Daily Devotion

Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God

Jesus reveals to us the beautiful character of God!

  The Apostle John tells us that "no man has seen God at any time." Then he says of Jesus, "He has explained Him" (John 1:18). The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus "is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3).
  Jesus does not show us the essential being of God. No one can see God, because God is spirit. What Jesus shows us is the essential character of God — what kind of person He is. And what we see of God in Jesus is so sublime. John puts it this way: "we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
God is saying to you today, to look at Jesus to understand what He is like.   Do you want to know if God cares? Look at Jesus, moved with compassion as He sees the multitudes. Do you want to know if God is really committed to you? See Jesus dying on the cross for you. Do you wonder how God feels about hypocrisy in your spiritual life? Look at Jesus' words to the Pharisees. Will God still accept you after major spiritual failure in your life? Look at Jesus on the beach, walking with Peter and restoring him.

Daily Devotion

John 8:24

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

 
  The Pharisees were always trying to catch Jesus off guard. Regardless of what Jesus was teaching, they would test Him. The Pharisees were the religious leaders and teachers of the day. They knew the Scriptures better than anyone and were always ready to tell others how to live by them. They were superior in their righteousness, or so they thought. They enjoyed their status, their power and the honor given to them by man. Jesus however, created problems for them in His teachings. The people wanted to hear more of what Jesus had to say. The Pharisees were threatened as they saw their power diminishing, as more and more people followed Jesus. How sad to realize that the very One whom they had been waiting for their whole lives was in their midst and they did not recognize Him!
  The people who denied Jesus would die in their sins because they refused to believe that He is the Son of God. When all is said and done, the verse above sums up the truth. If we do not believe in Jesus, we will die in our sins. Sadly, there are still Pharisees in our world today who think that by knowledge and good works they have the answers. There are those who can recite Scripture to justify any argument or prove any point and are always instructing others on how to live godly lives. Then, there are those who truly try hard to do what is right. They volunteer for ministry services, give freely to others in need and are kind-hearted to everyone. On the outside, both types look very godly and religious. But what about on the inside?
Jesus is not impressed with our "good" works. Our best intentions mean nothing in the kingdom of God. We are born of sin, live sinful lives and will die in our sins, unless we do one thing—believe in Jesus. It is not the kind of belief that acknowledges His existence or His role. James 2:18 tells us that, "even the demons believe and tremble." The word "believe" means to adhere to, rely on, trust in, and depend upon. Do you believe in Jesus Christ according to His definition of the word? Do you absolutely depend upon Him for your salvation? Do you know that there is nothing you can add to your salvation and that there is no good work that you can do for eternal security? The only requirement is faith. The only One who can cleanse us from our sins is Jesus Christ, and the only way we can be cleansed is by believing in Him alone. Today, you can know Him. Dear Lord, I want to know Your Son Jesus. I know that I am a sinner who cannot do enough good works to earn my salvation. I am lost without You. I want You to be my Lord and Savior forever more. 

Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.

Missoni meets Converse

Don’t be confused – I’m not a fashion blogger.  Try as I might to appear fashionable and stylish (which fails ridiculously), the comfort of falling back on jeans and t-shirts is far too appealing.  Which is precisely why this collaboration between Missoni and Converse struck a chord with me.  The casual trustworthiness of Chuck Taylors paired with the sophistication and edge of Missoni.  I love each of these very much, but sadly, refuse to pay $200 for a pair of sneaks.  Any takers?

Daily Devotion

Luke 22:41-45

And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.

You will find the strength to face the most difficult trials of your life in prayer!

  Jesus could hardly endure even the thought of the cross. He knew the physical agony would be beyond comprehension. He was already feeling the emotional devastation as He thought about the coming break in His relationship with the Father. And the spiritual blackness to His heart of taking the sin of the world on Himself attacked His commitment to go to the cross.
  Where could He go to find strength for this struggle? He went to His knees. Spurgeon points out, "His great comfort was prayer and submission to the divine will." As long as you battle God's will for you, stress will remain. But when you can finally embrace God's will for you, there is peace.

Are you facing a trial in your life? Cry to God, and submit your life to His will.

7 Life Lessons from The Bachelorette

A While ago Lily and I sat down and watched the season premiere of The Bachelorette together.  Yes I said that, you didn't read wrong!! It was the first time we had seen it, and because the show is so amazing, I knew it would be the last!!!

Now that everyone’s going to live happily ever after,  I thought it would be a good idea to bring things full circle and share some Life Lessons I’ve learned from the viewing experience.
Life Lesson #1 – A good date must include a hot tub, and/or a helicopter ride.
Okay watching this and seeing a couple minuets after meeting for the first time jumping into a Hot Tub together! What?!! Since when did that become a first date thing? And when is that such an important factor in getting to know someone better?!!  And what’s up with the helicopter rides? Was this the helicopter industry’s last ditch effort to keep from going under? Instead of buying commercials, they paid off ABC to feature a copter ride in each show?
I’m still not convinced, though. I don’t think an expensive ride in a small, noisy cabin and sharing life experiences in a Hot Tube is doing it for me.
Life Lesson #2 – If you were given a nickname in college that related to the untimely release of certain fluids from your body, don’t introduce yourself to a prospective mate with that nickname.
Yes, someone did do that!!
And no, Shooter never had a chance at winning Ali’s heart LOL. In fact I am not sure anyone really won the heart on that show.
Life Lesson #3 – The best way to begin a program is to show 3 minutes worth of highlights from the upcoming program.
I can understand teasing a show that will air the next day or next week, but teasing a show before you show it? Hey ABC, are you that worried about viewers losing interest in the first 90 seconds that you have to show everything that’s about to happen?
Not only that, but they often tease the upcoming segment before going to commercial break. By the time a scene actually airs, I’ve already seen it 4 times. Once during the “coming this season” teaser, once during the “coming next week teaser”, once during the “coming up tonight teaser”, and once on the “coming up after the break” teaser. Thanks for ruining every great moment in the show you paranoid mongrels. This show I found out is torture!!
Life Lesson #4 – When you meet someone nicknamed “Rated R”, expect the worst.
Bachelor contestant Justin Rego put on a good show for a while, but in the end he was exposed as having 2 girlfriends at home in Toronto, one of which knew he had come on the show solely to become famous.
Perhaps Ali should have delved into the motives behind the “Rated R” nickname a bit more? I mean come on,  when you meet someone, and the first thing they do is rip open their shirt to reveal a t-shirt with their professional wrestling name on it, which happens to be ‘Rated R’, expect the worst. Seriously calling yourself Rated R is basically saying, “Hi, my name is Justin, but my friends call me ‘Nudity, Violence, and Explicit Language!

Life Lesson #6 – Have a funny line prepared in the event that you find yourself in a speedo on national television.
Jonathan the weatherman was not prepared, and as a result he blurted out, “You know, I don’t have, like, a huge *blppptt*“. Yes He did say that, what a nice pleasant show to sit down and watch with your family! (Not being Serious)
I’m predicting a cold front and lots of icy days ahead for Jonathan in the extended forecast.
Life Lesson #7 – All major life decisions should be preceded with a cocktail party in which one gets inebriated.
Ali tells us how this rose ceremony is the most difficult choice she’s ever had to make…while she’s holding her 3rd glass of champagne and giggling like she’s being tickled. Hey, I guess when you’re trying to find your soul mate, the one thing you need to have is impaired judgment. Who knew?
Come to think of it, it’s rare to ever see a scene on this show where someone isn’t drinking. They say alcohol is the lubricant of society, and I suppose it makes sense on a show like this where you’re asking people to speed up the normal dating process by a factor of 100.

I would say the biggest and most important Life Lesson we can pull from this would be : The  World's view on entertainment and dating is completely distorted. And yet many people find themselves sitting down and watching this garbage. When Lily and I got done watching that one episode I felt like I needed a shower. How this show could be on their 6th season is besides me. We must not allow the world to influence how we see relationships and how we live our lives. Allow God's Word to direct you in all that you do!! And don't watch this horrible show!!

Daily Devotion

Luke 6:12

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

If Jesus felt the need for prayer, how much more do we need to make prayer a huge part of our lives!

  Jesus didn't need to confess sin, because He didn't have any sin; He didn't need to grow in His obedience or purity. And yet, operating as a man during His time on earth, He depended on God the Father and the Holy Spirit for His ministry. And He longed for the intimate fellowship He enjoyed with His Father.
  When Jesus prayed it was His pattern to always look for a place to be alone. This is so important. Satan makes sure to provide lots of phone calls or knocks on the door during times you have set aside for prayer. Get alone where you won't be disturbed, where you can truly focus on God. If you can get alone enough to pray aloud, that's even better. Praying aloud can help you focus on your conversation with God and maintain that focus and train of thought for longer. And being alone can help you avoid any sense of pride over your time in prayer that might develop if others see you praying.

Today, Jesus invites you to find a time and place where you can get alone with God as often as possible.

Daily Devotion

Luke 5:15-16

But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

  The busier we get in life, the more we need to get alone with God!
Jesus' ministry was growing which made His life busy. People with spiritual needs were gathering in large crowds to hear Him. Many people were getting right with God. It was a spiritual revival. At the same time many people with physical problems were coming to Him for healing. If Jesus had approached His ministry from a natural perspective, He would have thought, "My ministry is growing! I have to capitalize on this moment. I have to be there for people. It doesn't matter what I have to sacrifice personally, the gospel has to go out!"

  But what did Jesus do? He "would often slip away to the wilderness and pray". Let me say it again, the busier we get in life, the more we need to get alone with God. A busy life is a waste of energy unless it is the overflow of our own walk with the Lord. Even ministry into the lives of people who desperately need it is not more important than maintaining your own prayer life and calling on God for His work in and through you. 

 

Take time to "slip away" and recharge with God