Life Journal, September 18, 2009
Today's readings: Ezekiel 45, 46; Luke 1

Do I Really Believe It?

Scripture

[Gabriel, the angel, speaking to Mary (the mother of Jesus)] "For nothing is impossible with God."

[Elizabeth, Mary's (mother of Jesus) aunt, speaking] "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."

Luke 1. 37, 45

Observation

All things are possible with God and we are blessed when we believe God will do what He says.

Application (How will I be different because of what I just read?)

So, do I really believe these two verses?? Or maybe the better question would be . . . Do I live as if I believe these two verses?

It is one thing to say that I believe that nothing is impossible with God--but it is a whole other thing to live like I really believe it. That means I have to trust God completely, even when I don't feel like it or don't like what He is doing, or can't see Him at work. It means that I have to be willing to proclaim that with God nothing is impossible--knowing that it may not appear that way in the end.

Do I believe that God will do what He says? The catch here is--it doesn't say God will do what I say. Big difference. I think we re-word it to mean what we want it to mean. We want it to say that we believe God will do what WE say. And so, we are then blessed.

Two difficult verses. . .I know that they should be easy to go along with, to agree with . . . but they are not that easy for me. Difficult times in life make me wrestle with them. Do I believe them?

This is when I have to believe them no matter what things "look like." I have to go back to the truths that "I know." I know that the Bible doesn't lie. I know that God doesn't lie. I know that God is faithful, trustworthy. I know that He loves me. I know that He sent Jesus for me so I can have eternal life with Him. . . . I know that nothing is impossible with God. . . . I know that I am blessed when I believe the Lord will do what He says. I do know . . . I need to live it. But . . . .

Prayer

Father God, sometimes I wrestle with these verses . . . . I know that they are true . . . . yet it doesn't always "feel" like they are. I know that is when I am looking at things through my eyes and not Yours. Help me to look through Your eyes. Help me to put my full trust in you. Help me to grow in my faith. Thank You that You are patient with me . . . .loving me and guiding me and helping me to find and see Your truth.

Life Journal, September 15, 2009
Today's readings: Ezekiel 38, 39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

What Really Matters

Scripture

And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20.11-15

Observation

Someday it will matter if our name is in the Book of Life and what we have done here on earth with our lives.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

So many people worry about the "end times." They spend lots of time trying to figure out when it is going to happen. I think there are more important things to worry about--because we don't know when Jesus will return (Jesus tells us that ONLY the Father knows when it is going to happen).

Our first concern is that our name is in the Book of Life. Have I given my life to Jesus--really given my life to Him?? If I have it will show!!!

Next--what am I doing with my life. If I am going to stand before God someday and answer for what I have done, then I think I should be thinking about what that might look like. What took first place in my life? Who/what did I serve? Who did I love? Who did I share the love of God with? Did I love the unloveable? Did I reach out to the poor and homeless and hungry? Did I make a difference in the name of Jesus? Did I live for myself or for Jesus??

Rather than worry about when all of it is going to happen, I need to focus on the here and now--who is in charge of my life and how I am living my life. I have some work to do!

Prayer

Father God, help me to focus on living my life for You today. May I be found loving You, loving others in Your name, and impacting the world for You! May I never settle for anything less--because in the end, nothing else will matter!