Saturday, November 3, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Roman Devotions: CH1
Okay, so Romans is an amazing book and I've decided to reread it! Since I'm trying to journal daily, I've decided to devotionize (it's a Katie word) my blogspot. One chapter a day.. or perhaps more if I feel so lead. So, God please open my ears, eyes, heart and mind to understand and received what you have written in your word. Amen.
Romans Chapter 1:
~we are called to belong to Jesus Christ, with His death on the cross.
~Paul states that he wishes to return to those in Roman, "in order that I might have a harvest among you..." this really shows how important 'follow up' in a body of believers is.
It's easy to plant a seed, but if there is no follow up, accountability, food and water to the seeds, there will be no harvest. And that's what is most important. Paul has been sending them letters directing them, now he wants to come and personally see what they've been doing to further the kingdom of God.
~"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
It's amazing to me, how we, as humans are so often ashamed, or embarrassed or held back because of caring what people will think if we publicly step out in faith. When Paul tells us directly, "it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone..." Don't be ashamed!!! You're sending a message of hope, and life and joy!!! Free from condemnation and hell. Yet I so often hold back, or am embarrassed to stand out simply because it's uncomfortable.
~He then goes on to say, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are WITHOUT EXCUSE."
....okay so that one kind of hurts a little. I have this quote that says, "I don't regret the things I've done, but those I didn't and should have." I completely agree with this. We will be judged for disobeying the commands God gave and we failed to follow through with. It's so weird to think about, but it's true.
I was in the skit one time that showed friends who got in a car wreck. One was a Christian and went to heaven. The other was a sinner and the Christian friend never shared Christ with the other friend. And as the angels for both sides come the sinner friend says, "why didn't you tell me. I've been searching for more, if only you'd have told me!"
I don't know about you, but I don't want to have that on my conscience. You can never really know how some people are feeling. or what they're searching for... God's waiting to reveal himself to them, are you willing to let him use you?
Okay so that's what I got from Romans 1! Have a most excellent week!
PS that was only part of Chapter 1... the rest will be continued.
Romans Chapter 1:
~we are called to belong to Jesus Christ, with His death on the cross.
~Paul states that he wishes to return to those in Roman, "in order that I might have a harvest among you..." this really shows how important 'follow up' in a body of believers is.
It's easy to plant a seed, but if there is no follow up, accountability, food and water to the seeds, there will be no harvest. And that's what is most important. Paul has been sending them letters directing them, now he wants to come and personally see what they've been doing to further the kingdom of God.
~"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
It's amazing to me, how we, as humans are so often ashamed, or embarrassed or held back because of caring what people will think if we publicly step out in faith. When Paul tells us directly, "it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone..." Don't be ashamed!!! You're sending a message of hope, and life and joy!!! Free from condemnation and hell. Yet I so often hold back, or am embarrassed to stand out simply because it's uncomfortable.
~He then goes on to say, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are WITHOUT EXCUSE."
....okay so that one kind of hurts a little. I have this quote that says, "I don't regret the things I've done, but those I didn't and should have." I completely agree with this. We will be judged for disobeying the commands God gave and we failed to follow through with. It's so weird to think about, but it's true.
I was in the skit one time that showed friends who got in a car wreck. One was a Christian and went to heaven. The other was a sinner and the Christian friend never shared Christ with the other friend. And as the angels for both sides come the sinner friend says, "why didn't you tell me. I've been searching for more, if only you'd have told me!"
I don't know about you, but I don't want to have that on my conscience. You can never really know how some people are feeling. or what they're searching for... God's waiting to reveal himself to them, are you willing to let him use you?
Okay so that's what I got from Romans 1! Have a most excellent week!
PS that was only part of Chapter 1... the rest will be continued.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
God...
God is so amazing! Everyday He amazes me with something new! No matter how basic or elementary it is, h\He finds away to amaze me.
Tonight at worship, I showed up really tired and wanting to go home, but I knew I needed to stay. Well we started normal just doing whatever and Erin put this CD on by the Desperation band. I opened my Bible, deciding to read about surrendering, since it's something Ineed to do in my life. Well, there was nothing in there defined as that in the concordance. Which I thought was odd. So I looked under sacrifice. There I found a passage we've all heard, but it's never shouted at me more.
Romans 12:1 "And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies
to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and
holy sacrifice- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the
way to worship him. Do not copy the behavior and customs of this
world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way
you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good
and pleasing and perfect."
God is always willing to instruct us in the areas we lack if we just ask. I had just prayed and asked God to show me what He wanted me to see. And BAMMM! There it was. Plus, surrendering was the theme of the night! This is something I really need to work on too. Trusting that God knows what is best and that His will for my life is good and perfect and I want ever so badly to please Him. Also, I need to learn to be content with the things He has blessed me with. To stop looking toward the next new thing and start setting my eyes and goals to match His.
Thank you Lord for being my rock and salvation. Thank you for the fact you never change. And that when I've walked away, you're still there beckoning me. Thank you for believing in me even when I can't believe in myself. I love you! Please teach me to die to you everyday and give you all I have, no more barriers. Thank you for the people you've placed in my life. You're wonderful. Thank you and I love you.
Amen
Tonight at worship, I showed up really tired and wanting to go home, but I knew I needed to stay. Well we started normal just doing whatever and Erin put this CD on by the Desperation band. I opened my Bible, deciding to read about surrendering, since it's something Ineed to do in my life. Well, there was nothing in there defined as that in the concordance. Which I thought was odd. So I looked under sacrifice. There I found a passage we've all heard, but it's never shouted at me more.
Romans 12:1 "And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies
to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and
holy sacrifice- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the
way to worship him. Do not copy the behavior and customs of this
world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way
you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good
and pleasing and perfect."
God is always willing to instruct us in the areas we lack if we just ask. I had just prayed and asked God to show me what He wanted me to see. And BAMMM! There it was. Plus, surrendering was the theme of the night! This is something I really need to work on too. Trusting that God knows what is best and that His will for my life is good and perfect and I want ever so badly to please Him. Also, I need to learn to be content with the things He has blessed me with. To stop looking toward the next new thing and start setting my eyes and goals to match His.
Thank you Lord for being my rock and salvation. Thank you for the fact you never change. And that when I've walked away, you're still there beckoning me. Thank you for believing in me even when I can't believe in myself. I love you! Please teach me to die to you everyday and give you all I have, no more barriers. Thank you for the people you've placed in my life. You're wonderful. Thank you and I love you.
Amen
Sunday, August 26, 2007
My First Blog...
Well, I've never really been one for blogging but this just seemed really fun. I'm a dork, I know. Blogs can be really good though. It's nice to journal publicly in away. To share your thoughts without having them interrupted....... hmmm. Anywho, I'm excited to get this started. However, it is almost two am and I have to get up in a few hours. So I'm gonna call is a blog and bail but I'll keep you posted on the mind of Katie later. Love you and God bless.
Katie
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