be strong

Joshua 1:6-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Definition of COURAGEOUS

: having or characterized by courage : brave <a courageous soldier> <a courageous decision>

Definition of STRONG

1 : having or marked by great physical power, not mild or weak 

All to often it seems some people when put under pressure by things of this world break....it might mean having a fit or rage or anger towards someone or something....might mean a person takes the life of another in a fit of rage...Jesus would never leave us...nor would he ever want us to carry a burden of sin, or anger around with us.  The devil might try to break us...but is we remember

Matthew 11:28-30

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
 

He will take it all away from us, so that we might be strong and courageous to fight off all the tricks the evil one might throw at us!

I pray that I am never too proud, or stubborn to pray that you would take my earthly burden from me!  I am so glad you come running to your children when we call!

hillsong - came to my rescue

 

Not of this world

John 18:36-37

New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁶ Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
³⁷ Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”




When being questioned by pilate jesus said my kingdom is not an earthly kingdom.  My kingdom is not of this world.   Often times there are several filters that block our true view of what god did for us by sending Jesus to be the sacrifice so we wouldn't have to spend an eternity in a place we were never ment to go.  I somtimes wonder what the world would be like if we all were out of this world with our faith.  Jesus was sent to testify to the truth, if we would only live according to the truth that he spoke this world would be a much different place.

Lord i pray for an out of this world faith.  I trust you with all i am and all i have, for the kingdom i belong to is not of  this world.  I will live life as a glove, Trusting you to be the hand!

in jesus name, amen

Treasure

2 Corinthians 4

New International Version (NIV)

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.





Some here in this life work day and night year after year to store up treasure.  Not a single piece of which will matter in the Eternal life.  Jesus doesn't care how much wealth we have, or what kind of house we live in...what car we drive...All he wants is for us to be sanctuaries.  He lives in us already....he wants us to stop acting like the world does...he wants us to be the glove and let him be the hand, leading the glove where it is needed.


Lord i pray that I am never too stuck on this life to lay down all i have to let you be the glove!

in jesus name, amen

Legacy

What is a legacy? Legacy is defined in mirriam-Webster as a gift by will especially of money or other personal property. But is legacy just money and property? According to the world yes.

As I sit here typing this there is another legacy. A legacy Jesus left for us. He was beaten, bled and was crucified to leave it for us. He left a path for us to follow. A path of love, mercy and freedom for all those who would take up their cross and follow him.

Lord I gladly follow the path you set out for me! Nothing I am or have is better than the road you would have me travel! I pray that your holy fire would fall on me, so that I may share the message you would have me share

In Jesus name, amen

rescue

How often do some beleivers wonder through life seemingly lost, or overwhelmed with a situation or tragedy infront of them?  The evil one will use any situation to attempt to tear us from Jesus.  The good side of any seemingly hopeless situation is that we only need cry out to our saviour for help.  He is always beside us just waiting for us to cryout to him.  A good friend of mine just recently lost his great uncle and step brother, with whom he was close.  I offer us this prayer for him tonight.  On his behalf i cryout to jesus for help and comfort.  I pray that you cover my friend with the love that only you could!  Lord i lift you high tonight, you always are there beside me, no matter what!


Prayer below taken from a book of common prayer Printed in 1892


Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;  for the love of thy only son, our saviou, jesus christ.   amen.

Hillsong united - came to my rescue

Repentance

Zephaniah 2:1-3

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

A Call for Judah to Turn Away From Sin

2 Gather yourselves together!
Yes, gather together, you shameless nation,
²     before the decree is carried out
        and the day passes like windblown husks,
    before the Lord’s burning anger comes to you,
    before the day of the Lord’s anger comes to you.
³ Search for the Lord, all you humble people in the land
    who carry out his justice.
Search for what is right.
Search for humility.
    Maybe you will find shelter on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Lord many in this world fall short of what you have called us to be.  There is lots of violence toward each other, mean talk toward each other, people just plain being evil to one another.  Father i pray for revival around the world.  Strengthen us beleivers so that we might be light to those around us.  Bless those already speeking the good word in though places.  give them strength and an open audience to receive the word.  Lord i too fall short of your expectations.  if there be any offensive way in me lord remove it, that i might be an example of your grace to all those i encounter.  Give me the strength and words to say when confronted with a person who is living far apart from you.  Give me the words to say to reach that specific individual!

in your name i pray,  amen

Hillsong UNITED - Came To My Rescue (Be Lifted High)

Salt

Matthew 5
13 you are the salt of the earth.  But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?  Can you make it salty again?  It will be thrown out and trampled under foot as worthless.
14 you are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 no one lights a lamp and then puts it under a blanket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  16 in the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.

Lord I pray that I never put my light under a blanket.  I pray instead that I shine it openly and brightly for all to see!

paths

A path is an expression of a habit, Evidence of a journey often made.  A habit made visible where others can follow.  Most of us think of a path made by footprints, but there are paths in the mind, both good and bad.  They are made by repeated words and actions...Some sharp as daggers, others kind and gentle.  We all leave paths in the journey with us.  It is up to us to see the path leads somewhere worth going.

James spruill



The above statement is taken from one of my favorite sermons.  It holds so true in every situation. We all create paths in our journeys through life.  It breaks my heart to see so many broken families...children that don't have fathers or mothers.  Still other families that have both parents...but those parents are too busy with their cariers to stop and see what is actually more important.  I saw a video the other day showing 9-11 through the eyes of the firefighters...I don't often cry, but that one made me sob.  Those courageous men and women that rushed in to save the lives of those still in the towers, most of them knowing full well that they might not make it back out...still they rushed in.  We should all be this way.  Even when life seems too hard...we need to trust that god always has our back. 


Hevenly father, I stand in awe of all you are tonight.  I had the pleasure of making over a room this afternoon/evening for a family that probably couldn't have afforded to hire someone to do the things that myself and the other members of my life group accomplished.  I pray that the work we did for this family truely blessed them in more ways than just improving a bedroom.  I pray that we left an impression that this is what godly people do for others.  We expect nothing in return.  I lift us this family to you father i pray they were truely blessed!

in jesus name
amen!


hillsong - shout to god

death couldn't hold him down!

They falsely accused him...mocked him...tried him...beat him...nailed him to the tree...

Luke 24

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Resurrection

24 But very early on Sunday morning^[a] the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. ² They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. ³ So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

⁵ The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man^[b] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”
⁸ Then they remembered that he had said this. ⁹ So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. ¹¹ But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. ¹² However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings

the chief preiests thought they had rid themselves of him for good...little did they know that no tomb ever made could hold him!  Some might wonder what any of this has to do with them...I say everything!  He was sent here to free everyone from their bondage to sin, he was sent so that none of us would have to die, he was sent for you and for me!  It doesn't matter who you are, where you live in the world, god loves us all.  He hung on the tree while we were yet sinners.  He Triumphed over sin!

 Lord I am so thankful that the grave couldn't hold you down!  I am so thankful that the grave couldn't hold you down!  I pray for all those in my circle of influence, i pray that you would meet them where they are.  I pray that you would make my flame so bright that they couldn't help but come to you!

all this i pray in you name
amen

hillsong - shout unto god
all i need is you

presence

how often do we sit and think about our presence through the eyes of our children?  do they see jesus in us...or are we just in their life to provide for them?  i often think about how i am leading my children,  am i being a godly example to them?  we have been called to feed our sheep...to be an example of jesus to them.

my prayer is that i am always an example of jesus love to them, to be light to them, always be the father god wants me and has called me to be.


amen

Feeding sheep

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” (John 21:15-19 NLT)


How often do we sit and think about how we interact with others. How we treat others should be a direct reflection of how much we love Jesus. He called all of us to feed his lambs, to care for his sheep, to feed his sheep. We are to be his hands and feet. It could be a random act of kindness person we don't know. It could be carrying your children to bed, or reading to them.

I pray that I am always mindful that how I treat others is the something as doing it to you. I pray all fathers feed our sheep in a manner that you would!

Servant

Mark 10:42-45 GWT
Jesus called the apostles and said, “You know that the acknowledged rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people. But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a slave for everyone. It’s the same way with the Son of Man. He didn’t come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”
Lord teach us to never lord our authority over others, but always approach situations as a servant.  Give us your mindset as we walk through life.
Amen

Lost

John 21:15-19

The Message (MSG)

Do You Love Me?

¹⁵ After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
¹⁶ He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”
^17-19 Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.”


I have been chewing on this verse for the past few days.   I am reminded of the story of the shepard and the lost sheep.  He has 99 who are doing ok, and are safe.  There is 1 that is lost and tangled up in the thorn bushes.  Does the shepard leave the 1 on it's own to find it's way home....NO  he leaves the 99 and sherches desperatly for that 1 that is lost.  

many times there are people in our lives that are that 1 lost sheep.  Everyone has at least 1 person that fits this picture.  How many times do we leave the saftey of the 99 and go after the 1?  Lord i pray that i am never too comfortable in the saftey of the 99 to go look for the 1.  I pray that you clense and protect me as I live my life openly for you. That I will never be ashamed to proclaim you name to the lost sheep of the world.  Lord you are my cornerstone, my rock and foundation.

amen

hillsong - cornerstone

parenting

Some people don't quite understand how important it is for parents to be there for their children.  It breaks my heart knowing that there are children that will grow up seeing their parents fight, seeing their parents angry and in-different  towards their children.  watch the youtube link at the end of this blog, it will explain exactly why it is so important that us as fathers be there no matter what for our children.



 John 21:15-19
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?[a]”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others[b] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”


The question we all must ask ourselves is are we feeding our sheep (children) gods word and ways ( in our ways and actions ), or are we letting them eat the thorns the world has to offer?





i am second - annie lobert