Kingdom

Cleaning up your office you find things sometimes that you didn’t remember you have.  One thing I came across was a paper that was given to me a long time ago, maybe 10 years now.  It tells of a Kingdom that Jesus came to build on love.  So, here it is:

Jesus came to inaugurate a kingdom — one not built through oppression and domination, but one propelled by love and compassion. And His way was the way of the cross.

A kingdom of hope over a kingdom of despair.
A kingdom of freedom over a kingdom of bondage.
A kingdom of liberation over a kingdom of oppression.
A kingdom of generosity over a kingdom of greed.
A kingdom of love over a kingdom of power.
A kingdom of light over a kingdom of darkness.

A kingdom of Love for you and me.

Love

Friend sent me this little reminder of God’s love for each of us.  Thought I would be great pass it on, because its just a reminder of the love God has for us.  Love. It transcends time and makes time stand still. It causes people to do funny things and can break the heart of ones close to us. It fights for freedom and dies for a cause. It gives life to the next generation and gives its life for a generation it will never see. Love is deep, secure, strong, loyal, honest, and true. It is displayed through a touch, a word, a look, or a smile. Love sustains, guides, protects, and is closer than you think. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. –Psalm 139: 8-10. The Psalmist also experienced this type of love. God and His love surrounded him at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances. Today, take the time to notice that you are surrounded by the love of God.  Hope this makes your day and week better knowing God’s love is with us.  Todd

Lord I Pray

Just some to the things that I pray for the upcoming school year for our Deer Park Church of Christ kids.

Lord, I pray that my children would understand their need for Jesus and rejoice in the good news of the Gospel.

Lord, I pray that my children will love learning; that their hearts would seek to understand the world you have created.

Lord, I pray that you would surround them with friends who make wise choices and encourage their faith.

I pray that their teachers would be wise and gentle.

I pray that they would be thoughtful with their words and respectful in their replies.

I pray that you would free them from the pressure of trying to be like everyone else by instilling in them the confidence to know that they are uniquely made by you.

Lord, I pray that they would work with diligence and put forth their best efforts.

I pray that they would receive correction well.

I pray that when they do what is wrong, they would bear consequences that lead them to repentance.  I pray that when they do what is right, you would bless their obedience that they may learn to love your ways.

I pray that your Word would be on their hearts and in their minds as they learn.

I pray that they would share their faith with others.

I pray that they would be kind to others.

I pray that you would give them the grace of self-control

I pray that you would protect them from all evil.

More than anything else, may their lives glorify you.

O Lord, hear our prayers!  Amen

Todd

Civil War

So often we get mercy and grace mixed up, this week I came across this article which truly explains the difference.  It was reported in Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts that following the Civil War, Jefferson Davis was captured and indicted for treason. Though many Northerners called for Davis’ execution, one group petitioned for his release. The group? The former slaves from Davis’ cotton plantation. Following a two-year imprisonment, Davis was freed, having avoided a trial.  In the story from the Civil War, we see both grace and mercy at work on Davis’ behalf, being extended by his former slaves. A basic explanation of the concepts of mercy and grace is as follows: Grace is receiving something beneficial that we don’t deserve and mercy is not receiving some negative consequence for what we do deserve. Whether these former slaves were followers of Christ or not we don’t know, but they demonstrated the same kind of mercy and grace that God has displayed toward us through Christ Jesus — and the same kind of grace that we need to extend to others. Through our own sin, we deserve the wrath of God. Through the mercy and grace demonstrated on our behalf through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been forgiven and freed from the penalty of sin — and beyond that — we have received the great blessings of being adopted into the family of God. In return, God asks us to extend mercy and grace to others (see Matthew 6:14-15).  This week I ask that we look to extend mercy and grace to those we come in contact with.  Hope everyone has a blessed week. Todd

One Day

Its Wednesday hump day to some letting us know the week is almost half way over.  With so much to do and so little time.  It makes me think.  Here’s how I should start today, you were handed from God 24 hours to live life to the fullest. That’s 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. Sometimes we get so busy and distracted we miss the fact that each rising sun brings new opportunities and adventures on this planet we call Earth. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make the most of today. Enjoy God’s gift to you. You can accomplish a great deal with the 1,440 minutes in a day. Today, stop and take advantage of all that God has provided for you. Here are a few suggestions:

Tell someone you love him/her.

Write a kind note to a friend.

Stop and enjoy the sunset.

Take 20 minutes of the 1,440 you have today and talk to God.

Memorize this verse: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24.

Hope you have a great day!

Todd