MONDAY MORNING
"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this." -- 2 Timothy 2:7
So, let's backup into Chapter 1 and part of 2 and reflect on what Paul has been saying to Timothy up to this point:
1. 1:6 "...fan into flame the gift of God..."
2. 1:8 "...do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord..."
3. 1:13 "What you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching..."
4. 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you..."
5. 2:1 "...be strong in the grace that was in Jesus Christ."
6. 2:2: "...teach others."
7. 2:3 "Endure hardships..."
Bottom Line for this Monday Morning: Reflecting on God's word is a good thing --- and ask Him to give you insight as you do.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
MONDAY MORNING
"Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --- think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Just some very brief definitions here ---
true: that which is not false
noble: speaks of honesty, generosity, courage
right: morally correct
pure: clean, not harmful
lovely: delightful for beauty, harmony, grace
admirable: deserving highest esteem
Paul gives us instructions here on what our minds should be thinking. There is so much negative stuff to be thinking about these days. Hardly any news agency reports on what is actually true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable. If they do it is very little.
With all we are inundated with through the media, let's take some time to put out all the false, the unclean, the harmful and the ugly things we hear and see. Then let us think about and claim this verse of scripture in and over our lives. Let it soak in and clean us up. Let it clean up our thought life.
So, bottom line for this Monday Morning -- Where are our thoughts this week? What are we thinking about? May we think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. May we think on things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Amen? Amen.
"Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --- think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Just some very brief definitions here ---
true: that which is not false
noble: speaks of honesty, generosity, courage
right: morally correct
pure: clean, not harmful
lovely: delightful for beauty, harmony, grace
admirable: deserving highest esteem
Paul gives us instructions here on what our minds should be thinking. There is so much negative stuff to be thinking about these days. Hardly any news agency reports on what is actually true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable. If they do it is very little.
With all we are inundated with through the media, let's take some time to put out all the false, the unclean, the harmful and the ugly things we hear and see. Then let us think about and claim this verse of scripture in and over our lives. Let it soak in and clean us up. Let it clean up our thought life.
So, bottom line for this Monday Morning -- Where are our thoughts this week? What are we thinking about? May we think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. May we think on things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Amen? Amen.
Monday, February 24, 2014
For in Him we live ...
Okay, for some time now I have been thinking and have felt several promptings from the Lord to begin doing a weekly devotional. Lord, help me to be faithful in this. So, here goes -- I'm calling it:
MONDAY MORNING
"yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live." -- I Corinthians 8:6
Whom are you living for? -- God, the Father?
Through whom are you living? -- the Lord, Jesus Christ?
"For in Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28
Our very existence comes from God, the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ we have a new life. (II Corinthians 5:17) Do you have that new life in Christ? If you do, then are you living for God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord?
This week I encourage you to examine inwardly whom you are truly living for and through whom you are living. There are many things vying to be our reason for living -- our work, our friends, our habits, our giftings, our careers, our "things" -- the list could go on and on. And, many times some choose to live vicariously through other things or people other than Jesus Christ.
So, bottom line this Monday morning -- Whom are you living for and through whom are you living --every day? May it be for God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen? Amen.
MONDAY MORNING
"yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things come and through whom we live." -- I Corinthians 8:6
Whom are you living for? -- God, the Father?
Through whom are you living? -- the Lord, Jesus Christ?
"For in Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28
Our very existence comes from God, the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ we have a new life. (II Corinthians 5:17) Do you have that new life in Christ? If you do, then are you living for God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord?
This week I encourage you to examine inwardly whom you are truly living for and through whom you are living. There are many things vying to be our reason for living -- our work, our friends, our habits, our giftings, our careers, our "things" -- the list could go on and on. And, many times some choose to live vicariously through other things or people other than Jesus Christ.
So, bottom line this Monday morning -- Whom are you living for and through whom are you living --every day? May it be for God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen? Amen.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Fear Not!
I received this word from the Lord during praise and worship time at New Covenant Church in Tifton, GA. on February 2, 2014. I had permission from Pastor Lawrence Thomas to share it with the congregation that same Sunday morning. I have since shared it with several other people on an individual "face-to-face" basis. I believe it is one of those words that can be a "now" word from the Lord to claim at any time in and over your life or the lives of others.
A Now Word from the Lord
Fear Not! Fear Not! Fear Not!
Is the arm of the Lord God Almighty to short?
No! It is not. It never is and it will never be too short.
That thing -- that problem -- that circumstance -- that situation
that you think you are in all alone and that I cannot touch?
Listen when I say to you concerning that thing --
Fear Not! Fear Not! My arm is not too short.
Fear Not! and trust in Me -- Trust in My Word.
Fear Not! Fear Not! Fear Not!
A Now Word from the Lord
Fear Not! Fear Not! Fear Not!
Is the arm of the Lord God Almighty to short?
No! It is not. It never is and it will never be too short.
That thing -- that problem -- that circumstance -- that situation
that you think you are in all alone and that I cannot touch?
Listen when I say to you concerning that thing --
Fear Not! Fear Not! My arm is not too short.
Fear Not! and trust in Me -- Trust in My Word.
Fear Not! Fear Not! Fear Not!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
August 8, 2012
A word from the Lord
"I walk among you today as a friend -- as a confidant.
I know your struggles of the week.
I know your struggles of this day.
I know your struggles. I know your struggles.
And I say trust -- trust that I know and that I have the answer to all things.
I know your trails. Business trials, health trials, financial trials, personal trials.
I know your temptations.
I know, I know and I am here to show you a more perfect way.
I am with you -- I am your friend.
You do not walk alone.
You do not stand alone.
You do not pray alone.
I am with you. I am with you."
A word from the Lord
"I walk among you today as a friend -- as a confidant.
I know your struggles of the week.
I know your struggles of this day.
I know your struggles. I know your struggles.
And I say trust -- trust that I know and that I have the answer to all things.
I know your trails. Business trials, health trials, financial trials, personal trials.
I know your temptations.
I know, I know and I am here to show you a more perfect way.
I am with you -- I am your friend.
You do not walk alone.
You do not stand alone.
You do not pray alone.
I am with you. I am with you."
Friday, February 3, 2012
Perfect Peace
February 2012
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. – (NIV)
Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. – (KJV)
Two words that stand out to me in this scripture are “peace” and “trust”. He promises to keep us in “perfect peace” if we completely trust in Him. If our “mind is stayed” – focus, fixed on Him.
Day in and day out our mind can get to wondering and worrying about a lot of stuff. However, by trusting in Him, “the Rock eternal” all the worrying about this or that or whatever just fades into the background. And we come to rely on and we come to know Him -- The One and Only – who can handle it all.
Peace of mind is a wonderful thing to experience but so often it is hard to shut down our thought-life and worry begins to creep back in – doesn’t it.
My prayer is, “God, LORD JEHOVAH, the Rock eternal, in You alone is everlasting strength. Help us to trust in You for and in all things! May we keep our minds fixed not on our circumstances but on You, the Creator of heaven and earth. Amen.”
Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (NIV)
Bottom Line: May God’s perfect peace be a part of our everyday life, as we fully trust in Him – the Rock eternal.
Love in Christ,
MG
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Lord Speaks in Many Ways
Bottom Line
“The Lord Speaks in Many Ways”
December 2011
Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?” ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.’ -- Acts 26:15-16
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” --- “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. -- Luke 1:30-31 & 38
Paul’s conversion and call into service of the Lord Jesus Christ was nothing short of dramatic. Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel was dramatic.
I somehow believe that if we all encountered the Lord in these dramatic ways that we would not hesitate one moment to get up and do His will. But, He doesn’t always speak to us so dramatically, does He? Now do not take me wrong He will do things to get our attention. For Paul it was “a light from heaven, brighter than the sun…” Acts 26:13. For Mary it was the angel Gabriel. For Balaam it was his donkey talking (Numbers 22:28). For Peter, it was a vision (Acts 10:9-22). For Joseph it was dreams (Genesis 37:1-11). For Elijah it was a powerful wind, an earthquake, a fire then “a gentle whisper” (I Kings 19:11-12).
For us today I believe it could be any of the above ways or it could be through a number of other ways like: His Word, a friend, a message on Sunday morning, His Spirit to your spirit while you are in prayer. The point I am trying to make is that God is speaking to us 24/7 and it is not always “sky-writing” or so dramatic that we cannot miss it. I do miss it! I know I do. I admit it. Mainly because it is not always “sky-writing” or very dramatic! Lord, help me to hear You in the simplest of ways. That recently happened to a lady I know. She was ordering inside at a McDonalds and the little register girl commented on her purse. While the lady was waiting for her food to be brought up the Lord spoke to her Spirit to spirit and very simple said, “I want you to give that girl your purse.” There was no blazing light, no angel Gabriel, no powerful wind, or earthquake or fire to get her attention just a simple gentle nudge of the indwelling Holy Spirit -- and she heard. The lady emptied the personal contents of her purse into the bag that her food came in and then presented the girl with her purse. Wow!
There was no dramatic manifestation of the Lord but the result were dramatic and there is no telling how dramatic an impact it had on the girl who was the recipient of the purse. Listen, because of history – recorded through the power of the Holy Spirit -- we now know that the results of Paul’s conversion and obedience to serve the Lord brought the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. And that Mary’s response brought forth the Christ child. However, we may never know the results and we may never see the history written concerning our obedience to His Holy Spirit speaking to us. But I firmly believe as we respond positively to the Lord speaking to us in the simplest of ways that over time there is a dramatic result that reverberates down through the ages to come.
Bottom Line: Listen for the still small voice of the Lord. Even at the most unusual times and in the most unusual of places. Listen and be obedient.
Love in Christ,
MG
“The Lord Speaks in Many Ways”
December 2011
Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?” ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.’ -- Acts 26:15-16
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” --- “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. -- Luke 1:30-31 & 38
Paul’s conversion and call into service of the Lord Jesus Christ was nothing short of dramatic. Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel was dramatic.
I somehow believe that if we all encountered the Lord in these dramatic ways that we would not hesitate one moment to get up and do His will. But, He doesn’t always speak to us so dramatically, does He? Now do not take me wrong He will do things to get our attention. For Paul it was “a light from heaven, brighter than the sun…” Acts 26:13. For Mary it was the angel Gabriel. For Balaam it was his donkey talking (Numbers 22:28). For Peter, it was a vision (Acts 10:9-22). For Joseph it was dreams (Genesis 37:1-11). For Elijah it was a powerful wind, an earthquake, a fire then “a gentle whisper” (I Kings 19:11-12).
For us today I believe it could be any of the above ways or it could be through a number of other ways like: His Word, a friend, a message on Sunday morning, His Spirit to your spirit while you are in prayer. The point I am trying to make is that God is speaking to us 24/7 and it is not always “sky-writing” or so dramatic that we cannot miss it. I do miss it! I know I do. I admit it. Mainly because it is not always “sky-writing” or very dramatic! Lord, help me to hear You in the simplest of ways. That recently happened to a lady I know. She was ordering inside at a McDonalds and the little register girl commented on her purse. While the lady was waiting for her food to be brought up the Lord spoke to her Spirit to spirit and very simple said, “I want you to give that girl your purse.” There was no blazing light, no angel Gabriel, no powerful wind, or earthquake or fire to get her attention just a simple gentle nudge of the indwelling Holy Spirit -- and she heard. The lady emptied the personal contents of her purse into the bag that her food came in and then presented the girl with her purse. Wow!
There was no dramatic manifestation of the Lord but the result were dramatic and there is no telling how dramatic an impact it had on the girl who was the recipient of the purse. Listen, because of history – recorded through the power of the Holy Spirit -- we now know that the results of Paul’s conversion and obedience to serve the Lord brought the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. And that Mary’s response brought forth the Christ child. However, we may never know the results and we may never see the history written concerning our obedience to His Holy Spirit speaking to us. But I firmly believe as we respond positively to the Lord speaking to us in the simplest of ways that over time there is a dramatic result that reverberates down through the ages to come.
Bottom Line: Listen for the still small voice of the Lord. Even at the most unusual times and in the most unusual of places. Listen and be obedient.
Love in Christ,
MG
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