The world says, “Don’t get mad, get even.” God says, “Leave it with me—I’ll handle this.”
Romans 12:17-21 says, "17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
But when our desire for revenge rears up within us, it’s tough not to take matters into our own hands. When we have been wrongly accused we often want to react. I try hard not to but there are times where I just do and almost always it is the wrong thing to do. Instead the Lord wants us to be patient and show kindness even in hard times. Lord help me to not react to things but to only react to you.
"Take the injustices of life that outrage and crush your spirit, do what you can, and give them over to God. Vengeance is God’s job and he will take care of it all in a way that defies explanation and staggers the mind." —James MacDonald walkintheword.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
A great Devotional
Last week I had a good talk with my Deep Impact group. We talked about the importance of having a regular quiet time, but that it should be one that we want to do from our hearts and not some kind of homework we have to do. Is it important, YES! But if it is done out of obligation only then all it really isn't much. But if we are doing from our heart to celebrate God then it is about getting closer to our Lord. Below is a different devotional a friend emailed me that I think is worth the read and is yet a different way of spending time with our Lord. Is my heart right, Lord I pray that it is.
By Roger Lipe
FCA Southern Illinois Area Director
S T R E N G T H
Psalm 73:26 In which situations does it seem that your body is near collapse? Is it during preseason conditioning? Maybe it’s when you’re enduring the last practices of the season. It could be when you’re undergoing rehab from an injury. What sorts of situations similarly fatigue your heart? How do you press through such pain, fatigue and despair to compete well? Today’s scripture gives us some insight. In the Hebrew book of poetry called the Psalms at chapter 73 and verse 26we read, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Even on the days when we feel like all our strength is gone, God is there to support us. At some point in every season we will encounter pain and injury. It seems like our flesh is failing. We also often run headlong into emotional and mental fatigue resulting in worry or even despair. The tremendous promise in this scripture is that even when we feel like we’re coming apart at the seams, God is restoring our heart’s strength and is renewing our body. He is the strength of our heart and our portion forever. Prior to today’s competition, take a moment to pray. Ask God to sustain your heart as you face pain, fatigue, disappointment and frustration. Ask him to also carry your teammates through every minute of a great competition.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Week 5 of "Evangelism Expedition" with the IMPACT group
Well another awesome time traveling with the IMPACT group this wed. We took off with our feet this time to IMPACT island. Where we did some fun worship and games all based around the idea that we were on a tropical Island (there was palm trees, beach balls, tropical birds, and other interesting things in the room).
After some worship we enjoyed a little activity where the group had to be in pairs and set back to back with each other. One person had a peace of paper and pen and the other had to explain to the first person how to draw something they saw on the projector. Fun stuff
Then some more worship with amazing grace sung in the tone of Gilligan’s Island. After that we played a little banana game. Just check out the pics below to see what that was all about. Can you say eat fast or be a miss.
After that we did some more interaction and talked about being on a team with those around us.
When it was time for Tim to share with the group we couldn't find him. Well what happen was that Tim went to the wrong island. We watched the screen as Tim shared with us that he wasn't working with a team mate and made the mistake to go to a wrong island and that we would have to find a sub for him. Well fortunately for us Lee Rouson a former NFL foot player happened to come. So Lee shared with our group (and the sr highers) about being on God's team and how important that was.
The night ended with Lee signing some of his NFL player cards and giving them out to some of the kids. It was a great time.
After some worship we enjoyed a little activity where the group had to be in pairs and set back to back with each other. One person had a peace of paper and pen and the other had to explain to the first person how to draw something they saw on the projector. Fun stuff
Then some more worship with amazing grace sung in the tone of Gilligan’s Island. After that we played a little banana game. Just check out the pics below to see what that was all about. Can you say eat fast or be a miss.
After that we did some more interaction and talked about being on a team with those around us.
When it was time for Tim to share with the group we couldn't find him. Well what happen was that Tim went to the wrong island. We watched the screen as Tim shared with us that he wasn't working with a team mate and made the mistake to go to a wrong island and that we would have to find a sub for him. Well fortunately for us Lee Rouson a former NFL foot player happened to come. So Lee shared with our group (and the sr highers) about being on God's team and how important that was.
The night ended with Lee signing some of his NFL player cards and giving them out to some of the kids. It was a great time.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Great way to do a devotional
Hey read this. I got it from a devotional web site I go to. It is powerful: http://www.rbc.org/ourjourney/today.php
eat it up! 15 O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? Jeremiah 15:15-18
When I was growing up, I loved to watch game shows. My favorite was the one where the winner went on a one-minute shopping spree in a grocery store and filled as many carts as possible with food.
Since then, I’ve learned this truth: What food is to our bodies, Scripture is to our souls. If we understood what the Bible is and what it does for us, we would be just as fired up as a game show contestant with the grocery cart in front of her—waiting excitedly for the bell to sound. One of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 15:16, says it best: “Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.”
So, how can you feed your soul on God’s Word? Here are three ways:
READ IT: As for where to start, go to the gospel of John. Read it slowly. Every time you see the word believe, underline it and ask yourself: Believe what? Be interactive with every book you read. And don’t read it casually like a magazine or a novel. Give God’s Word the respect it deserves.
QUESTION IT: Here are some prompts I use. (You might already have your own.) What verses stand out to me? Why? Is there an example for me to follow? Is there an error for me to avoid? Is there a duty for me to perform? Is there any promise for me to claim? Is there a sin for me to confess?
PLAN IT: Keep your commitment to God’s Word going by planning how to apply what you’re learning. Take notes. When the Spirit convicts you of a sin, confess it and forsake it. Then develop a plan to avoid falling into that temptation the next time it shows up. The results will amaze you.
So, picture this—your shopping cart is empty, you’re at the line, the starting bell is about to ring. Ready? All the joy and delight found in filling your life with God’s Word is waiting for you. Set? Go! —James MacDonald walkintheword.com
seeking: Father, how has my mindset about your Word just been altered? How is my passion to know you being challenged?
responding: What needs to change in my life to make reading and studying God’s Word a priority? • What’s my plan? • What books of the Bible will I read first? • What verses have I recently read that I can pray back to God?
I want to have your view of your Word, Lord. If I understand that, I will apply it in a way that pleases you. You have provided in its pages all that is sufficient for godly living. Help me, Lord, to meet you there every day.
following: Hungry? Satisfy yourself with God’s Word.
eat it up! 15 O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. 17 I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? Jeremiah 15:15-18
When I was growing up, I loved to watch game shows. My favorite was the one where the winner went on a one-minute shopping spree in a grocery store and filled as many carts as possible with food.
Since then, I’ve learned this truth: What food is to our bodies, Scripture is to our souls. If we understood what the Bible is and what it does for us, we would be just as fired up as a game show contestant with the grocery cart in front of her—waiting excitedly for the bell to sound. One of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 15:16, says it best: “Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.”
So, how can you feed your soul on God’s Word? Here are three ways:
READ IT: As for where to start, go to the gospel of John. Read it slowly. Every time you see the word believe, underline it and ask yourself: Believe what? Be interactive with every book you read. And don’t read it casually like a magazine or a novel. Give God’s Word the respect it deserves.
QUESTION IT: Here are some prompts I use. (You might already have your own.) What verses stand out to me? Why? Is there an example for me to follow? Is there an error for me to avoid? Is there a duty for me to perform? Is there any promise for me to claim? Is there a sin for me to confess?
PLAN IT: Keep your commitment to God’s Word going by planning how to apply what you’re learning. Take notes. When the Spirit convicts you of a sin, confess it and forsake it. Then develop a plan to avoid falling into that temptation the next time it shows up. The results will amaze you.
So, picture this—your shopping cart is empty, you’re at the line, the starting bell is about to ring. Ready? All the joy and delight found in filling your life with God’s Word is waiting for you. Set? Go! —James MacDonald walkintheword.com
seeking: Father, how has my mindset about your Word just been altered? How is my passion to know you being challenged?
responding: What needs to change in my life to make reading and studying God’s Word a priority? • What’s my plan? • What books of the Bible will I read first? • What verses have I recently read that I can pray back to God?
I want to have your view of your Word, Lord. If I understand that, I will apply it in a way that pleases you. You have provided in its pages all that is sufficient for godly living. Help me, Lord, to meet you there every day.
following: Hungry? Satisfy yourself with God’s Word.
Nov. 16th Must serve
Our lives are given to us by the Lord. He placed each one of us on this earth for a purpose and we need to get on the stick and do what we are called to do. For some of us that means we need to search out the scriptures and talk with our friends from church and family to see what that might be. Others it is just that fact that we need to get going. As my old pastor use to say, “you need to get cracking.” Weather we are trying to find out what God’s purpose is for us or to start doing it we need always pray about it. Allowing God to work in us and through us to get His ministry done. Lord my I get cracking.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Nov. 13th Serving the Lord
Yes believe it or not I'm posting a journal entry of my devotional. Sorry about being so late on these.
Where I get the verse and question is from this site: www.donutholes.biz.
John 10:10 - Life to the fullDoes what’s happening in your heart look more like the work of a thief orthe work of Jesus? 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
You know I’ve heard some people use this verse to support their claim that God wants us to “name it and claim it.” The idea that if we pray for something and really believe it will happen that God some how has to honor that. Well I think that is a bunch of “bunk” as I’ve said before. I believe that Christ was encouraging people to turn to him and follow His examples (which was a servant attitude not a me attitude). In my life I pray that I will live a full life but a full life serving the Lord and not myself. Lord please work in my life so that I might serve you and not myself.
Where I get the verse and question is from this site: www.donutholes.biz.
John 10:10 - Life to the fullDoes what’s happening in your heart look more like the work of a thief orthe work of Jesus? 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
You know I’ve heard some people use this verse to support their claim that God wants us to “name it and claim it.” The idea that if we pray for something and really believe it will happen that God some how has to honor that. Well I think that is a bunch of “bunk” as I’ve said before. I believe that Christ was encouraging people to turn to him and follow His examples (which was a servant attitude not a me attitude). In my life I pray that I will live a full life but a full life serving the Lord and not myself. Lord please work in my life so that I might serve you and not myself.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Rake and Run and Rain w/Deep Impact
A group of the Deep Imparters got together today and went out a rack a bunch of the churches neighbor’s yards. Right as we got started it started to rain and so we had a Rake and Run and Rain event. The group worked hard and we got a chance to bless the neighborhood without them knowing about. After 5 full lawns (we racked the back, sides, and front yards) & 7 front lawns (we racked the front and some sides) the group went over to the Koskamps and enjoy some great hot chocolate and popcorn. It was great run and I can't wait to see what else we can do. Maybe a world record of racking might happen... hmmmm....
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