Monday, November 23, 2009
Daily Journal for Tuesday 24th November 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Daily Journal for Tuesday 6th October 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Daily Journal for Tuesday 29th September 2009
O - This is the secret to life. Our life in this world is meant to be built from the inside out. We are to "dig deep down"and lay the foundation on rock. Who is the rock? Jesus Christ has been referred to as "the rock"(1 Cor 10:4, and 1 Pet 2:7-8). We are to build our lives on him. The emphasis here is on us". We are to dig down deep". Jesus is the source of life and the strength of life. Our "house", our bodies, our lives can only become strong and withstand the torrents and the floods of life (which will happen) if our foundations are on Christ and on his words. But there is also one more directive. It is not enough to just "hear"Jesus' words, we must put them into action.
A - To become a woman of strength I cannot take my walk with Jesus lightly. Oh He will let me, but when hardship comes I have no guarantee of victory. No my only hope, is in Jesus alone, my rock. It is my responsibility to continue daily to dig deeply into his word and to act on it, (really to reflect deeply on it, through meditative contemplation, and follow it's directives in my life), then I will not be swayed by life's torrents. My "house" will be well built.
P - Dear Jesus, Thankyou for being my rock. Thankyou that you have given us a clear way to build our lives deeper and stronger in you. Please help me to continue to do this everyday I pray. May your strength be in me. Amen.
Daily Reading Luke Chapters 5&6
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Daily Journal for Monday 28th September 2009
S - "I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give to to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours" Luke 4:6-7
O - Satan was spruiking his power to Jesus. His experience was probably true - that the world does secede power and honour to him, We don't have to look far to see how people prefer the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. But he forgets one thing - his power and authority is only on loan. The ultimate authority is God Himself. Satan's greatest downfall is pride. The belief that he is God himself and therefore can do anything. The ultimate act of pride is to believe that God Himself (in Christ), would bow down and worship him. All the kingdoms of the earth belong to God, even though for now, they have been given temporary freedom to choose their master, - God or satan.
A - It seems that we should never forget that 1) what we have is on loan from God, 2)Satan's authority over this world is temporary and given by the ultimate authority - God. 3) In Christ, who overcame satan and temptation, we have the same power and authority to overcome. 4) Satan only has this authority because human beings have been given free will and have chosen the kingdom of darkness and 5) We have the free will to choose the kingdom of light and Christ.
P- Dear Jesus, thankyou for overcoming the evil one and giving us the freedom to choose you always and therefore to have victory in your name Amen.
Daily Reading Luke Chapters 3&4
Monday, September 28, 2009
Daily Journal for Sunday 27th September 2009
NEVER TO FALL AWAY
S - "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too" Luke 2:34b-35
O - This prophesy over Jesus from Simeon was so true. Jesus Christ is the one name which either brings joy and celebration or offense and rejection. His name alone is able to divide, and there the scriptures say, it will even divide our hearts, our souls. Jesus Christ is able to pierce our very souls and reveal what is really inside. No wonder people find Jesus to be so threatening. If our hearts and our souls are filled with the things of this world and not of the things of God, then we are convicted. And most people do not like being convicted. It thrusts us out of our comfort zones. Here too, the scriptures are revealing prophesy for Mary as well. It is so terribly true that her own mother's heart will be pierced with grief when she has to endure watching the death of her own son.
A - God does not spare us from pain or suffering. It seems that this is not the reason that He came. He came so that we might chose righteousness and Godliness, rather than our own comfort and protection from pain. Mary was not spared this and so we should not think we will either. But God does expect us to remain firm in Him, and not fall away, but continue to rise with Him, despite our circumstances. It is truly only in Him, that we have life.
P - Thank you Jesus for showing me a better way. At times it seems like it is a harder way, when the world seems to live so casually and carefree. Help me to remember that this was not Mary's experience, or even yours. Help me to remain on track with you, and in you, always.
Amen.
Daily Reading for Luke Chapter 2