Life Journal, February 5, 2011

Life Journal, February 5, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 39, 40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

BELIEVING FOR WHAT WE PRAY

Scripture

But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. . . .

When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.

Acts 12.5,16

Observation

When we pray, we should believe that God will answer.

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

Peter was put in prison. The church prayed earnestly for him. God rescued him--setting him free. He goes to the house where the believers are and they don't believe that it is him knocking on the door. When they finally do believe, and open the door and see him, we are told that they are amazed.

They prayed but didn't really believe that God would rescue Peter in a miraculous way. They were looking for the normal--not the miraculous.

So, how often to do pray believing that God will answer in a miraculous way?? I trust that He will answer my prayers, He promises He will. BUT, I don't really expect Him to do something extra-ordinary. I expect Him to do something ordinary and, if I am to be honest, to probably say no to my prayer.

We are told to pray--believing. But do I undermine my own prayers by not really believing?? I give God all kinds of outs--probably not His timing, might not be His will, . . . . God doesn't need us to make excuses for Him, He needs me to believe that He will answer--and answer miraculously. Nothing mundane for the Creator of the universe, nothing ordinary for the God who parted the Red Sea--He is the God of miracles.

So, I need to start believing this and living this way. I need to expect super-natural answers to prayers. I need to trust God with my prayers.

Prayer

Father God, forgive my lack of faith. Forgive me for being timid and not boldly coming before You and expecting You to answer my prayers. Lord, I am praying, believing that You are a God of miracles and that You hear my prayers and You answer them. Thank You for the prayers You are answering right now!!

Life Journal, February 4, 2011

Life Journal, February 4, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 37,38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

DELIBERATE SIN

Scripture

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?

Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.

Then I will be free of guilt

and innocent of great sin.
Psalm 19.12-13

Observation

We need to continually ask God to reveal our sins to us and repent--not allowing them to control us anymore.

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

I had really wanted to write about something different today. . . wanted there to be some other truth that God wanted me to learn from. But, this is what He has for me today.

Deliberate sin--I really don't like to think this is something that I am guilty of, but I am. Much more so than I would like to admit. I will be ready to do something or say something and God nudges me . . . and sometimes I go ahead and do it or say it--knowing full well that I shouldn't. Deliberate sin.

I continue with habits that do not glorify God. Some people would probably even argue that they really aren't sin--but they are. Anything that I do that I know that I shouldn't is sin. And unluckily, there is more of that in my life than I would like to admit.

It is part of dying to myself and being made new in Christ. Most of my deliberate sin comes from my rebellion and unwillingness to tell myself "NO!". Like a small child I stomp my foot and do what I want--even though I know it is not what God wants.

So today . . . wow, that's a hard one. Will I tell myself "no"? Will I allow God to continue to shine light on the dark places in my life--my sin? Will I repent and seek to do what God wants me to do rather than what I want to do? Am I willing to take the steps necessary so that what God wants in my life is what I want in my life?

Hard questions and hard things to do--but I do not do them alone and powerless--God is with me and sends His Holy Spirit to give me the power to do it. That gives me hope . . . that I will be able to take the steps I need to take and allow Him to speak truth into my life and shine light on my sins. I will turn my deliberate sins over to Him and allow Him to conquer them, because I cannot do it on my own. We are more than conquerers through Him!

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for not making the changes You have called me to make. Forgive my rebellion--help me Lord to turn from my old sin-filled ways to You and the Light. Lord, I know I can't do it on my own, I haven't yet and know that I can't do it without Your power and strength. Thank You for never giving up on me and loving me through it all. So, Lord change me so that, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." [Psalm 19.14]

Life Journal, February 3, 2011

Life Journal, February 3, 2011
Today's Readings: Exodus 35, 36; Acts 10

NO FAVORITISM

Scripture

But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. . . .

Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right."

Acts 10. 28b, 34-35

Observation

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

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

A much need reminder that it not my "job" to decide who deserves to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. The message is open for everyone/anyone who receives it.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for all the times that I judge someone's worthiness to receive the gift of grace. You came and lived and died and was resurrected--not just for me, but for everyone. Father God, help me to be a welcoming servant. Help me to share Your Good News with everyone, trusting that You will decide who will hear it and who won't. Thank You for Your love for me!

Life Journal, February 2, 2011

Life Journal, February 2, 2011
Today's Readings: Exodus 32-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

CHANGED

Scripture

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord's followers. . . .

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"

"Who are you, lord?" Saul asked.

And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! No get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." . . .

But the Lord said, "Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel." . . . .

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is indeed the Son of God!"

Acts 9. 1, 3-6, 15, 19b-20

Observation

No one is beyond the grace found in Christ Jesus.

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

The story of Saul/Paul is a great reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God. Anyone's heart can be changed. It is not my place to decide whether someone is beyond salvation or not--that is God's work. I am only called to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone and then put it in God's hands!

All the women and men that come into the center that are LDS are not out of the reach of the saving grace of Jesus. Each of them can have their hearts changed in an instant. God has given me the opportunity to be used to share His amazing love with each one!

Prayer

Thank You Lord for the opportunity that You give me every day to be Your Light in a very dark world. Lord God, I would pray that the scales would drop from their eyes so that they may see Your truth. Open their eyes and hearts to Your gift of love and salvation. Use me Lord to bring Your Good News and speak truth into their lives! Thank You Jesus!!

Life Journal, February 1, 2011

Life Journal, February 1, 2011
Today's readings: Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SABBATH

Scripture

The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: "Tell the people of Israel: 'Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.'"

Exodus 31.12-17

Observation

The Sabbath is to be set aside as a day of complete rest and dedicated to God.

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

I don't think God could make this any clearer . . . so why is it something that is just ignored. We do not keep the Sabbath--no matter what day we see as the Sabbath in our week. How different would I be--how different would life be if we (all believers) truly observed a Sabbath. Maybe there would be less stress. Maybe we would have time to remember what is important--people in our lives--not work and achievements and money.

I feel guilty if I take time to do nothing. The world has taught me that I need to be in constant motion if I am going to be successful. But, that's not what God teaches me.

It is clear that the Sabbath is important to God and therefore it should be important to me. It is to be a day to focus on God and what He has blessed us with. If I want to take God's teaching seriously--that includes His teaching on the Sabbath.

Prayer

Father God, I don't keep Your Sabbath. Forgive me for not being willing to set aside time just for You. May I learn the value and importance of keeping the Sabbath. Help me to set aside time for You and time to renew and refresh, so I can be the person You have called me to be. Maybe if I gave You the day You asked for I wouldn't be so tired all the time. Thank You Lord.