Transformational Tip
When I look back at my childhood, I realize a big disconnect that dramatically affected me through my teen and early adult years…and I still battle it’s ripples even now. The disconnect…what my parents really wanted from me as a kid was quite different from what I thought they wanted from me. Lots of reasons for this, but I wish I would have known then what I know now about my parent’s heart. Similarly, a lot of my spiritual (then leading to psychological and relational) problems have to do with another disconnect…between what God really wants from me and what I thought God wanted. God doesn’t need our plans and ideas. He needs our attention. He doesn’t need our time; He wants our adoration. He does not want us to spend hours thinking up things for Him to do and bless; He wants us to spread His Word and further His Kingdom here on earth. I am so grateful that we serve a God that is not dependent on our strength, our time, and our money. What a mess that would be. I believe that He wants us in a place where we know that it is Him leading. He is our shield and a shield works best in front, not behind us. Our question must be, “What is it you want me to do Lord?” Most of us don’t even know our own hearts. Our ways are not His ways.
Today, take a piece of paper and draw 2 lines down the page dividing it into 3 equal parts. First, without thinking, write down the first things that come to mind about what God desires you. Then, in the middle section, write what the Bible says God wants of, from, and for you. Lastly, in the section on the right, write down what others would write about you based on what they observe from your daily behavior and if they could see into your thoughts(who you really are). Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on what God wants from us.
Prayer
O God, thank You so much for loving me how I am. I want to know Your desires and plan for me, and at times I have glimpses of it and actually live it…but then the world clutter and my old tapes start playing and I lose sight of Your real desires for me. Thanks for persevering with Your plan for me even though I take the long way to Your goal. Thank You for the trials that can cause me to trust You. Help me give praise to You during the really tough storms in life. I know You are working all things out for your Glory. In Jesus’ name; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose
Romans 8:28
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.
Zechariah 13:9
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Stepping Stones: Nothing is Impossible
Transformational Tip
I always was amazed how women bonded to kids so quickly, even before they were born. My wife was also very attached and the bond grew during infancy. For me, bonding really started when my kids were able to move around, flip over, and crawl. One day, my daughter was scooting along, and she easily got up on the hearth of the fireplace…it was only 1-2 inches high. Just the thickness of thick slate. After exploring a bit, she decided to come down, but couldn’t. she was afraid. She kept on putting her hand out over the ledge, trying to feel the drop off, but wouldn’t put her hand all the way to the floor. I was coaxing her…c’mon, it’s so easy, just one inch. But fear had taken over and no way she could see the facts accurately. FEAR…False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear greatly limits what we believe God can and will do for us. Fear lowers our expectation of God…and of ourselves. We start to believe what the world teaches, or our immature flesh wants to believe for short-term relief. This is why we need to be rooted in the truth, so fear can’t distort our lenses.
Today, when fear and anxiety wedge their way into your thoughts, remember that God is your Shepherd. Through your faith you know He will care for you….so you need not be afraid of anything. Release control of your life to His will. Know and believe that the safest place I can be is within His will. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on how you come to believe nothing is impossible.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to you with all my weaknesses; physical, emotional and spiritual. Help me to accept Your invitation to be comforted in Your presence… and to remember that nothing is impossible for You. I pray that I might take my mind off my problems so that I can focus my attention on You. I know that You can do far beyond what I ask, far beyond what I can imagine. Praise to You Lord, Thank You Lord. Help me move away from simply asking You to do this and that…rather help me attune myself to what you are already doing in my life. I pray in the name of my savior, Jesus; and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
For with God, nothing will be impossible.
Luke 1:37
Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17
I always was amazed how women bonded to kids so quickly, even before they were born. My wife was also very attached and the bond grew during infancy. For me, bonding really started when my kids were able to move around, flip over, and crawl. One day, my daughter was scooting along, and she easily got up on the hearth of the fireplace…it was only 1-2 inches high. Just the thickness of thick slate. After exploring a bit, she decided to come down, but couldn’t. she was afraid. She kept on putting her hand out over the ledge, trying to feel the drop off, but wouldn’t put her hand all the way to the floor. I was coaxing her…c’mon, it’s so easy, just one inch. But fear had taken over and no way she could see the facts accurately. FEAR…False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear greatly limits what we believe God can and will do for us. Fear lowers our expectation of God…and of ourselves. We start to believe what the world teaches, or our immature flesh wants to believe for short-term relief. This is why we need to be rooted in the truth, so fear can’t distort our lenses.
Today, when fear and anxiety wedge their way into your thoughts, remember that God is your Shepherd. Through your faith you know He will care for you….so you need not be afraid of anything. Release control of your life to His will. Know and believe that the safest place I can be is within His will. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on how you come to believe nothing is impossible.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to you with all my weaknesses; physical, emotional and spiritual. Help me to accept Your invitation to be comforted in Your presence… and to remember that nothing is impossible for You. I pray that I might take my mind off my problems so that I can focus my attention on You. I know that You can do far beyond what I ask, far beyond what I can imagine. Praise to You Lord, Thank You Lord. Help me move away from simply asking You to do this and that…rather help me attune myself to what you are already doing in my life. I pray in the name of my savior, Jesus; and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
For with God, nothing will be impossible.
Luke 1:37
Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Stepping Stones: New Life...A Brain Transplant
Transformational Tip
I talked with three strangers today…all separate, distinct encounters. But there was a common thread of similarity that ran through all three conversations… sadly, they all appear to be living the “old” life. I did not have a talk with them about their relationship with God or their spirituality…but the unhappiness and hopelessness came through so strongly. Isn’t this something we all either struggle with or have a tendency to gravitate to unless we are diligent with our thoughts and focus. I know that when I became a Christian, I didn’t get a brain transplant. Old wiring, connections, thought patterns, Satan’s strongholds, memories, and experiences were still in there, affecting my view of everything. If you too are living the old life, remember, God offers you new life—the life of Christ. The Resurrection affirms the promise Christ made. For it was HIS life he offered to give us new life. We are free to be whom He meant us to be when He created us.
Today, when you are stressed or feel down about yourself or circumstances, stop and ask yourself, “am I looking at this through lenses of the old life or lenses of the new life?” Adjusting your perspective will work on that brain transplant…a renewing of the mind…we all need to develop the mind of Christ. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on whether you need a brain transplant or have already started the transplant process.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank you for the offer and the guarantee of new life. I know what it’s like living with a heart of stone…going through the motions…living in a state of fear and worry. Thank you for turning my heart of stone into a heart that’s alive and can have hope. Thanks for Your work in my life to purge the old self, old man, old ways and renew my mind. Even though I give up, thanks for not giving up on Your goal to finish the work You started. I pray in the name of the reason for my new life, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:11
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
I talked with three strangers today…all separate, distinct encounters. But there was a common thread of similarity that ran through all three conversations… sadly, they all appear to be living the “old” life. I did not have a talk with them about their relationship with God or their spirituality…but the unhappiness and hopelessness came through so strongly. Isn’t this something we all either struggle with or have a tendency to gravitate to unless we are diligent with our thoughts and focus. I know that when I became a Christian, I didn’t get a brain transplant. Old wiring, connections, thought patterns, Satan’s strongholds, memories, and experiences were still in there, affecting my view of everything. If you too are living the old life, remember, God offers you new life—the life of Christ. The Resurrection affirms the promise Christ made. For it was HIS life he offered to give us new life. We are free to be whom He meant us to be when He created us.
Today, when you are stressed or feel down about yourself or circumstances, stop and ask yourself, “am I looking at this through lenses of the old life or lenses of the new life?” Adjusting your perspective will work on that brain transplant…a renewing of the mind…we all need to develop the mind of Christ. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on whether you need a brain transplant or have already started the transplant process.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank you for the offer and the guarantee of new life. I know what it’s like living with a heart of stone…going through the motions…living in a state of fear and worry. Thank you for turning my heart of stone into a heart that’s alive and can have hope. Thanks for Your work in my life to purge the old self, old man, old ways and renew my mind. Even though I give up, thanks for not giving up on Your goal to finish the work You started. I pray in the name of the reason for my new life, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:11
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Monday, November 9, 2009
Stepping Stones: Tiger or Man
Transformational Tip
Got a test for you. What is stronger, a tiger or a man? You know, physically stronger. Correct, a tiger. Who is locked in a cage, a tiger of a man? Tiger, correct again. Well if a tiger is stronger, why is the tiger the one locked up in a cage? Here is a hint…what does the man have that the tiger doesn’t. Gun, trap, tranquilizers, strategy. It all comes from brains. If man uses his intelligence, he can control the tiger. If he doesn’t use his intelligence, the tiger will devour him. The tiger represents our emotions. If you don’t use your intelligence…think…your emotions kill you. Whether it is getting you in trouble with poor judgment, raising your blood pressure and many other physical effects, or interfering with your awareness of God in your situation and applying His instruction, your emotions will harm you. We don’t want to annihilate our emotions, just like the tiger for entertainment, education, edification, we want to keep our emotions around because they do have a significant purpose. Our emotions are a tremendous gift from God, even our “negative” feelings, but that is another devotional.
Today, when you are experiencing some negative feelings, stop and think. Thinking before reacting is always helpful. Ask yourself, “are my feelings controlling my thinking, or is my intelligence controlling my feelings?” Take a deep breath and think about the real problem and a solution. When you are able to think through your emotional states, your level of success during adversity will be dramatically improved. Click here to get a resource to help you understand how to manage your feelings better. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on how you who’s stronger, your tiger or man.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks so much for giving me intelligence and my emotions. I confess that I don’t think sometimes and I let my feelings devour my brains, and wow, the damage to others, you, and me is so embarrassing to face sometimes. Help me control my feelings better, and improve my “taking every thought captive.” I pray in the name the perfect role model, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29,30
Got a test for you. What is stronger, a tiger or a man? You know, physically stronger. Correct, a tiger. Who is locked in a cage, a tiger of a man? Tiger, correct again. Well if a tiger is stronger, why is the tiger the one locked up in a cage? Here is a hint…what does the man have that the tiger doesn’t. Gun, trap, tranquilizers, strategy. It all comes from brains. If man uses his intelligence, he can control the tiger. If he doesn’t use his intelligence, the tiger will devour him. The tiger represents our emotions. If you don’t use your intelligence…think…your emotions kill you. Whether it is getting you in trouble with poor judgment, raising your blood pressure and many other physical effects, or interfering with your awareness of God in your situation and applying His instruction, your emotions will harm you. We don’t want to annihilate our emotions, just like the tiger for entertainment, education, edification, we want to keep our emotions around because they do have a significant purpose. Our emotions are a tremendous gift from God, even our “negative” feelings, but that is another devotional.
Today, when you are experiencing some negative feelings, stop and think. Thinking before reacting is always helpful. Ask yourself, “are my feelings controlling my thinking, or is my intelligence controlling my feelings?” Take a deep breath and think about the real problem and a solution. When you are able to think through your emotional states, your level of success during adversity will be dramatically improved. Click here to get a resource to help you understand how to manage your feelings better. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on how you who’s stronger, your tiger or man.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks so much for giving me intelligence and my emotions. I confess that I don’t think sometimes and I let my feelings devour my brains, and wow, the damage to others, you, and me is so embarrassing to face sometimes. Help me control my feelings better, and improve my “taking every thought captive.” I pray in the name the perfect role model, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29,30
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Glimpse of Heaven
Transformational Tip
Each year in the small town I grew up, the local park district ran a kite-flying contest. It was one of the main summer events for children...an all day affair. It was always my dream as a boy to win that contest, but I never seemed to have the money for a kite. One year my mother decided "we" were going to win that contest. She built a kite with old wood, string, and paper from a couple of brown paper sacks. It was an ugly kite...until she finished her artwork. On the front she drew a vision of heaven; she used a picture out of our big Bible as a guide. She used gold and silver crayon...it was a masterpiece. She told me that God inspired the artist so that we could have a glimpse into heaven. Well, that day, God inspired my mother...we all got a glimpse into heaven through her drawing. At the contest the kite couldn't fly...just too heavy. But we one first prize! Living in collaboration with God, through Jesus, can give us a glimpse of heaven. Jesus' miracles, attitude, and actions are a sneak preview of Heaven.
Today, when you see something wonderful, realize heaven is that close and celebrate. When you see something wrong, imagine what Heaven's version would be, and through you, draw God into that situation, altering the situation to be more like Heaven. Don't doubt...laugh...or walk away in resignation. The Holy Spirit is powerfully in you. Begin to do this you-and-Him adventure that will continue throughout eternity in Heaven. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on previewing Heaven on Earth.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You Father for always being before me, leading me one stepping stone at a time. I thank You Father for Your reassurance that nothing in this creation can separate me from Your loving existence. I want to live my life focused on You in the here and now. I do believe that You are always before me...leading and encouraging me. However I struggle, Father, with living out that reality moment by moment. During those times when I am able to stay focused on You, my work becomes infused with Your presence and work becomes like play. I pray in the name of He who was Heaven on Earth, Christ Jesus; and all God's children said, - AMEN!
The Truth
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Each year in the small town I grew up, the local park district ran a kite-flying contest. It was one of the main summer events for children...an all day affair. It was always my dream as a boy to win that contest, but I never seemed to have the money for a kite. One year my mother decided "we" were going to win that contest. She built a kite with old wood, string, and paper from a couple of brown paper sacks. It was an ugly kite...until she finished her artwork. On the front she drew a vision of heaven; she used a picture out of our big Bible as a guide. She used gold and silver crayon...it was a masterpiece. She told me that God inspired the artist so that we could have a glimpse into heaven. Well, that day, God inspired my mother...we all got a glimpse into heaven through her drawing. At the contest the kite couldn't fly...just too heavy. But we one first prize! Living in collaboration with God, through Jesus, can give us a glimpse of heaven. Jesus' miracles, attitude, and actions are a sneak preview of Heaven.
Today, when you see something wonderful, realize heaven is that close and celebrate. When you see something wrong, imagine what Heaven's version would be, and through you, draw God into that situation, altering the situation to be more like Heaven. Don't doubt...laugh...or walk away in resignation. The Holy Spirit is powerfully in you. Begin to do this you-and-Him adventure that will continue throughout eternity in Heaven. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on previewing Heaven on Earth.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You Father for always being before me, leading me one stepping stone at a time. I thank You Father for Your reassurance that nothing in this creation can separate me from Your loving existence. I want to live my life focused on You in the here and now. I do believe that You are always before me...leading and encouraging me. However I struggle, Father, with living out that reality moment by moment. During those times when I am able to stay focused on You, my work becomes infused with Your presence and work becomes like play. I pray in the name of He who was Heaven on Earth, Christ Jesus; and all God's children said, - AMEN!
The Truth
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Stepping Stones: How Long, Lord?
Transformational Tip
God tells us throughout scripture that he is there...that he will rescue us. Yet there is something about God’s rescues that make them a little less timely than dialing 911. He leaves Abraham with his knife raised and ready to plunge into Isaac’s heart, and Isaac waiting for the knife to descend; he leaves Joseph languishing for years in an Egyptian prison; he allows the Israelites to suffer four hundred years of bondage under the Egyptians. He abandons Jesus to the cross and does not rescue him at all. And then there are those of us who are groaning under the weight of things gone wrong, waiting for that same Jesus to return and sweep us up with him in power and glory. “How long, Lord?” we whisper in our weariness and pain. Satan wants us to think God will never come, or if He comes to our rescue, it will be too late. God is the perfect coach, teacher, and parent…He knows exactly how long we need to struggle in a drill, project, or adversity for us to develop more maturity, resiliency…the mind of Christ.
Today, when God calls you to battles where the deck appears stacked in favor of those who are His enemies and ours, go fight that battle. Don’t cave in and engage in dysfunctional behavior, do what is right, what is God honoring. This will empower you spiritually, psychologically, and actually strengthen your brain chemistry. Forget about how long the rescue will take…rest in God’s perfect timing. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on impatience…God’s timing vs. your wants.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are awesome and so powerful over everything, including time. I confess, time still matters to me…too much.. I come to you tired and full of pain. I pray and I wait for you to rescue me. I confess Father that I grow impatient. Help me Father to know and remember that you are in control…that it is your timing I must adhere to and accept. How long must I wait Lord? Help me humble myself to Your timeline, Your will, Your plan for me. Help me know Your love for me…that You do care about what happens to me. I pray in the name of He who was my timeless Savior, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 1:6-8
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:12-14
God tells us throughout scripture that he is there...that he will rescue us. Yet there is something about God’s rescues that make them a little less timely than dialing 911. He leaves Abraham with his knife raised and ready to plunge into Isaac’s heart, and Isaac waiting for the knife to descend; he leaves Joseph languishing for years in an Egyptian prison; he allows the Israelites to suffer four hundred years of bondage under the Egyptians. He abandons Jesus to the cross and does not rescue him at all. And then there are those of us who are groaning under the weight of things gone wrong, waiting for that same Jesus to return and sweep us up with him in power and glory. “How long, Lord?” we whisper in our weariness and pain. Satan wants us to think God will never come, or if He comes to our rescue, it will be too late. God is the perfect coach, teacher, and parent…He knows exactly how long we need to struggle in a drill, project, or adversity for us to develop more maturity, resiliency…the mind of Christ.
Today, when God calls you to battles where the deck appears stacked in favor of those who are His enemies and ours, go fight that battle. Don’t cave in and engage in dysfunctional behavior, do what is right, what is God honoring. This will empower you spiritually, psychologically, and actually strengthen your brain chemistry. Forget about how long the rescue will take…rest in God’s perfect timing. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on impatience…God’s timing vs. your wants.
Prayer
Dear Father God, You are awesome and so powerful over everything, including time. I confess, time still matters to me…too much.. I come to you tired and full of pain. I pray and I wait for you to rescue me. I confess Father that I grow impatient. Help me Father to know and remember that you are in control…that it is your timing I must adhere to and accept. How long must I wait Lord? Help me humble myself to Your timeline, Your will, Your plan for me. Help me know Your love for me…that You do care about what happens to me. I pray in the name of He who was my timeless Savior, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 1:6-8
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:12-14
Friday, November 6, 2009
Stepping Stones: Don't Agree With Him
Transformational Tip
The evil one is lying to us, seeking our agreement…every single day. He doesn’t just plant the thought in our head and hearts; he keeps hammering away until we agree with him. Jesus called Satan the “Father of Lies”. One of his all time favorite lie is - You do not really love Jesus…that you are only pretending…that you are only deceiving yourself. You really wouldn’t be thinking these thoughts…doing these things, if you really loved Jesus with all your heart. This ranks right up there as some of the worse news he could deliver to you? He’s hoping we’ll buy into whatever he’s saying, offering, insinuating. Our first parents bought into it, and look what disaster came of it. Stand firm on the truth. Do not agree with him!
Today, try and hang onto this fact; Your heart matters to God. Try to hold this up for even a day. My heart matters to God. You will be amazed at how much accusation you live under. I’m such a lousy parent, I’m such a bad spouse, I’m such a weak Christian, I have no will power. And slowly another agreement is made. Satan will take any small victory he can get. It moves from you did a bad thing to you are bad. After a while it just becomes a cloud we live under, accept as normal. Do not agree with him. There is a reason why Jesus said, “the truth will set you free.” Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the accusation and lies you live under.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You Father for Your Holy Word that warns us about Satan’s lies. I am so tired of living under this cloud of accusation and lies. I pray Lord that You will help me remember today and everyday that You made me in Your image…and that my heart matters to you. Help me, Father, to avoid agreeing with the enemy. I pray in the name of the truth, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32
(Jesus speaking about satan)“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
John 8:44
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Genesis 3:15
The evil one is lying to us, seeking our agreement…every single day. He doesn’t just plant the thought in our head and hearts; he keeps hammering away until we agree with him. Jesus called Satan the “Father of Lies”. One of his all time favorite lie is - You do not really love Jesus…that you are only pretending…that you are only deceiving yourself. You really wouldn’t be thinking these thoughts…doing these things, if you really loved Jesus with all your heart. This ranks right up there as some of the worse news he could deliver to you? He’s hoping we’ll buy into whatever he’s saying, offering, insinuating. Our first parents bought into it, and look what disaster came of it. Stand firm on the truth. Do not agree with him!
Today, try and hang onto this fact; Your heart matters to God. Try to hold this up for even a day. My heart matters to God. You will be amazed at how much accusation you live under. I’m such a lousy parent, I’m such a bad spouse, I’m such a weak Christian, I have no will power. And slowly another agreement is made. Satan will take any small victory he can get. It moves from you did a bad thing to you are bad. After a while it just becomes a cloud we live under, accept as normal. Do not agree with him. There is a reason why Jesus said, “the truth will set you free.” Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the accusation and lies you live under.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You Father for Your Holy Word that warns us about Satan’s lies. I am so tired of living under this cloud of accusation and lies. I pray Lord that You will help me remember today and everyday that You made me in Your image…and that my heart matters to you. Help me, Father, to avoid agreeing with the enemy. I pray in the name of the truth, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32
(Jesus speaking about satan)“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
John 8:44
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Genesis 3:15
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Stepping Stones: Don't Become Firewood
Transformational Tip
In my younger days, I enjoyed cutting and splitting my own firewood. I would cut, split, and stack all summer, then enjoy the warmth of the fireplace during the winter. If you’ve ever split wood, you know how important and effective the “wedge” is. The wedge is a heavy chunk of metal with a sharp edge on one end and a flat surface on the other end. Green wood is very difficult to split…to separate the wood into logs. The wedge is slowly pounded into the logs with a sledgehammer, and as it goes in, it pushes the wood apart, tearing the fibers…weakening it to the point of failure. The harder the wood the more times you have to hit the wedge.
This is the enemy’s single-minded focus…to separate us from our Father. His swings of the hammer are like the neglect we feel as he uses a wedge of deceit like: “See, no one cares. You’re on your own.” He uses a sudden loss of innocence to tell us, “See, this is a dangerous world, and you are alone. You’ve been abandoned.” He uses assaults and abuses to scream at you, “See, this is all you are good for.” And by his constant striking of the wedge…he weakens us and separates us from our Father. The details are different and unique to each of us, but the effect is always the same…an injury to the soul, and with it separation from our Father. It’s dramatic but true…the enemy wants to split us from God and put us in the fire!
But God is not willing to simply let that be the end of the story…here’s the good news. Remember what Jesus taught us about the Father’s heart in the parable of the lost son. Filled with compassion, our Father God, will come like a loving Father, take the wedge out and take us close to his heart. He will also take us back to heal the injuries, finish things that didn’t get finished. He will come for you, no matter how old you might now be, how far away from Him you feel…and He makes you his dearly loved daughter or son.
Today, identify one lie, the wedge, that Satan uses to separate you from God’s love and life for you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on how the enemy uses wedges to separate you from your Father.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being. But this trust does not come easily for me Father. I know, Father, that if I learn to trust You…really trust You…nothing can separate me from Your peace. I will endure the pounding of the wedge and will use each strike to train me in trusting You. I will ruin the enemy’s plan by growing in grace through the very adversity he uses to try and harm me. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
Luke 15:20
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
In my younger days, I enjoyed cutting and splitting my own firewood. I would cut, split, and stack all summer, then enjoy the warmth of the fireplace during the winter. If you’ve ever split wood, you know how important and effective the “wedge” is. The wedge is a heavy chunk of metal with a sharp edge on one end and a flat surface on the other end. Green wood is very difficult to split…to separate the wood into logs. The wedge is slowly pounded into the logs with a sledgehammer, and as it goes in, it pushes the wood apart, tearing the fibers…weakening it to the point of failure. The harder the wood the more times you have to hit the wedge.
This is the enemy’s single-minded focus…to separate us from our Father. His swings of the hammer are like the neglect we feel as he uses a wedge of deceit like: “See, no one cares. You’re on your own.” He uses a sudden loss of innocence to tell us, “See, this is a dangerous world, and you are alone. You’ve been abandoned.” He uses assaults and abuses to scream at you, “See, this is all you are good for.” And by his constant striking of the wedge…he weakens us and separates us from our Father. The details are different and unique to each of us, but the effect is always the same…an injury to the soul, and with it separation from our Father. It’s dramatic but true…the enemy wants to split us from God and put us in the fire!
But God is not willing to simply let that be the end of the story…here’s the good news. Remember what Jesus taught us about the Father’s heart in the parable of the lost son. Filled with compassion, our Father God, will come like a loving Father, take the wedge out and take us close to his heart. He will also take us back to heal the injuries, finish things that didn’t get finished. He will come for you, no matter how old you might now be, how far away from Him you feel…and He makes you his dearly loved daughter or son.
Today, identify one lie, the wedge, that Satan uses to separate you from God’s love and life for you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on how the enemy uses wedges to separate you from your Father.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
My deepest desire is to trust You with my whole being. But this trust does not come easily for me Father. I know, Father, that if I learn to trust You…really trust You…nothing can separate me from Your peace. I will endure the pounding of the wedge and will use each strike to train me in trusting You. I will ruin the enemy’s plan by growing in grace through the very adversity he uses to try and harm me. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
Luke 15:20
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Stepping Stones: The Ultimate Coach
Transformational Tip
Watching the Pittsburgh Steeler defense dominate…a 15 yo gymnast just nail her floor routine…a closer shutting the 9th inning door…the US Olympic men’s basketball team winning gold in the last Olympics. Sports present us such great pictures and explanations of how the relationship between God and us works. To maximize performance, the athlete really has to trust the coach in all areas of instruction and strategy. Truly believe their coach wants the best for them, knows the best way to accomplish that, and knows how to get it out of the athlete. Our relationship with God is the same way. We talked about how powerful that child-like for-all-the-marbles trust in God can be, what it can propel us to do, and how much peace and comfort it will bring. I’ve seen it so many times; God doing His greatest work through people with grateful, trusting hearts. The absence of trust is doubt and fear…both coming from an absence of faith. Just think for a moment what it means to have God as your strength. He is the greatest coach and has the best training program to maximize your life, for your enjoyment.
Today, instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Him…this is a shift that will revolutionize your life. Identify one thing you would need to believe differently about God in order to trust Him 100% today…then just trust His promises and see how it goes. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on why you can trust God and others or struggle trusting God and others.
Watching the Pittsburgh Steeler defense dominate…a 15 yo gymnast just nail her floor routine…a closer shutting the 9th inning door…the US Olympic men’s basketball team winning gold in the last Olympics. Sports present us such great pictures and explanations of how the relationship between God and us works. To maximize performance, the athlete really has to trust the coach in all areas of instruction and strategy. Truly believe their coach wants the best for them, knows the best way to accomplish that, and knows how to get it out of the athlete. Our relationship with God is the same way. We talked about how powerful that child-like for-all-the-marbles trust in God can be, what it can propel us to do, and how much peace and comfort it will bring. I’ve seen it so many times; God doing His greatest work through people with grateful, trusting hearts. The absence of trust is doubt and fear…both coming from an absence of faith. Just think for a moment what it means to have God as your strength. He is the greatest coach and has the best training program to maximize your life, for your enjoyment.
Today, instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Him…this is a shift that will revolutionize your life. Identify one thing you would need to believe differently about God in order to trust Him 100% today…then just trust His promises and see how it goes. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on why you can trust God and others or struggle trusting God and others.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I know that when I relate to You with confident trust there is no limit to how much You can strengthen me. Help build my trust in You Lord, for I know that trust is the channel in which Your peace flows into me. I believe, Father God, that Your power is absolutely unlimited. You are so strong and I am so weak. I consecrate my human weakness to You Lord, drawing Your power to my weakness. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
Dear Father God, I know that when I relate to You with confident trust there is no limit to how much You can strengthen me. Help build my trust in You Lord, for I know that trust is the channel in which Your peace flows into me. I believe, Father God, that Your power is absolutely unlimited. You are so strong and I am so weak. I consecrate my human weakness to You Lord, drawing Your power to my weakness. I pray in the name of the reason for my trust, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:10
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:2-3
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:10
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:2-3
Stepping Stones: Wait Till Your Father Comes Home
Transformational Tip
As a kid, when I heard my father’s voice, 2 reactions were usual. Having done something good, I was excited to hear his comments or what my “reward” would be. If I had done something wrong, I was nervous or afraid to hear his voice… especially if I got the “wait till your father gets home” warning by mom. You see, we are quick “learners” of human behavior and we are always trying to apply those lessons to future similar situations to ease or avoid pain and suffering. So, many are afraid to hear the voice of God…we expect the worst. Because of our sinful past we believe all we’ll get is judgment, then scolding and punishment…or instructions to “do more.” If you really listen, what you will hear are soothing words of peace, words assuring you of His love, and giving His yoke to you to ease your burden. The Holy Spirit convicts cleanly, without words of shame. Do not be afraid to listen for and hear His holy voice. Don’t superimpose misinformation from your earthy father onto God…this pushes you from true comfort and peace.
Today, identify the distortion you are carrying from the past that sound like the voices of ridicule, shame, or condemnation, for they are not from God. Listen for the voice of God that comes in love-tones. Let the Holy Spirit take control of your mind and your ears – combing out the tangles of deception. Be transformed by knowing the truth…that He loves you and lives within you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community what allows or blocks you from hearing God’s soothing words when we do wrong.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray that You inhabit all my moments…gracing my thoughts, words and behaviors. I pray Father that I do hear You speak to me from the depths of my very being. I sit hear quietly Lord in the light of your presence. Let me hear Your voice through others as I go throughout my day. Help others hear You through me today. I pray Lord that You let Your light shine so brightly through me. I fear that I dim Your light through my worries and fears. I pray in the name of my ultimate yoke-bearer, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15
As a kid, when I heard my father’s voice, 2 reactions were usual. Having done something good, I was excited to hear his comments or what my “reward” would be. If I had done something wrong, I was nervous or afraid to hear his voice… especially if I got the “wait till your father gets home” warning by mom. You see, we are quick “learners” of human behavior and we are always trying to apply those lessons to future similar situations to ease or avoid pain and suffering. So, many are afraid to hear the voice of God…we expect the worst. Because of our sinful past we believe all we’ll get is judgment, then scolding and punishment…or instructions to “do more.” If you really listen, what you will hear are soothing words of peace, words assuring you of His love, and giving His yoke to you to ease your burden. The Holy Spirit convicts cleanly, without words of shame. Do not be afraid to listen for and hear His holy voice. Don’t superimpose misinformation from your earthy father onto God…this pushes you from true comfort and peace.
Today, identify the distortion you are carrying from the past that sound like the voices of ridicule, shame, or condemnation, for they are not from God. Listen for the voice of God that comes in love-tones. Let the Holy Spirit take control of your mind and your ears – combing out the tangles of deception. Be transformed by knowing the truth…that He loves you and lives within you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community what allows or blocks you from hearing God’s soothing words when we do wrong.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray that You inhabit all my moments…gracing my thoughts, words and behaviors. I pray Father that I do hear You speak to me from the depths of my very being. I sit hear quietly Lord in the light of your presence. Let me hear Your voice through others as I go throughout my day. Help others hear You through me today. I pray Lord that You let Your light shine so brightly through me. I fear that I dim Your light through my worries and fears. I pray in the name of my ultimate yoke-bearer, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15
Monday, November 2, 2009
Stepping Stones: Is Trust Natural?
Transformational Tip
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air…oh, how they loved it. I loved the trust they unquestioningly had in me. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, thinking we can make all their boo-boos go away. God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him. Then Satan gets in there, and twists both the natural inadequacies that we have as parents as well as the times we really do let our kids down (whether intentionally or unintentionally), so that trusting others is now very hard to do…especially for those who have been deeply wounded. Mistrust creates loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands you and your path. You feel no one else is on your team and self-reliance is the pursuit. The opposite of what God wants in His relationship with you. The Holy Spirit within you can be your resident tutor, helping you untwist those past hurts so you can start to trust again..100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, especially to trust all God’s promises and instructions.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life and Him being there for you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on why you can trust God and others or struggle with trusting God and others.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because you know me far better than I know myself. I know Father that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts more, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
When my girls were really small, I used to throw them way up in the air…oh, how they loved it. I loved the trust they unquestioningly had in me. Our kids show us their unconditional trust, and at times gullibility, in many ways…running to our room when they have a nightmare, believing when we tell them about Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, thinking we can make all their boo-boos go away. God created us to trust easily, so we would trust Him. Then Satan gets in there, and twists both the natural inadequacies that we have as parents as well as the times we really do let our kids down (whether intentionally or unintentionally), so that trusting others is now very hard to do…especially for those who have been deeply wounded. Mistrust creates loneliness, isolation, and a feeling that no one truly understands you and your path. You feel no one else is on your team and self-reliance is the pursuit. The opposite of what God wants in His relationship with you. The Holy Spirit within you can be your resident tutor, helping you untwist those past hurts so you can start to trust again..100% unconditional trust and wide-eyed belief, just like a small child, especially to trust all God’s promises and instructions.
Today, when no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Your Lord and God. Rejoice in Him, the One who understands you and loves you perfectly. Trust His promises and instruction for living life and Him being there for you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on why you can trust God and others or struggle with trusting God and others.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I come to You for understanding because you know me far better than I know myself. I know Father that You comprehend me in all my complexity…no detail of my life is hidden from You. Help me understand my hurts more, forgive those who hurt me, and learn to trust You and Your promises. Give me the trust of a child when it comes to all that has to do with You. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Psalm 131:1,2
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Stepping Stones: A Future Secured
Transformational Tip
Today I am out of town attending a nephew’s wedding. I decided to visit a mall across town with 4 of my siblings. I’m driving and brother Mark is in the front seat navigating, with three sisters in the back seat. I’ve driven with Mark in many cities across the US…I have complete confidence in him as a navigator. Mark has a sense of direction and navigation like a homing pigeon. If Mark is navigating…we will get there. Well, we hit detour after detour, but Mark keeps adjusting his inner since of direction. At one point it felt like we were totally lost, and just then, the mall appeared right in front of us. The entire time driving, I was completely relaxed…never challenging his directions. I knew he had us on the right course.
How you would live if you believed, really believed, that your future is perfectly planned out and your final destination secured? Think of the freedom this belief would provide. Think about how you would live and feel if you truly believed that no power, no detour, could take away the promise of your inheritance in heaven. How would you travel through life if you knew you had the ultimate navigator and navigation system? You do in God and the Bible.
Today, instead of approaching the day like an empty container that you must fill up; try living in a responsive mode…being on the lookout for what your Lord would like to put into your container…or what direction he is instructing you to go. This is easier said than done – a deep level of trust is required. A trust that is based on knowledge that His way is the perfect way. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on how you would (or are) living with a future secured.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I commit myself to You father, I am Yours for all time, beyond time…into eternity. I know now that no power can deny me my inheritance into heaven. I know You want me to feel secure. I know Father that even when I falter as I journey through life that You will never let go of my hand. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Today I am out of town attending a nephew’s wedding. I decided to visit a mall across town with 4 of my siblings. I’m driving and brother Mark is in the front seat navigating, with three sisters in the back seat. I’ve driven with Mark in many cities across the US…I have complete confidence in him as a navigator. Mark has a sense of direction and navigation like a homing pigeon. If Mark is navigating…we will get there. Well, we hit detour after detour, but Mark keeps adjusting his inner since of direction. At one point it felt like we were totally lost, and just then, the mall appeared right in front of us. The entire time driving, I was completely relaxed…never challenging his directions. I knew he had us on the right course.
How you would live if you believed, really believed, that your future is perfectly planned out and your final destination secured? Think of the freedom this belief would provide. Think about how you would live and feel if you truly believed that no power, no detour, could take away the promise of your inheritance in heaven. How would you travel through life if you knew you had the ultimate navigator and navigation system? You do in God and the Bible.
Today, instead of approaching the day like an empty container that you must fill up; try living in a responsive mode…being on the lookout for what your Lord would like to put into your container…or what direction he is instructing you to go. This is easier said than done – a deep level of trust is required. A trust that is based on knowledge that His way is the perfect way. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on how you would (or are) living with a future secured.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I commit myself to You father, I am Yours for all time, beyond time…into eternity. I know now that no power can deny me my inheritance into heaven. I know You want me to feel secure. I know Father that even when I falter as I journey through life that You will never let go of my hand. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Stepping Stones: Eternal Trick or Treat
Transformational Tip
I never really understood the whole trick or treat thing...who was giving who the option of trick or treat. As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reeses, Sweet-Tarts, money, or something big, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them. Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? I was the one saying “trick or treat”, so was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or treat from me? It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and hopefully I wouldn’t be doing tricks on them. Confusing! Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not, then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar, the jackpot of all jackpots I was hoping for. In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, not hiding, just baring our soul to Him. We don’t need to be nervous or frightened as we approach His door, in fact, He comes to our door. He isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear friend who loves us more than anything. Best of all, our heart isn’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat, we are getting the King of Kings sharing His royal inheritance, all He has is ours. The cost…no trick from us, in fact Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so I can enjoy all the treats His Father, my Father, can infinitely give above and beyond my hearts desires.
Today, as you think back on past Halloweens, or you take your kids around, or give out candy, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” the eternal way. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on real trick or treating.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend with you and you still shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life, everyday that I often overlook, take for granted, or get entitled about. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them, too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
I never really understood the whole trick or treat thing...who was giving who the option of trick or treat. As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reeses, Sweet-Tarts, money, or something big, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them. Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? I was the one saying “trick or treat”, so was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or treat from me? It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and hopefully I wouldn’t be doing tricks on them. Confusing! Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not, then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar, the jackpot of all jackpots I was hoping for. In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, not hiding, just baring our soul to Him. We don’t need to be nervous or frightened as we approach His door, in fact, He comes to our door. He isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear friend who loves us more than anything. Best of all, our heart isn’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat, we are getting the King of Kings sharing His royal inheritance, all He has is ours. The cost…no trick from us, in fact Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so I can enjoy all the treats His Father, my Father, can infinitely give above and beyond my hearts desires.
Today, as you think back on past Halloweens, or you take your kids around, or give out candy, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” the eternal way. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on real trick or treating.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend with you and you still shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life, everyday that I often overlook, take for granted, or get entitled about. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them, too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Friday, October 30, 2009
Stepping Stones: Reckless Words
Transformational Tip
Thank you…yes ma’am…you’re beautiful…I love you. Words can be so powerful; they can bless and empower. Get away…you’re fired…shut up…I hate you. Words can wound, devastate, and demoralize. Words are fine tools, helping awesome relationships and connections flourish. Words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our kingdom. The world has come to applaud quick-witted retorts. My need for control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or cover my vulnerability pushed my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack. I came to realize, when I used words to damage others…I damaged myself as well. Self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God…all injured. Again, we see this all too common phenomena, what we reflexively use as self-protective maneuvers are really self-destructive grenades. However, the Word of God gives us much different instructions about the use of words.
Today, let your speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit. Say split second prayers before you respond. Think before you speak, not as you speak. Use your words today to lift someone up, to heal instead of hurt. As your positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in joy and peace in your relationships will simply amaze you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the power of words…how words have hurt or healed you. Maybe forward this devotional to someone who has given you grace with his or her words.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank you for the awesome gift of speech. I also confess father that I have misused this gift…I confess Father that I have used my mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive me Father. I pray, Father, that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have the discipline to think before I speak. Help me pray before answering the phone and responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in me by the words I speak. I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
Thank you…yes ma’am…you’re beautiful…I love you. Words can be so powerful; they can bless and empower. Get away…you’re fired…shut up…I hate you. Words can wound, devastate, and demoralize. Words are fine tools, helping awesome relationships and connections flourish. Words can also be heat-seeking weapons, deftly defending our psyche and attacking those who threaten our kingdom. The world has come to applaud quick-witted retorts. My need for control, to be the expert, to show my competence, or cover my vulnerability pushed my mastery of the quick, sarcastic, sharp, verbal attack. I came to realize, when I used words to damage others…I damaged myself as well. Self-respect, self-esteem, honor, dignity, relationships, brain chemistry, connection to God…all injured. Again, we see this all too common phenomena, what we reflexively use as self-protective maneuvers are really self-destructive grenades. However, the Word of God gives us much different instructions about the use of words.
Today, let your speech come under the control of the Holy Spirit. Say split second prayers before you respond. Think before you speak, not as you speak. Use your words today to lift someone up, to heal instead of hurt. As your positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in joy and peace in your relationships will simply amaze you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the power of words…how words have hurt or healed you. Maybe forward this devotional to someone who has given you grace with his or her words.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank you for the awesome gift of speech. I also confess father that I have misused this gift…I confess Father that I have used my mouth and mind to hurt others. Forgive me Father. I pray, Father, that You fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may have the discipline to think before I speak. Help me pray before answering the phone and responding to others in conversation. Let others see You in me by the words I speak. I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Stepping Stones: God's Beauty Deposit
Transformational Tip
Last evening I glanced out my window and noticed the most unusual color in the sky; color created by the setting sun. Then something brought me back to that window for a long gaze. Only God Himself could create such beauty. The realization struck me then and there that the displays of beauty must have been designed to declare their existence of His Holy Being. My granddaughter’s face, a flower, that glorious sunset, oceanic splendor, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii’s volcanoes, the Highlands of Scotland, the Kenyan Serengeti – all these things are meant to proclaim his Presence in the world. The amazing part…these are just beauty deposits of the real beauty promised in heaven. Amazing divine splendor, untainted by the decay and sin of this world. Heaven will be like an endless museum of masterpieces, all leading to the ultimate, God. Everything else will pale and will be insignificant after we see Him. Just like time seems to stand still when we gaze at the sunset, time will infinitely stand still in His divine, awe-inspiring, magnificent presence.
Today, do not rush past these proclamations, these beauty deposits, without enjoying them and giving thanks for them. Think about what they point to, our eternal place gazing at Him. Let this overshadow the darkness, ugliness, or problems you encounter today. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the beauty deposits you see around you.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I worship You in the beauty of Your Holiness. Thanks you for giving me glimpses of Your ultimate beauty. Help me Father to not rush by the beauty deposits that You have provided. Your beauty is a gift, thank You Father. Help me remember that it carries a responsibility…to declare Your glorious being to the world. I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
Last evening I glanced out my window and noticed the most unusual color in the sky; color created by the setting sun. Then something brought me back to that window for a long gaze. Only God Himself could create such beauty. The realization struck me then and there that the displays of beauty must have been designed to declare their existence of His Holy Being. My granddaughter’s face, a flower, that glorious sunset, oceanic splendor, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii’s volcanoes, the Highlands of Scotland, the Kenyan Serengeti – all these things are meant to proclaim his Presence in the world. The amazing part…these are just beauty deposits of the real beauty promised in heaven. Amazing divine splendor, untainted by the decay and sin of this world. Heaven will be like an endless museum of masterpieces, all leading to the ultimate, God. Everything else will pale and will be insignificant after we see Him. Just like time seems to stand still when we gaze at the sunset, time will infinitely stand still in His divine, awe-inspiring, magnificent presence.
Today, do not rush past these proclamations, these beauty deposits, without enjoying them and giving thanks for them. Think about what they point to, our eternal place gazing at Him. Let this overshadow the darkness, ugliness, or problems you encounter today. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the beauty deposits you see around you.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I worship You in the beauty of Your Holiness. Thanks you for giving me glimpses of Your ultimate beauty. Help me Father to not rush by the beauty deposits that You have provided. Your beauty is a gift, thank You Father. Help me remember that it carries a responsibility…to declare Your glorious being to the world. I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Isaiah 6:3
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Stepping Stones: Highlights Only?
Transformational Tip
We are a society that loves highlights. We get bored with the everyday, average situation. We want to see big drama, excitement, pressure, high stakes situations. ESPN and sports show the highlights of games. The news only shows the extreme and bizarre. TV is all about the abnormal, especially “reality” shows. Well, church can be that way as well. When I was a little kid in Sunday School, each week we would hear a new “highlight” from the past. Creation, Noah’s Ark, the Red Sea parting, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lions, Jonah and the whale, Christmas and Easter. I have to be careful as I read the Bible now, because there really is no filler. God inspired the whole Bible, not just the “highlights”…you don’t get the whole story from just the highlights. You miss a lot because the filler really ties all the highlights together for the story to make sense. All of it is there for a reason…so it is all highlights. Read each part knowing it’s telling you something about God and His character, about yourself and instructions for living, and pointing you toward Jesus and developing the mind of Christ.
Today, think about how you read the Bible. Do you just read the highlights…or do you spend time on the “filler”? Next time you read a passage, view all of it as important. You will be amazed at how powerful this incredible book, and especially the filler, really is. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on “lesser” Bible parts impacting your life.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You so much for Your sovereignty, knowing all I would go through and all I would need, and giving me Your Word to help me. Thanks for all Your word, every word. I confess, I skip the boring, or hard to read, or culturally different parts, thinking they are meant for someone else and not me. Give me a humble spirit, open to all Your teaching and revelation, and not be a “picker and chooser” based on my wants and understandings. I pray in the name of the most miraculous highlight, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
We are a society that loves highlights. We get bored with the everyday, average situation. We want to see big drama, excitement, pressure, high stakes situations. ESPN and sports show the highlights of games. The news only shows the extreme and bizarre. TV is all about the abnormal, especially “reality” shows. Well, church can be that way as well. When I was a little kid in Sunday School, each week we would hear a new “highlight” from the past. Creation, Noah’s Ark, the Red Sea parting, David and Goliath, Daniel and the lions, Jonah and the whale, Christmas and Easter. I have to be careful as I read the Bible now, because there really is no filler. God inspired the whole Bible, not just the “highlights”…you don’t get the whole story from just the highlights. You miss a lot because the filler really ties all the highlights together for the story to make sense. All of it is there for a reason…so it is all highlights. Read each part knowing it’s telling you something about God and His character, about yourself and instructions for living, and pointing you toward Jesus and developing the mind of Christ.
Today, think about how you read the Bible. Do you just read the highlights…or do you spend time on the “filler”? Next time you read a passage, view all of it as important. You will be amazed at how powerful this incredible book, and especially the filler, really is. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on “lesser” Bible parts impacting your life.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You so much for Your sovereignty, knowing all I would go through and all I would need, and giving me Your Word to help me. Thanks for all Your word, every word. I confess, I skip the boring, or hard to read, or culturally different parts, thinking they are meant for someone else and not me. Give me a humble spirit, open to all Your teaching and revelation, and not be a “picker and chooser” based on my wants and understandings. I pray in the name of the most miraculous highlight, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Stepping Stones: Become Free by Being Controlled
Transformational Tip
I know, this sounds impossible, like a contradiction; “Be free by becoming controlled.” But this is a lesson we see clearly and learn so often in life. Submitting to your teachers, their instruction and strategy, allows greater freedom to choose a vocation you want. Submitting to your coaches allows you more freedom from anxiety, pressure, and fear when you face a difficult opponent. Submitting to a theatre director or music teacher produces great freedom to explore the art, maximize your expressiveness, and freely become the art form. The same is true spiritually, as you submit to the Holy Spirit, stop fighting the way of God, really put on the armor everyday (more on Armor of God), let the Holy Spirit control your mind and actions, you become free from the world and supernaturally empowered by God. You will become increasingly released and free to become the one He created you to be.
Today, when you sin, confess it immediately. This gets the Holy Spirit back on the throne of your life. In an important decision today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and really submit to His guidance and see how it plays out. Let Him live in the depths of your spirit. His work in you can liberate you to be completely who God intended you to be, the life that is WITHIN REACH. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on submitting, being controlled, or living free.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
My desire to be in control is constantly getting in the way…by doing things my way I am continually sabotaging myself. I know that when Your Holy Spirit is controlling my thinking and behavior I feel more alive…more real. I am freer to live how You want and designed me to. I pray for humility to allow the Holy Spirit to think through me, live through me, love through me. I pray this in the freeing name my savior Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace.
Romans 8:6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
I know, this sounds impossible, like a contradiction; “Be free by becoming controlled.” But this is a lesson we see clearly and learn so often in life. Submitting to your teachers, their instruction and strategy, allows greater freedom to choose a vocation you want. Submitting to your coaches allows you more freedom from anxiety, pressure, and fear when you face a difficult opponent. Submitting to a theatre director or music teacher produces great freedom to explore the art, maximize your expressiveness, and freely become the art form. The same is true spiritually, as you submit to the Holy Spirit, stop fighting the way of God, really put on the armor everyday (more on Armor of God), let the Holy Spirit control your mind and actions, you become free from the world and supernaturally empowered by God. You will become increasingly released and free to become the one He created you to be.
Today, when you sin, confess it immediately. This gets the Holy Spirit back on the throne of your life. In an important decision today, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you and really submit to His guidance and see how it plays out. Let Him live in the depths of your spirit. His work in you can liberate you to be completely who God intended you to be, the life that is WITHIN REACH. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on submitting, being controlled, or living free.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
My desire to be in control is constantly getting in the way…by doing things my way I am continually sabotaging myself. I know that when Your Holy Spirit is controlling my thinking and behavior I feel more alive…more real. I am freer to live how You want and designed me to. I pray for humility to allow the Holy Spirit to think through me, live through me, love through me. I pray this in the freeing name my savior Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace.
Romans 8:6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Monday, October 26, 2009
Stepping Stones: I Need...
Transformational Tip
I need some love. I need some sleep. I need an answer. I need some money. I need a man. I need a drink. We are all needy…in fact, we were born needy. However, there are two types of people; those who are needy and recognize their insufficiencies and those who are needy but totally unaware of their inadequacies. Recognizing the extent of your neediness for God is a blessing. Even though Satan tries to distract us…we all know we cant meet all our needs ourselves. We do know deep inside the breadth and depth of our need for Him. Recognition is only half the battle, though. The other half is turning to Him rather than idolatrous substitutes to fill our emptiness. Turning to our Lord will always be the challenge…will always be the toughest part of the battle. Why? Because we are constantly influenced by the heaviness of this fallen world. We choose immediate comfort over real sustenance. While on this earth you will have to contend with this spiritual-emotional “gravity” pulling you away from Him.
Today, when you face a “I need….” moment, stop and ask God to show you what to do next, then look to His instruction manual to find answers. Remember, immediate answers aren’t necessary and you really can handle that. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the how God meets your needs, why waiting is tough, and other thoughts and experiences.
Send this to someone struggling with “I need….” moments.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
With each passing day I recognize how desperately I need You. I do want You to be the center of my life…and I am trying to keep You there. But You know Father how easily distracted I get…how my thoughts wander away from You. I grope for You Father; I need Your help all the time. Help me understand those distractions as idols and help me learn how to close my ears to their falsely soothing coos. I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Acts 17:27
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
Proverbs 6:23-26
I need some love. I need some sleep. I need an answer. I need some money. I need a man. I need a drink. We are all needy…in fact, we were born needy. However, there are two types of people; those who are needy and recognize their insufficiencies and those who are needy but totally unaware of their inadequacies. Recognizing the extent of your neediness for God is a blessing. Even though Satan tries to distract us…we all know we cant meet all our needs ourselves. We do know deep inside the breadth and depth of our need for Him. Recognition is only half the battle, though. The other half is turning to Him rather than idolatrous substitutes to fill our emptiness. Turning to our Lord will always be the challenge…will always be the toughest part of the battle. Why? Because we are constantly influenced by the heaviness of this fallen world. We choose immediate comfort over real sustenance. While on this earth you will have to contend with this spiritual-emotional “gravity” pulling you away from Him.
Today, when you face a “I need….” moment, stop and ask God to show you what to do next, then look to His instruction manual to find answers. Remember, immediate answers aren’t necessary and you really can handle that. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on the how God meets your needs, why waiting is tough, and other thoughts and experiences.
Send this to someone struggling with “I need….” moments.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
With each passing day I recognize how desperately I need You. I do want You to be the center of my life…and I am trying to keep You there. But You know Father how easily distracted I get…how my thoughts wander away from You. I grope for You Father; I need Your help all the time. Help me understand those distractions as idols and help me learn how to close my ears to their falsely soothing coos. I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s people said, - AMEN!
The Truth
But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Acts 17:27
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
Proverbs 6:23-26
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Stepping Stones: What Glorious Drama!
Transformational Tip
As Christians, whether we like it or not, we are all individual stages on which others might observe the performances of Christ. Despite your imperfections, you have been chosen to reflect His Glory. Do not worry about your stage being unworthy if Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness. However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. Your part is to look inward and find what is hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him. Then work on it, see how He can ease the pain that distraction brings to you or temporarily soothes in you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on being a stage for Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I want to be Your stage, I want to be available to be the stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me Father to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
As Christians, whether we like it or not, we are all individual stages on which others might observe the performances of Christ. Despite your imperfections, you have been chosen to reflect His Glory. Do not worry about your stage being unworthy if Him. No matter how much you fix it up, no matter how polished you may become…you will never be good enough for the display of His radiant holiness. However, our weakness is the ideal stage for the exhibition of His power.
Today, play your rightful part in this Glorious Drama. Your part is to look inward and find what is hindering you from keeping your eyes constantly on Him. Then work on it, see how He can ease the pain that distraction brings to you or temporarily soothes in you. Then you will be able to keep your gaze fixed on Him and His awesome splendor. Forget about your unworthiness. Watch the Glorious Drama unfold as He performs great things for you and through you. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on being a stage for Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I want to be Your stage, I want to be available to be the stage from which You can display Your power and Glory. But Father, I am not a ready-to-use stage. I feel more like a splintery, unfinished platform. I feel I may not even be safe enough…I feel like my boards are not yet nailed down properly. Help me Father to look away from myself and to look at You. Use my tired, broken stage in any way You choose. I am encouraged and thankful as I read Your Holy Word telling me that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Thank You Father. I pray through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Stepping Stones: Hope: Confident Desire
Transformational Tip
Several years ago at Disney World, I saw a 6 yo kid having a meltdown (not my kid of course)…in the mid-afternoon, hot day, long lines, so many options, some letdowns, lots of stimulation, probably off schedule and late nights. His parents said the magical words, “if you are good, you can have 2 desserts after dinner.” It was like an exorcism was performed and the kid was back to normal. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wish, optimism, anticipation…Confident Desire… All dimensions of hope. The cool thing about hope is that you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road…the road to heaven. Way better than 2 desserts. Do you live your life…your daily attitude, lenses you use, future outlook…with the ultimate hope alive in you and visible to others?
Today, focus on this radiant destination with Confident Desire (hope). When you do, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes less significant. Attack today’s obstacle, whatever it is for you, with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts…the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity with God. Today, also look to see who help bring hope into the life of someone who feels hopeless. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on Hope and how it impacts your life.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me Father; help me to have this cord hold my head high…even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus; Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Several years ago at Disney World, I saw a 6 yo kid having a meltdown (not my kid of course)…in the mid-afternoon, hot day, long lines, so many options, some letdowns, lots of stimulation, probably off schedule and late nights. His parents said the magical words, “if you are good, you can have 2 desserts after dinner.” It was like an exorcism was performed and the kid was back to normal. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wish, optimism, anticipation…Confident Desire… All dimensions of hope. The cool thing about hope is that you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road…the road to heaven. Way better than 2 desserts. Do you live your life…your daily attitude, lenses you use, future outlook…with the ultimate hope alive in you and visible to others?
Today, focus on this radiant destination with Confident Desire (hope). When you do, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes less significant. Attack today’s obstacle, whatever it is for you, with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts…the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity with God. Today, also look to see who help bring hope into the life of someone who feels hopeless. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on Hope and how it impacts your life.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me Father; help me to have this cord hold my head high…even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus; Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6
Friday, October 23, 2009
Stepping Stones: Freedom: 100% Mental
Transformational Tip
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears…their intellectual, psychological, relational, emotional skills…really determine if they will maximize their physical abilities. Yes, we are all so very blessed to live in a country that provides the opportunity to be free. Freedom of speech…freedom to choose the vocation we want…freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we? How many of us are prisoners of our own heart/mind? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not…or sabotage the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master…the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters(self, world, others, God) for our life…implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and life, achieve your God-given potential, when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let God be your master.
Today, find freedom through seeking to please God above all else. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here. To share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on being authentic and the freedom that grants you, Click here.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I come to Your with a thankful yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me Lord to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me Father to not focus of the good deeds I do to impress others. I pray Father that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
They say sports are 90% mental, meaning, what’s between their ears…their intellectual, psychological, relational, emotional skills…really determine if they will maximize their physical abilities. Yes, we are all so very blessed to live in a country that provides the opportunity to be free. Freedom of speech…freedom to choose the vocation we want…freedom to practice any religion. But how free are we? How many of us are prisoners of our own heart/mind? How many of us are “driven” to be something we are not…or sabotage the path designed specifically for us. In an odd paradox, freedom really comes from having only one Master…the only one qualified to be the Master. Most of our troubles come from trying to blend masters(self, world, others, God) for our life…implementing our own game plan and ignoring His. You will maximize your abilities and life, achieve your God-given potential, when you realize your life is 100% mental and you humbly let God be your master.
Today, find freedom through seeking to please God above all else. Concentrate on staying close to Him at all times and humbling yourself to His instructions for your conduct. To develop practical skills to strengthen your mind and put God on the throne of your heart in your decisions, click here. To share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on being authentic and the freedom that grants you, Click here.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I come to Your with a thankful yet penitent heart. I confess, Lord, that I have let worship of others’ and my own expectations drive me, scattering my energy and focus. My desire to “look good’ in the eyes of others is also draining my energy. Help me Lord to focus on You. I know that this is the only way to achieve true freedom. Help me focus on serving the one and only Master, You. Help me Father to not focus of the good deeds I do to impress others. I pray Father that today and always I will let You direct my next step so that I will be free to enjoy You and to look forward to what You have prepared for me this day. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10
And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Stepping Stones: He's Still Searching
Transformational Tip
God is not like us and that can make Him feel far away. He is spirit only, we have a body…He is infinite, we are limited…He is perfect, we are flawed. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God can seem impossible.
So how can we know Him? God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. We use analogies all the time. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we’ll create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature: “Actually, it’s just like how the elephant …” Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Matrix’ where Neo …” or “do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We do this all the time. The reason we do it is to better communicate our ideas.
“That which is known about God is evident … for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen …” (Romans 1.19-20) The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. And God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can be sure we understand His communication with us.
Today, You were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks relationship with you. Stop and ask, why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and what I need the most. He is calling to you and His message is clear. Click here for a resource to help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on finding and hearing God.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden: “Where are you?” Let us desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
God is not like us and that can make Him feel far away. He is spirit only, we have a body…He is infinite, we are limited…He is perfect, we are flawed. Even without the problem of sin, the idea of really knowing God can seem impossible.
So how can we know Him? God has designed us with one key purpose in mind: relationship. And He builds us for relationship with Him through the use of “analogy,” that is, through making us in His “image and likeness.”
Think of it this way. We use analogies all the time. When we’re trying to explain a difficult concept, we’ll create a word picture of some sort. We might use images from nature: “Actually, it’s just like how the elephant …” Or we’ll refer to a common experience: “Do you remember the scene in ‘The Matrix’ where Neo …” or “do you remember that road trip we took to California?” We do this all the time. The reason we do it is to better communicate our ideas.
“That which is known about God is evident … for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen …” (Romans 1.19-20) The clear expression of God’s invisible attributes is this two-pronged analogy of His authority and holiness in our delegated authority and morality. And God uses analogy for the same reason we do: so that we can be sure we understand His communication with us.
Today, You were designed for something far better than just “getting by.” But if you feel like that’s all you’re doing, perhaps you’re not listening to God as He seeks relationship with you. Stop and ask, why am I not spending more time with the One who knows me best and what I need the most. He is calling to you and His message is clear. Click here for a resource to help you hear Him better and apply His teaching directly to your life. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on finding and hearing God.
Prayer
Dear Father, You built us for relationship with You. And You have been seeking to win us back since You called out to Adam and Eve in the garden: “Where are you?” Let us desire the greatest thing of all, to be in relationship with You, O Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
John 4:23
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Stepping Stones: Caretaker, Not King
Transformational Tip
I have 3 daughters, and they are great kids…wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit…17 yo babysits the 14 yo, 14 yo babysits the 9 yo, and 9 yo babysits our dog. The determining factor for when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was…”whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of...ours or yours?” If they are able to be an extension of us, their parents, be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, we left them alone. If they were going to be their own king (queens in this case), authority, overthrow the existing regime, and rule based on their whims, desires, and standards, they couldn’t be on their own. Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation including His standards and guidelines for our life. Our struggles… insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, loneliness, etc…happen when we ignore, rebel against, overthrow, His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful ruler of our universe. Using our ineffective, incomplete, warped standards, rules, and guidelines of self-protection actually results in our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this cause and effect from us so we keep on being our own ruler and are ignorant of it being the cause of our daily self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “whose rules am I using in this situation? Who authority am I really trusting in?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings developing our own kingdom. Click here for a resource to help be less king and more caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on being more caretaker and less king.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever, but You also are the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne, I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and guidance You have for me developing the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
I have 3 daughters, and they are great kids…wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are very responsible and good with each other. When my wife and I go out, we leave them in charge to babysit…17 yo babysits the 14 yo, 14 yo babysits the 9 yo, and 9 yo babysits our dog. The determining factor for when we granted them their wish to “be on their own” was…”whose rules will you use to manage yourselves and those you are in charge of...ours or yours?” If they are able to be an extension of us, their parents, be a caretaker of our rules, wishes, and authority, we left them alone. If they were going to be their own king (queens in this case), authority, overthrow the existing regime, and rule based on their whims, desires, and standards, they couldn’t be on their own. Yesterday, we talked about how God created us to be His extension, the caretaker of His authority in all areas of creation including His standards and guidelines for our life. Our struggles… insecurity, worry, depression, bitterness, loneliness, etc…happen when we ignore, rebel against, overthrow, His authority, and place ourselves as the all-knowing, all-powerful ruler of our universe. Using our ineffective, incomplete, warped standards, rules, and guidelines of self-protection actually results in our own self-destruction. Satan does a great job of hiding this cause and effect from us so we keep on being our own ruler and are ignorant of it being the cause of our daily self-destructive consequences.
Today, as you experience some unrest, stop and ask yourself, “whose rules am I using in this situation? Who authority am I really trusting in?” God designed us to be caretakers of His authority, not kings developing our own kingdom. Click here for a resource to help be less king and more caretaker of God’s plan for your life. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on being more caretaker and less king.
Prayer
Dear Father, You are the most powerful, sovereign king ever, but You also are the most loving and sacrificial king to Your subjects. Thanks for sacrificing for me, a rebellious subject who often overthrows Your rule in my life. I know when my flesh is on the throne, I reap the fruit of the flesh. Open my mind to Your wisdom, and guidance You have for me developing the Mind of Christ. In the name of the King of Kings, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
1 Samuel 8:7-9
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Stepping Stones: Caretakers Of God’s Authority
Transformational Tip
God designed us with two key characteristics, characteristics that are broad analogies of His own attributes. 1, He delegated authority to us. 2, He gave us morality. In the first characteristic, He gave to Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does; but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in making metals, or cultivating crops. In the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as a responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this…we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize, cats don’t get embarrassed, dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, your recreation…they’re all facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. They’re yours to do with as you please: either for His glory (which is also your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or not.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you and to exercise the sense you have of right and wrong.
Submit those impulses regarding authority and morality to Him – and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer shame less. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on living in the darkness vs. God’s light.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please; either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and Your judgment. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which accords with Your will. This we ask, through the merits of Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””
Genesis 1:26-28
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.””.
Genesis 2:15-17
God designed us with two key characteristics, characteristics that are broad analogies of His own attributes. 1, He delegated authority to us. 2, He gave us morality. In the first characteristic, He gave to Adam and Eve (and therefore all humans) authority over creation. We don’t create out of nothing as God can, but we are creative. We don’t command the nature as He does; but we understand what it is to tame animals, or bring the elements under our authority in making metals, or cultivating crops. In the second characteristic, God built into us a sense of right and wrong, as well as a responsibility to choose right over wrong. Consider this…we’re the only creatures who understand the concept of shame, because we’re the only creatures who understand what it is to break rules or to do the wrong thing. Birds don’t apologize, cats don’t get embarrassed, dogs don’t have law courts.
God wants you to bring creation under His authority through the exercise of your authority. Your family, your job, your recreation…they’re all facets of the creation that He has entrusted to your care. They’re yours to do with as you please: either for His glory (which is also your benefit, satisfaction, and growth), or not.
Every longing of your heart, every desire, impulse to act, create, manage, control, or fix is actually a reflection of the impulse to exercise the authority He has delegated to you and to exercise the sense you have of right and wrong.
Submit those impulses regarding authority and morality to Him – and you’ll find two things becoming increasingly true: you’ll love Him more AND suffer shame less. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on living in the darkness vs. God’s light.
Prayer
Holy Father, Mighty God: In You we live, and move, and have our being. From You we receive the authority to order our lives as we please; either for our good and Your glory, or for our own glory and Your judgment. Please have mercy on us, that we may increasingly understand that the best authority is that which is exercised according to Your word, and the best morality is that which accords with Your will. This we ask, through the merits of Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
“Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””
Genesis 1:26-28
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.””.
Genesis 2:15-17
Monday, October 19, 2009
Stepping Stones: “He Looks Just Like His Father”
Transformational Tip
In every child, there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes, or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness. God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we might be in relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way, we understand greatness, power, knowledge, authority, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong…good, better, and best. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – all these are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means, that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. It’s a call to be what we were made to be. Holiness isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”…the human God created us to be, and we are through Jesus.
We don’t use a paintbrush to change a diaper, nor a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving it’s designer’s intent, it works easier and better.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures, consider the Designer’s intent for your life and know that He is calling you to “be all that you can be.” What do you need to believe differently about God or yourself to be all that He designed you to be? Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on being who God designed you to be.
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more in the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
In every child, there is evidence of the parents’ contributions to the child’s makeup. They have their father’s eyes, or their mother’s nose. Whose intelligence or stubbornness they have is often up for debate! What we often forget is that we, too, bear an image, an imprint of our designer – our Father’s image and likeness. God is not like us, yet He designed us to understand who He is, so that we might be in relationship with Him. For this reason, He gives us a likeness or analogy of His infinite and perfect attributes and character. For example, in a limited way, we understand greatness, power, knowledge, authority, sacrifice, love, and other attributes. He gives us a sense of time and eternity. He imprints us with an ability to grasp right and wrong…good, better, and best. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – all these are attributes and characteristics that we find in God. This means, that every encouragement to obey God is not just a rule, law, or helpful hint about life. It’s a call to be what we were made to be. Holiness isn’t so much about “being good” as it is about “being human”…the human God created us to be, and we are through Jesus.
We don’t use a paintbrush to change a diaper, nor a hammer to eat dinner. When something is serving it’s designer’s intent, it works easier and better.
Today, whatever your situation is, look at the Scriptures, consider the Designer’s intent for your life and know that He is calling you to “be all that you can be.” What do you need to believe differently about God or yourself to be all that He designed you to be? Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on being who God designed you to be.
Prayer
Dear Father, Teach us to know that You have designed us for better things. Teach us to understand that obedience to You is not burdensome, but that obedience is a return to our design. By the power of your Spirit, make us to be more and more in the image of Christ, who bears Your image perfectly and fully. Help me to get out of Your way and understand better my role in Your work of growing me. These things we ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Stepping Stones: How Open Are You?
Transformational Tip
As a young adult, I was the greatest thing since sliced bread…in my eyes. When I met someone I was infatuated with, I tried so hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, fears I had inside. I feared if they saw those things, they would reject me. That is the lesson I learned in childhood, conditional acceptance. It is a habit, pattern that continued into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him. How ignorant…how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, then infect other areas of our life. They rot and get wormy. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own…controlling us without us even realizing it. Creating and building debilitating fear.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on opening yourself fully to God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank you for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love…and to believe that perfect love drives out fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
As a young adult, I was the greatest thing since sliced bread…in my eyes. When I met someone I was infatuated with, I tried so hard to hide the skeletons, hurts, defects, fears I had inside. I feared if they saw those things, they would reject me. That is the lesson I learned in childhood, conditional acceptance. It is a habit, pattern that continued into my spiritual world as well. For so long, I had closed off parts of my life from God. I believed I could only bring a “cleaned-up” version of myself to Him. How ignorant…how futile. Wounds and sins that we try to shut away from the light of His love will only fester, get worse, then infect other areas of our life. They rot and get wormy. Secret sins that we try to “hide” from our Lord can split off and develop lives of their own…controlling us without us even realizing it. Creating and building debilitating fear.
Today, open yourself completely to God. Open yourself to His transforming and healing presence. Let his brilliant love-light search out and destroy your hidden fears. Tell Him directly about one fear you struggled with today. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on opening yourself fully to God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
You know me inside and out. I no longer want to hide things from You. I am tired of hiding my wounds from You, then having to bear them all myself. Thank you for taking my yoke, and bearing my pains. I pray that Your love-light will seep deeply into the inner recesses of my being. Help me to understand Your perfect love…and to believe that perfect love drives out fear. I pray this in the unconditional name of Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Stepping Stones: Be the Lighthouse for HIS Light
Transformational Tip
When I was a child my brothers and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn all the lights off…and then try and find each other. I hated this game. I was almost paralyzed with the fear of one of my brothers grabbing and scaring me in the total darkness. I would crawl along the floor in the darkness. Don’t know why I played the game; “brother pressure” I guess. Still to this day I’m uncomfortable in the dark.
I see so many people crawling through their lives, on the basement floor, cursing the darkness…while all the while God is shining so brightly. God wants each of us to be light-bearers…to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face, making Him visible to all those around you
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you…then get out of His way, be bold, and let Him shine through. You know what He wants you to do, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Ask the Holy Spirit to live through you as you live this day in the light of God’s presence. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on living in the darkness vs. God’s light.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray Father that I mat brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me Lord to spread You light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
When I was a child my brothers and I would play this game. We would go into the basement at night and turn all the lights off…and then try and find each other. I hated this game. I was almost paralyzed with the fear of one of my brothers grabbing and scaring me in the total darkness. I would crawl along the floor in the darkness. Don’t know why I played the game; “brother pressure” I guess. Still to this day I’m uncomfortable in the dark.
I see so many people crawling through their lives, on the basement floor, cursing the darkness…while all the while God is shining so brightly. God wants each of us to be light-bearers…to be lighthouses. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will shine God’s light from your face, making Him visible to all those around you
Today, when you see “darkness” around you, stop, pray, and think about the Holy Spirit shining through you…then get out of His way, be bold, and let Him shine through. You know what He wants you to do, so just do it and see the magic that happens. Ask the Holy Spirit to live through you as you live this day in the light of God’s presence. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on living in the darkness vs. God’s light.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I do not like the darkness. I want to live in Your radiant light. When I do find myself in spiritual darkness I reach for Your guiding hand. I reach for Your hand in joyful trust, knowing You will never leave my side. I pray Father that I mat brighten the world by reflecting who You are. Help me Lord to spread You light into the darkness of someone’s life. I pray this in the name of Jesus who is the light of the world – AMEN!
The Truth
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Friday, October 16, 2009
Stepping Stones: Sharpen Your Axe
Transformational Tip
There was a lumberjack hired to cut down 30 trees a day. First few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe. On day 5 he only cut down 25 tress, on day 10 only 8 …on day 20, while he was swinging that axe faster and harder than day 1, only 3 trees fell. The supervisor came to observe why the lumberjack’s performance was so poor. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull, so he told the Lumberjack who was huffing and puffing that he needed to sharpen his axe. The lumberjack said; “I can’t, I don’t have time…I need to cut down 30 trees today.”
So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep…I mean rest. We keep swinging hard and often, but our blades are dull. Resting doesn’t necessarily mean idleness or laziness. Resting in God has two huge benefits; first it allows you to sharpen your axe. Secondarily, when you relax in His company you are demonstrating trust in Him to take over what you can’t. Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for your life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us; we turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more.
Today, take 15 minutes to specifically lean on, trust and be confident in God. Relax in His company. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on resting in God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You Father for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectations and in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
There was a lumberjack hired to cut down 30 trees a day. First few days the 30 trees fell easily under his axe. On day 5 he only cut down 25 tress, on day 10 only 8 …on day 20, while he was swinging that axe faster and harder than day 1, only 3 trees fell. The supervisor came to observe why the lumberjack’s performance was so poor. The supervisor saw that the lumberjack’s axe was completely dull, so he told the Lumberjack who was huffing and puffing that he needed to sharpen his axe. The lumberjack said; “I can’t, I don’t have time…I need to cut down 30 trees today.”
So many of us are exhausted, worn out, and in need of true relaxation and refreshment. I don’t mean sleep…I mean rest. We keep swinging hard and often, but our blades are dull. Resting doesn’t necessarily mean idleness or laziness. Resting in God has two huge benefits; first it allows you to sharpen your axe. Secondarily, when you relax in His company you are demonstrating trust in Him to take over what you can’t. Trust is such a rich word, filled with meaning and direction for your life. So many of us do the exact opposite of what God wants for us; we turn away from Him when we are exhausted because we associate God with duty and diligence. We wrongly believe that going to Him means we have to do more.
Today, take 15 minutes to specifically lean on, trust and be confident in God. Relax in His company. When you lean on Him for support and rest, He delights in your trusting confidence. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on resting in God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I come to You depleted and worn out. I come to You, Lord, for refreshment. I know that resting in You will save me. I thank You Father for Your reassuring Word that You spoke through Your prophet Isaiah, telling me that coming to You in quietness and trust shall be my strength. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may lean on Your understanding, not mine. I pray this with trust and expectations and in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength
Isaiah 30:15
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Stepping Stones: FEAR: Hiding or Freedom?
Transformational Tip
Fear of speaking in class or giving a lecture… blowing a test or an important game…parasailing…taking a new job…confrontation or setting a healthy boundary…having someone angry or upset with me. For so long, FEAR(False Evidence Appearing Real) really interrupted my life. Then came the fear about having fear, I was almost paralyzed. Through Christian counseling, I realized I was hiding my fear…pretending it wasn’t there. I discovered that the fear you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to the fear of fear…a real monster. The danger of the second fear is diverting our focus off the original fear…which usually was planted at a very young age when we knew little and weren’t well equipped to handle much. Now as adults, we have capabilities to see more clearly the original false evidence and do something different and better in that situation…or at the very least, if real anxiety exists, handle it better. But we are usually to lazy to go back and deeply re-address those old painful FEARS to access the freedom Christ won for us over those FEARS. Freedom from FEAR is for you.
Today, acknowledge that your FEARS are flaming arrows of attack from the evil one and bring your fears out into the Light of Your Lord’s presence where you can deal with them together. Identify one thing that upsets, alarms, scares, or threatens you. Examine how it influences your decisions. Tell someone about it and ask them to help you identify the False Evidence that Appears Real. It can be very freeing just knowing the cycle can be broken. Click here to live the life that is WITHIN REACH when you overcome your FEARS. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on FEAR.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I confess that fear has a stronghold on me. I know that most all fear comes from arrows of attack from the enemy. I thank You Father for Your Word that teaches me to use my shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit Father so that I might build my faith. Help me understand how to dig deep and uncover those FEARS and bathe them in truth. Help me Father to bring all fear to You so that we may deal with them together. I pray Father, that by concentrating on You and being a good steward of my mind, that my fearfulness will lose its foothold on me. I pray in the holy name of Jesus, and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Fear of speaking in class or giving a lecture… blowing a test or an important game…parasailing…taking a new job…confrontation or setting a healthy boundary…having someone angry or upset with me. For so long, FEAR(False Evidence Appearing Real) really interrupted my life. Then came the fear about having fear, I was almost paralyzed. Through Christian counseling, I realized I was hiding my fear…pretending it wasn’t there. I discovered that the fear you hide in the recesses of your heart will give birth to the fear of fear…a real monster. The danger of the second fear is diverting our focus off the original fear…which usually was planted at a very young age when we knew little and weren’t well equipped to handle much. Now as adults, we have capabilities to see more clearly the original false evidence and do something different and better in that situation…or at the very least, if real anxiety exists, handle it better. But we are usually to lazy to go back and deeply re-address those old painful FEARS to access the freedom Christ won for us over those FEARS. Freedom from FEAR is for you.
Today, acknowledge that your FEARS are flaming arrows of attack from the evil one and bring your fears out into the Light of Your Lord’s presence where you can deal with them together. Identify one thing that upsets, alarms, scares, or threatens you. Examine how it influences your decisions. Tell someone about it and ask them to help you identify the False Evidence that Appears Real. It can be very freeing just knowing the cycle can be broken. Click here to live the life that is WITHIN REACH when you overcome your FEARS. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on FEAR.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I confess that fear has a stronghold on me. I know that most all fear comes from arrows of attack from the enemy. I thank You Father for Your Word that teaches me to use my shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit Father so that I might build my faith. Help me understand how to dig deep and uncover those FEARS and bathe them in truth. Help me Father to bring all fear to You so that we may deal with them together. I pray Father, that by concentrating on You and being a good steward of my mind, that my fearfulness will lose its foothold on me. I pray in the holy name of Jesus, and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Stepping Stones: Invisible...But There!
Transformational Tip
Do you feel your heart beating right now? Do you feel thousands, if not millions of brain cells firing right now to allow you to read this and be amazed? Do you really actually feel the love for your kids(parents, spouse, etc) right now, the moment before I just mentioned it? Do you feel the Earth spinning 800 miles per hour? Just because you don’t feel these events right now, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. As Christians, we say that even though we’ve accepted Christ as our savior, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and are in intimate union with God, we still feel alone at times. Maybe we feel alone because our union with God is invisible. Remember that you are connected to Him through Love-bonds that cannot be seen and that nothing, absolutely nothing, can severe. Today, try and meditate on the fact that God is nearer than you think…He is richly present in all your moments. Be aware of His presence…Put your hand on your heart and feel your heartbeat, and say “God is really in my heart…just because I don’t feel it sometimes, He really is always pumping in my life!” This is not an escape from reality; it is in fact turning to the ultimate reality. He is far more real than the world you can see, hear, or touch. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on feeling close or distant from God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
At times You feel so far away. Help me Father to open my eyes so that I may find You everywhere. Increase my spiritual radar and IQ. The more aware I am of Your presence in my life, the more secure I feel. I need You Father. Blazing missiles of fear are flying at me day and night…the attacks from the evil one come at me without rest. Build my faith Father so that I may be certain of what I cannot see. I pray in the name of my savior Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
Acts 17:27-28
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
Do you feel your heart beating right now? Do you feel thousands, if not millions of brain cells firing right now to allow you to read this and be amazed? Do you really actually feel the love for your kids(parents, spouse, etc) right now, the moment before I just mentioned it? Do you feel the Earth spinning 800 miles per hour? Just because you don’t feel these events right now, doesn’t mean they aren’t happening. As Christians, we say that even though we’ve accepted Christ as our savior, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and are in intimate union with God, we still feel alone at times. Maybe we feel alone because our union with God is invisible. Remember that you are connected to Him through Love-bonds that cannot be seen and that nothing, absolutely nothing, can severe. Today, try and meditate on the fact that God is nearer than you think…He is richly present in all your moments. Be aware of His presence…Put your hand on your heart and feel your heartbeat, and say “God is really in my heart…just because I don’t feel it sometimes, He really is always pumping in my life!” This is not an escape from reality; it is in fact turning to the ultimate reality. He is far more real than the world you can see, hear, or touch. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on feeling close or distant from God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
At times You feel so far away. Help me Father to open my eyes so that I may find You everywhere. Increase my spiritual radar and IQ. The more aware I am of Your presence in my life, the more secure I feel. I need You Father. Blazing missiles of fear are flying at me day and night…the attacks from the evil one come at me without rest. Build my faith Father so that I may be certain of what I cannot see. I pray in the name of my savior Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
Acts 17:27-28
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Stepping Stones: Put the world on hold for a moment
Transformational Tip
We live among people who glorify busyness…they have made time a bully that controls their lives. Even those who know Christ as their savior march to the drum of this world…Boom, Boom, Boom! We buy into the illusion that more is better…more meetings, more time at church, more activity. I often emphasize the importance of seeing clearly…seeing everything from a Godly perspective…that is the first and keystone ingredient to having the mind of Christ. Part of Satan’s strategy is to get the merry-go-round to spin faster and faster, making it hard to get off…and I just get dizzier. It’s impossible to see straight if I am dizzy. How did Jesus deal with time and the push to do more? Amazing how many times He went away and prayed, had alone time, devotional time, just chilled with God, His father. Hearing Lazarus was sick, Jesus didn’t rush…He waited 2 days to leave.
Today, put the world with it’s non-stop demands on hold. Spend some time alone with your Lord. Shut off your radio in your commute, mute the TV for commercials, read the Bible instead of the paper…talk and listen to God. Most people put God on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Him. But the longer we push Him into the background of our lives, just like any file, the harder it is to find Him. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your struggles and successes in finding time to be with God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I know now that you have called me to follow You on a solitary path. I know that making time alone with You must be my highest priority…and my deepest joy. I know Your pathway is largely unappreciated and even despised by some. However, when I spend time with you, I know Lord, that I have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken from me. I want to walk closely with You Lord, and as we walk, I pray that You will bless others through me. I pray in Jesus’ steadying name, and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."
Song of Songs 2:13
…but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:42
So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
John 11:6
We live among people who glorify busyness…they have made time a bully that controls their lives. Even those who know Christ as their savior march to the drum of this world…Boom, Boom, Boom! We buy into the illusion that more is better…more meetings, more time at church, more activity. I often emphasize the importance of seeing clearly…seeing everything from a Godly perspective…that is the first and keystone ingredient to having the mind of Christ. Part of Satan’s strategy is to get the merry-go-round to spin faster and faster, making it hard to get off…and I just get dizzier. It’s impossible to see straight if I am dizzy. How did Jesus deal with time and the push to do more? Amazing how many times He went away and prayed, had alone time, devotional time, just chilled with God, His father. Hearing Lazarus was sick, Jesus didn’t rush…He waited 2 days to leave.
Today, put the world with it’s non-stop demands on hold. Spend some time alone with your Lord. Shut off your radio in your commute, mute the TV for commercials, read the Bible instead of the paper…talk and listen to God. Most people put God on hold, rationalizing that someday they will find time to focus on Him. But the longer we push Him into the background of our lives, just like any file, the harder it is to find Him. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your struggles and successes in finding time to be with God.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I know now that you have called me to follow You on a solitary path. I know that making time alone with You must be my highest priority…and my deepest joy. I know Your pathway is largely unappreciated and even despised by some. However, when I spend time with you, I know Lord, that I have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken from me. I want to walk closely with You Lord, and as we walk, I pray that You will bless others through me. I pray in Jesus’ steadying name, and all God’s children said, – Amen!
The Truth
The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."
Song of Songs 2:13
…but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:42
So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
John 11:6
Monday, October 12, 2009
Stepping Stones: “…couldn’t put Humpty together again...”
Transformational Tip
Yesterday we talked about how the King of Kings really can put all our pieces back together…heal…make whole again…true shalom. Do you ever wonder why then you and I aren’t whole again? Isn’t that how all Disney fairy tales end, especially the real, for all the marbles, fairy tale is supposed to end…everything is the way it’s supposed to be, the king rescuing and saving His beloved from the evil, rebellious prince. The reason the King hasn’t put us totally back together again is because we withhold pieces from Him. Because of His love for us, He never has and never will force us to give our pieces back to Him to fix and heal. He is waiting for us to give the pieces to Him and submit to His healing work with those pieces.
What pieces are you not giving Him to work with? The longer you withhold the pieces from Him, the longer it takes Him to put you back together. You see, that is what the Bible is all about…a real life fairy tale about how the King himself will fix, heal, shalom, make you totally whole again. Make you Christ-like.
Today, identify a piece in your life that you haven’t submitted to Him. Why not? What is your track record with that piece? Let God really have a shot at it without you trying to grab it back and sabotage His efforts. You will be amazed at what He wants to heal and grow in you. Just look at all the stories in the Bible. Click here to share with the stepping stone community what you have trouble turning over to God, or what happened when you did.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank You for the healing power of Your son Jesus Christ. I have read about it in the BibIe and seen it in other people’s lives. I want it for my life to. I confess I am afraid to turn certain things over to You. I am under the false impression that I love me, know me, and can help me more than You can. Open my eyes to my destructive activities and help me give You a chance and trust Your track record over mine. Thank you for Your son’s death to heal my ultimate pain and help me learn how to apply that to this life as well. I humbly(and will try to stay humble) ask this in the healing name of Christ, and all God’s people said, AMEN!
Truth
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 5:15
Yesterday we talked about how the King of Kings really can put all our pieces back together…heal…make whole again…true shalom. Do you ever wonder why then you and I aren’t whole again? Isn’t that how all Disney fairy tales end, especially the real, for all the marbles, fairy tale is supposed to end…everything is the way it’s supposed to be, the king rescuing and saving His beloved from the evil, rebellious prince. The reason the King hasn’t put us totally back together again is because we withhold pieces from Him. Because of His love for us, He never has and never will force us to give our pieces back to Him to fix and heal. He is waiting for us to give the pieces to Him and submit to His healing work with those pieces.
What pieces are you not giving Him to work with? The longer you withhold the pieces from Him, the longer it takes Him to put you back together. You see, that is what the Bible is all about…a real life fairy tale about how the King himself will fix, heal, shalom, make you totally whole again. Make you Christ-like.
Today, identify a piece in your life that you haven’t submitted to Him. Why not? What is your track record with that piece? Let God really have a shot at it without you trying to grab it back and sabotage His efforts. You will be amazed at what He wants to heal and grow in you. Just look at all the stories in the Bible. Click here to share with the stepping stone community what you have trouble turning over to God, or what happened when you did.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank You for the healing power of Your son Jesus Christ. I have read about it in the BibIe and seen it in other people’s lives. I want it for my life to. I confess I am afraid to turn certain things over to You. I am under the false impression that I love me, know me, and can help me more than You can. Open my eyes to my destructive activities and help me give You a chance and trust Your track record over mine. Thank you for Your son’s death to heal my ultimate pain and help me learn how to apply that to this life as well. I humbly(and will try to stay humble) ask this in the healing name of Christ, and all God’s people said, AMEN!
Truth
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 5:15
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Stepping Stones: “…all the king’s horses and all the king’s men...”
Transformational Tip
Humpty Dumpty was one of my favorite nursery rhythms. You remember that one…he falls off the wall and no one…not even all the king’s resources can put him back together again.
But what about the King of Kings? Today’s scripture tells us how a great crowd of people were brought to Jesus to be healed…and he healed them! Jesus is still in the business of healing broken lives. He can and will put “all the pieces back together again.” Who do you know that needs Christ’s healing touch?
Today, bring them to Jesus through prayer the power of prayer. Or explain to them how He has put your pieces back together again…explaining to them the reason for the hope and peace that you have and enjoy. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on Jesus’ power to repair broken lives.
Prayer
Oh My King,
I thank You Father for the healing power of Your son Jesus Christ. I know he has the power to repair my broken life…and the lives of all those who come before him in belief. Help me Lord to bring those who are broken to You. Help me, Father, to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me…to give the reason for the hope that I have in You. I pray in the name of the great healer, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:30-31
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
Humpty Dumpty was one of my favorite nursery rhythms. You remember that one…he falls off the wall and no one…not even all the king’s resources can put him back together again.
But what about the King of Kings? Today’s scripture tells us how a great crowd of people were brought to Jesus to be healed…and he healed them! Jesus is still in the business of healing broken lives. He can and will put “all the pieces back together again.” Who do you know that needs Christ’s healing touch?
Today, bring them to Jesus through prayer the power of prayer. Or explain to them how He has put your pieces back together again…explaining to them the reason for the hope and peace that you have and enjoy. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on Jesus’ power to repair broken lives.
Prayer
Oh My King,
I thank You Father for the healing power of Your son Jesus Christ. I know he has the power to repair my broken life…and the lives of all those who come before him in belief. Help me Lord to bring those who are broken to You. Help me, Father, to always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me…to give the reason for the hope that I have in You. I pray in the name of the great healer, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:30-31
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Stepping Stones: Be An Encourager
Transformational Tip
Have you ever run a long distance race? As you near the end of the race your legs ache, your throat burns…your whole body cries out for you to stop. This is when the fans on the sidelines are most valuable. Their encouragement helps you to push through the pain and cross the finish line.
There are those around you (maybe even yourself) who are running the race of their life every day. Their minds scream, their bodies ache…and they doubt they will make it through the day. To them, making it through the day without totally giving up (or giving in) is, in fact, crossing the finish line. I have had days and times like this, how about you? A word of encouragement from you might make the difference in them making it through the day instead of collapsing along the way.
Today, be sensitive to others’ need for encouragement, and offer words of support or action. I’m sure there is someone’s name or face popping up in your mind right now; give then a call, drop in to see them, prepare a meal, send them a note…pray that the Lord’s light will shine through you to remove their darkness. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on providing or needing encouragement.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I thank you Father for all that I have. I confess that I too often seclude myself in my own cocoon. There are so many around me that need encouragement to make it to the finish line each day. Help me help them Lord. Help me be mindful to offer words of encouragement. Help me communicate to others the promise of Your Peace. Move me to where I need to be to witness to and encourage those in need. Help me see through the masks of those trying to put on a good face when inside they are crumbling. Us me today Lord to further Your kingdom even in ways that I do not understand. I pray to You my Father with thankfulness and bold expectation in the name of Your Son Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:7-11
Have you ever run a long distance race? As you near the end of the race your legs ache, your throat burns…your whole body cries out for you to stop. This is when the fans on the sidelines are most valuable. Their encouragement helps you to push through the pain and cross the finish line.
There are those around you (maybe even yourself) who are running the race of their life every day. Their minds scream, their bodies ache…and they doubt they will make it through the day. To them, making it through the day without totally giving up (or giving in) is, in fact, crossing the finish line. I have had days and times like this, how about you? A word of encouragement from you might make the difference in them making it through the day instead of collapsing along the way.
Today, be sensitive to others’ need for encouragement, and offer words of support or action. I’m sure there is someone’s name or face popping up in your mind right now; give then a call, drop in to see them, prepare a meal, send them a note…pray that the Lord’s light will shine through you to remove their darkness. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on providing or needing encouragement.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I thank you Father for all that I have. I confess that I too often seclude myself in my own cocoon. There are so many around me that need encouragement to make it to the finish line each day. Help me help them Lord. Help me be mindful to offer words of encouragement. Help me communicate to others the promise of Your Peace. Move me to where I need to be to witness to and encourage those in need. Help me see through the masks of those trying to put on a good face when inside they are crumbling. Us me today Lord to further Your kingdom even in ways that I do not understand. I pray to You my Father with thankfulness and bold expectation in the name of Your Son Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:7-11
Friday, October 9, 2009
Stepping Stones: The Ripple Effect
Transformational Tip
So many of us look at the world…with all its problems, disobedience, ignorance, unbelief…and think to ourselves, "can I really do anything that would make a difference at all?" We sit around waiting for someone else to make the first move…when nothing happens, we certainly don't blame ourselves. It's our nature to look anywhere but where we should…within. We need to start with ourselves…anchoring ourselves spiritually before attempting to make any positive change in the world around us. Christian Action calls for a PLAN - using Jesus as our model. I’m not talking about volunteering at church or attending that extra weekday service. I’m talking about spreading the message, furthering the kingdom of God. God wants to use you now in people’s lives.
Today, make a plan through thought and prayer. Once you begin to work your plan, keep your faith and remember to be flexible…things are not always going to go as you thought they might. Keep your perspective, be authentic, and don't do it alone! Surround yourself with other Christians - God's grace creates enthusiasm to pass it on…so use this to your advantage. Christian Action becomes Everyday Action…you will see the change not only in yourself, but in the world around you! Begin to create your ripple. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts of creating a ripple effect.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I look at what a mess this world has become and think there is nothing I can do to help change it…making it more to Your liking. Teach me Lord to start with myself and lead a Christian life that involves action and not just thinking, sitting, and then doing nothing. Like a pebble being thrown into still water, let my actions ripple outward…spreading to those around me. Help me to make a plan, using Jesus as my model. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.” Help me Father to follow His way. Allow Him to shine in me through my everyday actions. I pray this to you in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, - AMEN!
The Truth
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Philippians 2:14,15
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20
So many of us look at the world…with all its problems, disobedience, ignorance, unbelief…and think to ourselves, "can I really do anything that would make a difference at all?" We sit around waiting for someone else to make the first move…when nothing happens, we certainly don't blame ourselves. It's our nature to look anywhere but where we should…within. We need to start with ourselves…anchoring ourselves spiritually before attempting to make any positive change in the world around us. Christian Action calls for a PLAN - using Jesus as our model. I’m not talking about volunteering at church or attending that extra weekday service. I’m talking about spreading the message, furthering the kingdom of God. God wants to use you now in people’s lives.
Today, make a plan through thought and prayer. Once you begin to work your plan, keep your faith and remember to be flexible…things are not always going to go as you thought they might. Keep your perspective, be authentic, and don't do it alone! Surround yourself with other Christians - God's grace creates enthusiasm to pass it on…so use this to your advantage. Christian Action becomes Everyday Action…you will see the change not only in yourself, but in the world around you! Begin to create your ripple. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts of creating a ripple effect.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I look at what a mess this world has become and think there is nothing I can do to help change it…making it more to Your liking. Teach me Lord to start with myself and lead a Christian life that involves action and not just thinking, sitting, and then doing nothing. Like a pebble being thrown into still water, let my actions ripple outward…spreading to those around me. Help me to make a plan, using Jesus as my model. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.” Help me Father to follow His way. Allow Him to shine in me through my everyday actions. I pray this to you in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, - AMEN!
The Truth
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Philippians 2:14,15
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Stepping Stones: His Honeymoon Never Ends
Transformational Tip
Marriage vows. That moment, “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part.” That’s the closest many of us ever get to believing we can give unconditional love. Unfortunately for all of us, it has an expiration date…the honeymoon ends. Boy am I glad God isn’t so weak with keeping His unconditional vow to me and His honeymoon with me is everlasting. No matter what is going on in my life, no matter what acceptance or rejection I am receiving from others…no matter how badly I feel about myself…I can know that God accepts me and loves me, unconditionally. What does unconditional really mean? It means complete, guaranteed…no conditions, limitations, or stipulations attached. His love is total and it doesn’t make a difference how bad I mess up.
Today, remember, if you are Christian, God looks at you as if you have never sinned…He sees us through the veil of Jesus’s perfect righteousness. Be thankful and express gratitude for this wonderful gift of love. Share it verbally with one person and in deed with another. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on God’s unconditional love.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I am so thankful for scripture at a time like this. I feel totally lost and rejected. But when I read Your Holy Word it feels like a warm blanket on a cold day. To know that You chose me…and that even after all my sinning You Hold me blameless. Thank You Father. Help me remember Father that you have called me to follow You on a solitary path, designed just for me. It is a pathway that I underappreciated and at times even despise. Help me remember today and always that You have chosen the better thing for me, and help me follow the stepping stones You have laid before me. I pray this in Jesus’ precious name, and all God’s children said, - AMEN!
The Truth
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
Ephesians 1:4-5
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32
Marriage vows. That moment, “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part.” That’s the closest many of us ever get to believing we can give unconditional love. Unfortunately for all of us, it has an expiration date…the honeymoon ends. Boy am I glad God isn’t so weak with keeping His unconditional vow to me and His honeymoon with me is everlasting. No matter what is going on in my life, no matter what acceptance or rejection I am receiving from others…no matter how badly I feel about myself…I can know that God accepts me and loves me, unconditionally. What does unconditional really mean? It means complete, guaranteed…no conditions, limitations, or stipulations attached. His love is total and it doesn’t make a difference how bad I mess up.
Today, remember, if you are Christian, God looks at you as if you have never sinned…He sees us through the veil of Jesus’s perfect righteousness. Be thankful and express gratitude for this wonderful gift of love. Share it verbally with one person and in deed with another. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on God’s unconditional love.
Prayer
Dear Father,
I am so thankful for scripture at a time like this. I feel totally lost and rejected. But when I read Your Holy Word it feels like a warm blanket on a cold day. To know that You chose me…and that even after all my sinning You Hold me blameless. Thank You Father. Help me remember Father that you have called me to follow You on a solitary path, designed just for me. It is a pathway that I underappreciated and at times even despise. Help me remember today and always that You have chosen the better thing for me, and help me follow the stepping stones You have laid before me. I pray this in Jesus’ precious name, and all God’s children said, - AMEN!
The Truth
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
Ephesians 1:4-5
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Stepping Stones: Run! Don’t Walk
Transformational Tip
Temptation is everywhere. Our world is filled with moral depravity and sin-induced pressures. It ranges from things we should not hear, images we should not see, people we shouldn’t touch, substances we should not take…to food we should not eat. It’s everywhere.
The bible teaches us so much about temptation. It tells us that:
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I am becoming increasingly aware of the ever-present temptation swirling around me. Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him the whole world if Jesus would only bow down to him. Today the devil constantly temps me by offering me the world by trying to entice me with materialism and power. Help me Father. When I find myself craving something that I know is not of You, help me quote Jesus’ words to satan; “, "Away from me, satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
I pray with hope and confidence in the name of my teacher and savior Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
Matthew 4:10
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Jeremiah 15:21
Temptation is everywhere. Our world is filled with moral depravity and sin-induced pressures. It ranges from things we should not hear, images we should not see, people we shouldn’t touch, substances we should not take…to food we should not eat. It’s everywhere.
The bible teaches us so much about temptation. It tells us that:
- Wrong desires and temptation happen to everyone, so don’t feel you’ve been singled out
- Others have resisted temptation and so can you
- Any temptation can be resisted because God is there to help you
- Be aware that the closer you get to temptation, the better it seems to look. So don’t try and get closer for a better look. Don’t test your ability to resist…at some point it will just suck you in.
- Seek to have the “mind of Christ”, this will help you always do what is right.
- Pray for God’s help in resisting temptation.
- Say the word’s Jesus said to satan; "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
- Seek friends who love God and will help you when you are tempted.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I am becoming increasingly aware of the ever-present temptation swirling around me. Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him the whole world if Jesus would only bow down to him. Today the devil constantly temps me by offering me the world by trying to entice me with materialism and power. Help me Father. When I find myself craving something that I know is not of You, help me quote Jesus’ words to satan; “, "Away from me, satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
I pray with hope and confidence in the name of my teacher and savior Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
Matthew 4:10
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Jeremiah 15:21
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Stepping Stones: The Stupor of Self-Sufficiency
Transformational Tip
Clear skies, smooth sailing. We all love when life is storm-free. However, there is always a “yeah but.” Relying on God in the midst of adversity and storms is tough to do, and for most, tough enough even to remember to do. Even with the wake-up call adversity presents, looking to God first is tough for many. Even tougher is that we really forget about Him when life is flowing freely…and this is where the stupor of self-sufficiency sets in. We begin to think less about God…we think we can handle life on our own. Isn’t this one of our foundational building blocks of our struggles. We usually don’t leave God out intentionally, we just forget about His sovereignty and how much He does for us all the time.
It comes down to constancy of trust in God. In addition to trusting Him in a crisis or major decision, strengthen your trust in Him as you move through your day. God cares as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as He does about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices while you are in the stupor of self-sufficiency, but the One who is always beside you sees everything…and wants to help you with amazing power and options.
Today, what He can accomplish in and through you is directly proportional to how much you depend on Him…trust Him. Keep track of how many times you think of God first in various parts of your day. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on the stupor of self-sufficiency.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I trust You God with every fiber of my being. I thank you Lord for the times in my life where I am trouble-free. In those times I feel I can recharge my battery…catch up. But I am also aware of the self-sufficiency trap…to falling into the trap and stupor of self-sufficiency. Help me Father to continuously demonstrate my trust in You, to keep my mind steadfast on You. I know that consistently trusting You is vital to me flourishing in Your Presence. I pray with trust in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Psalm 40:4
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Clear skies, smooth sailing. We all love when life is storm-free. However, there is always a “yeah but.” Relying on God in the midst of adversity and storms is tough to do, and for most, tough enough even to remember to do. Even with the wake-up call adversity presents, looking to God first is tough for many. Even tougher is that we really forget about Him when life is flowing freely…and this is where the stupor of self-sufficiency sets in. We begin to think less about God…we think we can handle life on our own. Isn’t this one of our foundational building blocks of our struggles. We usually don’t leave God out intentionally, we just forget about His sovereignty and how much He does for us all the time.
It comes down to constancy of trust in God. In addition to trusting Him in a crisis or major decision, strengthen your trust in Him as you move through your day. God cares as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as He does about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices while you are in the stupor of self-sufficiency, but the One who is always beside you sees everything…and wants to help you with amazing power and options.
Today, what He can accomplish in and through you is directly proportional to how much you depend on Him…trust Him. Keep track of how many times you think of God first in various parts of your day. Click here to share with the stepping stone community your thoughts on the stupor of self-sufficiency.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
I trust You God with every fiber of my being. I thank you Lord for the times in my life where I am trouble-free. In those times I feel I can recharge my battery…catch up. But I am also aware of the self-sufficiency trap…to falling into the trap and stupor of self-sufficiency. Help me Father to continuously demonstrate my trust in You, to keep my mind steadfast on You. I know that consistently trusting You is vital to me flourishing in Your Presence. I pray with trust in the name of Jesus Christ, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Psalm 40:4
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
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