow me to be that person that you created me to be. Help me to get to my full potential in every area you have gifted me with. Give me the outlets and strength to go out and reach the world for you. You are my head and my authority. Speak to me today and use me for your glory.
I love you, Amen.

12/2/07 Offer Sacrifices

Scripture
Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual asct of worship"

Observation
Many people worship God in the physical sense and even the mental sense, but forget the spiritual side. They think if they sing a song, say thanks, lift up their arms, dance, play an instrument thats all the worship they need to do. But God requires much more. He wants the spiritual side. The part where we raise our own selves as sacrifices for Him. The praying diligently, the fasting, the turning off the tv, hanging up the phone and just sit and listen to God part. Doing those things that arent so easy part. And to do it not because we want answers, or not even cause we love God, but because He gave us His mercy and is keeping us here on this earth for that purpose because He keeps us healthy and happy and because He shows us mercy everyday. This is our sacrifice to Him.

Application
I have to lay down my life and be that sacrifice. I worship in every sense but the spiritual. And thats when my life will take the extra step. Once I let go of my fear and worship God spiritually He will answer me spiritually. I'll hear His voice, feel His presence and live that devoted life.

Prayer
God,
I'm sorry for not doing and seeing this sooner. I know Im not perfect and you are which is why I need your help. Help to get up, to renew my mind, to strengthen my body, and to seek you more. I ask that you forgive me for not worshipping you spiritually. My body is yours forever, my mind and soul as well belongs to you. Make me into a new person filled with your power and authority.
I love you, Amen.