Monday, April 30, 2012

Daily Dose 4-30-12


John 1:9-13 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
It’s hard to truly fathom the sacrifice Jesus made for us. He watched and worked with God to create heaven and earth. He was completely pure, dwelling beside the Father. He was intimately communing with God. Was that why He was willing to come? In such an intimate relationship with God, could He see how the sins of the people He created and loved were breaking the heart of God. Was it at that point He said, “Let me fix it for You and them! Use me to bring them back to You!” Jesus was so concerned and grieved for the breaking heart of God, He was willing to be rejected, tortured, and ultimately separated from God Himself so that we could return to God. Are you willing to make sacrifices for the things that break the heart of God? We aren’t called to be crucified too often, yet we are called to step outside of our busyness and self-absorbed lives to minister to those God loves. We are called to let others know how to turn to Him. We are called to comfort the weary, feed the hungry and show compassion and mercy to the fallen. Does your heart break for the things that break the heart of God…or do you even notice?
God, Give me Your eyes to see what breaks Your heart. Give me the heart of Jesus to know how to respond. I love You! Amen

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Daily Dose 4-29-12


Psalm 100:1-5 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 
Know that the LORD is God. 
It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Some days you don’t feel like praise…Hurts and disappointments are commonplace in this life. However, when we feel our lowest and most vulnerable is when He is the closest. That should free us to praise. It doesn’t take much spiritual depth to praise Him in the good days. Our spiritual muscles are built and our faith is strengthened for endurance when we can praise him in the storms of life.

All-knowing, All-powerful God, Prick my heart to praise You when all I want to do is plead! Amen