Archive - December, 2009

Turning 1 year into 18 months

December 16, 2009 in personal with 0 Comments

I began in January reading through a 1 year Bible plan.  I’ve really enjoyed it, and have had some great insights but there’s one problem.

I’m behind.  Instead of a 1 year Bible plan (NT twice and OT once), I’m more like at the 18 month plan.

At some point in the OT I got behind, over the summer, during camps… I was “busy”.

We all can make excuses, but I guess it just shows how much a commitment to God means.

We all get up on time for work, or get the kids to school, reading a novel about vampires who love younger girls (or whatever fiction you’re into) or definitely make time for our favorite TV show…

but when it comes to reading God’s word, going to Church, serving those he loves…

What makes it different?  Why do we not follow through?

I’m not saying you’re a horrible person if you don’t read the Bible in a year, or anything like that.

I’m asking if we’re actually committing ourselves to the ONE we say we are.

How about you?  Any one out there have trouble with the 1 year  er, 18 month plan, or maybe a different type of commitment?

Maybe we can pray for each other and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:23-24), and thank God for his grace.

In Christ,

Isaiah

Remember what we are for…

December 9, 2009 in personal with 0 Comments

It is quickly coming up to the time of the year where Christmas songs are being played, people are getting out their credit cards and the annual debate occurs over stores using Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

I understand where it comes from, I do. I believe that Jesus is the reason for the season, that it should be Merry Christmas… but I’m sick and tired of seeing Christians show what we’re against.

We’re always seen protesting, whining and picketing.  Why aren’t we seen serving, loving and praying?

Why don’t we start showing what we are for?

Instead of spending a few minutes forwarding that happy holidays angry forward… take that time to pray for someone. Instead of picketing, donate your time to a soup kitchen. Instead of whining, help people and love them as Jesus loved them.

Do what you want with your money… but give Jesus your heart.

Maybe when we all do this… people will know what we are for, and see that Jesus IS the reason for the season.

Just a thought,
in Christ,

Isaiah

Insane

December 3, 2009 in personal with 0 Comments

Acts 26:24-29 (New International Version)
24At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25″I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 26:24-29 (NIV)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

When was the last time someone called you insane?

When was the last time you were “out of your mind” for Jesus?

Kind’ve makes you think…

in Christ,

Isaiah

how wide/long/high/deep

December 2, 2009 in personal with 0 Comments

Ephesians 3:17b-18

…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ

It seems that we really like to measure things… comparing houses, tv screen sizes, cars that get better gas mileage, or can hold more people, even neighborhoods that make sure your grass is mowed often – 3″ and no taller!  We are constantly in search of measuring up in the more or less department, yet we never seem to be able to grasp the more important measurements…  like the one above.

How Wide, Long, High and Deep is the love of Christ!

Stop and think about that right now.

Compare God’s love to what you’re worried and anxious about… to the fear that you’re holding… to the sin that you think you can’t be rid of…

Which is wider, longer, higher and deeper?

Which matters more?

God loves you more than we can ever measure… hold on to that.

in Christ,

Isaiah

Meditate

December 1, 2009 in personal with 0 Comments

Lately, I’ve been digging into meditating on the Psalms and trying to just focus on one passage of Scripture.  I still read other passages, but every day I’ve been trying to focus on Psalm 1… Verse 2 says why.

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

So, even before the beginning of the new year and all the resolutions, I’m trying to change.  I want to be able to meditate on the law of the LORD, on his Word, day and night.

That somewhat begs the question though, how do we meditate?

I’m reading some of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Meditating On The Word to find out how…

We’ll see how this goes.

in Christ,

Isaiah

p.s. How do you meditate on His Word?