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Friday, April 25, 2014

He is ALL we need

God's Word tells us in Hebrews 12:1-2 to "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." 

Are we running with endurance? or are we stuck in that spot where everything changed and we didn't know what to do, what direction to take. 

Are we allowing our circumstances - whatever they may be - to define us? 

We are always surrounded by circumstances, events that come into our lives and force us to rethink things. 

Has the rethinking caused us to lose sight of where our focus should be? Has the rethinking only brought confusion and plenty of it?  

Our focus should be on the Lord Jesus. When we begin our day thinking of the Lord and have Him on our mind throughout the day, our countenance is brighter and we are surer of the right steps to take on that day's journey. 

But unfortunately, we don't always do what we should. We do what we think. And we already know thinking can get us into trouble. 

We give in to our frustrations. 

We need the Lord. He's the one who guides us. He will make our steps steady and sure, so we won't stumble. 

Look up. Be careful. Remove the burdensome load you are carrying. Give it to Jesus. Look to Jesus. Keep your focus on Him. He is all we need. 

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Waiting and Acting on His Promise

After He rose from the dead, Jesus spoke to the disciples:
"...Wait for the Promise of the Father, which you have heard from Me..." (Acts 1:4)

Wait.

"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

After 40 days, Jesus "while they watched, was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight and they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up." (Acts 1:9-10)

They waited.
First for the Promise Jesus had spoken of -- to receive power and to be witnesses
Second for His return
Third for the Holy Spirit to come upon them

We wait too.
We have this promise
We receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior,
who gives us the power to be witnesses

We too look steadfastly toward the heavens for His return.

The disciples and many others waited -- Together as one in prayer.
Ten days, long days, endless days.

And then it was Pentecost, a Jewish observance, celebration, but of special significance for these new believers.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting ... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:2-4)

They waited.
They received.
They remembered Jesus' words to them:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them  in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

And so they went forth.

And we ...
we go forth too, making disciples,  baptizing, teaching them, remembering The Lord's mighty power and unconditional love is with us always.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6