7/4/09 God made me do it!

Hosea 1:2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD."

Hosea was the last king of Israel and for many years before that the kings were doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. God was fed up with the kings and how much they walked from Him that He had to make an example out of innocent people.

Though I may not understand why God would make an example of innocent children He knew that His plan was not to leave them sinful. His ultimate plan was to restore them to new.

Just like he does with us. He allows us to sin and others do things that are completely wrong but His end plan is to have us restored for the next season.

God,
there are many things that i have done that i am not proud of. And i have sinned but i don't want to stay that way. Restore me and make me new. Make me clean Lord, because that is your ultimate plan.
I forever love you
Amen

6/26/09 The Hidden Truth

Jonah 4:10-11 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

Jonah was a man wanted to do God will but wasn't in accordance. God wanted to challenge Jonah in what He really wanted to teach him. Jonahs level of grace only extended to "Gods people" but he didn't know the extent of Gods people reached over to the Gentiles as well.

Jonah was like many people today, their religiousness gets in the way of knowing the level of Gods mercy and grace. SO many people have much more forgiveness and patience with a dog than with people that God wants us to reach out to. I will never understand the level of Gods grace because He is divine and hold and I am human and a sinner. However, if God wants me to go out and reach those who need the most mercy than that's what I should do. And its not about Gods deep voice calling me - He's already told us - in His word that we should have mercy on the merciless.

Father,
Your mercy surpasses anything I can understand. But i thank you for it. Only you can show such love to me in my confusion and lost state. Lord make things clear to me as much as possible. Show me whats hidden from my eyes even if it hurts. Guide me to the right path - Your path.
I forever love you
Amen

6/24/09 The King & I

2 Kings 11:8, 17 Station yourselves around the king, each man with his weapon in his hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks must be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."

As servants of God and people with bosses, parents, teachers, esp those who are specially anointed God wants us to protect them. He has called his people to protect the anointed until death. There are those who are to be "kings" and we are to be their protectors. Jehoash was only 7 and these people were ready to die for him they need those protectors from gossipers, greedy people, arrogant and throne stealer's. We are those protectors.

17 Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they would be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.

When protecting a king there should always be a good reason to keep fighting for something. I believe to keep a land holy is the reason to fight to the death. Jehoiada wanted the land purified and the people followed the covenant as did the king. My king should stand for something right, pure, and holy. Because if not than my reason and energy to fight would be gone.

Lord,
Keep my kings looking at you. The covenant they made with you was forever. God you know their hearts and i choose to follow your path because you have it all under control. Take my life and use it as you see right. Help me everyday to see more of you.
I forever love you
Amen.

6/9/09 My Reading

Ecclesiastes 11:8-10 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. 9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body,for youth and vigor are meaningless.
12:1, 13-14
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"- 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Ephesians 5:1-2,17 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Inner Lion

Proverbs 29:1b But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Romans 16:18-19 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

Many things in life we allow pass through because we are too nice. Paul was never too nice. He knew what he wanted and did anything to achieve it. He wanted others to stand up and fight for their faith. He knew what kind of people were out there and didn't want the sheep to be devoured by the lion.

I have allowed wolves to come and eat me alive. I have allowed the worlds craftiness fool me into thinking they are right and i am wrong. I have lost money, time, and answers from God because of it. But i know that I am naive at times and just too nice. I allow people in my life without doing background checks. We all have a bit of sheep, wolf, and lion inside of us and we have to be wise when we let each come out. As for me, i need to let my inner lion come out more often. Roar.

Lord,
You are my lion, my master, my guide, my king. I need to learn you more and be with you more than anyone. I lack many things when it comes to you so i need your hand. You deserve more from me so please take me, push me, extend me God. I am what is yours.
I forever love you
Amen

5/16/09 Receive

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

When God called His children He wanted each one to live in His mercy. He wanted each to know of His great saving power. Paul was writing to the Thessalonians because even though they were remaining strong they still need encouragement.

Christians now still need the same encouragement which is why we are still reading the writings. No matter how old they are they consistently pertain to each generation we still need Gods salvation and power. We still need to know that He is with us no matter what or where.

Lord,
give me the strength and courage to move forward. I am with you day or night. Stay close to me and speak to your daughter. I always need your love and guidance.
I forever love you
Amen

I said No

Matthew 21: 31c-32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Jesus' parables were always to make the people reflect on themselves. Some of the people didn't understand at first because they thought they were doing everything right. But the pharisees were the worst of them all. Jesus tried to show them over and over how prideful they were and how wrong they were in interpreting scriptures and bringing them to life. Essentially, Jesus wanted them to repent but their hearts and minds were full of so much religion and pride they couldn't even see the Messiah in front of them.

In this parable Jesus wants his people to see that even though we say no at first than later believe that's the people He came for. Jesus just wants us to repent and believe and repent and believe. He knows my life isn't gonna be perfect, He knows I'm gonna make mistakes so He wants me to be the son that eventually does the work. He doesn't want me to make empty promises but to be honest with myself. He'd rather me do the work later than me lie to Him. I'm gonna fall and sin but if i get up and repent and believe Gods promises I'm better than those people who know the Bible cover to cover but have no mercy.

I am Gods creation. I am not perfect but I strive for a better tomorrow. I was made in Gods image yet I am human. I may fall, i may displease God and others. I may be lazy and messy sometimes but only the Lord knows my heart and He loves me. He put me here because He believes in me and I believe in Him.

Lord,
I am not physically a prostitute but i want to be one. A person who makes mistakes but believes in the end. And i believe now. With all my heart. Forgive me for saying no at first and for doing things that don't please you. I want to be your instrument that you use. Keep me in check Lord.
I forever love you
Amen