Archive for March, 2006

Psalm 121

Turn to this for a word of encouragement when the world gets too much!

John 17:4 (The Message version)

“The godless world hated them because of it, because they didn’t join the world’s ways, just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you guard them from the evil one. They are no more defined by the world, than I am defined by the world.”

It is in following God that we step out of the world - much to its disgust!

Lord, help me to look to the example of Jesus and not people in the world.

JESUS

John 8 vs. 12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”

Read this again over and over, just letting it sink in!

1 John 5 vs. 4
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world..”

vs. 5
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Think of those areas in your life that just totally wash you out, that you feel you have no control over.

Have faith that You can overcome them. You are a believer in the most powerful Helper ever!

Lord, thank you that you have made us overcomers and conquerors; that no problem or situation is ever too big for You to help us out of and give us victory over.

1 Corinthians 3 vs. 19
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight”

Great so does that mean my studies mean nothing?

What wisdom are you pursuing? The wisdom of man or God?

John 18 vs. 36
“My Kingdom is not of this world”

Where is it then?

How do I access it?

Where and what must I do to dwell in it and experience its fullness?

What does this mean for my life on earth?

Matthew 16 vs. 26
“What good will it be for man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?”

What is important to you?
What is important to God?

Over the next few days we will look at specific verses that deal with the world and what Jesus has to say, I’d like you if any of these verses really stand out to you, to learn them!

Remember the sword of the word of God is our only weapon; let us make sure it is damn sharp!

THE WORLD

Romans 12 vs. 2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Powerful stuff … seems to give a pretty good answer to ‘Lord how on earth am I supposed to know what to do with my life??’!!

With God it’s always practical, if you do this, this will be the result. – take up the challenge!

John 17:20-23

We can assume that what is prayed for just before we die, will be the things and people that are really close to our hearts. Jesus prays this prayer the day before He dies. He prays for His people to be united.

As our world grows, we do seem to get further and further away from each other. The paradox is that the loneliest people are found in the most densely populated suburbs. We seem to withdraw and isolate ourselves. Jesus prays that we would see the value of community, even when the world becomes selfish and isolated. Is there some you need to reach out to, is there a community you can introduce yourself to or one which you need to return to? Jesus prayed for us to be united and in community, because He knew how we would need each other.