August 2008 Blog Archive
August 23, 2008
Exodus 3:14-15
And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE;... This is My name forever, and by this name I am to be remembered to all generations.
It's hard to imagine what Moses must have experienced on that mountain side with God; the power and mystery that was right before and all around him. God is a mystery. It's hard to conceive in our minds what "I AM" could possibly mean. How can we fathom everything of goodness, wisdom, power and majesty contained in one being?
Maybe that's why we're so tempted to venture out on our own; you know, to be prompted by the fear of "what if" and take the wheel of life into our own hands; or over-confident in ourselves we make major life choices without consenting with God. Each time we fail to recognize that He is all powerful; when we forget that He is everything we need - we live so small. God intended for us to live big. Not with big heads - but with big hearts.
God used one man to save an entire nation because that man was willing to stop his everyday routine and move toward the mysterious One - God. God is still calling everyday men and women to surrender to a higher purpose.
Here is the second anchor for living: Your life and mine are meant to bring about God's will for humanity. Want to live out that dream? It begins by pursuing His presence; by seeking and finding the great I AM.
August 15, 2008
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
I am growing into the role of an avid gardener. I don't know if it's that I actually love gardening or really love the final product so much that I find it worth all the work. Either way - I'm finding myself knuckle deep in dirt on a regular basis. I am married to a man who is in the flower and plant business so needless to say - I have many gardens around my home.
Gardening is a never ending circle of evaluation and investment; and there is a learning curve involved, determining where a plant will flourish. Sometimes things need to get moved around. Yet, there are some plants that never move. Those foundational trees and shrubs that were strategically placed in the beginning hold their place throughout our lifetime. These plants provide an anchor for the gardens that surround them. The key to their size and strength is that they never budge.
Like these stately trees and shrubs throughout my yard there are foundational truths throughout the Word of God that serve as corner stones for our lives. The potential size and strength of our character and the beauty that exemplifies our lives is determined by our dependency on these truths. For the next few blogs I would like to highlight a few of these significant markers. I encourage you to take the time to look at your life and make sure you have these truths in their rightful place - anchoring everything else in your life.
The first anchor is the simple reminder in Genesis 1:1 that God is the source of all life. With great wisdom and amazing creativity He made it all. Trust Him with the details of your life. He is not finished the work. He is still creating beauty out of the dust.
August 12, 2008
Jeremiah 29:11-14a
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you for captivity...
God is so good and so generous. His desire is that our lives would be filled with His goodness. Jesus told his disciples that it gives God delight to give us the good things of His kingdom (Luke 12:32). Unfortunately we often interpret God's Word with worldly understanding. The best things in life are all about relationship yet humanism often convinces us that the best things are all about materialism.
Relationship is what satisfies the human soul and God demonstrates this when giving the great promise of destiny to all people. In verse 11 God gives the promise for hope and a good future. The next three verses give the foundation for that hope: an intimate relationship with God. When we pursue God as our vital need we are released from everything that holds us back and we step into the good future that He has for us.
I am praying for you today - that you will make God your great treasure and number one pursuit. I know that as you give Him first place - you're life will become a beautiful place of freedom and joy!
I am recommitting myself to go deeper in pursuit of Him. I would love to hear about your commitment to this journey. Write me: Sandy@mentorsofministry.com and share your joyful pursuit.
August 9, 2008
Luke 10:36&37
... Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
He answered, "The one who showed pity and mercy to him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Mercy is the breath of God that turns mere existence into vibrant life. It's the fingerprints of God on the heart of man; clearly a product of heaven. Repeatedly throughout the Bible God tells us that what He wants to give us and what He longs to see in us, more than anything, is mercy.
Mercy is that connective tissue that makes unity with God and man possible. Mercy. I encourage you today to meditate on how merciful God has been to you. Think about all He's done to save you. Consider the love that inspires Him to reach out to you day after day. This is the merciful love of God demonstrated in Christ. Allow your heart to be captivated by what He has done. And "Go and do likewise."
August 3, 2008
Deut. 30:19
I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life that you and your descendants may live.
God is truly amazing. He is the Maker of all life and all He has ever wanted was a close beautiful relationship with His creation. He could have made us robotic in nature and programmed us to follow a prescribed plan that would fulfill His will. Yet, He chose to grant us our own will and free choice because He knew that true love only comes from a free heart.
The choice He has offered is simple - there are only two sides: life and blessings or death and curses. I don't often see my day to day choices under those headings. I often see their subheadings on my option list for each day. Here's a few possibilities I know I face:
God first or Me first
Love or hatred
Mercy or judgment
Discipline or laziness
Generosity or greed
God's Word is absolutely true. Every time we chose His wise ways we enjoy the beauty and peace of the life He desires for us. Jesus came to ensure that we fully possess this gift - life. His desire is that we would have it and enjoy it completely. Enjoying Everyday Life is God's intent for us. Joyce Meyer, a great teacher and author, promotes this concept in her daily tv and online programs. I believe you'll find her messages very encouraging!
Think about God's love for you. Take a deep breath - consider the choices before you today and choose life.
