Posts Tagged ‘verse’

What can one person do?

Posted: July 8, 2009 in Uplifting
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In June 30th’s Lifegroup meeting, we talked about being a light amongst the darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-14

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Well, that’s all good and all, but what does all that Christianese really mean? The notion of being a light is cool (light = good, darkness = evil), but how does this passage apply to my life?

I came across this video a few weeks back, and it does a good job of showing how one small act can make such a big impact. Does one single candle light up a dark room? Not really. But can you see that tiny flame burn from every corner of that room? Absolutely. And that little flame has the ability to ignite other candles and light a huge torch. You have no idea what one little candle flame can do!

This video is a bit long (16 minutes), but it’s worth watching.

Suck it Up

Posted: July 7, 2009 in Bible Study, Trust
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Oswald Chambers (My Utmost For His Highest) – July 7

How many times had I heard the words “practice makes perfect” growing up. My mom would say it as I began making excuses for why I didn’t want to play the piano. Those Sonatina’s and Sonata’s were a bear to tackle, and it seemed as though I would never learn how to play them all the way through without making mistakes. I can practically hear my mocking tone as I echoed my mom’s words under my breath…”practice makes perfect”, making my way to the piano stool to begin my daily practice.

And how many times did I hear those words while complaining on the way to soccer practice growing up? From age five, the time I first played for a soccer team, the mantra continued. It seemed to invade every worthwhile area of my life.

But by High School and College, I didn’t need to hear those words anymore. I knew it to be true. Practice did make perfection. How else could I explain the things my body was able to do during a match. How else could I stop a 60 mph ball from entering a 24 x 8 ft space?

Perfection, in this context, is of course relative. I clearly got scored on…A LOT…but I did rank #1 in the country for NCAA Division I goalies for a period of time, and I did end up #3 in the country for two seasons running. So practice had to have had a part in that. Practicing taught my body to react heroically and instinctively in match-play situations, and victory was my reward. Game time was a testing of my disciplines, practice, and hard work…and when we beat Colgate for the first time ever in 25 yrs. on their home field in front of 10,000 of their fans, THAT was a noble and victorious moment in time.

Thank God He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a glad thing, but it is also a heroic, holy thing. It tests us for all we are worth…If we obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has put in us by His Spirit, then when the crisis comes, we shall find that our own nature as well as the grace of God will stand by us.

Oswald Chambers – My Utmost For His Highest (July 7)

Are you finding that God’s will is not so easy? Are you tired of all the discouraging upward battles that come your way? Do you question God’s will for you because life doesn’t go according to “plan“? All noble things are difficult. This has also been rephrased as ‘nothing good comes easy’. When you’re feeling this way, look for God’s promises, and hold on tight to it. Go to practice, because practice makes perfect.

“For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).


My Chains Are Gone

Posted: July 1, 2009 in Redemption
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1 John 15:10

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

I’ve read this verse at least a dozen times in my lifetime, and it’s never really meant a thing to me. Even when I was in AWANA as a child, earning my stripes and patches by memorizing verses like a boyscout memorizes codes of conduct, they were just words meshed together, forming Charlie Brown sounds. But today, these words meant something much more. A friend of mine read this verse today and was moved to tears when she read it. She wasn’t sure why. “Grateful, fearful, joyful, and humbled all at the same time” she supposed. What compelled her to such emotion?

I had confessed my sin. And I was judged for it. Was it a just punishment? I didn’t think so. I still don’t. Forgiveness? From whom? When I went to prison for 20 months, I didn’t see much forgiveness there. But today…today marks a day where I shed some chains. I actually feel a little lighter – literally.

I came home from work and checked the mail. As I walked into my place, there was one letter that stood out among the sea of bills and junk mail.

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald

We are pleased to inform you that your supervision period terminated on June 29, 2009. It will not be necessary to submit further reports to this office.

We hope that your relationship with our office has been helpful and extend to you our best wishes for your future happiness and success.

Today marks the end of a 3 year “relationship” being chained to a probation officer. A chain has broken and fallen to the floor around me. After 6 years, I’ve finally been forgiven.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me…
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace