by Whitey | Feb 22, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (v. 13)
In His teaching here about prayer, Jesus doesn’t promise us that we will receive everything we think we want. But He does promise that we will receive what we need. And what we need — or rather, who we need — is the Holy Spirit.
God offers us Himself. He promises that those who week Him will find Him. But so often we seek other things to fill that hole. This affects both how we pray and how we live.
Father God, I pray for more of Your Holy Spirit in my life. May it be You that I seek, You who are my purpose, goal, center and life. Please purify my prayer life, my priorities, my heart. Lord, teach me to pray.
by Whitey | Feb 17, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place
to lay his head.” (v. 58)
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service
in the kingdom of God.” (v. 62)
These statements from Jesus are challenging words for modern
Christians in modern nations, who want comfort and security and
ease… things that Jesus never guaranteed His followers. In fact, not
only did He not guarantee these things, He promised that following Him
would not be easy.
Those of us who do have it easy should stop and think, in light of
words like these. Am I following Jesus or simply a convenient form of
religion? Does Jesus have all of me? Is Jesus really everything to
me if following Him hasn’t cost me anything?
Again, let my prayer be “Take the world but give me Jesus.”
by Whitey | Feb 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Would you believe these 3 photos were all shot on the same street? They are. Such is Japan.
by Whitey | Feb 14, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
'Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?'" (v. 23-25)
Sometimes my response to life's disappointments is… disappointing. I'm more selfish than I'd like to admit. I don't like it when I don't get my own way, I don't like waiting, I want comfort and fulfillment and success and…
Here Jesus calls me to something higher, something better. To give my ALL to Him. It's a high calling. Many days I fail to live up to it. Which is why I need His grace. And by His grace, here and now, I make this my prayer….
"Take the world, but give me Jesus."
by Whitey | Feb 13, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no money,
no extra tunic.” (v. 3)
These are the instructions Jesus gave the 12 when He sent them out in
His name. And yet how often do I worry or complain that I don’t have
all I need? Or… want? Jesus wants us to trust Him.
Just a few verse later, Jesus dramatically illustrates His point when
miraculously feeds 5000 people. God is more than able to provide for
our needs, and in this case gave the people more than they needed, as
the 12 baskets of leftovers show.
God will take care of us as we trust Him with our lives and follow His lead.
As Jesus says elsewhere, “seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all all these things will be given to you as well.”
(Matthew 6:33)
by Whitey | Feb 3, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Looking at his disciples, he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor…'”
Many of Jesus gave up a lot to follow Him, such as those who left their boats and nets (their livelihood) on the shore and walked away. Some gave up everything to follow Jesus.
What about you?
What about me?
