Verse of the Day:
Ephesians 3:19
...and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
There are limits to so many things in our lives. In school, we can only learn so much before we have read an entire textbook or taken every test we can take. In sports, there is a limit reached when it is not physically possible to get any better. When we eat, there is a limited amount that our bodies can handle before we explode. You get the picture. We live in world where things are very limited. But in the midst of all of that, we are gifted with something that is NOT LIMITED! Can you guess what it is?!
It's God's love. He loves us. An unlimited amount. Even in our relationships with God, there is not a point that we will ever reach in our lives where we can say that we have a perfect relationship with God. There is not a limit to how much we can love HIM, just like there is not a limit as to how much he loves US. When you think about it, it's pretty exciting. We have a limitless horizon when it comes to getting to know God. No matter what we do, God's love to us has no limit. What do you think about that?
The Simple Truth: Life has a lot of limits, but God's love doesn't have a limit.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that when I am restricted by all of the limits I face each day, I know I can count on You to love me an extreme amount. Help me to get closer to You each and every day.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Getting to Know God
Verse of the Day:
John 21:25
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
There was once a woman. She loved to read books and was constantly reading all sorts of novels - anything she could get her hands on. Then one day she started reading a book someone told her was really great. The woman got about 50 pages into the book and realized that she didn't enjoy it and didn't think it was worth her time to read. She put the book high on her bookshelf and started a different book she thought would be better. A few years later, this woman went on a blind date. She left the date really happy. This was a guy she thought she could spend a long time with and was looking forward to seeing him again. After the two had gone on many more dates and were getting to know each other really well, the man mentioned that he had once written a book. When she asked him about it, it turned out that the book he had written had been the one she had put down all those years ago. As soon as the woman got home, she found the book and read it cover to cover that night. And she LOVED it. The book made so much more sense and was so much more valuable to her because she knew the author and was falling in love with him.
Sometimes the Bible can be boring to read. It doesn't seem relevant to us and we can't help but think that it was written so long ago and that there is no way it can pertain to our lives anymore. But if we get to know God and start falling in love with HIm, we look at the Bible in a completely new light.
The Simple Truth: If you get to know and love God, the Bible can become the most interesting and inspiring book you've ever put your hands on.
Pray:
Lord, help me to draw closer to You and desire Your word and guidance. Draw me closer to You and show me how to get to know You better. Amen.
Peace, love & prayers -
K
John 21:25
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
There was once a woman. She loved to read books and was constantly reading all sorts of novels - anything she could get her hands on. Then one day she started reading a book someone told her was really great. The woman got about 50 pages into the book and realized that she didn't enjoy it and didn't think it was worth her time to read. She put the book high on her bookshelf and started a different book she thought would be better. A few years later, this woman went on a blind date. She left the date really happy. This was a guy she thought she could spend a long time with and was looking forward to seeing him again. After the two had gone on many more dates and were getting to know each other really well, the man mentioned that he had once written a book. When she asked him about it, it turned out that the book he had written had been the one she had put down all those years ago. As soon as the woman got home, she found the book and read it cover to cover that night. And she LOVED it. The book made so much more sense and was so much more valuable to her because she knew the author and was falling in love with him.
Sometimes the Bible can be boring to read. It doesn't seem relevant to us and we can't help but think that it was written so long ago and that there is no way it can pertain to our lives anymore. But if we get to know God and start falling in love with HIm, we look at the Bible in a completely new light.
The Simple Truth: If you get to know and love God, the Bible can become the most interesting and inspiring book you've ever put your hands on.
Pray:
Lord, help me to draw closer to You and desire Your word and guidance. Draw me closer to You and show me how to get to know You better. Amen.
Peace, love & prayers -
K
Monday, April 18, 2011
Real-Life Action Heroes
Verse of the Day:
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.
A few weeks ago, I asked my cousins what they wanted to be when they grew up. My 8 year old cousin replied he wanted to be a karate master. My 6 year old cousin replied she wanted to be a princess. When we were all younger, we wanted to be something absolutely great when we grew up, whether it was the President of the United States (yep, that's what I wanted to be) or an action hero on TV. In our young minds, the plans seemed perfect. Our parents probably told us we could be whatever we wanted to be, but deep down they knew we'd never be able to become something so outrageous.
When we grew up, somewhere along the line, reality sunk in. Somewhere along the line, we let ourselves be okay with being content. Where did that mentality of being anything we wanted to be go? When did we realize that we probably couldn't be supermodels or CIA agents? When did we stop believing we could become the impossible? I think God wants us to still have that mentality, that we can do whatever we want do to in Him. That doesn't mean life without problems, but it means lives overcoming problems. God wants to turn us into walking, talking, fearless, heroes for HIM.
The Simple Truth: God wants to turn us into real life action heroes that live fearless lives to praise Him.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that nothing is impossible. Help me to overcome my life problems by having a mentality of a 5 year old and thinking I can achieve anything in You. Help me to be your real-life action hero.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.
A few weeks ago, I asked my cousins what they wanted to be when they grew up. My 8 year old cousin replied he wanted to be a karate master. My 6 year old cousin replied she wanted to be a princess. When we were all younger, we wanted to be something absolutely great when we grew up, whether it was the President of the United States (yep, that's what I wanted to be) or an action hero on TV. In our young minds, the plans seemed perfect. Our parents probably told us we could be whatever we wanted to be, but deep down they knew we'd never be able to become something so outrageous.
When we grew up, somewhere along the line, reality sunk in. Somewhere along the line, we let ourselves be okay with being content. Where did that mentality of being anything we wanted to be go? When did we realize that we probably couldn't be supermodels or CIA agents? When did we stop believing we could become the impossible? I think God wants us to still have that mentality, that we can do whatever we want do to in Him. That doesn't mean life without problems, but it means lives overcoming problems. God wants to turn us into walking, talking, fearless, heroes for HIM.
The Simple Truth: God wants to turn us into real life action heroes that live fearless lives to praise Him.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that nothing is impossible. Help me to overcome my life problems by having a mentality of a 5 year old and thinking I can achieve anything in You. Help me to be your real-life action hero.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Monday, April 11, 2011
Raising the Dead
Verse of the Day:
John 11:43-44
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
We know the Bible story about how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus performed miracles, and this was just one of many. Sometimes, it is hard for us to relate to stories like these in the Bible because we don't see Jesus raising people from the dead every day. Sometimes it is hard to make a connection to daily life and to apply the stories to how you live.
Relating the story of Lazarus to our own lives. Think about a part of your life that seems, in a way, 'dead'. That might be your faith life, a relationship with someone you wish you were still in touch in, or falling behind on your school work. Jesus has the power to raise PEOPLE from the dead, but He is also there to raise these fallen parts of our lives and restore them. Ask Jesus to fill these holes in our lives. Easter time is just around the corner, and that is all about Jesus being RISEN! We gotta lay down these 'dead' parts of our lives for Jesus to raise, so we can rejoice with Him on Easter morning!
The Simple Truth: The story of Lazarus can be applied to our lives. Jesus can restore the 'dead' parts of our day to day routines.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that just as you raised Lazarus from the dead, you can also raise the dead parts of my life. Help me to turn to you and to lay my baggage at your feet.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
John 11:43-44
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
We know the Bible story about how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus performed miracles, and this was just one of many. Sometimes, it is hard for us to relate to stories like these in the Bible because we don't see Jesus raising people from the dead every day. Sometimes it is hard to make a connection to daily life and to apply the stories to how you live.
Relating the story of Lazarus to our own lives. Think about a part of your life that seems, in a way, 'dead'. That might be your faith life, a relationship with someone you wish you were still in touch in, or falling behind on your school work. Jesus has the power to raise PEOPLE from the dead, but He is also there to raise these fallen parts of our lives and restore them. Ask Jesus to fill these holes in our lives. Easter time is just around the corner, and that is all about Jesus being RISEN! We gotta lay down these 'dead' parts of our lives for Jesus to raise, so we can rejoice with Him on Easter morning!
The Simple Truth: The story of Lazarus can be applied to our lives. Jesus can restore the 'dead' parts of our day to day routines.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that just as you raised Lazarus from the dead, you can also raise the dead parts of my life. Help me to turn to you and to lay my baggage at your feet.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Count Your Blessings
Verse of the Day:
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Being a senior in high school is a really busy time. There is just a lot going on at school between plays and scholarships and concerts and banquets and practices and then again actually doing SCHOOL WORK. Some days can seem never ending. Some days, it seems as though my project for economy class is the biggest thing in the world. Some days, I don't even realize how good I truly have it, just for the simple things in my life. Things like being able to get a great education and having food to eat every day. Things like having great friends and a wonderful and supportive family.
What I'm getting to is that our school projects and concerts are so small in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the things in our daily lives that we forget to count our blessings and realize how much God has given us. I know between Kristy and I, we have done a lot of blogs about giving thanks to God, but I think it is so important. Think about the little things that are so vital to our daily lives that God has supplied for us and give Him thanks. Remember that all of these end-of-the-school-year events will soon pass, but God will remain.
The Simple Truth: Being busy can consume our lives, so much that we forget how much God has blessed us with.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that all of these things that take over my daily life are not as important as You. Thank you for all of the things you have given me. Help me to appreciate the little things in life. Help me to not be consumed by the craziness of my life. Amen.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Being a senior in high school is a really busy time. There is just a lot going on at school between plays and scholarships and concerts and banquets and practices and then again actually doing SCHOOL WORK. Some days can seem never ending. Some days, it seems as though my project for economy class is the biggest thing in the world. Some days, I don't even realize how good I truly have it, just for the simple things in my life. Things like being able to get a great education and having food to eat every day. Things like having great friends and a wonderful and supportive family.
What I'm getting to is that our school projects and concerts are so small in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the things in our daily lives that we forget to count our blessings and realize how much God has given us. I know between Kristy and I, we have done a lot of blogs about giving thanks to God, but I think it is so important. Think about the little things that are so vital to our daily lives that God has supplied for us and give Him thanks. Remember that all of these end-of-the-school-year events will soon pass, but God will remain.
The Simple Truth: Being busy can consume our lives, so much that we forget how much God has blessed us with.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that all of these things that take over my daily life are not as important as You. Thank you for all of the things you have given me. Help me to appreciate the little things in life. Help me to not be consumed by the craziness of my life. Amen.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Now
Verse of the Day:
John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
This verse is based off the woman at the well. She couldn't quite understand what Jesus was teaching her. She didn't understand how Jesus could give her living water when he didn't even have a bucket. Jesus pointed to the well water and said that whoever drinks this water would be thirsty again, but that who ever drank the water Jesus provided, they would have eternal life.
Sometimes, it's easy for us to get confused about this, too. The woman at the well wanted water at that very moment. In our own lives, we want popularity, fun, and security at this very moment. God is willing to care for us NOW. Are we willing to accept that? Or are we too lost in the things of this world that we want at this very instant?
The Simple Truth: Sometimes we get too wrapped up in the things we want RIGHT NOW that we forget that God is willing to care for us RIGHT NOW.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that you are always here for me. When I want earthy things at an instant, help me to realize that you can give me your care even sooner and that it is worth much more. Amen.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
John 4:13-14
Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
This verse is based off the woman at the well. She couldn't quite understand what Jesus was teaching her. She didn't understand how Jesus could give her living water when he didn't even have a bucket. Jesus pointed to the well water and said that whoever drinks this water would be thirsty again, but that who ever drank the water Jesus provided, they would have eternal life.
Sometimes, it's easy for us to get confused about this, too. The woman at the well wanted water at that very moment. In our own lives, we want popularity, fun, and security at this very moment. God is willing to care for us NOW. Are we willing to accept that? Or are we too lost in the things of this world that we want at this very instant?
The Simple Truth: Sometimes we get too wrapped up in the things we want RIGHT NOW that we forget that God is willing to care for us RIGHT NOW.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that you are always here for me. When I want earthy things at an instant, help me to realize that you can give me your care even sooner and that it is worth much more. Amen.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Fight your Battles
Verse of the Day:
1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
In my little life, there have been moments where I have found that I repeat to myself over and over that "I cannot do this." These trials are wide ranging from a government test, to my driving license test, to going to Europe for a month, to singing at my grandpa's funeral, to just getting through a stressful day at school. Guess what? I'm still here. I've made it through all of those times I thought I could never make it.
God knows us better than anyone else does. God knows exactly what we can handle. When God puts things into our lives that make us struggle, He KNOWS we can get through them. I know this saying is so cliché, but God puts those things into our lives to make us stronger. Those tiny battles we fight every day make us warriors for the larger problems we may face later in our lives. Know that God knows exactly what you can handle and will help you through any situation, big or little, good or bad.
The Simple Truth: God knows what we can handle and will help us fight all of our battles.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that I can get through anything with Your help. Help me to know that you understand me better than anyone else in this world and that you will never give me a battle I cannot handle. Be with me every day. Amen.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
In my little life, there have been moments where I have found that I repeat to myself over and over that "I cannot do this." These trials are wide ranging from a government test, to my driving license test, to going to Europe for a month, to singing at my grandpa's funeral, to just getting through a stressful day at school. Guess what? I'm still here. I've made it through all of those times I thought I could never make it.
God knows us better than anyone else does. God knows exactly what we can handle. When God puts things into our lives that make us struggle, He KNOWS we can get through them. I know this saying is so cliché, but God puts those things into our lives to make us stronger. Those tiny battles we fight every day make us warriors for the larger problems we may face later in our lives. Know that God knows exactly what you can handle and will help you through any situation, big or little, good or bad.
The Simple Truth: God knows what we can handle and will help us fight all of our battles.
Pray:
Lord, help me to realize that I can get through anything with Your help. Help me to know that you understand me better than anyone else in this world and that you will never give me a battle I cannot handle. Be with me every day. Amen.
Let your light shine.
-Lo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)