Daily Readings

This is going to be an amazing year!  It’s such a fun thought to know that there is a whole slew of us who want to know God better and are waking up and beginning everyday meeting with Him.  It makes those blurry-eyed mornings a little more “doable” when you know you’re not the only one in the world who is going for it! 

The Daily Reading section is going to be used for notes about the daily readings. The purpose is to simply highlight the fact that God wants to speak to us every day.  He isn’t silent!  Sometimes we just need a little extra perspective to see the things He may want us to see.  Our hope is that these daily comments would provide encouragement, open your heart in a new way or simply just “add to” your own personal time with Him. We are planning on having new entries each day – so keep checking in! 

God bless,

Phil Joel

« Exodus 10:1-12:13 / Matthew 20:1-28 / Psalm 25:1-11 / Proverbs 6:6-11 | Main | Exodus 6:1-7:25 / Matthew 18:21-19:12 / Psalm 23:1-6 / Proverbs 5:22-23 »
Sunday
Jan292012

Exodus 8:1-9:35 / Matthew 19:13-30 / Psalm 24:1-10 / Proverbs 6:1-5 

DateSunday, January 29, 2012

Standout verses:

Exodus 8:15

“But when Pharaoh saw there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them as the Lord had said.”

........................................

Matthew 19:20-21

“The young man said to them, “All these things I have kept from my youth (the 10 Commandments), what do I still lack?”  Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven, and come follow Me”.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful – for he had great possessions.”

Jesus calls us to live wholly for Him.  Exodus shows us that in times of trial or pain, our desperation can temporarily drive us toward the Lord (just as Pharaoh’s desperation caused his heart to yield for a short-lived moment).  Sadly, after the pain passes, we often return to our “old ways” with us in charge and the Lord “somewhere in the mix”.

God wants our hearts in the good times and the bad – the times of desperation and the times of plenty. 

Matthew shows us that God isn’t interested in leading us in “bits and pieces” of our lives – He wants us to give every part to Him.  God doesn’t like compartmentalized living where we say, “Ok Lord, You can have this area, but I’ll stay in charge over here.”

For us to truly thrive, our lives must be fully His – every part, good times and bad – a lifestyle of whole-hearted devotion to Him.  It’s then that we can truly become the people He created us to be!

-HJ

 

 

 

 

AuthordP | | | Comment1 Comment

Reader Comments (1)

Today, we said good-bye to our pastor and his family. God is leading them in a new direction. It probably won't hit me for a few Sundays. I'm really encouraged by the way our church is handling their leaving--no strife or splits, just lots of love and good memories :)

Knowing Derrick's heart and how he lives, he would never move or stay anywhere, based on how he feels or thinks would be logical --he 's always said " when God says its time to go, I'm going! " Wow.

He and his family will be sorely missed. But I am excited to see what God has in store for them. Have a great evening!

January 29, 2012 | Unregistered CommenterLiz

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.