I would like to say that I have or at least can find a good understanding of the scripture I read. But lately I just don't get it. So I'm asking for help. If you haven't read Judges 17-19 take a few moments and read and then give me your thoughts maybe we can learn from each other.
Monday, July 15, 2013
IDK
As I have been reading scripture over the past few days I have found myself saying "I don't get it!"
Thursday, July 4, 2013
3 People Acts 14
Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. (Acts 14:19, 20 NLT)
3 People.
Some Jews - traveled to Iconium to oppose Paul and the gospel. They had a mission to stop it. I relate these "some Jews" to some Christians. It's not everyone but there are some in the church that go out of their way to oppose the gospel moving forward. They preach tradition and conformity. They throw stones of accusations. I don't want to be part of this group.
Believers Gathered - there are powerful things that happen when the people that believe gather together. Things come back to life. The broken and bruised are healed and restored. Encouragement come from a gathering of believers.
He, being Paul - Notice that Paul was stoned for preaching the gospel. Some say he was dead. But when he got back up (maybe even back from the dead) he went back into the city, the same place he was stoned. Maybe it was a show of Power. The Power of the gospel will move forward. The power of the Holy Spirit > is He who is in you than he who is in the world. The power of passion for e mission of God.
Which are you?
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
It's been a minute. Circles
I know it's been a while sense anything has been posted so I thought it would be good to start something.
At church we have been reading through the books of Judges and Acts. Two radical books in the bible. So I'm going to try to post a few thoughts from these books.
Circles.
Judges Ch 13.
Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord ’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines, who oppressed them for forty years. (Judges 13:1 NLT)
This is a common scripture you will read throughout Judges. I ask the question as to why or maybe how long will the followers of God walk in this circle. The circle = doing evil in Gods sight -> bondage -> crying for help from God -> God rescues.
You would think that after several times walking in this circle they would get it. But then I remember how many times I fall short of obedience. How often I can walk in the circle of the same temptation. How many times have I cried out to God for salvation.
I guess I am not that different👎.
So here's the beauty of this seemingly depressive scripture, God's mercy! God's grace! God comes to the rescue every time they turn back to Him. Every time they or we cry out, which is repentance, God comes to the recuse. 👍.
I don't think it's wise to continue to walk in the same circle. I want to grow into walking a path of growth and moving forward not walking in circles. I get to dizzy.
Here's one more thought from Ch. 13.
The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. (Judges 13:3 NLT)
When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up. (Judges 13:24 NLT)
Notice that God gave direction and Manoah and his wife took action. They had to do their part. If you know what I mean.
This is crucial to understand as we listen and hear from God. As we partner with His plan we move from circles to paths that lead to freedom.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Happy Christmas
may you be blessed with the joy of good food
remembering its never too cold for ice cream!
may you avoid the Christmas skimming
and have your coffee hot and steaming!
may your celebrating be filled with
peppermint, eggnog, coffee, ice cream!
(all together would be interesting)
may you find the worlds best cup of coffee
and please tell me about it!
may you find a clear direction
for 2013!
may you find the time to give personal gifts
because that's what God gave us!
may you find peace with God
through Jesus!
may you and your family have peace
understanding we can disagree and still love!
may this crazy dark world see your light!
SteveNikki
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sunday rewind
- God's Presence in your life + your presences in some one's life = Christmas.
- Christmas is a celebration of presence! Without presence there is no celebration.
- God's presence brings presents into our life.
- His presence claims our panic and brings Joy.
- We read the story of the shepherds Luke 2:8-10
- God's presence brings Joy because (v10)
- He makes it personal (I bring you! v10)
- He brings good news
- For all people
Make your Christmas more Joyful!
- Make it personal - the gifts you give make them personal. Spend time with friends and family!
- Make a commitment to share Good News only. Lets silent the bad news. (at least for this season)
- Connect with someone outside your normal friends and family.
I will try to add some audio of the gathering soon!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Keep on Keeping on!
Do you ever get tired? Do you ever just want to quit? Life seems like it always going uphill. And when the down hill comes it only reveals more uphills. What do you do when life is like this? A friend of mine gave me some great wisdom for riding a bike uphill, "Just keep pedaling!"
I think this is good wisdom for life. Sometimes we just have to keep on keeping on. As I was reading the bible the other day I came across the story were Jesus was asking God for some much needed relief. You can read it in Luke 22:41-
After reading this story I had a few thoughts if you feel like your constantly going uphill.
Jesus went about a stones throw beyond - if your constantly in a struggle try unplugging for awhile. Remove yourself even if its for a few minutes. Find a quiet place! Not just in your mind but really a quiet place. Hide in the closet at work for a few minutes. And if someone opens the door jump out and walk away. (Just thinking about someone doing that makes me laugh) How about this turn off your cell phone! Dont log unto facebook, twitter, or whatever. Unplug for a moment
He prayed - While you are unplugged from the struggles plug into the one the has strength. Pray. The bible teaches us not to worry about anything but rather pray about everything. Re-connect to God through prayer. Try this in the closet and now you have a prayer closet!
Jesus asked for relief but wanted the mission to move forward. Not my will (what I want) but your will be done (God's mission) Remember the mission. The why in the what you are doing. If you are just serving your selfish desires you will live very ill. We all need something bigger to connect to. Gods mission, what He wants is where we need to be. What has God told us to do. Well keep on that!
Notice Jesus spoke these things. Not my will but yours be done. Think about what comes out your mouth. Do you speak more about the struggle than the mission? Do you speak more negative mess then positive words. Make sure your speech lines up with your belief which equals salvation BTW
Jesus gets up and moves toward the cross - Who said this is going to be easy, sissy walk. The cool thing is the angels came to minister to Him. This only happened after He was willing to move forward. Keep pedaling
Just keep pedaling - Just keep on Keeping on! The ones that make it to the end shall be saved. I want to be counted as one that finished the race before me. God will send you supernatural strength as long as you are connected to Him!
I think this is good wisdom for life. Sometimes we just have to keep on keeping on. As I was reading the bible the other day I came across the story were Jesus was asking God for some much needed relief. You can read it in Luke 22:41-
After reading this story I had a few thoughts if you feel like your constantly going uphill.
Jesus went about a stones throw beyond - if your constantly in a struggle try unplugging for awhile. Remove yourself even if its for a few minutes. Find a quiet place! Not just in your mind but really a quiet place. Hide in the closet at work for a few minutes. And if someone opens the door jump out and walk away. (Just thinking about someone doing that makes me laugh) How about this turn off your cell phone! Dont log unto facebook, twitter, or whatever. Unplug for a moment
He prayed - While you are unplugged from the struggles plug into the one the has strength. Pray. The bible teaches us not to worry about anything but rather pray about everything. Re-connect to God through prayer. Try this in the closet and now you have a prayer closet!
Jesus asked for relief but wanted the mission to move forward. Not my will (what I want) but your will be done (God's mission) Remember the mission. The why in the what you are doing. If you are just serving your selfish desires you will live very ill. We all need something bigger to connect to. Gods mission, what He wants is where we need to be. What has God told us to do. Well keep on that!
Notice Jesus spoke these things. Not my will but yours be done. Think about what comes out your mouth. Do you speak more about the struggle than the mission? Do you speak more negative mess then positive words. Make sure your speech lines up with your belief which equals salvation BTW
Jesus gets up and moves toward the cross - Who said this is going to be easy, sissy walk. The cool thing is the angels came to minister to Him. This only happened after He was willing to move forward. Keep pedaling
Just keep pedaling - Just keep on Keeping on! The ones that make it to the end shall be saved. I want to be counted as one that finished the race before me. God will send you supernatural strength as long as you are connected to Him!
Unleash
I'm currently reading Unleash by Perry Noble. (Along with a few other books)
I have been following Pastor Perry for a few years now and at first I didn't know what to think. He is very straight forward, funny and very real. Needless to say the work he does for the kingdom of God is very effective.
I was excited to hear about his book and wondered if he could bring the same style (from the stage) translate it to the pages of a book. After reading it I believe he did.
A few things I really enjoyed. The stories. I could really relate to the Jr high dances. I too went and did not dance. I guess I was too cool.
I also have taken a lot from Perrys short sayings like; “God created us on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose.”
“If our view of God is small and manageable and normal then we will have a small view of what He wants to do in and through us.”
Unleash tackles the issue we all fight, normalcy. Why live a normal, average, run of the mill life. We serve a Big God with Big plans. I believe God wants us to live unleashed.
Read this Book.
unleahbook.com
I have been following Pastor Perry for a few years now and at first I didn't know what to think. He is very straight forward, funny and very real. Needless to say the work he does for the kingdom of God is very effective.
I was excited to hear about his book and wondered if he could bring the same style (from the stage) translate it to the pages of a book. After reading it I believe he did.
A few things I really enjoyed. The stories. I could really relate to the Jr high dances. I too went and did not dance. I guess I was too cool.
I also have taken a lot from Perrys short sayings like; “God created us on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose.”
“If our view of God is small and manageable and normal then we will have a small view of what He wants to do in and through us.”
Unleash tackles the issue we all fight, normalcy. Why live a normal, average, run of the mill life. We serve a Big God with Big plans. I believe God wants us to live unleashed.
Read this Book.
unleahbook.com
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