Tag Archives: religion

Aug2

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on August 2, 2013 by lsgrlr

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 11. “‘As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life'” (Verses 15-18). “Who was I to think I could stand in God’s way?” Oh that I would have a mind-set like Peter. Why? I spend a lot of time standing in God’s way, not on purpose, it’s more subtle. I stand in His way when I let fear guide me. I stand in His way when I am ruled by my emotions (anger, sadness, even happiness). I stand in His way when I think my answers and my choices are better than those of the One who knows my beginning and my end. Peter choose not to stand in God’s way and this was the gateway through which the salvation of God reached the ENTIRE world. If every christian alive today chose to do the same, what would the world look like today? Just a thought.

Aug1

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on August 1, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 10. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days” (Verses 44-48). Okay I really wanted to use the entire chapter in this devotion. But instead I will encourage you to read for yourself. These verses for me sum up God’s message which is He is GOD. Not just of the Jews, but of the world. He died for all, by His blood ALL have the opportunity to be made clean. He didn’t have to give us all a chance He had the right to pick and choose. Instead He gave us free-will and made the choice ours.

Jul31

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 31, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 9. “The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to Your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.’ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength” (Verses 11-19). I don’t know about you, but if I was called to follow and the means used was to show me what I going to “suffer”…I may be a little unwilling to follow. Not so with Paul, he counted it “all JOY” to suffer for Christ. I understand why though. Saul (pre-Paul) with sight was still walking around blind, not seeing the truth. But God, removed the scales from his eyes.

Jul30

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 30, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 8. “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him” (Verses 26-31). Wow! Can you say DIVINE appointment. God said to Philip, “Go…” and he went. Don’t miss the opportunities you are given to do what you are called to do. When God says, “Go.” Don’t ask where just start moving, He’ll get you there.

Jul28

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 28, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 6. “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.’ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a MAN FULL OF FAITH and of the HOLY SPIRIT; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism…Now Stephen, a MAN FULL OF GOD’S GRACE AND POWER, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. But they could NOT stand up against the WISDOM the Spirit gave him as he spoke…So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, ‘This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.’ All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Verses 1-5. 8-10, 12-15). There hasn’t been a time where I have read this portion of scripture and haven’t been left wondering, “How did Stephen do that?” Seven were chosen, but the Holy Spirit takes the time to tell us that Stephen was FULL of FAITH, GRACE, and GOD’S POWER. How did he do it? He let himself be filled. He communed with God and allowed Him to fill him with everything necessary to serve. Stephen was able to do this, because he was ALWAYS FULL. I don’t want to be a half empty/half full vessel. I want His grace, faith, power, and His Holy Spirit to fill me to capacity.

Jul27

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 27, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 5. ” When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: ‘Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God'” (Verses 33-39). We do it everyday…fight against GOD. Why? Because we want things how we want it. Because we don’t want to believe, don’t want to surrender. We would rather live in our temporal world, rather than embrace God’s eternal, everlasting love. Today we all need to listen to the wisdom of Gamaliel, and stop fighting against God.

Jul25

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 25, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Acts 3. “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Verses 1-10). These verses give me hope, because I have someone I want to see healed from infirmity. I have been praying for her diligently. What I love about this portion of scripture is this, the man received far above and beyond what he imagined. He wanted a crutch, but God gave him legs to stand on and all he had to do was look.

Jul22

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 22, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

John 21. “…Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, ‘Follow me!’ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me'” (Verses 17-22). Our obedience is not dependent on the actions of others. The journey that Christ has called us to is individualized, we can’t live another person’s walk. So don’t look at the “other guy”, the grass really isn’t greener on the other side. God’s plan is PERSON specific.

Jul21

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 21, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

John 20. “So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb” (Verses 3-6). Peter has always been my favorite disciple I identity with his humanity. He had foot-in-mouth disease (which I too have). He was always the first one to try, if Jesus said come, Peter went. That’s why I love the picture these verses paint. The other disciple may have out-run Peter, but PETER still entered FIRST. The race isn’t about how fast you run…it’s about how well you finish. STAY THE COURSE.

Jul20

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on July 20, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

John 19. “Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, ‘Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.’ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written'” (Verses 19-22). I have always felt bad for Pilates’ struggle. It is a struggle that we have today, do what is right or please the crowd. Often times we like Pilate choose the later. It’s hard to take a stand. In the case of the cross, Jesus came to die, therefore Pilates’ actions are null and void, but the lesson is still there for us to learn. The cross is a hard call and we can’t be wishy-washy. Jesus died so we could make a choice, in the end Pilate made his by hanging a notice. When questioned he stood by it with these words, “What I have written, I have written”. We can do the same, when questioned our response can be: “What I have chosen, I have chosen”…let’s choose what’s RIGHT.