| [06/07/08] The Great Divide |
[ June 17, 2008 @ 09:13 AM ] |
The Great Divide
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
Every Christian is a growing one, because we are diverse beings. There is always something new to learn. I'll admit that sometimes it's hard for me to set time aside to read my daily devotionals. Sometimes I want to listen to music that is stunts spiritual growth. Yet while this is happening, I'm discovering different ways to discipline myself. My eyes grow wide with realizations I would have otherwise missed. As long as I keep Him in my heart there will always be a protection of self-awareness.
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| Colossians 3:5-17 |
[ June 17, 2008 @ 09:09 AM ] |
Colossians 3:5-17
[5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. [11] Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
[12] Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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| Ephesians 5:3-7 |
[ June 09, 2008 @ 01:57 PM ] |
Ephesians 5:3-7
[3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them.
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| Ecclesiastes 11:10, Psalm 94:22 |
[ June 09, 2008 @ 01:45 PM ] |
Ecclesiastes 11:10
So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Psalm 94:22
But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge
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| Ephesians 4:25-32 |
[ June 08, 2008 @ 01:21 AM ] |
Ephesians 4:25-32
[25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
[29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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| Devotional |
[ June 06, 2008 @ 10:52 AM ] |
Ecclesiastes 1, 2, 3 / Psalm 45 / Ephesians 2
I think what the author is trying to say in Ecclesiastes 1-3 to live in the moment. Be cheerful and find enjoyment in all that you do, because you have no idea what tomorrow has in store. Everything is meaningless unless it is done for or through the will of God. He alone can bring meaning to your existance and He alone is the only thing that matters, now and forever. When you come to this conclusion, life tastes better. You begin to do things with a content and pure heart.
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| Hillsong - One Way |
[ May 30, 2008 @ 09:15 AM ] |
I lay my life down at Your feet
You're the only one I need
I turn to You and You are always there
In troubled times it's You I seek
I put You first and that's all I need
I humble all I am, all to You
One way, Jesus
You're the only one that I could live for
One Way, Jesus
You're the only one that I could live for
You are always, always there
Every how and everywhere
Your grace abounds so deeply within me
You will never ever change
Yesterday, today, the same
Forever 'til forever meets no end
One way, Jesus
You're the only one that I could live for
One Way, Jesus
You're the only one that I could live for
I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try, try to divide
Something so real
So 'til the end of time
I'm telling you that no one
No one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
One way, Jesus
You are the only one that I could live for
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| [05/25/08] How to Honor Those That ... |
[ May 30, 2008 @ 07:36 AM ] |
How to Honor Those That
Have Gone Before Us
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
Boy, do I have a huge distraction. Actually, it was this day that I decided to seek out ministry in church. I realize that I'm often side-tracked by worldly ways and use things like exhaustion and poor social skills as an excuse to keep from doing what I know I should.
This weekend I'm going to sing with the choir. Here is my first step down the path God wants me on. Without question, I'll move through whatever door He opens. I'm certain He has a plan for me and it doesn't matter if the steps I'm taking seem small -- it's the fact that I'm finally taking them that pleases Him. Going somewhere instead of going nowhere.
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| [05/18/08] Insecurity: Cain and Abel |
[ May 23, 2008 @ 11:41 AM ] |
Insecurity: Cain and Abel
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
Am I moving pass this? I'm not sure. There's a blurred line between insecurity and envy, yet both words seem too harsh to describe my feelings. I want to sing. I want to love and be loved. But when I look around, everyone else seems so much better at it. Even if they are, why do I think that there's no room for me because of it? Perhaps I have to make room for myself instead of shuffling out of the way for other people to fill my space. It's time that I stand up for everything I am.
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| [05/11/08] A Sacrificial Love |
[ May 15, 2008 @ 11:13 AM ] |
A Sacrificial Love
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
This sermon was a wonderful reminder of the sacrificial love my mom has for me. Most times, I get so caught up in my frustrations with her that I forget the small things she does to show me that she loves me. Things that only mothers do. Instead of ignoring her, I should give her more attention. Instead of complaining about her, I should encourage her. I also have to remember that she's a human being, just like me, and she's probably sick and tired of having to be the strong person everyone expects of her. Though there are things I just plain don't agree with, I should respect and honor her just the same. One day I will understand what it is to love someone so much, the way a mother does.
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| [05/04/08] David & Saul: Caught |
[ May 05, 2008 @ 01:05 PM ] |
David & Saul: Caught
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
Admitting and forgiving. Both are equally hard, but how do you forgive someone who won't admit that they've done wrong to you? If you forgive them, won't they see themselves as "right" and eventually repeat the same behavior? This is the reason I'm having difficulty restoring two relationships in my life. Ironically, the two people I speak of have very similar personalities and I pushed them both away out of choice. Now, I admit that was wrong of me. I should not have abandoned my friends.
I've been praying about this and I feel like God is pushing it on my heart to apologize to them. It's not about who is right and who is wrong, but about restoring my relationships with them. My purpose in life is not to correct those around me, but to instead live an example of doing what is right. God says to forgive, so I will somehow. He'll take care of the rest.
Dear God,
Please help me forgive these two people. You know what is holding me back, Lord, and I pray that you give me the strength to cast that aside. Help me choose my words and give me the wisdom to defend myself passively. I want to do what is right in your eyes, no matter what it costs me. Amen.
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| [04/27/08] David: Seeing the Unseen |
[ April 28, 2008 @ 09:49 PM ] |
David: Seeing the Unseen
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
Every trial in life is a stepping stone. Sometimes the stones are close together and it's an easy step, other times they're so far apart that you have to leap from one place to the next. Once in a while you'll miss and land face-first in the water. Whichever it may be, pick yourself up, lay out to dry for a while, and be on you merry way. The questions of, "Why me?" and "Why now?" will be answered when you least expect it.
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| [04/20/08] Three Days |
[ April 21, 2008 @ 10:59 PM ] |
Three Days
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
One of the things I love about Pastor Wayne is that he chooses topics that answer my questions, such as this one. When my ex-boyfriend and I broke up, I spent a lot of time in "three days." I have to admit, I didn't handle it well at all. Mostly because I didn't understand what was going on -- what he was doing, what God was doing, or what I was supposed to do. All these questions and I didn't want to wait for a proper answer. Instead of taking a chill pill, I let my thoughts and feelings make stupid decisions for me. Without going in to detail, I ended up doing things that were either unnecessary or hurt me more in the long-run. I prayed for patience and failed at the perfect opportunity to practice it.
Through this experience and from what I've learned from it, I'll be much more aware of things like this in the future. Not just in relationships, but in life. It's easier to get through problems if you have a gist of what's going on. This is one of those things that I wish I knew three years ago.
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| [04/12/08] Esther: Roleplay |
[ April 14, 2008 @ 04:13 PM ] |
Esther: Roleplay
( WATCH IT ) ~ ( NOTES )
I've always known what my "role" ought to be. From when I was the age of six I was always singing in church, performing, doing theatre and what not. Now that I'm much older and have fallen away from those things, I look back at it and can say that those were the happiest years of my life so far. The moment I stopped was when I started to become miserable and change completely. I couldn't figure out what to do with myself.
As I listened to Pastor Elwin's testimony and sermon, I cried a bit. This has been something that's been on my mind for a long time. I feel like God is pushing it on my heart to start up again. I'd rather spend my life doing those things that I love and enjoy while honoring God. Guess what I'm trying to say is that it was a slap in the head for me. I've known this since forever ... so why do I always try to brush it off? Not anymore.
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| Psalm 25: 1-7, 16-21 |
[ March 28, 2008 @ 11:41 PM ] |
Psalm 25: 1-7
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.
Psalm 25: 16-21
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
18 Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.
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