Word of the Day: Columbine

 

A previous ‘Word of the Day’ (from Dictionary.com’s WOTD):

“Columbine \KOL-uhm-bahyn, -bin\, adjective:
1. dovelike; dove-colored.
2. of a dove.”

Coming from the point of view that there probably are no 'coincidences,' I find it slightly interesting that the devil chose to perpetrate one of America’s most notorious, earlier school shootings at Columbine High School, when God used the dove as the symbol for peace and the love of God and the Holy Spirit to come down upon Jesus when he was baptized.

Not that it matters either way really, but I doubt it was coincidence. Such might be the sarcasm and supposed wit of the devil, devil be damned. Oh wait, he already has been. Thank You, Jesus.

 

Prayer for Today

Lord, please, help me to see you in more things. Allow me to recognize your beauty, your way, your love. Also help me to recognize more easily, more often, the devil in the details of that which are of his doing. Please, Father, give me clarity of mind, clarity of heart, and your Godly wisdom on all things. I ask this in Jesus’ name, always. Amen.

 

You Handle It

 

Acts 21:14 says:

"We saw that we weren’t making even a dent in his resolve, and gave up. 'It’s in God’s hands now,' we said. 'Master, you handle it.'" (MSG)

 

Giving it to God is not just 'all we can do.' It's the right thing to do, quite often.

We take too much into our own hands -- or at least try to -- when it's simply not in our control. Then we come to God to 'help us' with the cleanup, rather than handing it to Him in the first place as we should.

 

Prayer for Today

Thank You, Father, for being an Almighty God. Thank You, Jesus, for being one with the Father. Please, teach us humility, and strengthen our faith so that we may experience that peace which you had, Jesus, while here on earth with us. Amen.

 

The Good Shepherd?

"I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and my sheep know me--
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father--
and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
(John 10:14-15 -- NIV)

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father;
and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
(John 10:14-15 -- NKJV)


With this verse, Jesus calls himself, “The good shepherd.”

It occurred to me this morning upon reading it that if there's a 'good' shepherd, there's probably a BAD shepherd, too.

We know this to be true, of course. I just don't know if it ever hit me like it did this morning.

We need to ask ourselves every morning -- and every time we take action or react, truly:

Which shepherd am I following right now?

While instant transformation may be the case for some, God shows clearly in scripture that this is NOT how He works on every one of us.

The Spirit is in us at the point of salvation, yes. But He chips away at us over a lifetime, it shows again and again throughout the Old and New Testaments.

“Choose This Day…”

It is our ‘daily’ battle as to which shepherd we choose to follow.

God says in the Book of Joshua:

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
(Joshua 24:15)


It's not a once-a-week battle. It's not a day-to-day battle. It is a moment-to-moment, action-to-reaction struggle.

Do you let your circumstances dictate your actions and reactions? Do you let your emotions rule over you?

Most of us do, day after day.

Each day will, Will, WILL have its own set of 'circumstances' which will delude you, trick you -- and take your attention away from what truly matters -- if you continue letting them.

A Prayer for You Today

Lord Jesus, you are our good, great, and Almighty shepherd. We choose You, Lord. Thank You for choosing us first.

Please help us today to be bright lights for you. Like your cities on a hillside for all the people to see and come to for refuge, for comfort, for strengthening. Use us today, Jesus, please.

Love others through us today, Lord. Help us be better than we could be on our own. Help us share Your Truth today, Father. Please bless us with your Godly wisdom. Bless us with a strengthening of faith. Bless us with and through your Word.

Most of all, Your will be done, not ours. Here on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name we pray to you, Father, and we praise You. Thank You for loving us. Amen.

Seeking Him, and Seeking Wisdom

God tells us to seek Him. He will tell you great and unsearchable things. He will bless you with His Godly wisdom (rather than the 'street smarts' that the world cherishes). He will not hold back from you. He, God, says all this in scripture, below.

Seeking God

As for seeking the Lord God, our Father, the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 13 (Jeremiah 29:13) says this:


"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." (NIV)

"You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (NKJV)


Another beautiful reminder from the Book of Jeremiah is found in chapter 33, verse 3 (Jeremiah 33:3). It says:


"Call to Me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things
you do not know." (NIV)

"Call to Me, and I will answer you,
and show you great and mighty things,
which you do not know." (NKJV)

Seeking Wisdom

Lastly, one of my favorite verses is from the Book of James. It’s something very specific that God tells us in His ‘God-breathed’ word (2 Timothy 3:16) that we can ask Him for. It’s found in James, chapter 1, verse 5 (James 1:5):



"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (ESV)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (NIV)


Sometimes I enjoy the translation of The Message (MSG) with scripture. Here's how it states James 1:5-6 --


"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father.
He loves to help. You'll get his help,
and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought."

A Prayer for You Today:

Thank You, Father, for your word to guide us, to grow us, to transform us.

Please enlighten the eyes of our hearts today with your Truth, Father. Bless us with your wisdom today. To lead others better, to lead ourselves and our loved ones better.

Please, Jesus, fill us to overflowing today, with your love, your grace, your joy, and your peace. That peace that transcends all understanding, Lord. Let others see You through us, and in us today.

Thank You, Jesus, and thank you, Father, for Jesus. Amen.