March 15
February 22
February 15
February 8
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness joy.
O Divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved. as to love
For it’s in giving that we receive
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen“
February 1
I am not discounting foxhole conversions. There are many who come to Jesus during a crisis point in their life. I was one who confessed my sins out of fear of going to hell. And there are others who sincerely call upon God out of fear of dying. However, there are just as many who use these confessions out of a sense of manipulation to get them out of the line of fire. These are the ones I caution people about. Time and time again, we treat God as a “Get Out of Jail Free” card or even worse a “give me what I ask for” card. God is not a magical genie granting us our three wishes. He is a loving and caring God who blesses us according to his will and plan for our lives. When we abuse this love, we are not treating God as he deserves. Remember to ask for things that are according to his will not ours and we will end up better for it.
January 25
January 18
1 Peter 2:13, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”
January 11
I just wanted to use this spot to follow up on my lesson about Barak not being willing to be used by God. God wants to use us but we need to be willing is the lesson I pointed out. But here is an idea that I did not explain further. Even though Barak was hesitant the first time Deborah talked to him (vs 6-8), the second time, Barak listened and was able to accomplish God’s plan/will (vs 14-16). He was given a second chance. This is why he made it into the great faith chapter of Hebrews 11. I think this is also something we can learn. Even if we are unwilling at first, God can change our hearts and give us a second (or third or fourth . . .) chance. This is not guaranteed, but God can (and often does) give us another chance if we become willing to follow him. So if you have failed God in the past because of your unwillingness to carry out his plan, does not mean that God is through with you. If you change and become willing, God will often give you a second chance. Are you willing to be willing?