Nov 16
-
colleen202 added a text contribution What is the point?How often I have served God in the body of Christ with great zeal, only to allow some personality conflict or difference of opinion to enter in and get stuck in it. We are all so varied, it is inevitable that as Christians, we will have conflict. Here Paul asks Euodia and Syntyche to settle their differences peaceably. They were both zealous servants of the Lord but something had caused them to have a disagreement. (Thank you, Lord that Paul did not name it). Haven't we all seen it happen… Read more »
Nov 11
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Heart Check-upMany times I have asked God - how can I serve You? My answer is clearly given in Romans 12:9-21. God has given each of us gifts to serve and love others in Him. My problem comes when my gifts are for my own selfish vanity, not for God. The difference is my heart intent — do I use my gift to bring attention and praise from others to benefit my inflated ego of how truly wonderful I am? Or is God, who has given me every good gift, the focal point of my heart and His kingdom? Daily I must do a he… Read more »
Nov 9
-
colleen202 added a text contribution How Great is our GodToday as I read the headlines of the Ft Hood tragedy, this Word of the Lord in Psalms 147 reminds me how great is our God. He promises to heal the wounds of the broken hearted, comfort those in pain and to hear the prayers of the destitute. As God knows the number of stars and calls them by name - He knows your deep hurt and pain. Our God is so great, He goes beyond our limited knowledge and understanding. He delivers justice to the wicked as brings them 'down to dust'. Dear Friend, to… Read more »
Nov 8
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Which will I be?Today, I am convicted by living one moment for Christ as a 'citizen of heaven' or as an 'enemy of the Cross' to the people around me. I choose to model behavior that signifies one or the other. All to often I choose my selfishness thereby shaming my identity as a Christian or Christ-follower. Our actions and words say what we are. We may be on the freeway or highway tailgating or cutting another car off with a sticker or symbol that says, "I have a relationship with Chr… Read more »
Nov 2
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Refreshing and living waterToday these verses of living water were much needed. Yesterday, I suffered heartache from the unintentional words of a friend. This friend had received postcards from my daughter who have not heard from in months. She had no idea had hard it was for me to hear her words. My daughter and two sons lost their dad to cancer this past April. We had been divorced for over 16 yeas. Neither of us had remarried. There was a huge mistakes and sin on my part. Bitterness set in quickly into our sons who w… Read more »
Oct 30
-
colleen202 added a text contribution He delivers!God has answered a specific prayer. It was not the answer I thought it would be - but God knows me well. He knew exactly how to answer my prayer, knowing His way would be the best for me now. And as I look deeper, even the seemingly unanswered prayers of today, are His answer. "Wait on Me", He says. Waiting is part of the answer. All the while, He is protecting and rescuing me - many times from myself. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust… Read more »
Oct 24
-
colleen202 added a text contribution CommitCommit is one of those buzz words associated with long-term and forever, much like a vow. I realized reading Psalm 37 again tonight — that I commit to one thing or another without thinking that I am just doing that — committing is what I choose to do. Many times my committing is reaction instead of proaction. I allow my human selfishness to rule and squeeze out the Holy Spirit in reigning in me, through me. Psalm 37 says: "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and He will help… Read more »
Oct 22
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Good Things!This is one of my favorite Psalms. The Psalmist praises God for all He does and then writes a list of all the 'good things' God does. Today I reflect and praise God for all the many 'good things' He does for me. It is fascinating to me that the Psalmist lists those 'good things' as: 1) God forgives all my sins; 2) God heals all my diseases; 3) God redeems me from death; 4)God crowns me with love and tender mercies and concluding with 5) God fills my life with good… Read more »
Oct 13
-
colleen202 added a text contribution DiscernmentEpheisnas 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Thank you dear Lord, for putting discernment in my mind and heart today. I need it! Let me listen only to Your voice, and in whatever I do, say and reflect, I want it to be all YOU! May You bring to my mind, the Word of Life for decisions, speech, and mannerisms. I know You go with me and all who call on You. May we live the life You have planned for us so others will know and see only You. Amen. Read more »
Oct 10
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Wandering offPsalm 119:65 You have done many good things for me, Lord , just as you promised. 66 I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. 67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. This describes me. The wandering off part, and how loving God has been to discipline me so I stay in His word. "Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love." Here we have the most loving God, who created us, gave His only Son Je… Read more »
Oct 9
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Where do you shop?Revelation 3:18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. I am reformed shopaholic. For years I worked for a notable retail firm as a department manager and buyer. High-end to moderate clothing was my business and passion.… Read more »
Oct 7
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Able to call Him, DaddyI come from a large family of nine. There was constant sibling rivalry and fighting. My father traveled for work and my mother drank away her sorrows. When I became an adult, I searched for love in all the wrong places, until I met Jesus Christ. I found a love like no other. Though I have strayed from my First Love, He has led me back time and again because He loves me. In Christ, I am a child of God and I can cry out to Him as Daddy. For His love is so great - He cares for me. Dear Friend, may… Read more »
Oct 2
-
colleen202 added a text contribution No contacts or glasses neededIsaiah 55:8 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord . "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. When I read this truth, I am struck by the fact I cannot see more than a few hundred feet (with contacts) in front of me or above me. What I seem to concentrate on is the ground below my feet. I cannot fathom the universes… Read more »
Oct 1
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Waiting at the gateI am sticken by this verse - it paints such a picture of the God's faithful followers - they wait on the God's wisdom at the gate of His home - "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10. God has only His best for us - Lord may I not settle for any of this world's empty follies - may I wait for only Your best! Read more »
Sep 28
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Whose the Main Character?I am reminded how often I duck out of uninteresting conversations, avoid small talk or maneuver conversations to what is important to me. I forget (Dear God, forgive me) that I am not the center of my world but Christ is. Have you seen the Truman Show film with Jim Carrey? He is the center of the imaginary 'made-for-TV' town's world. As the main character, everything revolves around him. And to his credit, once he finds it out — he works to escape. We are the minor characters in… Read more »
Sep 26
-
colleen202 added a text contribution What is your story?Paul tells his story so simply here is this passage. He conveys the depth of his past sinful life and the gracious and generous gift of Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. We all have a story. It does not take a long and eloquent speech to tell it. But the simple words Paul said: "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—and I am the worst of them all. (v 15)." Paul went on to say "But God had mercy… Read more »
-
colleen202 added a text contribution One with attitudeThe Word encourages us, as believers to be united. "Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News." Philippians 1:27 How sad that much time and effort is lost in some churches by fighting against one another instead of un… Read more »
Sep 24
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Grow in GracePeter concludes this brief letter as he began, by urging his readers to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - to get to know Him better and better. This is the most important step in standing against and refuting false teachers and their teachings. In the present day, media floods us with information - how can we discern truth? We must know God - the truth of His word. We never stop growing, no matter how long we live, no matter how much we know, no matter how great… Read more »
Sep 23
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Growing up1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. Here is a measure of growth. Am I done with deceit (lying, manipulation, half-truths), hypocrisy (saying one thing, doing another) jealousy (envy, coveting,) and all unkind speech (gossip,… Read more »
Sep 17
-
colleen202 added a text contribution PurposeWhen I read Colossians 3, I am convicted by past failings and hopeful of future victories in Christ. God's mercies are new every morning: "Lamentations 3: 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" How thankful I am that truth is alive for me today. Dear Friend, whatever your past failings are - God i… Read more »
Sep 15
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Planned for God's gloryIf there was ever a doubt that anything I do that is good, truly good, is only of God - this passage says it. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10" God planned long ago that you and I would do good things for His glory. He gave us Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the gift of salvation — no credit can be taken by us — all of God and for His glory. Dear Friend, Believe how much G… Read more »
Sep 13
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Looking to the mountain - not at themWhile on life's journey, there are just those days that everything is a big mess or a huge obstacle — seemingly impossible. I never outgrow my need for God's untiring watch over my life and circumstances. Monumental problems, obstacles or ruins can shadow me to utter despair. God directs my focus to His assurance and hope in WHO HE IS - the maker of not only the mountains but of heaven and earth and everything beyond my scope. Dear Friend, today may we look to our God and rest in His a… Read more »
Sep 9
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Remember who you areI love reading historical biographies. Recently I read about Queen Victoria who became queen at the age of 18. She was extremely sheltered all her life by her mother and a conniving uncle. She knew nothing of political life, how to rule, or for that matter, about life in general. But when faced with her new immense responsibility, words her governess often spoke to her, resonated in her — "remember who you are". In an age when so many search for their identity, Christians have theirs… Read more »
Sep 8
-
colleen202 added a text contribution God bends downPsalm 17:6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. 7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. 8 Guard me as you would guard your own eyes Hide me in the shadow of your wings. What a beautiful picture the Prayer Psalm describes! The Psalmist is fully confident that 1. God is going to answer; 2. God will bend down to listen; 3. God will show love in wonderful… Read more »
-
colleen202 added a text contribution Bargaining with GodHave you ever made a bargain with God? It may go something like this — "If you heal me [or get me out of this mess], I'll obey you the rest of my life." But often, when we are delivered from the sickness or trouble, the vow or promise is forgotten and the old life-style returns. The Psalmist in Psalm 66 remembers what he promised: "13 Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you— 14 yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trou… Read more »
User Info
Name: Karen Kinzie
User Since: April 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Website: prayerforothers.blogsp…
Contributions: 61
Tags: 43