They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. v6-7

Paul warns Timothy about how "terrible" the last days will be like.  He describes what non-believers will be like in those days, indicating they will have a "form of godliness".  In v7 Paul indicates that these non believers will "always [be] learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth".  I know some who have an interest in Jesus and faith - but perhaps more from an intellectual or quasi-new age spiritual perspective.  

It's not enough to be curious about God or to have this type of intellectual or quasi-new age spiritual interest in Jesus, we must seek Him to the extent that we understand that we are all fallen, all need a Savior, and Jesus is Savior and Lord of All.  We must then surrender our lives to Him and earnestly seek Him in a daily, life-long and personal relationship with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who IS my Lord and Savior.  I DO desire to surrender all of my life to You as I have seen what You have done in my heart and life.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My words are harsh.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. v51

Upon Jesus' death on the cross, the "curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom".  This was significant because as John Piper writes: "When Jesus died—when his flesh was torn—God tore (from top to bottom) the curtain separating ordinary people from himself. The death of Jesus opened the way for the world into intimate, holy, personal, forgiven, joyful fellowship with God. No human mediator is needed any longer. Jesus split open the way for direct access to God." 

While we celebrate the meaning of Christmas we cannot help but also appreciate the birth of Christ apart from His crucifixion for that is WHY He came - to save us and give us direct access to God - for all of us ordinary people.

The greatest gift of all time! 

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who came for me - an ordinary and sinful person...and You suffered and died for me - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such an act of pain and suffering...and grace.  I am lustful, I worry, I am selfish, etc. among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord.

Zechariah 2

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. v10

We do not have a distant God who is not involved in our lives.  On the contrary we have a God that lives among us, is in our heart, and who will never leave us nor forsake us.  Even Jesus name proclaims who He is:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23

Our God provides for all of our needs and is available anytime we call.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who knows everything about me, including my sin, yet You chose me, suffered and died for me, saving me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me, yet You bless me beyond what I deserve.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

Psalm 113

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? v5-6

As Pastor Scott spoke on Sunday, we have an all powerful God who is created all things, is in all things, and holds all things together, yet He is a personal savior who knows all about you and deeply desires a rich relationship with you.

Our God is not a distant God - He is the one who hears our cry...just like He heard the cry of the Israelites as they were being oppressed in Egypt.  And as I posted yesterday, He has great plans for us.

What a great God we have!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God.  I know You are all powerful, You know all about me, yet You came to earth to save me and You love me...even though I am broken.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts - I know that I am deserving of death, just as all of us are (Romans 3:23).  Forgive me for my lack of effort - help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.