In Psalm 135:6 it is written "The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on earth."
In Philippians 2:13 (NLT) it is written "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him."
After reading these two verses I suspect that for someone who doesn't know His very nature, there may be a chance that our God could be thought of as being arrogant. Don't you suppose that there is a possibility that someone might mistakenly view Him as being selfish or self-centered?
Ah, but the secret is to know Him. To know what pleases Him.
Well let's see if we can uncover this mystery . . .
~ in 1 John 4:8 it is written "God is Love" so let's assume that it pleases Him when we love.
~ Certainly, by the beauty that is all around us it is obvious that He is a generous God so let's add to our list the presumption that He is pleased when we use the gifts and talents that He gives us.
~ In His very nature He is love, joy and peace. He is faithfulness, kindness, gentleness and goodness. And when dealing with me every day, He is the personification of patience and self control. It would be absurd to think that He did not enjoy pleasure when the Holy Spirit gives us these same gifts that display His glory. Displaying them in own lives is like icing on His cake!
~ The process of sanctification is His way of growing us into the likeness of His Son so it's a 100% money back guarantee that He experiences enormous pleasure to see us mirror the obedience of His Son.
Well, so far no arrogance. No selfishness and not even a hint of self-centeredness, so let's go on. We know what it is that brings Him pleasure, what then do you think He may be giving us the desire and power to do?
~ To reach out in love to those who are unlovable, hurting or sick?
~ To be kind to someone who hurts us?
~ To bring the beauty of His world to a home bound person?
~ To step out beyond what you are comfortable doing?
~ To yearn for righteousness?
~ To set down idols that stand between you and the Father?
You have because He loves.
The desire you have to know Him is because He gives you that desire.
The more you are willing to accept the things He wants to give you, and do in your life, the greater His pleasure in you will be.
BUT WAIT . . .
IF it seems that you have been dealt a short hand - maybe you feel that your life is lacking some or all of these things that please Him, does that mean that God withheld His goodness from you? Was He less generous with you? Does He love you less? - - - NO! He is no respecter of persons so He is generous without favoritism. You and the next person are equally equipped to bring Him pleasure but the ultimate choice rests with your willingness to allow all of His goodness into your life.
IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICES . . . THAT CENTER ON HIM
Lord, I choose You. I choose your Son. My hands are empty. Fill them, I pray, with your power - Help me Lord - for my hearts desire is to please you.
Amen and Amen.
bo
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Who Drove The Nails?
Have you ever REALLY thought about it?
Were you mistaken . . . like me?
Who flogged and ravaged His body?
Who gave their voice to crucify Him?
The Jews?
The Roman soldiers?
No - I was wrong . . . "they" didn't do it.
It was me.
I turned from Him.
I gave Him over to unfathomable cruelty.
I raised my hand to torture His body.
I sent gripping agony through Him.
I cracked the whip that gouged His flesh.
I positioned the nail in the most strategic spot.
I held the hammer that drove those nails.
Because of me He hung on that Cross.
Because of me He suffered and died.
God help me . . . IT WAS ME.
But PRAISE GOD . . . the love that is God Himself was greater than any evil that I could inflict.
He overcame my evil with His love.
No scars. Only forgiveness and total victory.
He has, once again, displayed His glory.
So . . . the question isn't how could they have done it.
The question isn't how could I have done it.
The REAL question is . . . HOW COULD HE HAVE DONE IT!
He has, once again, proven that it's not about me . . .
IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM!
Thank You Jesus. My love for You grows beyond measure daily as I uncover the depths of Your love for me. Truly, YOU are worthy of my praise and worship.
Hallelujah.
Amen and Amen.
bo
Were you mistaken . . . like me?
Who flogged and ravaged His body?
Who gave their voice to crucify Him?
The Jews?
The Roman soldiers?
No - I was wrong . . . "they" didn't do it.
It was me.
I turned from Him.
I gave Him over to unfathomable cruelty.
I raised my hand to torture His body.
I sent gripping agony through Him.
I cracked the whip that gouged His flesh.
I positioned the nail in the most strategic spot.
I held the hammer that drove those nails.
Because of me He hung on that Cross.
Because of me He suffered and died.
God help me . . . IT WAS ME.
But PRAISE GOD . . . the love that is God Himself was greater than any evil that I could inflict.
He overcame my evil with His love.
No scars. Only forgiveness and total victory.
He has, once again, displayed His glory.
So . . . the question isn't how could they have done it.
The question isn't how could I have done it.
The REAL question is . . . HOW COULD HE HAVE DONE IT!
He has, once again, proven that it's not about me . . .
IT'S ALL ABOUT HIM!
Thank You Jesus. My love for You grows beyond measure daily as I uncover the depths of Your love for me. Truly, YOU are worthy of my praise and worship.
Hallelujah.
Amen and Amen.
bo
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Challenge From The Cross
It is written in John 19:26-27 "When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son." and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
Jesus knew that day as he was agonizing on the Cross that YOU would be born and that YOU would be one of His followers. He loved YOU then as He loved John. He hung on that cross for YOU and for the rest of His beloved. So the challenge is this:
Who is it that Christ has put 'nearby' to you that He wants you to care for at the foot of His Cross?
Maybe it's someone who is in pain. Maybe a friend, a family member, a co-worker. A lonely or difficult person who you realize, when you look beyond their outward facade, truly needs His love.
Listen as Jesus says YOUR name from the Cross . . .
Dear _____, here is _____, your friend.
Just give them Jesus. All it takes is a moment of your time. A smile, free of charge. An interested ear. Yourself. Then, as they see Jesus in you, they will be drawn to His Cross. In your kindness and love they will hear you say 'Come see who it is that lives within me' for He wants to love you too.
As you gather at His Cross today, please accept this challenge as your own.
Father, may it be so . . . for we come to you with the heartfelt desire to help others to know your love, in the name that is above all names, Jesus, our Savior.
Amen and Amen.
bo
Jesus knew that day as he was agonizing on the Cross that YOU would be born and that YOU would be one of His followers. He loved YOU then as He loved John. He hung on that cross for YOU and for the rest of His beloved. So the challenge is this:
Who is it that Christ has put 'nearby' to you that He wants you to care for at the foot of His Cross?
Maybe it's someone who is in pain. Maybe a friend, a family member, a co-worker. A lonely or difficult person who you realize, when you look beyond their outward facade, truly needs His love.
Listen as Jesus says YOUR name from the Cross . . .
Dear _____, here is _____, your friend.
Just give them Jesus. All it takes is a moment of your time. A smile, free of charge. An interested ear. Yourself. Then, as they see Jesus in you, they will be drawn to His Cross. In your kindness and love they will hear you say 'Come see who it is that lives within me' for He wants to love you too.
As you gather at His Cross today, please accept this challenge as your own.
Father, may it be so . . . for we come to you with the heartfelt desire to help others to know your love, in the name that is above all names, Jesus, our Savior.
Amen and Amen.
bo
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Tears of Glory
The other day I met with a friend of mine and during our time of fellowship together we talked about the movie 'Fireproof'. He mentioned that the Holy Spirit prompted him to think of me when remembering the one character in the movie who was looked upon as the 'real deal'. WOW - what an honor! How incredible it is that the Holy Spirit thinks of me as the 'real deal'. Now that's what I call a spiritual shot in the arm . . . the vitamin B12 shot of all Holy Spirit shots! But wait . . . I hadn't seen the film so what was I strutting around about?
Well, my curiosity then got the best of me so I went and bought the movie . . . which is a good thing because there isn't a man, woman or child on the face of this earth that would have felt comfortable sitting next to me in public as I watched it. I was anxious when there was a show of tempers and when temptations came knocking at their doors. I sobbed just as much as they did when their hearts were becoming open sores and when forgiveness was being sought. And I was the cheerleader - pumping my arms and letting out a hearty 'YES!" when the 'real deal' guy saw for himself that our God is incredibly good to those who earnestly seek Him.
Now, as my feet begin to settle back on the earth's surface, I realize that there is yet another blessing I experienced from this movie. The miracle that the Holy Spirit laid in my lap this morning is that never once during the viewing of this movie did it occur to me to say
'if only'. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! Not one tear was shed for what could have been in my own life - EVERY SINGLE tear that the Holy Spirit captured in my bottle of my tears as I watched this movie was shed for the glory that was coming about for the Lord! How glorious it is that not only did I have that reaction but how glorious too was the fact that He allowed me to look back and realize that those tears were being logged in on the Lord's side of the ledger rather than mine!
I am speechless . . . and we all know that that's a God thing!
bo
http://www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
Well, my curiosity then got the best of me so I went and bought the movie . . . which is a good thing because there isn't a man, woman or child on the face of this earth that would have felt comfortable sitting next to me in public as I watched it. I was anxious when there was a show of tempers and when temptations came knocking at their doors. I sobbed just as much as they did when their hearts were becoming open sores and when forgiveness was being sought. And I was the cheerleader - pumping my arms and letting out a hearty 'YES!" when the 'real deal' guy saw for himself that our God is incredibly good to those who earnestly seek Him.
Now, as my feet begin to settle back on the earth's surface, I realize that there is yet another blessing I experienced from this movie. The miracle that the Holy Spirit laid in my lap this morning is that never once during the viewing of this movie did it occur to me to say
'if only'. HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! Not one tear was shed for what could have been in my own life - EVERY SINGLE tear that the Holy Spirit captured in my bottle of my tears as I watched this movie was shed for the glory that was coming about for the Lord! How glorious it is that not only did I have that reaction but how glorious too was the fact that He allowed me to look back and realize that those tears were being logged in on the Lord's side of the ledger rather than mine!
I am speechless . . . and we all know that that's a God thing!
bo
http://www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 7, 2009
First or Last
Often Jesus noted that "those who were last will be first and those who were first will be last." (i.e. Mt 20:16) Just as often as He said it, I have been confused by that statement. What in the world could He mean?
Well, this morning when reading from the book "Making Love Last Forever" by Gary Smalley, the Holy Spirit brought me an application of this truth statement. Let me explain . . . We are commanded to 'Love others as you love yourself' but when you stop and think about that statement you really need to (as Jesus said) deal first with the last then the last will be first. Sorry . . . here's the principle . . .
The last = love yourself
The first = love others
Soooooooooo - you must first love yourself in order to be in a position to then love others. The first will become last and the last will become first.
NOW Jesus' statement makes sense!
I have to admit that the chances are REAL good that this was not what Jesus was pointing to when He so often made that statement but hey, if it has helped me to understand how I can live in His peace and ultimately bring all glory to Him, then I'm quite sure that He's ok with my application of His truth!!!
Glory to God - - -
Amen and Amen
bo
www.anencouragersheart@blogspot.com
Well, this morning when reading from the book "Making Love Last Forever" by Gary Smalley, the Holy Spirit brought me an application of this truth statement. Let me explain . . . We are commanded to 'Love others as you love yourself' but when you stop and think about that statement you really need to (as Jesus said) deal first with the last then the last will be first. Sorry . . . here's the principle . . .
The last = love yourself
The first = love others
Soooooooooo - you must first love yourself in order to be in a position to then love others. The first will become last and the last will become first.
NOW Jesus' statement makes sense!
I have to admit that the chances are REAL good that this was not what Jesus was pointing to when He so often made that statement but hey, if it has helped me to understand how I can live in His peace and ultimately bring all glory to Him, then I'm quite sure that He's ok with my application of His truth!!!
Glory to God - - -
Amen and Amen
bo
www.anencouragersheart@blogspot.com
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Only Way
Jesus . . . I've got to say that I'm lovin' you - more every day.
That's a line from a popular Christian song and I love it when the Lord prompts it to flow from my heart. EVERY day I love Him more. EVERY day I want others to love Him more.
Today I learned about a woman who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). As I understand it, few, if any, afflictions could be more daunting to face. The long and short of it is that your mind becomes a prisoner within a body that you literally lose all control of.
So what is there for us to do to help this woman? What would Jesus do? Well, Jesus regularly sought quiet time alone with the Father. He sought the Father's will for His life. His first reaction was always to pray. I, on the other hand, cry first and ask questions later. After 'BooHoo Bonnie' leaves the building the next thought I have is to be like Jesus and pray. Yes, pray for healing . . . for in Matthew 19:26 Jesus says 'With God all things are possible' but even more importantly - pray fervently that this woman knows Jesus. Pray that she has declared Him to be her Lord and Savior . . . for without Him, she is without hope - both in this life and in the next.
So . . . how about you? What would you do if you were the woman who received such news? Are you ready if your daunting news arrives tomorrow? Do you know this man who died for you? This man who is your only hope. Is He the Lord of your life? No? Well, you're not alone because ALL have sinned against God and in doing so we have fallen short of His glory. But the truth is that He loves us to much to leave us outside of His glory. He wants us to share in His incredible blessings of a life filled with hope and joy and love . . . so today the incredible truth is that your life can be filled to the fullest if you ask Him to come into your heart. Seek to develop an intimate relationship with Him. He is an incredible friend. In Scripture it says . . . 'Ask - Seek - Knock' - it really is that simple!!!
Ask . . . the Holy Spirit to come into your life - ask that your sins be forgiven - and ask for life (and life everlasting!).
Seek . . . to know who this God is that you now trust and praise and love. Allow the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out.
Knock . . . at HIS door - He's waiting to start this new life with you.
For all who ask, receive.
All who seek, find.
And to those who knock, the door WILL be opened unto you.
If you truly want to live in His forgiveness - with all of His incredible promises - talk to Him - it doesn't need to be rehearsed - it just needs to come from your heart when you say to Him . . . LORD God, I know that I'm a sinner. I know the penalty of my sin is death but I thank Jesus for sacrificing His life so that I can once again be reconciled to You. I pray LORD that the Holy Spirit will now live within me, working in and through me to bring Glory to your Name.
Please come and be the Lord and the Treasure of my life. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen and Amen.
Listen as the angels welcome you into the family of God!!! It is sure now that you will spend eternity with all of them in heaven!
bo
www.anencouragersheart@blogspot.com
That's a line from a popular Christian song and I love it when the Lord prompts it to flow from my heart. EVERY day I love Him more. EVERY day I want others to love Him more.
Today I learned about a woman who has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). As I understand it, few, if any, afflictions could be more daunting to face. The long and short of it is that your mind becomes a prisoner within a body that you literally lose all control of.
So what is there for us to do to help this woman? What would Jesus do? Well, Jesus regularly sought quiet time alone with the Father. He sought the Father's will for His life. His first reaction was always to pray. I, on the other hand, cry first and ask questions later. After 'BooHoo Bonnie' leaves the building the next thought I have is to be like Jesus and pray. Yes, pray for healing . . . for in Matthew 19:26 Jesus says 'With God all things are possible' but even more importantly - pray fervently that this woman knows Jesus. Pray that she has declared Him to be her Lord and Savior . . . for without Him, she is without hope - both in this life and in the next.
So . . . how about you? What would you do if you were the woman who received such news? Are you ready if your daunting news arrives tomorrow? Do you know this man who died for you? This man who is your only hope. Is He the Lord of your life? No? Well, you're not alone because ALL have sinned against God and in doing so we have fallen short of His glory. But the truth is that He loves us to much to leave us outside of His glory. He wants us to share in His incredible blessings of a life filled with hope and joy and love . . . so today the incredible truth is that your life can be filled to the fullest if you ask Him to come into your heart. Seek to develop an intimate relationship with Him. He is an incredible friend. In Scripture it says . . . 'Ask - Seek - Knock' - it really is that simple!!!
Ask . . . the Holy Spirit to come into your life - ask that your sins be forgiven - and ask for life (and life everlasting!).
Seek . . . to know who this God is that you now trust and praise and love. Allow the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out.
Knock . . . at HIS door - He's waiting to start this new life with you.
For all who ask, receive.
All who seek, find.
And to those who knock, the door WILL be opened unto you.
If you truly want to live in His forgiveness - with all of His incredible promises - talk to Him - it doesn't need to be rehearsed - it just needs to come from your heart when you say to Him . . . LORD God, I know that I'm a sinner. I know the penalty of my sin is death but I thank Jesus for sacrificing His life so that I can once again be reconciled to You. I pray LORD that the Holy Spirit will now live within me, working in and through me to bring Glory to your Name.
Please come and be the Lord and the Treasure of my life. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen and Amen.
Listen as the angels welcome you into the family of God!!! It is sure now that you will spend eternity with all of them in heaven!
bo
www.anencouragersheart@blogspot.com
Thursday, January 1, 2009
What's the Big Deal
I read a devotional this morning that centered around . . .
"I'd be happy - if".
You can imagine that it went on to say . . . "If you begin a sentence with those words, then beware. Those little words of discontentment are the very words that Satan uses to draw us into his deceitful traps."
As I woke up this morning and thought about the fact that it's a brand new year I wondered what the hoop-la was all about. What's the big deal? Yes, we now have to remember to write a new year on our checks (although who writes checks out any more). Yes, we now have a new benchmark on time but if you think about it, today is merely a new day - just like yesterday was a new day when it arrived.
CS Lewis once wrote, "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day. As if nothing had yet been done." It was as important to know this truth yesterday when it was 2008 as it is today in 2009.
Pastor pointed out last night in service that God gave us His word in the much quoted (heehee) book of Haggai (2:8-9) that all that 'is' belongs to God (silver and gold were mentioned specifically) AND that the 'glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house' AND 'in this place I will grant peace." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Given this promise from our Father we are to rejoice that yesterday is gone and that He - faithfully - brought us a new day, a new year AND what hope we have in His promise of eternal peace!!!
So - what is your response to 'I'd be happy - if'? What on earth could there be left 'to do' or 'to have' that your answer would be anything but . . . 'Come Lord, Jesus'?
May His blessings fall upon your 'New Year'!
bo
http://www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
"I'd be happy - if".
You can imagine that it went on to say . . . "If you begin a sentence with those words, then beware. Those little words of discontentment are the very words that Satan uses to draw us into his deceitful traps."
As I woke up this morning and thought about the fact that it's a brand new year I wondered what the hoop-la was all about. What's the big deal? Yes, we now have to remember to write a new year on our checks (although who writes checks out any more). Yes, we now have a new benchmark on time but if you think about it, today is merely a new day - just like yesterday was a new day when it arrived.
CS Lewis once wrote, "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day. As if nothing had yet been done." It was as important to know this truth yesterday when it was 2008 as it is today in 2009.
Pastor pointed out last night in service that God gave us His word in the much quoted (heehee) book of Haggai (2:8-9) that all that 'is' belongs to God (silver and gold were mentioned specifically) AND that the 'glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house' AND 'in this place I will grant peace." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Given this promise from our Father we are to rejoice that yesterday is gone and that He - faithfully - brought us a new day, a new year AND what hope we have in His promise of eternal peace!!!
So - what is your response to 'I'd be happy - if'? What on earth could there be left 'to do' or 'to have' that your answer would be anything but . . . 'Come Lord, Jesus'?
May His blessings fall upon your 'New Year'!
bo
http://www.anencouragersheart.blogspot.com
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