Morning Scripture Reading - Romans 8:26-27

Romans 8:26-27 New International Version (NIV)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for usthrough wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - 1 John 5:13-15

1 John 5:13-15 New International Version (NIV)

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of Godso that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidencewe have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Morning Scripture Reading - Proverbs 2:9-11

Proverbs 2:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 2:1-11

1 Samuel 2:1-11 New International Version (NIV)

Hannah’s Prayer

2 Then Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.

2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

3 “Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.

4 “The bows of the warriors are broken,
    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.

6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.
9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
    the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Samuel 2:1 Horn here symbolizes strength; also in verse 10.

Morning Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:9

Proverbs 17:9 New International Version (NIV)

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Titus 1:15-16

Titus 1:15-16 New International Version (NIV)

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Mid-Week Message - Do Not Fear

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."   Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

One of the vivid memories from my childhood is a time that there was a thunderstorm in Amarillo, Texas.  It was in the middle of the night and I was scared.  As I always did when I was afraid at night, I called out for my Daddy.  He came in to check on me and asked me what was wrong, even though he already knew.  Because I was feeling so insecure, he pulled my bed away from the window and positioned it near the door so that I could see across the hall to my parents' bedroom and know he was there and I was safe.  

I think back on that night now and realize what a beautiful picture it is of my relationship with God.  When I am scared, He is always there.  No matter what time of day or what the situation, He is always there to help me feel secure.  Just as my earthly father acknowledged my fear, so does the Lord.  During this past year there have been numerous times when I didn't know what was going to happen next.  Our lives were completely turned upside down and I found myself in unfamiliar territory not knowing what my next step should be or in which direction.  To say there were days when I was terrified is an understatement.  But I knew where I could go for refuge.  

Psalm 23:4 in the King James Version says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."  When I read that there is something that jumps out at me and that is the word "shadow."  In order for there to be a shadow, there must be a source of light.  Since God is light, we know that even in those deep, frightening valleys, we can be sure of His presence.  If we know that He is there then whatever is causing our fear loses its power.

Fear is a powerful tool used against us by the enemy.  He loves it when we feel frightened and alone.  It creates an opportunity for him to whisper such things to us as, "Where is your God now?"  He wants us to doubt the Lord's presence.  He wants us to feel isolated so that our faith will be shaken.  His goal is to create a wall of doubt that will separate us from the Father.  What we have to keep in mind is that there is nothing greater than the Almighty.  His greatness is always bigger than any situation we can find ourselves in and His light will always overcome any darkness that the enemy attempts to create.  We just have to have our eyes open to see it.  

I don't know what your circumstances are.  I share my own experiences in hopes that they may resonate with something you are either going through currently or have gone through.  My prayer is always that hearts can be touched in a timely manner and that the Lord will use the words He gives me to reach into lives that are needing to see His light.  I have no reason to write these messages except to glorify Him.  I pray for each of you and ask for His blessings in your lives.  If you are in a place of fear today, my hope is that you will see the Light that dwarfs whatever is causing your fear.  That light is the reassurance that you are not alone.  Keep your eyes on the Light rather than whatever is causing you to be fearful.  The temporary will always lose out to the eternal. 

Morning Scripture Reading - Mark 12:30-31

Mark 12:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

Footnotes:

1. Mark 12:30 Deut. 6:4,5
2. Mark 12:31 Lev. 19:18

Afternoon Scripture Reading - John 13:36-38

John 13:36-38 New International Version (NIV)

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Morning Scripture Reading - 1 John 5:1-5

1 John 5:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:1-6 New International Version (NIV)

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Morning Scripture Reading - Isaiah 54:9-10

Isaiah 54:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
    when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
    never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Zephaniah 3:14-17

Zephaniah 3:14-17 New International Version (NIV)

14 Sing, Daughter Zion;
    shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,
    he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
    never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day
    they will say to Jerusalem,
“Do not fear, Zion;
    do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Outdoing One Another

As I was reading Romans again, I ran across a particular verse that spoke to my heart. In Romans 12, Paul talks about not only being a living sacrifice but also acting in love for one another. The verse that really spoke to my heart comes later in the chapter. Reading from the English Standard Version, Paul writes to the Christians in Rome, “10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

The last sentence of that verse really spoke to my heart. As I thought about it, I began to really feel a connection to it. We spend our lives competing in various activities. Some enjoy playing sports while others prefer other sorts of events that test our knowledge or skills. In all cases, we compete against one another to win a competition.

In the case of love for one another, we are, as one translation states, to love one another deeply. We are to put others above ourselves all the time. It is not enough to say that we love one another. We must put that love into action. Our desire should be to love and care for one another just as Jesus commanded his disciples. 

In John 15, Jesus says, “12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

Think about the love that Jesus had not only for his disciples but also for each and every one of us. He laid down his life for us out of love. He suffered for us out of love. He bore our sins out of love. His love for us remains with us as we go through all of the trials and troubles of our mortal lives. We know that he is with us and loves us without question.

In the same breath, Jesus tells his disciples, “13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.”

Jesus lays down his life for us and pays our debt of sin willingly. He shows us through his act of love that he truly came into this world not to condemn but rather to save. Jesus saved us from the payment of sin that we owed. 

In chapter 6 of Romans, Paul writes, “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Because of God’s love for us, He sent His son to die for our sins and to be that sacrifice. That one act of love far surpasses anything we could hope to do for ourselves. We cannot save ourselves from the wages of sin. There are no sacrifices that we can offer to repay our debt of sin and disobedience. The debt that we owed requires our own sacrifice, but God provides us with the perfect sacrifice through His son, Jesus.

Because of Jesus’ love for us, he humbles himself and willingly accepts the punishment, humiliation and, ultimately, death upon a cross. Jesus could have called legions of angels to rescue him from that wooden cross, but he chose not to. He remained on it as the sins of the world, including every generation past, present and future, were heaped upon him.

I want you to think about the love that it took for him to bear all of this for not only yourself but also for all. He took up his cross and walked to Calvary for us. He loved us that much. 

As Jesus called his disciples, he also calls us to love one another. But, just not to say it. We are to mean it and love each other as brothers and sisters. We are to love one another and outdo each other in that love. When we love one another like Jesus loved us, we are willing to do anything and everything for one another even if it means that we are to lay down our lives for one another. It is through that sort of love that we gain a deeper understanding of God’s love for us. With that type of love in our hearts, minds and souls, we are able to stand firm in His grace. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Morning Scripture Reading - Jonah 2:1-6

Jonah 2:1-6 New International Version (NIV)

2 1 [a]From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
    and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the depths,
    into the very heart of the seas,
    and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
    swept over me.
4 I said, ‘I have been banished
    from your sight;
yet I will look again
    toward your holy temple.’
5 The engulfing waters threatened me,[b]
    the deep surrounded me;
    seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
    the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
    brought my life up from the pit.

Footnotes:
Jonah 2:1 In Hebrew texts 2:1 is numbered 1:17, and 2:1-10 is numbered 2:2-11.
Jonah 2:5 Or waters were at my throat

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Psalm 22:19-21

Psalm 22:19-21 New International Version (NIV)

19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
    You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
20 Deliver me from the sword,
    my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
    save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

Morning Scripture Reading - Malachi 1:10-11

Malachi 1:10-11 New International Version (NIV)

10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. 11 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - 1 John 4:19-21

1 John 4:19-21 New International Version (NIV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Morning Scripture Reading - Psalm 37:5-6

Psalm 37:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Psalm 68:32-35

Psalm 68:32-35 New International Version (NIV)

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
    sing praise to the Lord,
33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
    who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
    the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise be to God!