Month: December 2009

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New Years Best of Countdown

Rise Up

Originally published on 9/8/2009

David asks an important question here:

Psalm 94:16-19

New International Version (NIV)

16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

17 Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your love, O LORD, supported me.

19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Who will rise up again the wicked?  Who will take a stand?  For us to be completed committed we have to.  That does not mean we go and burn down abortion clinics or yell at people in bars, etc.  What it means is that we use every opportunity to SPEAK the truth.  We stand up, and teach, we love, we live it!  AND we will have God supporting us the entire way.

Lets stand up,  lets cross the Red Sea and realize that we have God’s love giving up a firm foundation.

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New Years Best of Countdown

Brand New Day

Originally Published on 8/21/2009

It’s a brand new day!  Another chance to renew yourself.  Another chance to impact others, another change to bring glory to your Creator.    Another Day in the plan that God had for you.  Be the Light you are called to be.

New International Version (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Matthew 5:14-16

14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (NIV)

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.  (The Message)

GO PUBLIC, It’s a Brand New Day!!!!!!

Categories
New Years Best of Countdown

Hangdog Skulking

Originally published on 8/14/2009

There are some passages that are best still in the “original”  KJV.  Here is one of them (can you read this without singing)

King James Version (KJV)

Psalm 25

1Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

3Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

However, sometimes you can’t top the Message for getting the “message” across:

The Message (MSG)

Psalm 25

A David Psalm

1-2 My head is high, God, held high; I’m looking to you, God;
No hangdog skulking for me.

3 I’ve thrown in my lot with you;
You won’t embarrass me, will you?
Or let my enemies get the best of me?

Don’t embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It’s the traitors who should be humiliated.

So, today, no hangdog skulking.  Lift your eyes up to God and be lifted up yourself.  He is where your strength comes from.

Be Strong today, because God is Strong!

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New Years Best of Countdown

Pride Goeth Before…

Originally published on July 28, 2009

Pride and forgiveness.  Hm.  The go hand and hand, or well maybe they don’t ever touch.  They can’t exist together! Our Savior says forgive as I have forgiven you! Tough stuff.  Imagine Joseph – his brothers ‘killed’ him, his boss sent him away, his ‘friends’ forgot him, but he still forgave and lived to give the glory to God.

Do you think Joseph may have started this Proverb?

Proverbs 24:17New International Version (NIV)

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

Then look at the next verse – just as Jesus says forgive and you will be forgiven, I think this Proverb says, “Gloat and you will fall” or “Have Pride and well, its your turn to stumble”.

18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.

I like how the message phrase that last part  – or he might “take pity on his plight”.

17-18 Don’t laugh when your enemy falls;
don’t crow over his collapse.
God might see, and become very provoked,
and then take pity on his plight.

Lets be transformed and changed.  And lets forgive and lets help our ‘enemies’ – after all who really is your enemy?

Categories
New Years Best of Countdown

Simple Truth

Originally published on June 25, 2009

Hey, this is pretty simple today, and I think it sums up a lot of Christrianity and boy, its sure seems I say this to my children a whole lot.  Treat people how you want to be treated.  Of course the flip side of this is “what goes around comes around”.

But really, this is such a simple truth, but can be so transformational in your life if you have never thought this way before.  It start to humanize others people and makes you aware that people are very much the same.  Look at the people around you and look for the things that you can do for them that you really would like people to do for you.

Have a good day and do to others..

Luke 6:31 (New International Version)

31Do to others as you would have them do to you.