Scripture:
But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, just trust me, and she will be alright.” Luke 8:50
Observation:
These three phrases Jesus tells Jairus, upon the news of the death of her 12 year-old daughter, are charged with hope and encouragement. In the midst of a tragedy and its consequent pain, Jesus deals with the top three human feelings: fear, distrust, and uncertainty. Fear because the pain is too big to deal with the situation. Distrust because we wonder why God would allow a tragedy to happen. And uncertainty because we don’t know the outcome of the tragedy. Once the Lord Jesus intervenes, just as Jairus requested, He will come to address these human emotions. What Jesus did not only did a miracle in Jairus’ daughter. He also did a miracle in Jairus’ heart. The miracle of the girl is very impressive, but we cannot undermine the miracle in Jairus’ heart.
Application:
No matter the tragic event or difficulty we are going through, when we ask Jesus to come to our rescue, He will always address our fears, our lack of trust, and the uncertainty of the future. He will replace them with courage, trust, and confidence. In my view, when Jesus intervenes in a difficult situation, He comes and deals comprehensively, touching all the areas in our lives that are affected. Jesus is a master when dealing with multiple challenges and complex situations. We can certainly rest assured that He will always use our circumstances to bring blessing and to build a better character in our lives.
As I go through difficult seasons, I’m encouraged by Jesus comprehensive miracles. He is not only working in the surface. He is also dealing with the deep issues of the heart. This gives me confidence to share with others as they go through their tragedies and complex situations. I can truly say to them, “Don’t be afraid, trust the Lord Jesus, and everything is going to be alright.”
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for dealing comprehensively with all the issues in my life when going through a difficult time. Thank you for helping me to face my fears and to find victory as I find strength in you. Thank you for teaching me how to build more trust in you as I continue depending in your power, love, and grace. And also, thank you for giving hope about the future outcome of my life as I face the ripple effects of a tragedy. I know deep in my heart that your presence makes a huge difference and that my future is secured. Amen!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
WHY DO MOTHERS WORRY? By Lei Rol
Scripture
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Luke 2:48-50
Observation
I can understand how Mary must have felt, traveling for a day thinking she had her one and only son, only to discover that he was not in their company. I can imagine the thoughts of great fear that something may have happened to him. Then you start to panic and ask everyone if they saw him and when no one knows you backtrack in your footsteps to see if he was somewhere along this trail and ask everyone along the trail if they saw him. You continue to anguish as you look for him. But did Mary at anytime go to God to ask Him for his protection or to help find him? If she did, it was not written but at the same time if she did she would have found comfort in knowing that God would protect him or even so God may have revealed to her that he was ok and where he needed to be. All of her worry and anguish would not have happened if she went to God first. I think that is why when she finally found him he said to her, "Why were you searching for me?" "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. She did not understand because she never took it to God first.
Application
I too have gone through what Mary went through with my only son. The many nights he would not come home as a teenager, I would stay up all night in worry, pacing the floors, crying because I felt something must have happened to him. If I had only taken it to God and put him in his hands I would not have all of these white hairs on my head today. Now that my son is 25 years old, I think I am much wiser now and I take everything to God in prayer. This morning my son calls me from the airport in Panama City Florida on his way to Qatar close to Saudi Arabia for a civilian job that will take him away for 1 year. This scripture reminds me that I need to seek God first in prayer before my human emotions of worry, fear and sadness take over. As I ended my conversation with him before he got on the plane, I told him that I loved him and I will be praying for him.
Prayer
Lord my prayer today is that I ask you for my son's protection as he travels to Qatar. Keep a hedge of protection on his mind that nothing fills his head with fear, on his body so he stays healthy and on his spirit that he continues to seek you everyday in all he does. Thank you Lord for being the Father of all his fathers to my son. And Lord thank you for also being my Father my God, Lord of all Lords and King of all Kings, in Jesus name Amen.
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Luke 2:48-50
Observation
I can understand how Mary must have felt, traveling for a day thinking she had her one and only son, only to discover that he was not in their company. I can imagine the thoughts of great fear that something may have happened to him. Then you start to panic and ask everyone if they saw him and when no one knows you backtrack in your footsteps to see if he was somewhere along this trail and ask everyone along the trail if they saw him. You continue to anguish as you look for him. But did Mary at anytime go to God to ask Him for his protection or to help find him? If she did, it was not written but at the same time if she did she would have found comfort in knowing that God would protect him or even so God may have revealed to her that he was ok and where he needed to be. All of her worry and anguish would not have happened if she went to God first. I think that is why when she finally found him he said to her, "Why were you searching for me?" "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. She did not understand because she never took it to God first.
Application
I too have gone through what Mary went through with my only son. The many nights he would not come home as a teenager, I would stay up all night in worry, pacing the floors, crying because I felt something must have happened to him. If I had only taken it to God and put him in his hands I would not have all of these white hairs on my head today. Now that my son is 25 years old, I think I am much wiser now and I take everything to God in prayer. This morning my son calls me from the airport in Panama City Florida on his way to Qatar close to Saudi Arabia for a civilian job that will take him away for 1 year. This scripture reminds me that I need to seek God first in prayer before my human emotions of worry, fear and sadness take over. As I ended my conversation with him before he got on the plane, I told him that I loved him and I will be praying for him.
Prayer
Lord my prayer today is that I ask you for my son's protection as he travels to Qatar. Keep a hedge of protection on his mind that nothing fills his head with fear, on his body so he stays healthy and on his spirit that he continues to seek you everyday in all he does. Thank you Lord for being the Father of all his fathers to my son. And Lord thank you for also being my Father my God, Lord of all Lords and King of all Kings, in Jesus name Amen.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
OUT OF GUILT OR OUT OF LOVE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Luke 7:44-47
Observation:
Jesus makes an important contrast between an immoral woman and a “good old boy” named Simon. Simon neglected the most common practice of hospitality towards his guest, judged the woman’s lifestyle, and condemned Jesus for allowing her to touch him. Simon was so blinded by his own ego and by his self-righteousness. On the other hand, the woman comes humble, giving more that what is requested, pouring everything before the Lord. Jesus points out that her attitude is not motivated out of guilt, but out of love. Simon cannot see how wrong he is, but the woman knows how unworthy she is. We don’t know if Simon was an immoral man in his private life, but he certainly wasn’t perfect. He pointed fingers at others, but he neglected self-evaluation just as he neglected hospitality.
Application:
Our human nature pushes us to be a pharisee like Simon. We want to neglect our own condition and we want to hide behind the more visual sins of others. Also our human nature tries to deal with sin out of guilt, but not out of love. Jesus knows the heart of the woman and sets her as an example for his followers to apply in their own lives.
As I look at my condition, I cannot see a strong pharisee attitude, but I cannot see a strong humble heart either. I’m thankful for his forgiveness, but my attitude is not as bold as the woman’s. I know that I’ve been forgiven much, but my response to him is not as meaningful. It seems that I’ve been going through the motions, getting used to His grace an mercy, and taking for granted the huge forgiveness I receive form God. This may cause me to serve out of guilt, and not out of love. I don’t want to become a pharisee. I want to become a thankful servant that serves and gives away out of great love because of the much that I’ve been forgiven.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for neither a cold or a hot , but a warm response in my heart towards your grace and mercy. Please set my heart on fire. Let me remember always where I have come form. Let me keep in mind the many sins I’ve been forgiven. Help me to keep a pure heart as I serve you, not out of guilt, but out of love. Amen!
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Luke 7:44-47
Observation:
Jesus makes an important contrast between an immoral woman and a “good old boy” named Simon. Simon neglected the most common practice of hospitality towards his guest, judged the woman’s lifestyle, and condemned Jesus for allowing her to touch him. Simon was so blinded by his own ego and by his self-righteousness. On the other hand, the woman comes humble, giving more that what is requested, pouring everything before the Lord. Jesus points out that her attitude is not motivated out of guilt, but out of love. Simon cannot see how wrong he is, but the woman knows how unworthy she is. We don’t know if Simon was an immoral man in his private life, but he certainly wasn’t perfect. He pointed fingers at others, but he neglected self-evaluation just as he neglected hospitality.
Application:
Our human nature pushes us to be a pharisee like Simon. We want to neglect our own condition and we want to hide behind the more visual sins of others. Also our human nature tries to deal with sin out of guilt, but not out of love. Jesus knows the heart of the woman and sets her as an example for his followers to apply in their own lives.
As I look at my condition, I cannot see a strong pharisee attitude, but I cannot see a strong humble heart either. I’m thankful for his forgiveness, but my attitude is not as bold as the woman’s. I know that I’ve been forgiven much, but my response to him is not as meaningful. It seems that I’ve been going through the motions, getting used to His grace an mercy, and taking for granted the huge forgiveness I receive form God. This may cause me to serve out of guilt, and not out of love. I don’t want to become a pharisee. I want to become a thankful servant that serves and gives away out of great love because of the much that I’ve been forgiven.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for neither a cold or a hot , but a warm response in my heart towards your grace and mercy. Please set my heart on fire. Let me remember always where I have come form. Let me keep in mind the many sins I’ve been forgiven. Help me to keep a pure heart as I serve you, not out of guilt, but out of love. Amen!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
NEW THINGS. By Pastor Jan
Scripture:
"But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, "The old is better.'"
Luke 5:38, 39
Observation:
God is always trying to bring us into His "new" wine skin. God's
mercies are "new" every morning (Lam. 23:3, 2 Cor 1:3, Eph. 2:4). It
takes a risk to understand God in new ways that can be very
uncomfortable. Daniel, Simon took a risk with their lives to submit
in obedience to God. Daniel saw things that made him faint of heart.
Yet, God draws us toward him. In the drawing, faith in Jesus can be
active and alive (a life on fire) because understanding God breaks
down the sometimes legal systems we set up in our lives. God's mercy
gives new compassion daily.
Application:
It is easy to cling to the "comfortable" traditional structures of
the past. I tend to reach for the familiar. The familiar then
becomes my mindset and finally my lifestyle...a sometimes legalistic
lifestyle. When I was younger, I was a risk taker quite drawn by the
"unknown". I learned to fly Cessna's for the thrill of flying alone
across California. I need to quit falling back on what I already know
and step out into God's mercies for the "new" every morning. As
Daniel learned to understand God in a fresh way, I need to risk being
"faint of heart".
Prayer:
Lord, for Your light to shine, stretch me, mold me, fit me into the
new. Help me to discard the old that is "not of you". Root out the
rigid, legalistic mindsets of my life. Broaden my perspective that
risks everything to continue to live for you.
"But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, "The old is better.'"
Luke 5:38, 39
Observation:
God is always trying to bring us into His "new" wine skin. God's
mercies are "new" every morning (Lam. 23:3, 2 Cor 1:3, Eph. 2:4). It
takes a risk to understand God in new ways that can be very
uncomfortable. Daniel, Simon took a risk with their lives to submit
in obedience to God. Daniel saw things that made him faint of heart.
Yet, God draws us toward him. In the drawing, faith in Jesus can be
active and alive (a life on fire) because understanding God breaks
down the sometimes legal systems we set up in our lives. God's mercy
gives new compassion daily.
Application:
It is easy to cling to the "comfortable" traditional structures of
the past. I tend to reach for the familiar. The familiar then
becomes my mindset and finally my lifestyle...a sometimes legalistic
lifestyle. When I was younger, I was a risk taker quite drawn by the
"unknown". I learned to fly Cessna's for the thrill of flying alone
across California. I need to quit falling back on what I already know
and step out into God's mercies for the "new" every morning. As
Daniel learned to understand God in a fresh way, I need to risk being
"faint of heart".
Prayer:
Lord, for Your light to shine, stretch me, mold me, fit me into the
new. Help me to discard the old that is "not of you". Root out the
rigid, legalistic mindsets of my life. Broaden my perspective that
risks everything to continue to live for you.
CARING FOR THE TREE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
“A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
Luke 6:45
Observation:
Jesus here is talking about the fruit in our lives. He points out the importance of looking for the evidence of a good heart. Good hearts produce good deeds, just like good trees produce good fruit. Jesus wants to be consistent, especially in dealing with the condition of our heart, which is the source form where life flows. The sad thing is that very often we want to fix the fruit rather than the tree. Fruit can be easily retouched to make it look very nice. But once you take a bite, you will really know if that fruit is really good.
Application:
Integrity in character is what determines the outcome in our lives. We may try to cover up the true condition of our hearts, and we may present really pretty fruit to people. But once they get a bite of reality, the true condition will be revealed. We need to pay attention at the way our heart grows. If our hearts are not good in one area, even if we try to cover up its real condition, sooner or later the true fruit will be evident. When we cover up we have to be self-conscious and very careful of the things we say and do. But once we loose control, then we will say what we really think. We must take care good care of our hearts and to make sure that everything, from the roots, to the trunk, to the branches, to the leaves are healthy. Only in that way our fruit will bring glory to God.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to keep a good care of my heart. I don’t want to have anything that will cause my fruit to be bitter. I just want to bring glory to your name. Please help me to identify roots of selfishness, judgment, and pride that could cause my fruit to be polluted. Let my entire life be a fruitful tree that not only brings glory to your name, but also that blesses others around me. Amen!
“A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
Luke 6:45
Observation:
Jesus here is talking about the fruit in our lives. He points out the importance of looking for the evidence of a good heart. Good hearts produce good deeds, just like good trees produce good fruit. Jesus wants to be consistent, especially in dealing with the condition of our heart, which is the source form where life flows. The sad thing is that very often we want to fix the fruit rather than the tree. Fruit can be easily retouched to make it look very nice. But once you take a bite, you will really know if that fruit is really good.
Application:
Integrity in character is what determines the outcome in our lives. We may try to cover up the true condition of our hearts, and we may present really pretty fruit to people. But once they get a bite of reality, the true condition will be revealed. We need to pay attention at the way our heart grows. If our hearts are not good in one area, even if we try to cover up its real condition, sooner or later the true fruit will be evident. When we cover up we have to be self-conscious and very careful of the things we say and do. But once we loose control, then we will say what we really think. We must take care good care of our hearts and to make sure that everything, from the roots, to the trunk, to the branches, to the leaves are healthy. Only in that way our fruit will bring glory to God.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to keep a good care of my heart. I don’t want to have anything that will cause my fruit to be bitter. I just want to bring glory to your name. Please help me to identify roots of selfishness, judgment, and pride that could cause my fruit to be polluted. Let my entire life be a fruitful tree that not only brings glory to your name, but also that blesses others around me. Amen!
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