"Present your case", the Lord says. "Bring forward your strong arguments.", The King of Jacob says.
Isaiah 41:21
Have you ever thought of how you should present your case for the Lord? When we get to heaven all that matters is that we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, but when we stand before the lost, how do we present Jesus to them? What are our strong arguments? We should be ready at any moment to share our faith. I challenge you to be ready and know what you are going to say. Better yet, share your testimony with me - I would love to hear it.... if you are not a member of blogspot and you don't want to share it for all to read then e-mail me: stgulledge@yahoo.com
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 9
Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
Psalm 16:1
There are so many meanings of preserve: To keep alive, protect or spare, to keep up; maintain, to keep possession of, to prepare. These can all apply to when call out to God for Him to preserve us. We all have a time in our lives that each meaning can apply more that one of the others. Yes we need to call out to Him and we really need to take hold of the last part of the verse - "I take refuge in You". When we call out to God we must remember to run to Him for that shelter of protection that we are asking for. So many times we stand there and call out but then that is it, we don't move towards Him so that He can do just what we have ask Him to. We must learn to trust and run to Him, curl up under His shelter and relax and know that we can be safe from the storm.
Psalm 16:1
There are so many meanings of preserve: To keep alive, protect or spare, to keep up; maintain, to keep possession of, to prepare. These can all apply to when call out to God for Him to preserve us. We all have a time in our lives that each meaning can apply more that one of the others. Yes we need to call out to Him and we really need to take hold of the last part of the verse - "I take refuge in You". When we call out to God we must remember to run to Him for that shelter of protection that we are asking for. So many times we stand there and call out but then that is it, we don't move towards Him so that He can do just what we have ask Him to. We must learn to trust and run to Him, curl up under His shelter and relax and know that we can be safe from the storm.
June 8
Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You."
John 13:37
In today's life we basically ask ourselves - Why can I not follow the Lord right now? And our answers are: time with our jobs, our families, or our hobbies. Think about it, we make many excuses of why we can't do things for the Lord, so that is the same as following Him. Do we even say the words - "I will lay down my life for You"? Are we making bold decisions for Christ? Are we showing others that we are completely and totally sold out for Christ? I think we are often like Paul - we have great intentions, but when push comes to shove, we may not be all we say we are. Thank goodness that God already knows our faults and weaknesses and He still loves us! May we realize where we have failed Him, and seek to be all that God has called us to be. May we put our priorities in order, spend more time with Him, and be the disciples that He can be proud of!
John 13:37
In today's life we basically ask ourselves - Why can I not follow the Lord right now? And our answers are: time with our jobs, our families, or our hobbies. Think about it, we make many excuses of why we can't do things for the Lord, so that is the same as following Him. Do we even say the words - "I will lay down my life for You"? Are we making bold decisions for Christ? Are we showing others that we are completely and totally sold out for Christ? I think we are often like Paul - we have great intentions, but when push comes to shove, we may not be all we say we are. Thank goodness that God already knows our faults and weaknesses and He still loves us! May we realize where we have failed Him, and seek to be all that God has called us to be. May we put our priorities in order, spend more time with Him, and be the disciples that He can be proud of!
June 7
Put them in fear, O Lord, That the nations may know themselves to be but men.
Psalm 9:20
I think about night storms and hurricanes that come through and help us to rememember that God is still in control. We have seen the "awakening calls" but America is still focused on the men. I can only imagine what it will take for America to realize that we have an all powerful God that is our creator and maker! And even when people see the miracles that come out of storms and hurricanes, they still can't see God. We are a spiritually blind nation. We must stand strong as Chrsitians and be that lighthouse for others to see Christ. He is all around, but they can't see him, and sad to say they don't want to. We must live a life that others see and it compells them to want what we have - and His name is Jesus!
Psalm 9:20
I think about night storms and hurricanes that come through and help us to rememember that God is still in control. We have seen the "awakening calls" but America is still focused on the men. I can only imagine what it will take for America to realize that we have an all powerful God that is our creator and maker! And even when people see the miracles that come out of storms and hurricanes, they still can't see God. We are a spiritually blind nation. We must stand strong as Chrsitians and be that lighthouse for others to see Christ. He is all around, but they can't see him, and sad to say they don't want to. We must live a life that others see and it compells them to want what we have - and His name is Jesus!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
June 6
Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
Psalms 66:8
Well I was guilty of not letting this be done this weekend. When travling on the back of the motorcycle, I kept in mind that my husband was in front of me and when I had a song that was in my head, I would not sing outloud. My husband sang quite a bit on the trip. We need to get over the fear of sounding awful and just remember who our praises are being sung to and SING! After all God created us, and this voice that we have, so He thinks it is awesome. We were created to praise Him, so get over yourself (myself) and just do it. You have seen people just walking down the street praising His name, and what are our first thoughts? They are weird. No they are just obedient, praising Him and letting it be heard. Be on the weird side today and just let His praises be heard!
(Sorry I am behind, VBS and the trip this weekend took my focus away.)
Psalms 66:8
Well I was guilty of not letting this be done this weekend. When travling on the back of the motorcycle, I kept in mind that my husband was in front of me and when I had a song that was in my head, I would not sing outloud. My husband sang quite a bit on the trip. We need to get over the fear of sounding awful and just remember who our praises are being sung to and SING! After all God created us, and this voice that we have, so He thinks it is awesome. We were created to praise Him, so get over yourself (myself) and just do it. You have seen people just walking down the street praising His name, and what are our first thoughts? They are weird. No they are just obedient, praising Him and letting it be heard. Be on the weird side today and just let His praises be heard!
(Sorry I am behind, VBS and the trip this weekend took my focus away.)
Friday, June 5, 2009
June 5
Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.
Proverbs 4:24
I have always stood on the fact that our words are the biggest testimony we have. We are not always sharing with others our testimony of how Jesus changed us, but we still have a testimony in everything else that we are saying. As Christians, we are a representation of Christ. Everything that we say and do represents Him, so when our words are not matching up to the words that Jesus would be using this is wrong! The Bible is clearly telling us to put these words far from us. Why, because they do not represent Who you truly stand for. We should be aware that there are others always listening to us, and they are seeing if we are the Christians that we claim to be. I know that this is not right, but it is very true, non-christians want to see just what is different about us from them. So be very careful that your words are pointing them to the one Who is different, His name is Jesus. If you are using words that are not becoming to Christ, then you are not pointing others to Christ.
Proverbs 4:24
I have always stood on the fact that our words are the biggest testimony we have. We are not always sharing with others our testimony of how Jesus changed us, but we still have a testimony in everything else that we are saying. As Christians, we are a representation of Christ. Everything that we say and do represents Him, so when our words are not matching up to the words that Jesus would be using this is wrong! The Bible is clearly telling us to put these words far from us. Why, because they do not represent Who you truly stand for. We should be aware that there are others always listening to us, and they are seeing if we are the Christians that we claim to be. I know that this is not right, but it is very true, non-christians want to see just what is different about us from them. So be very careful that your words are pointing them to the one Who is different, His name is Jesus. If you are using words that are not becoming to Christ, then you are not pointing others to Christ.
June 4
Pray, then, in this way:'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Matthew 6:9
Even when I was little I remember learning this prayer, it has to be the most popular prayer ever know from Scripture. This is how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray. We don't think very often about having instructions for praying do we. First we must think about the first part - Who we are praying to. This is huge for us, for we know that there are many relgions out there but we serve the one true God. When we say our Father, we acknowledge just who He is to us. As a child who grew up without a Father, reading this became very special to me. I understood, that I had an earthly father and I was told how much he adored me. I can related to God being my heavenly father in a way that some may not. I can't see Him just like I couldn't see my earthly father, but I know that He is real and that He loves me beyond measure because I am told of this. I accept this as the truth (this is faith). Next we are to acknowledge where our Father lives, He is in heaven. Why because we know that He is the creator of this earth, and He is far beyond where we are and He has prepared a place for us later, which is Heaven. Hallowed be your name, hallowed means to honor as holy; consider sacred; so this we know about God, His name is Holy. So I beleive that when Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray he was telling them to remember just who God is - He is our Father; where He was - in Heaven; and always to remember what is so important about Him - His Holy name.
Matthew 6:9
Even when I was little I remember learning this prayer, it has to be the most popular prayer ever know from Scripture. This is how Jesus instructed His disciples to pray. We don't think very often about having instructions for praying do we. First we must think about the first part - Who we are praying to. This is huge for us, for we know that there are many relgions out there but we serve the one true God. When we say our Father, we acknowledge just who He is to us. As a child who grew up without a Father, reading this became very special to me. I understood, that I had an earthly father and I was told how much he adored me. I can related to God being my heavenly father in a way that some may not. I can't see Him just like I couldn't see my earthly father, but I know that He is real and that He loves me beyond measure because I am told of this. I accept this as the truth (this is faith). Next we are to acknowledge where our Father lives, He is in heaven. Why because we know that He is the creator of this earth, and He is far beyond where we are and He has prepared a place for us later, which is Heaven. Hallowed be your name, hallowed means to honor as holy; consider sacred; so this we know about God, His name is Holy. So I beleive that when Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray he was telling them to remember just who God is - He is our Father; where He was - in Heaven; and always to remember what is so important about Him - His Holy name.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June 3
Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
Psalms 111:1
My first thought is "of the upright" - was this when they could be standing up and singing? And read on, they were in the congregation - WOW! May this be a thought to remember when we are so tired of standing and singing, this is a Psalm - a prayer to God! We should remember this even when we don't want to stand and sing, we should still Praise the Lord. Who knows, He just may put a little joy in our heart. Open up -Let Him in! Next time forget about the people around you, just remember these words - "I will prise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation" and just do it - Praise HIM! You will begin to experience God in a way that you never have before - enjoy!
Psalms 111:1
My first thought is "of the upright" - was this when they could be standing up and singing? And read on, they were in the congregation - WOW! May this be a thought to remember when we are so tired of standing and singing, this is a Psalm - a prayer to God! We should remember this even when we don't want to stand and sing, we should still Praise the Lord. Who knows, He just may put a little joy in our heart. Open up -Let Him in! Next time forget about the people around you, just remember these words - "I will prise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation" and just do it - Praise HIM! You will begin to experience God in a way that you never have before - enjoy!
June 2
Pay attention and lisen to the saying of the wise; apply our heart to what I teach.
Proverbs 22:17
The key words here is listen. Sometimes it is best when there are several speaking to just sit back and take it all in. Store up the things that are important, so that you can use them later. Just like everything else, you must filter what you hear, some if it may not be useful and you must consider the source. There are many people that seem to be wise, but just ask the Lord, He will let you know! They may be so full of words that all you hear is "blah, blah, blah"... it will be clear to you. God does have great things to say throught many great people, be willing to hear and then learn from what you hear.
Proverbs 22:17
The key words here is listen. Sometimes it is best when there are several speaking to just sit back and take it all in. Store up the things that are important, so that you can use them later. Just like everything else, you must filter what you hear, some if it may not be useful and you must consider the source. There are many people that seem to be wise, but just ask the Lord, He will let you know! They may be so full of words that all you hear is "blah, blah, blah"... it will be clear to you. God does have great things to say throught many great people, be willing to hear and then learn from what you hear.
June 1
Psalm 31:21
Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a beseiged city.
This beseiged city to me was when I was lost. God loved me and cared for me even when I had no cares for Him. I think we can all say that we have all been truly blessed when we were so undeserving. Now, as believers, is truly a time to thank Him for sparing our lives and allowing us to have the opportunity to choose Him. He is worthy to be praised, so let Him know!
May 31
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9
Have you ever been betrayed by someone who you tought was a friend? It hurts, cuts you so deep, it's as if you can really feel that knife that was stabbed into you back. Even thinking about it now can bring back those feelings, and once again, you feel all alone, as if no one in the world cares. But we have hope to hold on to! We have a true friend sticks closer than a brother, His name is Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us. All I can say about that friend that has hurt you, is, I am sorry. I know what you are going through and you will get through this. You can learn to pray for them and ask God to help them to realize that wrong that they have done. And even though they may ask for forgiveness, you can forgive! Your relationship may never be restored to what it was, but God can give you the grace and mercy to become friends with them again. Yes, they will just have to understand that trust will have to be earned, but time can heal wounds. Let your other best friend, Jesus, get you through it! It's time to let the healing process begin.
Psalm 41:9
Have you ever been betrayed by someone who you tought was a friend? It hurts, cuts you so deep, it's as if you can really feel that knife that was stabbed into you back. Even thinking about it now can bring back those feelings, and once again, you feel all alone, as if no one in the world cares. But we have hope to hold on to! We have a true friend sticks closer than a brother, His name is Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us. All I can say about that friend that has hurt you, is, I am sorry. I know what you are going through and you will get through this. You can learn to pray for them and ask God to help them to realize that wrong that they have done. And even though they may ask for forgiveness, you can forgive! Your relationship may never be restored to what it was, but God can give you the grace and mercy to become friends with them again. Yes, they will just have to understand that trust will have to be earned, but time can heal wounds. Let your other best friend, Jesus, get you through it! It's time to let the healing process begin.
Monday, June 1, 2009
May 30
Enemy, don't laugh at me. I have fallen, but I will get up again. I sit in the shadow of trouble now, but the Lord will be a light for me.
Micah 7:8
Have you been in this place? If you haven't, you may be one day. We may all go through something that we feel others are watching us and making fun of us, but remember, there is an enemy behind them! His name is satan. He seeks to destroy us, but don't let him do that. He wants you defeated but you must remember that you serve somebody that is much greater than Satan! His name is Jesus - and during your times of trouble He is the one that you are to run to. He will be that lighthouse for you to run to and He will be the one to guide you through that storm! You must remember that the fruit does not grow on the mountaintop but in the valley and we must walk through that valley sometimes in order for us to grow. Hold on to Jesus and let Him walk with you and nurture you and help you to grow. He will help to restore you and make you what He desires for you to be.
Micah 7:8
Have you been in this place? If you haven't, you may be one day. We may all go through something that we feel others are watching us and making fun of us, but remember, there is an enemy behind them! His name is satan. He seeks to destroy us, but don't let him do that. He wants you defeated but you must remember that you serve somebody that is much greater than Satan! His name is Jesus - and during your times of trouble He is the one that you are to run to. He will be that lighthouse for you to run to and He will be the one to guide you through that storm! You must remember that the fruit does not grow on the mountaintop but in the valley and we must walk through that valley sometimes in order for us to grow. Hold on to Jesus and let Him walk with you and nurture you and help you to grow. He will help to restore you and make you what He desires for you to be.
May 29
Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the followers did not know it was Jesus.
John 21:4
Do you think that we have been guilty of this too? That Jesus has been right there with us and we have missed Him completely? Yes, we often do. We have to be aware that He is all around us, He can come to us in the way of another person, and if we are not careful, we can just brush Him off and neglect Him. Look for the opportunity to see Jesus today. Send a smile across a room, help somebody to a car, open a door for somebody, just let somebody know that Jesus loves them. Embrace the opportunity to meet Jesus today. He is there waiting for you and for me.
John 21:4
Do you think that we have been guilty of this too? That Jesus has been right there with us and we have missed Him completely? Yes, we often do. We have to be aware that He is all around us, He can come to us in the way of another person, and if we are not careful, we can just brush Him off and neglect Him. Look for the opportunity to see Jesus today. Send a smile across a room, help somebody to a car, open a door for somebody, just let somebody know that Jesus loves them. Embrace the opportunity to meet Jesus today. He is there waiting for you and for me.
May 28
Each person should judge his own actions and not compare himself with others. Then he can be proud for what he himself has done.
Galatians 6:4
These are very strong words, but how often do we really do this? So many times we look at what others are doing and size ourselves up with them, this is WRONG - and we have scripture to tell us why! Yes we know that we are responsible for our own actions and we are the ones that we are to focus our time on, but it's so much easier not to have to look in the mirror! We are not responsible for anyone else but us! It's not fun but we need to take a look at ourselves and see just how we line up to scripture and the example that Jesus set for us. I know that we are not going to be perfect, but are we striving to be? It's easy to say, "I will ask for forgiveness later", but should we? You are challenged today to examine yourself (me included) and ask God - "How can I be more like you?". He is going to reveal to us where we have been wrong and how we have been right. Take time to spend with Him today, so that He can help you on this path. When He tells you that you may be been wrong, make it right with Him and that person you may not have been showing Jesus too. Remember as a Christian, you are suppose to be a reflection of Christ for others to see. When you are striving to be more like Jesus, then you are living a life that you can be proud of and Jesus can too.
Galatians 6:4
These are very strong words, but how often do we really do this? So many times we look at what others are doing and size ourselves up with them, this is WRONG - and we have scripture to tell us why! Yes we know that we are responsible for our own actions and we are the ones that we are to focus our time on, but it's so much easier not to have to look in the mirror! We are not responsible for anyone else but us! It's not fun but we need to take a look at ourselves and see just how we line up to scripture and the example that Jesus set for us. I know that we are not going to be perfect, but are we striving to be? It's easy to say, "I will ask for forgiveness later", but should we? You are challenged today to examine yourself (me included) and ask God - "How can I be more like you?". He is going to reveal to us where we have been wrong and how we have been right. Take time to spend with Him today, so that He can help you on this path. When He tells you that you may be been wrong, make it right with Him and that person you may not have been showing Jesus too. Remember as a Christian, you are suppose to be a reflection of Christ for others to see. When you are striving to be more like Jesus, then you are living a life that you can be proud of and Jesus can too.
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