Stop doubting

John 20:24-25, 27 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

The point of the cross was not for those people who saw it, were upset, than believed in how holy Jesus was but for those people who didn't see Him suffer and bleed. Jesus resurrected not for those who needed to see every little part of Jesus' history, but for those whose faith would lead them to beieve. For those who had to work a bit harder to know Jesus.

As a child I believed in Jesus easily because it was taught to me and thats what i knew growing up. But as an adult I had to decide for myself. I couldn't see the marks on Jesus' body but my faith had to kick in and than it became my choice, my life, my decision. And Jesus said "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed"


Father,
I don't know how i would have been if I lived when you walked the earth. But i know you are still alive and remain holy in this place. You are the God of all that rules all and protects all. Rule my life, govern my world adn do your will here.
I love yo Always
Amen

8/5/08 You are my Breath

John 7:16-18 Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17 If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

The pharisees were trying to catch Jesus doing something wrong but they wouldn't be persecuting Him if they really knew who God was. Jesus said if you follow the will of God you'll know the truth. Those people obviously didn't know the truth because it was sitting right in front of them and they were persecuting Him.

Reading the word, I usually don't know how i would react to Jesus, I pray that its not like the pharisees. As a Pastor I never want to talk with my own word even though I know I do at times. But since I know the truth, the truth will come out of my mouth.

Lord,
Give me your words, your truth, your vision, your wisdom. You are glorious above all and I choose to follow you because you are truth, and the life in me. Breathe in me every moment cause I cant breathe on my own.
I love you Always
Amen

8/3/08 Jesus' inheritance

John 5:22-23 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

God has given His authority over to Jesus. As the Father He handed over his power to the son knowing that the son would need the power. As a human form of God Jesus took Gods authority and took it out of heaven and brought it to earth. Which is how heaven is allowed on earth.

God is the ultimate example as a Father. Everything He did for Jesus a human father should do for their son. Yes God put his perfection in Jesus as an inheritance just like fathers should give their sons.

Lord,
I pray for your divine inheritance in my life. You are my Father and I am your child. I will follow you all the days of my life.
I love you Always
Amen

7/31/08 The Father Alone

John 2:24-25 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 2He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

During this time men were seeing all what Jesus was doing and believing in Him because of the miracles but He still wouldn't give himself completely to man because of whats inside of man. Humans cannot be fully trusted and Jesus knew that, therefore He was cautious from beginning to end. He knew the good and the bad which is why He trusted solely in God to move forward.

I know my good and my bad, i also know of that of those around me which is why I need to be more like Jesus and trust in the Father alone. He didn't have to ask others about what they were thinking because He already knew. My focus has to remain in Christ not on man. My trust has to remain in Christ, my faith, my joy, my love, my passion, my will has to remain solely on the Father or I'll be just another confused Christian not doing anything with my life.

Father,
you know me better than anyone. you know where my heart lies and what i need most from you. You're my everything and my one and only and my one true love. Guide me everyday and never let go of my hand. I need you more now than ever before. Help me to be a better follower and servant. Close off the voices of man and open my ears solely on your voice.
I love you always
Amen

Gods Benefits

Psalm 103:2-5 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

God is a God of benefits. He has a lot to offer His people: #1 forgives all sins - People are afraid to turn to God because they feel their sin is too much, but God is saying that He wants all sinners to turn to Him so He can forgive them.
#2 heals diseases - we have a chance to be healthy, but we first need to believe in His power.
#3 redeems your life - there are times when our lives are at the lowest but God is reacing His hand to pull us back up
#4 crown you with love and compassion - we first have to ask for forgiveness then he heals us picks us up - redeems the past and crowns us with His love
#5 gives us good things - then after the crowning He gives us back the energy and time we thought we lost

103:10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

God is not looking for much in return. After He gives me all His benefits, He just wants me to trust, love, worship, and follow Him. He won't punish me with lightening but He will show me when I am doing wrong. Gods benefits don't come with a contract I have to sign because Jesus signed it already with His blood so I can receive not only those benefits but all of Gods love, mercy, grace, and compassion.

Lord,
I know you have a lot in store for your children, And i choose to follow you because of your unconditional love for me. There are many things I need to change in my life God so please forgive me and renew my spirit like an eagles. Give me the energy and drive to keep going forward for You.
I love you Always
Amen.

All at Once

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Leaders have an all-together tough job. People, parents, spouses, and kids are always watching to make sure they don't mess up and say the right thing at all times. But its also hard as a disciple to almost put your life in someone elses hands like what if God tells them one thing but you feel God is telling you something else?

As a leader/pastor my life needs to be one that others can imitate and its not. At the moment I'm at such weird stage in my life that i don't wish this on anyone. I want everyone to be happy, peaceful, and just free. When i have those things all together at once i know I'll be the best leader. People will want to listen to me and follow my direction because I am ultimately doing the same thing with my leaders. Once I hear the voice of God and follow it than those following me will hear the voice of God through me and follow me.

Lord,
I have no power and authority outside of what you give me. I cannot take others to a deeper level if I am not at that level. lord, take me closer to you, closer to your word, closer to your voice, closer to your heart. I am a leader because you made me one. Keep me here God. I love this place because you trust me in this place. All I want to do is follow and obey you. I love you, you are my everything. Make me only Yours.
I love you Always
Amen

He sees me

Hebrews 6:10-15 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. 13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14
saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

God is not blinf to the works of man. I know its not as important as a mans heart but He sees all the hard work we do and doesn't let it be in vain. He also doesn't want us to stop our work but to keep going. He said don't stop what you started but finish it - keep going till the end because thats what He promised.

God made a promise to Abraham and He also made a promise to me. He promised that I would have a big dance team. God is telling me not to be lazy but to step up to the plate. I have to wait patiently and make sure that i can keep doing what God has promised. I have to go to the right authorities and make sure i still have a place where God first put me.

Lord,
Why are you so good to me? Why do you answer my call? I know you already answered these questions in your word and i will maintain myself with you. I know I have faltered in many areas but i want to keep going not because other people are trying to be against me but because you promised me. You spoke to me. You gave me that dream. And i want to keep doing your dream. i want to pursue you.
I love you Always
Amen