dooger1973

dooger1973 added a text contribution Connecting justice to holiness
I loved my home church, but this is one piece they missed teaching me: how social justice is connected to our holiness. These verses here (along with many others in Isaiah) show how God looks at our holiness through the lens of our work with those in need. It is not exclusive but it is a part of it. Essentially he says be holy by treating others with compassion, working for justice, not allowing oppression and meeting needs as you can. When he says "come let us reason" it's a… Read more »
- via YouVersion
dooger1973 added a text contribution Forgetting to whom you belong
This verse really captured me as I reflected on how true it is for us. It is so easy to forget to whom we belong. Even though it is the most natural thing for us...to give honor to God, acknowledge his Lordship, we often forget. It's like the line in that song: "We see the rain and turn and thank the clouds." That's not exact, but gets the point. Today I want to make it my mission to notice God's work in everything I see, in every human I come in contact with and i… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Bragging on Jesus
In my early days of ministry I would hear Christian leaders talk about what they had accomplished. It never quite set with me right. Yet, many thought they were the greatest and even excuse how they talked as mere confidence. This passage is such a good example to me of the attitude Paul took. He didn't brag about anything except what Christ accomplished through him. Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Not nice Jesus
Too many times we paint this picture of Jesus as nice. He was not a "nice" Jesus in the since that he was a push over. He had very strong words to say to the religious, but not to those who were far from Him. it was to those who had access to God, who should have known better that he reserved the most harsh words. Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Making it hard for people to come to God
I wonder if Jesus would overturn pews in some of our church buildings? Some churches that were started to help people find their way back to God exist now in a form that makes it hard for people to find him. I just spoke to a couple yesterday that were seeking and because of the "religious" rules and culture of the church they were turned off. May I never make it hard for someone to find God. May I get out of the way. Read more »
- via YouVersion
dooger1973 added a text contribution Making it hard for people to come to God
I wonder if Jesus would overturn pews in some of our church buildings? Some churches that were started to help people find their way back to God exist now in a form that makes it hard for people to find him. I just spoke to a couple yesterday that were seeking and because of the "religious" rules and culture of the church they were turned off. May I never make it hard for someone to find God. May I get out of the way. May I help create the a good environment. Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Looking like Jesus
This verse just stopped me in my tracks. I have been noticing a lot more verses that have to do with satisfaction lately but this one just digs in the heart. I will be satisfied in looking like Jesus (doug paraphrase). I want to have that as my one desire. Growing to be like Jesus. Does the focus of our discipleship ever really change from that? Looking like our master is our goal. wow. Read more »
- via YouVersion
dooger1973 added a text contribution "All that he had"
"He left with all that he had. I love it. God called. Abram went...with all that he had. I wonder if I would be as responsive as Abram? There have been times in my life where we did literally just pick up and leave with all that we had. How easy it is to become entrenched into a way of life, a way of thinking, and not be responsive to pick and up and go with all that you have. I want that kind of responsive obedience. I want that kind of simple life where I can pick up and go. Perha… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Finding fulfillment
For some reason this verse hit me really strongly when I read it this time. Perhaps it is because I have been thinking a lot of how I am "discontent" most of the time. It's something i have always wrestled with. I know I am not alone in this because otherwise why would so many be constantly buying new things and doing new things. We by nature grow discontent with our stuff, our job, our life so easily. It struck me today when I read this that Jesus really does say "you… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Result of sin = isolation
These two examples are so clear that one of the results of sin is isolation. Isolation from: 1. God - Adam and Eve were driven from His presence. Cain was driven into the wilderness, a symbol of isolation. It's interesting that it was in the isolation that Jesus was tempted and did exactly what God encouraged Cain to do, "rule over it" (Gen. 4:7). 2. Each other - sin separates us from those around us. It can isolate because we hurt others. Or it can isolate because we are so… Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Not buddy Jesus
This is one of those verses that captures an attitude we need towards God. Certainly it is clear in Scripture that God is a friend. Jesus said so. However, I think we compare that friendship to the friendships we have. I'm not sure that is all there is to this friendship with God. There is a "fear" and "trembling" aspect to it. God is "holy" and "wholly" other. He is beyond us and yet near us. He is bigger than us and yet in us. It's a t… Read more »
- via YouVersion
dooger1973 added a text contribution Foundation for a New year
What an appropriate 2 verses to start the new year out on. Delighting in Scripture will form the right foundation for New Year that is a blessing and blesses God...a new year that serves Jesus...that reeks with significance. Read more »
- via YouVersion

dooger1973 added a text contribution Love is THE distinctive quality of a Christ-follower
Love is the trademark for the Christ-follower. Love is the biggest evidence that we know Jesus. Not our knowledge or our church attendance but how we love. Like the one dude in the breakout session: A bible study is not distinctively Christian; A small group is not distinctively Christian; A church building; A worship service; A church organization; How we love is distinctively Christian. So, how am I loving? Read more »
- via YouVersion

YouVersion