Saturday, January 9, 2010
"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink", Luke 9:4-5 - Ted
Observation: Jesus send the disciples out to preach Gods word, but instructed them to abandon people who refused to listen. This is interesting because the same is true for helping a brother resolve an issue. Until a brother is ready to listen (timing) you're better off moving along to someone who is eager and ready.
Prayer: Show me more people in my life who are ready to listen to what you are doing through me!
Luke 9:48 - Seth
Jonathan
One of my favorites! Right in the middle of the best love stories, Isaac is worshipping/meditating.
Luke 9:39
We would probably call it a seizure of some sort today. Back then they knew what was up and this Dad had the sense to ask Jesus to do something about it. I love it!
Group Prayer Requests
Seth - Supernatural Favor for Behind the Scenes Documentary
Michael - Healing for medical condition
Jonathan - Be in agreement with his wife
Ted - Safety for family as they embark on a missions trip
Eric - Friend's divorce
Lucas - Read Bible every day
Stacy - Pray for officers
Mark - Favor for Africa contracts
Carpe Diem
Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
How often do I look back and wonder if I should have stayed in the Army? How can I ever move forward when I am looking back. Lord thank you for the daily reminders to live each day by faith.
Friday, January 8, 2010
No other gods
But God spoke to Abraham, "Don't feel badly about the boy and your maid. Do whatever Sarah tells you. Your descendants will come through Isaac. Regarding your maid's son, be assured that I'll also develop a great nation from him—he's your son, too."
Genesis 22:10
They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.
Abraham had received his provision towards God's promise only to be asked to sacrifice it. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would out number the stars. How is that going to happen when you kill the heir?
I find my self in a similar position. I had to quit working for the company in San Jose, which seemed like the provision, before I reached the promised land. I think that sometimes God needs to make sure that my heart is in the right place, and that I have no other gods before him.
"Fear God", Genesis 22:9-10 - Ted
Abraham Feared God so much that he didn't even blink at what God was asking him to do. Do we fear God like Abraham? Fear in a good way, that drives us to Do the Next Right Thing?
Luke 8:16-18
16"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
This means to me that our lives are transparent, and should be lived as such.
Papa, I pray that my life and my actions will always bring you honor and glory. I pray you will continue to teach me to be a better Dad, I pray for patience and understanding with my kids. I pray you will continue to teach me to be a better husband I will become the spiritual leader of my home that you have called me to be. Thank you Jesus for the gifts in my life.
Word for our Meeting in the morning! - Seth
Obedience is thicker than blood."
See you in the morning! 6 AM!
Seth
Thursday, January 7, 2010
"Forgiveness / Righteous Saved", Luke 7:47/Genesis 19:15, Genesis - Ted
Genesis 19:15 - At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!”
Praise: I have been forgiven much so I am grateful. Every time I fall I am picked backup and smothered by his grace. We serve grace filled God!
Luke 7:50 - Seth
"Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
Evangelize
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
How often do I associate with "sinners" and the downtrodden? Am I so comfortable with my circle of Christian friends that I forget why I am still here?
Thank you Lord for loving me and pursuing me. Thank you for opportunities to give, to serve, and to love on people.
Luke 6;20-23
The Beatitudes
20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
“God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
21 God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.
22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 when that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.
This is a promise from God and yet I still am not fearlessly doing all the things He asks of me. Then I keep reading to find how I am supposed to love my enemies for real. I guess I am going to need a lot more prayer time than I thought.
Lord God, please forgive me for not being selfless nearly enough, I ask for your continued encouragement to be more like you. Thank you for this greatly detailed instruction book. I lift up my fellow brothers to you, and I pray you will use them to keep me accountable.
Eric
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Live Generously
To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
I have a hard time giving to the less fortunate when I am struggling, and when I have all I need. Lord, thank you for teaching me how to hear you and for changing my heart for giving. Please help me to respond to your calling.
"Judge a Tree by its Fruit", Luke 6:45 - Ted
Observation/Action: When assessing the intentions of others and whether their motives are just look at the fruit in their life. What would other people say about their character?
Prayer: Help me to be generous and kind to those that dislike my actions or ways of doing business. Everytime someone cuts me down, may I count myself blessed for the truth is uncomfortable to people. I work for God not Man!
Genesis 15:6 - Seth
I believe Highwater Pictures is your dream for me. I believe Chasing
Daylight is fully funded. I believe my To Save A Life documentary
will open doors of opportunity.
Seth
ps.
Hey guys! Breakfast this Saturday 6 AM! Bring your Bible and
journal! Love you guys!
Seth!!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Eric, Luke 5:29-31
Jesus heard about it and spoke up, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."
This really jumped out at me and I’m not sure why, I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I am not supposed to be sitting around waiting for people to witness to. Does anyone else feel called to go to the streets and witness?
Father I want to serve you in our community, I pray for the courage to speak up, and never back down. I pray my legacy will be bigger than I can even imagine. In Jesus name I pray I will make a difference.
"Simple Tasks", Luke 5:22-26 - Ted
Observation: Another example of Jesus not hesitating to perform miracles showing people he was the Son of God.
Action: Fear nothing for all things are possible through Christ.
Prayer: May I take on in faith that which I cannot accomplish with my own abilities.
Luke 5.24 Starkman
I find myself asking for forgiveness, and I realize that it is to help me heal and grow, not necessarily to benefit the person I did wrong.
Prayer: Lord please help me to recognize and to discern whom I have hurt, and father I ask that you help me to grow and mature spiritualy and to supernaturaly heal the feelings of the ones I have hurt. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Away from Home
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
God's promises for me are secure, and our work in Africa will come to fruition. Combined with yesterday's word, I must prepare to spend 2010 away from home doing His work.
Luke 5:16 - Seth
Monday, January 4, 2010
"Jesus Casts out a Demon", Luke 4:31-35 - Ted
Observation/Action: In Jesus name we can cast out any demon. Just say "In Jesus Name I command you to go!" Note: When "the house is clean" , after a demon is cast out, don't forget to fill it up "the house" with things of God! See Matthew 12:43
Prayer: Give me the courage and presence of mind to fight the enemy head on with the word of God and Jesus Holy name.
Blog post part 2
This is an amazing thing for me to think about, how easy it is to try to do things our way. How easy it is to think our way is better. How easy it is to forget that serving God means to do it HIS WAY all the time. Lord I thank you, you are so good. I want nothing more than to live my life according to your plan. I want my friends and family to have no question that I am living for you. If I am ever convicted in court for
being a Christian and loving you I want every step of my life to be evidence against me.
Eric Luke 4: 5-7, Deuteronomy 6:
For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, "They're yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I'm in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."
Deuteronomy 6:
13-19 Deeply respect God, your God. Serve and worship him exclusively. Back up your promises with his name off the face of the Earth. Don't push God, your God, to the wall and that God so solemnly promised through your ancestors, throwing out your enemies left and right—exactly as God said.
Luke 4.18 Starkman
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recover sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to reclaim the year of the lords favor.
This is truly powerful to me. I am also reading a book called Doing what Jesus did, Ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit, I have not been baptised in the Holy spirit but I look forward to it.
Luke 4.35 Be quiet! Jesus said sternly. Come out of him! Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
This gives me chills just thinking of how amazing he is. I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Prayer: Lord I ask that you bless us with Favor this year, lord that you guide and protect each one of us, Father I ask that you give us supernatural clarity in what you would have us do Lord and that you would direct us through are actions, so that we may better serve you. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen
Doubt is a Killer
I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
Miracles receive their power and are performed through Faith. The people that knew me as I was growing up will always have their preconceived notions about my abilities. Doubt is the killer of the Gifts of the Spirit. - Prophecy, Healing, and Speaking in Tongues
Genesis 9:7 - Seth
bountifully!"
Seth
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Fire
The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Judgment is coming for all those who fail to repent.
Lord, if there is anything standing in the way of my provision, reveal it to me so that I may be spared from the fire and get down to the work that you have for me to do.
Prepare for an Encounter - Seth
"The Fire Within", Luke 3:16-17 - Ted
Observation: Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is a critical step in every Christian walk.
Action: Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit? If not, it's time to Get R' Done!
Prayer: Lord, help me to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance in every decision I make no matter how big or small.