May 31, 2012
Bible Reading: Genesis 3
So Adam and his wife Eve (named at end of ch 3) were pretty much given all they needed and really could ever need. They became basically the in-keepers of earth and were in charge of taking care of the Garden of Eden, they got to name the animals, they were given all the food they can eat from the livestock to the many trees in the garden. What's amazing though is that you can have everything one moment but with one wrong choice or decision, that can all change.
Eve made a choice that day in the garden. She knew in v2 that she shouldn't eat from the tree in the middle but she gave in and ate it then leading her husband Adam to eat it as well causing God to get really angry and sending them out of the Garden of Eden. Why would they do this you ask? She was tempted by the serpent in the garden (represents devil), deceiving her and making things more desirable than they really are. He had her see the fruit as desirable and pleasing to the eye making her believe that only good can come out of her eating this fruit, when in reality it was nothing but trouble.
You see when temptation hits and you know right from wrong, the devil makes you question your knowledge of what is right ary thkes everything that is wrong seem so right. he deceives us making things looks greater than they actually are. We have to be alert! The Bible says that our enemy the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour. God has given us the spirit of discernement as well as the Holy Spirit to help us distinguish what we SHOULD do and what we SHOULD NOT do, but ARE WE LISTENING or is the temptation too great and so pleasurable that we just have to give in?
I say BE STRONG IN THE LORD and STAND FIRM! GOD WILL GET US THROUGH! He knows our struggles and HE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE FOR US NO MATTER WHAT, we have to TRUST HIM!
Be blessed and have a great Thursday!
Ronald D.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Union
May 30, 2012
Bible Reading: Genesis 2:4-25
Today's reading is from Genesis 2. In this chapter there is a more specific explanation to the creation of man, and the Garden of Eden which was where Adam was placed. In that garden God had trees that were not only cool, but good for food, but in the center of that garden was placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This tree plays a significant role in the next chapter, but let's stick to chapter 2.
Now what I wanted to focus on in this chapter is one word: UNION! God had placed Adam in this garden to work and take care of it, and commanded him only one thing; not to eat from the tree of life. (1st job by man: GARDENER lol) God also saw that it wasn't good for this man to work alone, and so God created a helper to help him created from one of the ribs of Adam, and a woman was created.
v24 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
The first marriage in the Bible was Adam and Eve. God created marriage so that 2 can become one, and that these 2 people can help each other. This was the Sacred Union, the marriage between husband and wife, which is carried on til today. Marriage is a UNION, it's the uniting of 2 individual people becoming one. I was just at a wedding a couple weeks ago, and to witness 2 friends of mine becoming one was awesome to see. When we think about marriage know how special it is, and know that it isnt something to be taken lightly but really a gift from God for a husband and a wife to be united and become one.
Be blessed everyone!
Ronald D.
*tomorrow is chapter 3 "The Fall"
Bible Reading: Genesis 2:4-25
Today's reading is from Genesis 2. In this chapter there is a more specific explanation to the creation of man, and the Garden of Eden which was where Adam was placed. In that garden God had trees that were not only cool, but good for food, but in the center of that garden was placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This tree plays a significant role in the next chapter, but let's stick to chapter 2.
Now what I wanted to focus on in this chapter is one word: UNION! God had placed Adam in this garden to work and take care of it, and commanded him only one thing; not to eat from the tree of life. (1st job by man: GARDENER lol) God also saw that it wasn't good for this man to work alone, and so God created a helper to help him created from one of the ribs of Adam, and a woman was created.
v24 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
The first marriage in the Bible was Adam and Eve. God created marriage so that 2 can become one, and that these 2 people can help each other. This was the Sacred Union, the marriage between husband and wife, which is carried on til today. Marriage is a UNION, it's the uniting of 2 individual people becoming one. I was just at a wedding a couple weeks ago, and to witness 2 friends of mine becoming one was awesome to see. When we think about marriage know how special it is, and know that it isnt something to be taken lightly but really a gift from God for a husband and a wife to be united and become one.
Be blessed everyone!
Ronald D.
*tomorrow is chapter 3 "The Fall"
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Beginning
May 29, 2012
Devotion: The Beginning!
Bible Reading: Genesis 1-2:3
I'm going to start something new with these devotions, we're going to start from the BEGINNING! Each day we'll read a chapter of the Bible until we finish it, and we'll study it together. Feel free to post comments about the chapter if you would like to.
Today's word is BEGINNING. Everything had a beginning. We had a beginning, everything you see in nature had a beginning, everything created had a beginning. Now there are different interpretations to how the BEGINNING started. Some say Big Bang, and other scientific explanations such as Darwin's theory. My BEGINNING started with a creator, a creator who took 6 days to create everything around us. A creator who thought about us, even before we were even created by giving us light during the day through the sun, and light during the evening through the moon and stars. (He was the first inventor of nightlights lol) A creator who gave us water and distinguished the oceans between dry ground (land) where we are able to dwell and live today. He even gave us the fruits, the plants and all vegetation we see today. Not finished yet, but before we were created He gave us animals from the sea life in the oceans to all the creatures roaming the lands today. Then finally after creating all of that He created us to watch over His creation, to be fruitful and increase.
We all have BEGINNINGS, and ours started with a creator! A creator who thought of us first. A creator who provided for us before we ever existed. A creator who loves us and made us in His own image. A creator who saw all that He had done and said that "IT IS VERY GOOD." What a BEGINNING huh?! You looking for the history of the world and how it all started, go straight to the creator Himself and His Word.
Have a blessed week everyone!
Ronald D.
P.S. tomorrow we'll look at Genesis 2, so if you want to read ahead please feel free!
Devotion: The Beginning!
Bible Reading: Genesis 1-2:3
I'm going to start something new with these devotions, we're going to start from the BEGINNING! Each day we'll read a chapter of the Bible until we finish it, and we'll study it together. Feel free to post comments about the chapter if you would like to.
Today's word is BEGINNING. Everything had a beginning. We had a beginning, everything you see in nature had a beginning, everything created had a beginning. Now there are different interpretations to how the BEGINNING started. Some say Big Bang, and other scientific explanations such as Darwin's theory. My BEGINNING started with a creator, a creator who took 6 days to create everything around us. A creator who thought about us, even before we were even created by giving us light during the day through the sun, and light during the evening through the moon and stars. (He was the first inventor of nightlights lol) A creator who gave us water and distinguished the oceans between dry ground (land) where we are able to dwell and live today. He even gave us the fruits, the plants and all vegetation we see today. Not finished yet, but before we were created He gave us animals from the sea life in the oceans to all the creatures roaming the lands today. Then finally after creating all of that He created us to watch over His creation, to be fruitful and increase.
We all have BEGINNINGS, and ours started with a creator! A creator who thought of us first. A creator who provided for us before we ever existed. A creator who loves us and made us in His own image. A creator who saw all that He had done and said that "IT IS VERY GOOD." What a BEGINNING huh?! You looking for the history of the world and how it all started, go straight to the creator Himself and His Word.
Have a blessed week everyone!
Ronald D.
P.S. tomorrow we'll look at Genesis 2, so if you want to read ahead please feel free!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Servant Leadership
May 25, 2012
2 Words: SERVANT LEADERSHIP.
It seems as if I haven't been blogging in a while, but I'm back and thats all that matters right?! LOL. I was out of town last week to Florida for my friends' wedding. It was awesome, had so much fun!
Anyways, tonight I was taking home one of my youth members and we started talking about leadership within their junior/senior high worship team, and I started mentioning SERVANT LEADERSHIP. If you may not know what this is, here is a passage from the Bible that explains it:
John 13:3-5,12-15 "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returing to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him... 12 When he had finsihed washing their feeet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'"
This passage shows us that leadership is not about ordering people around and telling them what to do, but it's about humbling ourselves and serving first and leading by example. Jesus who is Lord and Savior should be getting His feet washed by us, but He showed us that even as a leader and someone so many people look up to that it's about Him serving us so that we may do the same for others. Leading is all about serving!!! If you're not serving you're not leading. I know people take kindly to a servant leader rather than someone who barks out orders all the time thinking they are mightier and more powerful. Jesus humbled Himself and washed His disciples feet, and I think it's time that we do the same.
Leadership is not about having the power or the position, but it should be about serving others, helping others, showing people how it's done, caring for others, etc... Leadership is about leading by example. The question for you today is are you using servant leadership? If not, I think it's time for us to humble ourselves and serve.
Other servant leadership verses you should check out: Matthew 20:25-28, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Philippians 2:3-8, 1 Peter 5:5-7, John 3:30, Nehemiah 4:21-23, Luke 24:25-26, 1 John 4:8.
Have a great Long weekend everyone!!!
God Bless,
Ronald D.
2 Words: SERVANT LEADERSHIP.
It seems as if I haven't been blogging in a while, but I'm back and thats all that matters right?! LOL. I was out of town last week to Florida for my friends' wedding. It was awesome, had so much fun!
Anyways, tonight I was taking home one of my youth members and we started talking about leadership within their junior/senior high worship team, and I started mentioning SERVANT LEADERSHIP. If you may not know what this is, here is a passage from the Bible that explains it:
John 13:3-5,12-15 "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returing to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him... 12 When he had finsihed washing their feeet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'"
This passage shows us that leadership is not about ordering people around and telling them what to do, but it's about humbling ourselves and serving first and leading by example. Jesus who is Lord and Savior should be getting His feet washed by us, but He showed us that even as a leader and someone so many people look up to that it's about Him serving us so that we may do the same for others. Leading is all about serving!!! If you're not serving you're not leading. I know people take kindly to a servant leader rather than someone who barks out orders all the time thinking they are mightier and more powerful. Jesus humbled Himself and washed His disciples feet, and I think it's time that we do the same.
Leadership is not about having the power or the position, but it should be about serving others, helping others, showing people how it's done, caring for others, etc... Leadership is about leading by example. The question for you today is are you using servant leadership? If not, I think it's time for us to humble ourselves and serve.
Other servant leadership verses you should check out: Matthew 20:25-28, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Philippians 2:3-8, 1 Peter 5:5-7, John 3:30, Nehemiah 4:21-23, Luke 24:25-26, 1 John 4:8.
Have a great Long weekend everyone!!!
God Bless,
Ronald D.
Monday, May 14, 2012
devotion: Overwhelming Thoughts
May 14, 2012
2 Words: "Overwhelming thoughts."
Question: What do you do when you have overwhelming thoughts? You know when you just sit and think and think and think about everything that has happened, that may happen, and that will happen. You become just overwhelmed with thinking & your thoughts. It may sound silly, but does that ever happen to you?
It definately happens to me! Our thoughts are just filled with everything we have to do, everything we could have done, everything we should do. Also the "WHY's" start to pop up, and the "Are we good enough thoughts..." LoL it's amazing where our thoughts take us sometimes. But as I sit here and think, I am also sitting here talking to God and giving Him my thoughts. I may be overwhelmed by my own thinking, but I do know I have a God who takes my every thought and brings peace to my mind because I know that's He's bigger than my biggest thought. You will definately find peace when you give your "overwhelming thoughts" to God! Brings a smile to your face and let's you know EVERYTHING WILL BE OK!
Ronald D.
2 Words: "Overwhelming thoughts."
Question: What do you do when you have overwhelming thoughts? You know when you just sit and think and think and think about everything that has happened, that may happen, and that will happen. You become just overwhelmed with thinking & your thoughts. It may sound silly, but does that ever happen to you?
It definately happens to me! Our thoughts are just filled with everything we have to do, everything we could have done, everything we should do. Also the "WHY's" start to pop up, and the "Are we good enough thoughts..." LoL it's amazing where our thoughts take us sometimes. But as I sit here and think, I am also sitting here talking to God and giving Him my thoughts. I may be overwhelmed by my own thinking, but I do know I have a God who takes my every thought and brings peace to my mind because I know that's He's bigger than my biggest thought. You will definately find peace when you give your "overwhelming thoughts" to God! Brings a smile to your face and let's you know EVERYTHING WILL BE OK!
Ronald D.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
devotion: new beginnings
May 1, 2012
2 Words: NEW BEGINNINGS!!!
Can you believe that it's already May 1. It feels like just yesterday I came back from the Philippines and that was January 27th. Time just seems to continue to fly by. April came and gone and now it's a new month, a new start, a NEW BEGINNING. Whatever happened in April happened in April, now we have another oppourtunity to make this next month even better than the last. You know how that saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers," so if you had a stormy April filled with many ups and downs know that May is an opportunity for us to see God do B-E-A-U-tiful things in May.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV says "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"
Do you feel it? God's doing a new thing in your life starting today! Don't dwell on the past but look to the future. Remember that our God is the holder of our future and whatever happened yesterday, a couple minutes ago, last month... that was then and this is now. Know that we're given every opportunity to start new and have a NEW BEGINNING!
I CAN'T WAIT FOR WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR ME THIS MONTH, OR EVEN TODAY!
Be blessed & have a great Tuesday!
Pastor Ronald D.
2 Words: NEW BEGINNINGS!!!
Can you believe that it's already May 1. It feels like just yesterday I came back from the Philippines and that was January 27th. Time just seems to continue to fly by. April came and gone and now it's a new month, a new start, a NEW BEGINNING. Whatever happened in April happened in April, now we have another oppourtunity to make this next month even better than the last. You know how that saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers," so if you had a stormy April filled with many ups and downs know that May is an opportunity for us to see God do B-E-A-U-tiful things in May.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV says "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"
Do you feel it? God's doing a new thing in your life starting today! Don't dwell on the past but look to the future. Remember that our God is the holder of our future and whatever happened yesterday, a couple minutes ago, last month... that was then and this is now. Know that we're given every opportunity to start new and have a NEW BEGINNING!
I CAN'T WAIT FOR WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR ME THIS MONTH, OR EVEN TODAY!
Be blessed & have a great Tuesday!
Pastor Ronald D.
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