August 2019 Passages
August 1, 2019
True hope goes beyond words, superficial wishes or thoughts. It bursts forth from the depths of our being held secure in Jesus. It is the basic trust in Christ that no matter what he is still in control and it imperative to believe that.
we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
August 2, 2019
The daily grind, the stress to succeed and to get everything done has become the top priority in our culture causing illness, anxiety, and depression. Jesus teaches us a different way. Give your day to him so he can give you direction and lighten your load.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
August 3, 2019
Allowing angry emotions to rise up to "set" people straight who have wronged you, use hate as a weapon is contrary to God. Scripture tells us our hope is in Jesus. Allow him to use you constructively.
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. In his name the nations will put their hope.”
August 4, 2019
What is it you strive for? Is it the need to be recognized? Is it necessary for you to be happy to receive accolades from people? To achieve the next level? Always be right or in control? These are fleeting ideologies and will perish. Choose Jesus Christ as your life coach desiring to please him, allow him to control, and to give you all what you truly need
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
August 5, 2019
The food we eat nourishes our body and water we drink quenches our thirst. While very important as we live each day this side of eternity, Jesus nourishes our soul and quenches our thirst for what we seek in life and the only way to the Father in Heaven.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
August 6, 2019
This verse references Jesus who was poised and spoke the incorruptible truth with wisdom, boldness, and zeal doing the work of his Father without worrying about what people thought. We too, are about our Father's work if we choose. Step up, step out. Do not be afraid or worry about what others think or say.
“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.
August 7, 2019
Jesus sat down. This indicates he was taking time, he felt it important. Jesus was not in a hurry. But is this the way with you and me? &nbswp; Doesn't our culture dictate to be in a hurry. We just don't have time. No time to pray, no time to read scripture, no time for small group study... just no time! And we are exhausted because of it. If you and I truly want peace and know our purpose we too must sit down. Sit down with Jesus and let him teach, let him guide, let him shower you and me with his love. Let today mark the start of a brand new way of living.
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.
August 8, 2019
Four chapters into the Bible, a vicious murder occurs by one brother to another. The result of sin and alienation from God. Many generations later our Lord Jesus was also viciously murdered, BUT conquered death so we live eternally. Today our world and communities are filled with hate crimes and bickering over words and ideologies. As Christian's we are called to make disciples of others and to teach the ways of Jesus. Hate will be iradicated at Jesus second coming. Until that time, may we stand firm in him comforting those who grieve, offering hope, helping where needed, and loving people.
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
August 9, 2019
It is an incredibly broken time filled with hate, name calling, accusations, and murder. People are overcome with fear and anxiety because of it. But God promises himself to us who want a way out of this kind of living. Know it is a process. God requires us to participate and learn by reading scripture, praising and thanking him while most of all trusting him. The beauty of who he created us to be develops in time and blossoms.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
August 10, 2019
God does not suggest or wish for us to not be afraid.. to not fear. God COMMANDS us, He INSISTS. Why? Because He is God. He is greater than the evil on the news and what is experienced personally. He is faithful and though bad things happen he is still in control and will bring good for what was meant for evil and would love to use you as an instrument to bring this about. To live in fear is to reject living in faith. Instead, step out in courage! Trust him! Believe he will guide you no matter what you see with you human eyes. He who lives in you is greater than he who lives in the world.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
August 11, 2019
Reread this verse and remove the part "now we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus...," Now, we are left with the Apostle Paul as a "Christian coach" providing training sessions to please God by ourselves that over time will wear us out. Why? Because in this situation we are left to pleasing God in our own strength which is tiring. The great thing to know is our God did not design us this way. We are urged IN the Lord Jesus which means IN his strength because we are weak and IN him we are made strong.
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
August 12, 2019
Be still
Put your phone in a place you can't hear the "ding" of a text message or the number of likes on social media.
Be still
Turn off the TV, radio, electronic games and remove your earbuds.
Be still
Go where you can't see the task list you wrote or the work you have to do.
Be still
Go to a place where you are completely alone, lift your head, allow the quiet to shower you, focus on Jesus and his love for you.
Be still
Feel his presence, read his word, pray to him, listen and beloved.
Be still and know He is the God of your life.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
August 13, 2019
To bow down is to submit to an authority. God says as an act of obedience we are only to bow down to him, to worship him only, and pray to him. But there are things that distract us because of a weakness or a need we have that claim authority over us instead of God. Examples of some of these are: need to accumulate as many likes as possible with social media to feel important, the need for drugs and alcohol to escape, allowing anxiety and worry to dominate how decisions are made. When these and so many more rule your life you become weaker and weaker. But when you submit to God you are free and any weakness you have is made stronger in him. Submit only to God and be free and live.
There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.
August 14, 2019
Hope requires patience which is strengthened during trials, challenges, and events that rock our world. In practicing patience, we become more aware of God by being willing to turn these over to him and willing to WAIT on his timing. Joy and happiness are rooted in the trust we have in him to work things out for our good.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
August 15, 2019
"After you have suffered a little while." God's time is different from ours. What you and I classify as "forever" is not the same as God's forever. What we experience; the pain, loneliness, torment, fighting, opposition may seem like it will never end. But it will. Our time on Earth is but a blip on the radar of eternity. So, the bottom line is we are called to eternal life. He promises to all believers he will restore what is lost for His glory and He also will give us strength to endure until that time. Trust him and lean on him always.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
August 16, 2019
Eat healthy and exercise to take care of yourself to better serve God and each other. Work to please God instead of for personal gain or to please people. Study hard to learn and expound upon the gifts God gave you. Love and cherish your family and friends with grace and mercy. Whatever you do, always place God as the reason you sow and you will reap an eternal life of love, joy, and life.
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
August 19, 2019
To be valued; cherished; adored; cared for beyond measure. This is who you are to our Lord Jesus! Knowing this, there is nothing you can't do in his name! Step out today, cherished one, live without worrying, but in freedom, in the hope he has given you!
He is not impressed by the strength of a horse; he does not value the power of a warrior. The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love.
August 20, 2019
The sun praises God obedient to rising each morning. So too the moon rising each night. The seasons praise God as they move in order. The flowers praise God with their blooms. You and I though, are more unique of all of creation. We are given a choice whether to praise our God obedient to his will for our life. Choose and desire to praise the Lord. Be purposeful with each hour given. Live your days as a song to him, obedient to his call.
young men as well as young women, old and young together. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. His majesty covers heaven and earth.
August 21, 2019
Isn't that the way with us too? We have a general understanding of where we are headed, but not completely sure where we will end up. Abraham was no different from us today. He was told by God what he needed to know and it was faith that carried him to his destination. So whether you are moving, starting college, beginning a new career, getting married, dealing with the loss of a loved one, ending a chapter; joy follows at the heels of tears and/or nervousness opening up a bright new world. So, Step out in faith toward your future with the treasures God has in store and embrace your journey.. all in!
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.
August 22, 2019
This verse references the Israelites return from exile in Babylon and God is calling people to rebuild the House of God. Notice God chose people by moving their heart, giving them a desire a dream AND, those who he chose PREPARED. Interesting how we have a part in our chosen role - we learn, we prepare. What are you called to do? Have the preparations started? For those who desire a profession - they go to college. We need electricians and plumbers. They too must learn the trade. Our children watch us, learn from mistakes, and build a relationship with Jesus to become successful adults. All that we dream, all that we are called to do requires active learning to be well equipped to carry out our role.
Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.
August 23, 2019
Starting something new is hard. It forces us to get out of our comfort zone. It stretches us us beyond where we have been. Often times we can feel so small meeting new people, beginning new routines and sometimes we get lost and even make mistakes. But if you embrace it, God awakens in you a glorious future! Spread your wings, jump in, learn, grow, start new!
Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.
August 25, 2019
How to find your way. In a world full of opportunities, ways of thinking and doing can make choosing a path complicated. So why not begin your quest fully knowing you are hand-picked; chosen by God Most High for a specific purpose? You then understand your deepest dreams and skills are God-given. So step out in faith, pray for clarity, and he will show you the direction and give you people along the way to help. Challenges, set-backs, frustrations are the best opportunity to see God's power at work in you. With God, you will see the road to take.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
August 26, 2019
There is no doubt this life has hard moments! Illness, financial concerns, job loss, "string of bad luck," etc. And if it lasts long enough and is so hard to deal with it can bring about desperation to do whatever it takes for relief. Don't let that happen! Turn to God even more because,
"I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]."
August 28, 2019
It is very easy to argue a point, to try to impress upon someone your way of thinking. When tempted to argue or pick a fight using name calling and putting others down all in the "name of good" is not godly. In fact, this separates humanity even more. Instead, take the road less traveled, listen to others and use constructive ways to share your thoughts. Pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and words. And yes, sometimes you may be told to be quiet and even sit down.
Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute, but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.
August 29, 2019
People eager to share personal information about others whether true or false just so they can "fit in" or be seen as "in the know" are not modeling Christ-like behavior. In the wisdom of Proverbs consider this:
The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.
August 30, 2019
There are just times we want to talk with the one in charge. We want the issue resolved! But, often times this can lead to the run-around. Sound familiar? This is most frustrating! But, God tells us that while going to people is certainly appropriate, there are times only God can manage it. There should not be such high expectations for government, executives, attorneys, etc to fix it because they can only take things so far. Only God is to be completely trusted to manage everything in it's entirety. So always pray, listen, and act accordingly to his will. Know the situation may not change, but you will be and the change may also be him giving you another assignment.
Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?
August 31, 2019
If a city's walls are broken down, protection from all enemies is weakened. So it is with you and me. Wherever in our lives we are not disciplined such as: being lazy, overeating, cussing, spending to much money, lying, stealing,being self absorbed, having agression etc, our protection from THE ENEMY is weakened and he can worm his way into our lives and reek havoc. To prevent this work must be done to strengthen this weakness which begins with prayer and studying scripture, then following through on what is learned.
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.