Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #24

Scripture
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

         Jesus in John 15:12 RSV

Meditative Thought
The 2014 World Cup reminds me that heaven is a place with believers in Jesus Christ from every continent and with unity that is unbreakable by prejudice or pride.

Reflective Prayer
Father, we profess our unity with your children of faith in Jesus Christ from throughout the world. Thank you for the church: a foretaste of heaven. May all people from every part of the world put their faith in your Son for their salvation and experience unity both now and forevermore.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #23

Scripture

 

Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

          Jesus in Mark 16:15 KJV

 

Meditative Thought

Work, for the night is coming,
Under the sunset skies;

While their bright tints are glowing,
Work for the daylight flies.

Work till the last beam fadeth,

Fadeth to shine no more;
Work while the night is darkening,
When man’s work is o’er. Anna Coghill

Reflective Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to work as unto you for your will and your glory, knowing that you are coming again to complete your work for eternity.

 

God's Peace,

Jeff

 

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #22

Hi Friends!

Losing selfishness is the one of the most fulfilling aspects of following Jesus: when we are fully focused on loving God and others our lives are fully enriched in the virtues of the One we serve.

This call to Christian discipleship is counter-cultural: the path involves personal surrender to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord I give myself to Thee.
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
                                               J.W.Van Deventer

Pray this pray and/or if you know the hymn sing the lyric: continue to enjoy the blessings of discipleship as you give yourself to Jesus and He fills you with His love and power.

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #21

Hi Friends!

Imagine driving down a dark road one evening this summer and suddenly plunging into the depths of a sink hole, never to be heard from again: think of the terror of the free fall before hitting bottom.

Now imagine a flagman stopping you before you come to the sink hole and rerouting you so you would avoid the deadly plunge: think of the gratitude for the one who gave you a new beginning.

The Bible says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12 RSV). My assumption is you are eternally grateful for The ONE who reroutes you from this seemingly right path that is actually dead wrong?

If you have sensed that God has been trying to flag you down and give you a new beginning this summer, be careful to measure your steps against the coordinates in His Word.

Consider joining me in praying the following prayer each day this week as we continue to seek God's life-giving direction from the study of Scripture: "Teach me thy way, O Lord; and lead me on the level path" (Psalm 27:11 RSV).

God's Peace,
Jeff

Focus '14-Modeling Jesus-Entry #20

Hi Friends!

Summer is my favorite season for spiritual reflection and renewal. There is something about being able to spend more time outdoors that instinctively inspires me to more readily and consistently appreciate and praise God our Creator.

As I breathe in more of God my desire deepens to invite others to enjoy Him and that's my prayer for you this summer: I pray that you might enjoy a vacation from your routine and be reinvigorated in your relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.

The Bible says (I Peter 1:3-4) that God in his great mercy has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, and that this iinheritance is kept in heaven for you.

There's something about summer that naturally causes me to look up and really let the blessing of our heavenly inheritance in Christ Jesus soak in: it's like a new beginning for me that inspires me to share my heavenly inheritance with others as often as I can.

Enjoy your summer: continue to soak in the goodness of God and share His goodness with others! And go Reds: there's something about cheering for the boys of summer in Cincinnati that gives me a great deal of joy as well!

God's Peace,
Jeff