Jul 9
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Mercy Received & GivenThe parable of the master and servant reveals an act of mercy given by the master to the servant. The servant owed the master a great debt, but instead of requiring the servant’s payment the master freely forgave the servant’s debt and showed him mercy. Even though the servant received mercy he was unwilling to give mercy to a fellow servant who owed him money. The master scolded the servant because he had received mercy but did not give mercy to others. We have been forgiven of a great debt… Read more »
Jul 7
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Heavenly Impact“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven…” We need to come to the realization that our earthly decisions will make a heavenly impact as well. What we sow on earth we will also reap now and in eternity. This eternal perspective will give a present importance to the relationships and life we live today. What we do today will make a heavenly impact tomorrow. May we bind up good things on earth so we may reap good things in the future. Relationships are important in the kingdom. “W… Read more »
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upwardjourney added a link contribution The Little OnesThere are many forgotten “lost sheep” that are on the heart of God. Around the world many children are living without parents and adult support. It is a challenge for each of us not to forget those who are in need. The needs are so large that it becomes overwhelming to those who are seeking the “lost sheep”. In our churches we can become comfortable with the activities of our church and with our “99″ that we forget to go after the “1″ God is calling us to pursue. The “little ones” are helpl… Read more »
May 21
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Limited ViewI have never been to the Grand Canyon, but I hear it is a breath taking view as you observe the vastness of the canyon. No picture can capture the full view of the canyon that you observe when standing on the edge of such a spectacular site. As you stand in a small portion of the canyon you observe a large view of the total. In some ways this explains the mustard seed faith. We can only take in so much of God’s vastness. Yet this amount is all we need to trust God to bring about his purpose… Read more »
May 15
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Mountain Top PreparationGod will often prepare us for difficult moments we will face in the future. He knows the journey we will be taking and He prepares us by exalting Christ in our lives. In challenging moments the only hope is our security in the person and presence of Christ. It is for these reasons God leads us through spiritual, mountain top experiences. The purpose for these experiences are to exalt Christ in our lives. These spiritual moments become markers we can remember and re-visit when we face the re… Read more »
May 13
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Know and DoThe call of Christ challenges our understanding and will. Unbelief will prohibit our ability to follow Christ to the fullest. When we grasp who he is, then our life is impacted by the understanding that Christ is calling us to give him our all. It is more than knowing about Christ, but knowing and doing the will of Christ. Like Peter, we say, “you are the Christ” but we must also live our life in full surrender to his purpose. We know who Christ is and we do His bidding. Read more »
May 11
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Faithful to the MissionJesus responded to the needs of others with a tremendous amount of compassion. He never grew weary in his efforts to fulfill His Father’s work. Jesus was faithful to his mission. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,..” (Luke 4:18) When Jesus and the disciples grew weary, he never lost site of the needs of others. Read more »
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Misguided TraditionsWe often think of tradition as being a problem for others. When we are honest we discover we all have established traditions. In light of today’s passage, we see tradition as certain thoughts or ideas contrary to God’s leading. We all have traditions that encourage us or sometimes prevent us from following God’s lead in our lives. We are blessed by the success and faithfulness of those in our past. These individuals have provided us a foundation for our service and ministry today. We all have tr… Read more »
Apr 26
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Decisive CautionOnce Peter recognized it was Jesus walking on the water He wanted to be in on the action. At Peter’s request, Jesus called him out to join him. Peter stepped out quickly and with confidence. This confidence quickly changed when Peter saw the wind and waves. Frightened by his surrounding circumstances he cried out for help. Peter reminds me of someone who does not want to be left out when it comes to a new adventure, yet he does not consider what it will take to stay the course. We see Pet… Read more »
Apr 17
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Interrupted SolitudeJesus made his way to a solitary place, but he always made time for those in need. His compassion directed him toward action. It is easy to withdraw from the crowds surrounding us each day, but making time for others is difficult. It is important we take the time to stop and listen to the leading of our heavenly Father, but we should always be ready to respond to the needs of others, as our Father directs. Read more »
Apr 15
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Unpopular WordsRighteous words will not always be accepted by the hearer. John the Baptist had challenged the relationship between Herod and Herodias, his brother’s wife. These words were not accepted and Herodias, along with Herod sought ways to silence the bearer of righteousness. The reward of the prophet was persecution. Because of John’s message, he was imprisoned and then beheaded. Following the path of righteousness is not always the easy path. In the same way, our unpopular words will not always… Read more »
Apr 14
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Hometown LimitsJesus was known as the son of Mary and Joseph, the carpenter. To his hometown he was the same little boy who ran through the streets and played with the local children. They knew his past, his brothers and sisters. Jesus, no matter what he had accomplished in other towns and villages, he had a difficult time changing the impressions of those who knew him earlier in life. It was hard for his hometown to change their perspective. Because of their inability to change their view of Jesus, they… Read more »
Apr 13
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Costly SearchThere are two important points made about the kingdom of heaven. First, it will cost us our all in order to receive the benefits of the kingdom. In the parable, we see that the man and the merchant went and sold all they had to possess the treasures found. In Matthew we read: Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 10:39) If we want to possess the treasures found in the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to pay the price. When we… Read more »
Apr 11
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Simple FocusThe kingdom of heaven is infectious. What may seem insignificant to the world makes a large impact in the lives of individuals. The life of a disciple is one lived in simplicity. Simply plant a mustard seed, a large plant is developed. Simply place a small amount of yeast in a large amount of flour and the whole lump is affected. Live with simplicity and your life will be transformed by its simple focus. Read more »
Apr 1
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Wait for the HarvestIt was hard to distinguish between a good seed and the weed seed. The danger of pulling the weeds was the good seeds would be uprooted as well. They would be clearly distinguishable when they were ready for the harvest. It was then the two could be seperated. Jesus encourages his followers to wait. This call to wait and see is not always our first response. This parable confronts the impatience of those who wanted God to act immedately to uproot the bad seeds. This haste would not only up… Read more »
Mar 20
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Soil QualityWhat is the quality of our soul? Jesus explains to the disciples the meaning behind the parable. The soil along the road is hard and well worn. This soul is unable to sustain the seed and the seed is quickly picked up. We often find ourselves unable to understand what God is doing in our circumstances. Because of pain or hardness of heart, we hear God’s message, but we are unable to receive it. At times we find our soil being rocky and shallow. We are excited about the work of God in our… Read more »
Mar 13
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upwardjourney added a link contribution A Spiritual FamilyOnce we commit to Christ, our family enlarges. We are no longer surrounded by our “flesh and blood” but we are part of the spiritual family we find within the church. God’s family provides us with the opportunity to be part of something much greater than ourselves and our immediate family. We are part of the kingdom of God and His mission for our lives. This mission determines who we are and who is our family. Read more »
Mar 11
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Ninevah's ExampleWe come by the thousands to experience worship and hear a thrilling message, but when there is a service need, only few will respond. I have heard it said: “10 percent are movers and shakers, 10 percent are complainers, and 80% are waiting to follow one of the two groups.” Which group will we find ourselves? Christ is calling us to be “movers and shakers”. He is calling for a response of repentance. Jesus is not in the entertainment business, but in the life changing business. The life ch… Read more »
Mar 10
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Heart & Mouth ConnectionWhat we speak reveals the nature of our heart. Do our words encourage and build up others, or do our words condemn and criticize others? Our answer to this question reveals the nature of our heart. If there is jealousy, anger, and bitterness; our words will be the same. No matter how hard we try to cover up our true character, it will always come through in times of stress and weakness. There is a heart and mouth connection. Our mouth will reveal the inward parts of our life. It is the co… Read more »
Mar 4
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upwardjourney added a link contribution A Quiet WitnessJesus did not come to quarrel with those who rejected Him, He came to fulfill the purpose of His Father. In the midst of ridicule and threats, Jesus did not loose his singleness of mind. He had one mission, to do the will of the Father. It was in his silent witness that irritated the Pharisees of his day. They wanted to pick a fight, but Jesus quietly removed himself from the conflict and continued his mission, healing the sick and bringing hope to the hopeless. Read more »
Mar 3
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Everyday MercyOne of the key phrases I pick up from this passage is the Lord “desires mercy, not sacrifice”. “Man made religion” calls for a sacrifice but often is limited in its mercy. For example, it instructs its followers to offer the proper incense in a exact way and limits a person’s personal faith expression. When our concern for our neighbors and the plot of those suffering is lessened by our religious practice and sacrifice, we are not living a life of mercy and compassion. It is more important… Read more »
Feb 27
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Easy and LightJesus is a “gentle and humble” counselor. He sees our condition and seeks to guide us into true rest. When we are burdened we want someone who knows our conditions and will gently guide us into the rest we are seeking. He does not lay more wait of guilt or shame on us, He removes these and other burdens from our life. ”His yoke is easy and His burden is light”. For some this is hard to believe. When they think of Christianity they begin to envision ideas of religious “do and don’ts.” This… Read more »
Feb 25
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Spiritual Attention DeficitWhat will be our response to the work of Christ in our lives? Will we respond with repentance and a commitment to follow him as a disciple? Will our commitment be short lived and would we quickly move on to the next event that promises excitement? We have a “spiritual attention deficit” and we quickly move to other exciting events. We love the thrill of a new and exciting experience, but when the call of commitment is made we loose our focus. We do not need to miss the point of Jesus’ miracl… Read more »
Feb 22
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Prophet RejectedSpeaking truths will not always be accepted and when we are recipients of the message, we are not always willing to listen. When God sends a prophet we must be willing to hear what is being said. Making adjustments to the God’s message being delivered is necessary in fulfilling God’s will for our lives. No matter how hard the medicine might be to swallow, God’s word is a medicine we need for healing of our soul’s condition. Let us listen to the prophets who speak God’s word. Read more »
Feb 16
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upwardjourney added a link contribution Assuring EvidenceDoubt can change the direction of our lives. As we look to our future we may begin to doubt if we are dedicated to the right cause or position. We wonder if our efforts were worth the investment or if our hard work was put into the right purpose. John the Baptist had invested his life in preparing others for the coming Messiah. Now he was coming to the end of his ministry and he found himself in prison. In the hard time of imprisonment he begins to reflect on his mission and if it has been… Read more »
User Info
Name: Tim Smith
User Since: December 2008
Location: Okinawa, Japan
Website: upwardjourney.wordpres…
Contributions: 67
Tags: 142