Quick Gospel

Matthew 20:28

New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Thought:
The key to the Kingdom for Jesus, God, and for us is sacrificial love. It's the tiny finger of God that has the power to overthrow evil and reveal the Kingdom here.  The works of Jesus that healed the blind and fed the hungry revealed the power of love that broke into our world on Christmas.  Every good deed has a cost requiring sacrifice of time, money , or effort.  The power of the Kingdom is the love that will take the time, make the effort, and pay the money to do what needs to be done.*  Hoping this will begin your journey for the season of advent as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ in our worlds and hearts.  The truth of the text above to me is the epitome of the season, and I hope you find your own reason this year to put Christ first, and keep him there all year long.
Prayer:
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

* adapted from advent devotional " Thy Kingdom come" by Robert Hereth.

Tuned In

As November closes and we prepare for December to start and the season of Advetn upon us. We prepare for the birth of Jesus in the lowly manger in Bethlehem. I ask for the strength from God to "Lead Me" in all that I do to bring all those that follow me to understand and love Jesus the same that I do. Sanctus Real has the stage this week with "Lead Me" as an example of how we are to live and love. Enjoy and hae a great and blessed week!

Quick Gospel

2 Corinthians 12:9a

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Thought:
In all of our suffering that we endure, God is going to handle it for us.  In that moment, His grace will cover us to make us beautiful.  I use the image of a caterpillar escaping from the chrysalis.  The caterpillar has to go through the struggle as painful as it is to be able to use its wings to fly as a butterfly.  What ever it is you are going through or dealing with, God has given you the ability to fly away from it as something new and beautiful. We just have to get through the first initial struggle.  His grace is indeed sufficient enough.

Prayer:
My all-knowing King, help me get beyond my questions so I can trust even when things happen that I don't understand. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know it is early to be well wishing this Holiday.  However, I have chosen to take next week off to engage my time with family, friends and most importantly God!  My decree is that you all make time to do the same.  We tend to let the Holiday's get overtaken by our busyness.  I feel that God is asking me to take some time off and enjoy what He is doing, blessing and talking with me.  Find His voice over these next couple of days and relish in those moments.  Relish in those moments with family, and the memories that get shared.  I will see you all back at this blog the following week with more gospels and tunes to share as we welcome in the advent season.  God Bless to all, and have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving holiday.  Over this time off, pray for each other as well.  Especially keep my good buddy Trevor Kirby in those thoughts, he got rushed to the ER last evening with appendicitis.  God Speed good buddy!

Turn up the heat!!

So last night I shared a great conversation with a teacher at my sons school and am intrigued enough to share with you that I am in the beginning processes of reading the book and making the difference that it calls for each of us to do.  The book and concept is called "The extra degree" by Sam Parker & Mac Anderson.  This is the prologue written inside the book;  At 211 degrees water is hot.  At 212 degrees, it boils.  And with boiling water, comes steam.  And steam can power a locomotive.  So will you be the one that makes the extra degree in someones life today and power them to their greatest ability?  i am so excited to read this book and live it out!

Tuned in Tuesday

Thank you God for all the blessings that you give to me and all of us.  However, satan is fighting madly to take them away form us in these days that we face.  We need to "Rise Up" and take back what God has given to us.  Be thankful for what we have, but do not be afraid to fight for them either!!  Matt Maher has been my breakthrough artist of 2011 for me.  I hope you enjoy this!  Have a great and blessed week ahead.

Gospel

Mark 4:24-26

New International Version (NIV)

   ²⁴ “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. ²⁵ Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

The Parable of the Growing Seed

 ²⁶ He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.

Thought:

So be careful with what you have and what you do with it.  God has blessed you indeed, what you do with those blessings may detrmine your lot in the Kingdom of God.  So before you throw it away maybe find someone to give it away to.  Or before you spend 3 months salaries on the gift this year, maybe you can use that to give to those that might need food or shelter.  What you get blessed with by God may just be to give to soemone else and not intended for you!  These are the seeds that you plant.  What will your harvest look like?

Prayer:

Giver of all things, let me be used this season to be a giver and not a taker. A true defintion of the word love that you tell us to live by.

Amen.