Daniel 6:1-28
Lessons from Daniel
Daniel’s gifts paved the way, but his character brought God’s favor.
Clearly, Daniel was a man of integrity, but initially, it was his good looks and leadership ability that put him in a place of service within the king’s courts. Years earlier, Daniel’s country was besieged by Nebuchadnezzer and Daniel, along with his friends, was made to serve in the household of the king who had murdered their brothers and blasphemed their God. Nonetheless, Daniel purposed in his heart to honor his God. Over the years, Daniel grew in knowledge and skill, but nothing won the king’s heart over more than his character. Daniel’s character elevated him to place of authority and promotion within the kingdom. This elevation is seen in verse two when we read that king Darius put him in a position of administration over the 120 provinces of his country. Daniel, a captive from Judah, was put in a position higher than his peers, the royalty of Babylon. You see, even though it was Daniel’s gifts that opened the door to the king’s palace, it was his character that opened the door to the king’s heart. In fact, Daniel was esteemed so highly in the king’s eyes that he was planning on placing him over the entire empire.
Daniel’s favor brought persecution, but his integrity saved him from reproach.
As it was with Daniel, so it is with us. When our enemies see the favor of God increase in our lives, they will seek to find fault in us.
When they heard of the king’s plan, Daniel’s peers began seeking faults in his performance. They wouldn’t stand for some slave, a captive from Judah, ruling over them. So, they devise a plan for his demise. However, because he walked in integrity, no fault could be found in his ways. Daniel attended to his duties in such an honorable way, that even those who searched for a fault couldn’t find one! Through carelessness, a fool sets himself up for failure, but not Daniel. Through his integrity, he safeguarded his reputation. And when his enemies inspected his actions for fault, they found faithfulness, responsibility, and trustworthiness instead! Daniel’s enemies concluded that cheating was the only way they would be able to condemn him. In all their searching, it seemed the only fault they could find was his faith.
Daniel’s faith humbled a nation and saved a king.
You know how the story goes. A decree was issued prohibiting all citizens from praying to any god or man other than the king himself. This decree was only to last for thirty days, but Daniel couldn’t hold to it for 30 seconds. As soon as he learned of the decree, he went straight home, opened his window and began praying to his God. Daniel prayed before his God that day just as he had always done. Not just one time, but three times. And soon, the officials heard about it. Their hearts pumped with malice and its venom flowed through their veins. Soon, this captive would be put back in his place-a hole in the ground. Only this time, he would have visitors.
The king, with great remorse had Daniel arrested. Before throwing him to his death, the king looked at Daniel one last time and made a statement, “ May your God rescue you.” Even this pagan king had hope that the God of Israel would save his own. The hole was covered and Daniel was separated from the world. In darkness he waited and prayed. Early the next morning, the king rushed to the seal and ordered that it be removed. His faith in the God of Israel had been tested all night while he fasted and prayed. But that morning, his faith was solid at the sight of Daniel’s face.
This once pagan king then issued a worldwide decree and declared, “ The God of Israel is the living God, and He will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.”
Blessings,
Lauryn Everett
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
November 27
Good morning, Hillcrest Family!
I love today's reading in 1 Peter 5:6-11. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[g] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may[h] the God of all grace, who called us[i] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." I love that we can humble ourselves and give God all those things, big ones and little ones, that we care about and that He will take care of us. He cares for us. He really, really does even if it doesn't feel like it at the moment.
In this passage, we're told to be sober and vigilant. Being sober means to be marked by earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor. Vigilant means alertly watchful especially to avoid danger. As a parent, I am vigilant to watch over and protect my children. As a children's minister, I am vigilant to watch over our HC flock of children. Why? Because the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us, our children and our families. Wolves, lions, and bears seek out the weak in flocks to devour them first. They make easy prey. How susceptible are our little ones to our vicious adversary. Do we realize that?
In some countries, men & women train their little ones - really little ones even - for war, strapping bombs on them and putting vicious weapons in their hands. Muslims whisper in their newborn's ears that Alah is god and that they belong to him for life! Abortion rears its ugly head even in Dallas, stealing these little ones away. Do you realize that drug lords in Mexico are training kids in Mexico and in Texas and even Dallas to do their drug trafficking? They are calling these kids - "The Expendables!" Then there is sex slave trafficking right here in Dallas and around the world. But even less subtle are the every day distractions that take our children's attention and hearts away from God. I say all this to say that we MUST be sober and vigilant to protect our kids from the enemy more than ever before.
Reading Psalm 119 about David's troubles and cry to the Lord encouraged me. At one point he says that the proud almost made an end to him on earth...except for God's precepts. David knew and loved and obeyed God's precepts, His Word. The Word of the Lord is the Sword of the Spirit. We must read and know and obey God's Word AND share it with the children and new in faith in our lives. We must be sober and vigilant to teach these little ones God's Word! Reading and learning God's Word isn't hard. We can do it at bedtime or as a morning devotional or put the Word on cd while we drive. Obeying it, however, is the challenge. That's where we discipline ourselves and our children and pray that God creates in us a clean, new heart that is obedient to follow His commands.
So I challenge myself and you today... Are we sober and vigilant in God's Word ourselves? Will we accept the challenge to teach God's precepts and Word to our children and those new in faith? There is a war raging against this generation and against the family. There is a war raging in Dallas. But greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world. Victory is ours. Take up your sword today!
Have a blessed day. See you tomorrow at Church!
Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Children's Minister
I love today's reading in 1 Peter 5:6-11. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[g] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may[h] the God of all grace, who called us[i] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." I love that we can humble ourselves and give God all those things, big ones and little ones, that we care about and that He will take care of us. He cares for us. He really, really does even if it doesn't feel like it at the moment.
In this passage, we're told to be sober and vigilant. Being sober means to be marked by earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor. Vigilant means alertly watchful especially to avoid danger. As a parent, I am vigilant to watch over and protect my children. As a children's minister, I am vigilant to watch over our HC flock of children. Why? Because the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us, our children and our families. Wolves, lions, and bears seek out the weak in flocks to devour them first. They make easy prey. How susceptible are our little ones to our vicious adversary. Do we realize that?
In some countries, men & women train their little ones - really little ones even - for war, strapping bombs on them and putting vicious weapons in their hands. Muslims whisper in their newborn's ears that Alah is god and that they belong to him for life! Abortion rears its ugly head even in Dallas, stealing these little ones away. Do you realize that drug lords in Mexico are training kids in Mexico and in Texas and even Dallas to do their drug trafficking? They are calling these kids - "The Expendables!" Then there is sex slave trafficking right here in Dallas and around the world. But even less subtle are the every day distractions that take our children's attention and hearts away from God. I say all this to say that we MUST be sober and vigilant to protect our kids from the enemy more than ever before.
Reading Psalm 119 about David's troubles and cry to the Lord encouraged me. At one point he says that the proud almost made an end to him on earth...except for God's precepts. David knew and loved and obeyed God's precepts, His Word. The Word of the Lord is the Sword of the Spirit. We must read and know and obey God's Word AND share it with the children and new in faith in our lives. We must be sober and vigilant to teach these little ones God's Word! Reading and learning God's Word isn't hard. We can do it at bedtime or as a morning devotional or put the Word on cd while we drive. Obeying it, however, is the challenge. That's where we discipline ourselves and our children and pray that God creates in us a clean, new heart that is obedient to follow His commands.
So I challenge myself and you today... Are we sober and vigilant in God's Word ourselves? Will we accept the challenge to teach God's precepts and Word to our children and those new in faith? There is a war raging against this generation and against the family. There is a war raging in Dallas. But greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world. Victory is ours. Take up your sword today!
Have a blessed day. See you tomorrow at Church!
Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Children's Minister
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
November 22
James 5: 13-16
In suffering, pray.
Why did James tell believers to pray in the midst of suffering hardship? Prayer seems the spiritual, even obvious response. It’s like asking someone, “What do you do if your house catches on fire?” Of course, they would reply, “call the fire department.” However, prayer is usually the last thing a person wants to do when found in the heat of battle and depending on the intensity of the fight, prayer can almost feel like surrender. Yet, James tells us that when we are assaulted, the simple and situation changing answer is always prayer.
Prayer releases faith. Often times, amidst our brokenness, the most sincere and childlike prayers come from our lips. In those moments of transparency, our own faith, though it may be weak, is declared. When we voice our injury to God, this communicates our trust and confidence in His ability to make it right.
Without our faith resting solely in Him, our hearts will have no stay and we will be tossed to and fro by the torrents of life’s daunting waves.
Prayer anchors our soul.
Prayer is communion. When we pray, we are engaging the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the living Word. He is speaking regardless of if we recognize His voice or not. When you are conversing with another, you don’t speak for both yourself and the other person. Instead, when you declare your thought, you automatically wait for their response. We should do the same in prayer. Wait for God’s response. He is faithful to answer our curious questions or our deepest cries. His answer will always anchor your heart amidst the raging storms of tragedy. His response will trigger a flood of peace and bring refreshing.
Prayer is unifying. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we learn that two are far better than one. This same natural principle applies in the supernatural. The only thing greater than your current faith in God’s promise is your increased faith in God’s promise! Our flame of faith increases when others lend their torch. Recently, I reconnected with one of my closest childhood friends. It was as if we never parted. Better even! Now, we have real cars, real money and she even has a real baby! Needless, to say, we are no longer “playing house”. We grew up and realized life is not all “peaches n’ cream”. Along with our real cars, came a real monthly payment. Along with our real money, came a real job and attached to a real baby, came real sacrifice. It has been an incredible blessing to be able to share the realities of life with the same person whom I shared my childhood adventures.
Our times together have been so refreshing for many reasons. But, the most important thing I have gained through our rekindled friendship is fuel for my faith. When our faith is fueled, our prayers become more fervent. The righteous man’s fervent prayer is unstoppable.
James encouraged the joining of faith in verse 16, when he wrote, “Confess your trespasses to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Now I pray fervently for you. I pray that you not be overcome or give in to the enemy’s vices, but that you give up on your own devices and find renewed strength under the shadow of His wings.
-Lauryn
In suffering, pray.
Why did James tell believers to pray in the midst of suffering hardship? Prayer seems the spiritual, even obvious response. It’s like asking someone, “What do you do if your house catches on fire?” Of course, they would reply, “call the fire department.” However, prayer is usually the last thing a person wants to do when found in the heat of battle and depending on the intensity of the fight, prayer can almost feel like surrender. Yet, James tells us that when we are assaulted, the simple and situation changing answer is always prayer.
Prayer releases faith. Often times, amidst our brokenness, the most sincere and childlike prayers come from our lips. In those moments of transparency, our own faith, though it may be weak, is declared. When we voice our injury to God, this communicates our trust and confidence in His ability to make it right.
Without our faith resting solely in Him, our hearts will have no stay and we will be tossed to and fro by the torrents of life’s daunting waves.
Prayer anchors our soul.
Prayer is communion. When we pray, we are engaging the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the living Word. He is speaking regardless of if we recognize His voice or not. When you are conversing with another, you don’t speak for both yourself and the other person. Instead, when you declare your thought, you automatically wait for their response. We should do the same in prayer. Wait for God’s response. He is faithful to answer our curious questions or our deepest cries. His answer will always anchor your heart amidst the raging storms of tragedy. His response will trigger a flood of peace and bring refreshing.
Prayer is unifying. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we learn that two are far better than one. This same natural principle applies in the supernatural. The only thing greater than your current faith in God’s promise is your increased faith in God’s promise! Our flame of faith increases when others lend their torch. Recently, I reconnected with one of my closest childhood friends. It was as if we never parted. Better even! Now, we have real cars, real money and she even has a real baby! Needless, to say, we are no longer “playing house”. We grew up and realized life is not all “peaches n’ cream”. Along with our real cars, came a real monthly payment. Along with our real money, came a real job and attached to a real baby, came real sacrifice. It has been an incredible blessing to be able to share the realities of life with the same person whom I shared my childhood adventures.
Our times together have been so refreshing for many reasons. But, the most important thing I have gained through our rekindled friendship is fuel for my faith. When our faith is fueled, our prayers become more fervent. The righteous man’s fervent prayer is unstoppable.
James encouraged the joining of faith in verse 16, when he wrote, “Confess your trespasses to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Now I pray fervently for you. I pray that you not be overcome or give in to the enemy’s vices, but that you give up on your own devices and find renewed strength under the shadow of His wings.
-Lauryn
Thursday, November 10, 2011
November 10, 2011
The key word of the Book of Hebrews is “better.” It was
written to show Jewish people the need and role of the New Covenant in God’s
unfolding plan for mankind. While reading through the first chapters of this
book, it is very important to remember that while it describes various aspects
of the New Covenant as “better” than
the Old Covenant, it does not call
the Mosaic Covenant “bad.”
God did things through Moses that were a very important part
of His plan and that were exactly what was needed at that time. The Apostle
Paul points out in his Epistle to the Galatian Christians that “…the the law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Gal. 3:24 KJV)” The
New Living Translation renders that verse this way: “…The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we
could be made right with God through faith.”
Having a guardian is not a bad thing when you need one!
Simply put, what Paul is getting at is that God gave the Law through Moses as
one of His means of preparing His people to receive the Messiah. How did that
happen? Among other things, continually being confronted with the multitude of
commandments in the Law made it very clear to every Jewish person how sinful
they were and how much they needed a Savior. This set the stage for them to
receive the message that Jesus the Messiah had died for them with great openness
and joy.
In our reading from Hebrews chapter ten today, the author
zeros in on the tremendous contrast between the sacrificial system set up by
the Law and the perfectly full and complete sacrificial work of Jesus Christ
through His death on the cross. Old Testament priests had to offer sacrifices over
and over again for the sins of the people, time after time after time. Jesus,
on the other hand, offered His own blood once for all time. He died once and
will never need to die again. In a sense, the blood of bulls and goats could
only cover sin for a defined period of time. The blood of Jesus Christ has the power to take away sin forever! In other words, the death of an innocent animal was enough
to appease wrath of God for a few days or weeks or months, but the death of
Jesus the spotless Lamb, God’s own Son, was enough to satisfy God’s righteous
fury forever!
Furthermore, through the New Covenant, God not only deals
with our sin, He also deals with our tendency to sin by putting His laws in
our hearts and writing them upon our minds! When we open our hearts to Jesus,
the one who died for us and who alone can cleanse our guilt, we also open our hearts to the one who rose again,
victorious over death itself and who gives us the precious Holy Spirit who is
ready and able to help us overcome temptation. When we turn from our sin and
trust Jesus as our sacrifice – the one whose death in our place satisfied the
righteous demands of the Law on our behalf by paying our penalty – we become a
new type of person, what the New Testament calls “a new creature” or “a new
creation.” Old things, i.e., our former life and way of living, pass away and
Jesus makes everything new.
I don’t know about you, but thinking about this wonderful
reality causes me to want to lift my voice in praise and thanksgiving to God
for sending Jesus and establishing the New and better Covenant on our behalf…!
Why don’t you take a moment and thank the Lord right now for setting you free
from both the penalty and the power of sin…!
Pastor Mark
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
November 9
“LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO”
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.” Psalms 107:1-3 (NKJV)
WHAT ARE THE REDEEMED TO SAY?
Tell of the goodness, mercy and grace of God; that He saved you and that He will save anyone who comes to Him through Christ. Don’t be afraid to share what the Lord has done in your life with others. If you are thankful this morning that you did not wake up depressed and worried because Jesus healed your mind and your heart; then you should SAY SO! If you are thankful today that God has healed your body or restored your family or whatever Jesus has done to change your life you should SAY SO!
WHERE SHOULD THE REDEEMED SAY IT?
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them.” Mark 16:15, 20
WHEN SHOULD IT BE SAID?
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1 (NKJV) “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
WHY SHOULD THE REDEEMED SAY SO?
There certainly are more reasons than the four shown here but these four are the obvious ones.
• Because God deserves the praise and the glory. “
• Because our Lord commanded us to do so.
• Because we have a testimony to tell.
• Because the world needs to hear what we have to say…so tell them the message of God’s love, mercy and grace!
God has put every child of His on His “witness list”. Your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors are more interested in what God has done for you than what He did for Paul or Peter, James or John! They can read about the apostles in their Bible…but they can see you with their own eyes and hear you with their own ears! Every day we live, every place we go and to everyone we meet, let us all have our “SAY-SO” for Jesus.
Blessings,
Shaun Estrada
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.” Psalms 107:1-3 (NKJV)
WHAT ARE THE REDEEMED TO SAY?
Tell of the goodness, mercy and grace of God; that He saved you and that He will save anyone who comes to Him through Christ. Don’t be afraid to share what the Lord has done in your life with others. If you are thankful this morning that you did not wake up depressed and worried because Jesus healed your mind and your heart; then you should SAY SO! If you are thankful today that God has healed your body or restored your family or whatever Jesus has done to change your life you should SAY SO!
WHERE SHOULD THE REDEEMED SAY IT?
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them.” Mark 16:15, 20
WHEN SHOULD IT BE SAID?
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1 (NKJV) “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
WHY SHOULD THE REDEEMED SAY SO?
There certainly are more reasons than the four shown here but these four are the obvious ones.
• Because God deserves the praise and the glory. “
• Because our Lord commanded us to do so.
• Because we have a testimony to tell.
• Because the world needs to hear what we have to say…so tell them the message of God’s love, mercy and grace!
God has put every child of His on His “witness list”. Your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors are more interested in what God has done for you than what He did for Paul or Peter, James or John! They can read about the apostles in their Bible…but they can see you with their own eyes and hear you with their own ears! Every day we live, every place we go and to everyone we meet, let us all have our “SAY-SO” for Jesus.
Blessings,
Shaun Estrada
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
November 8
Anytime I read from God’s Word, I like to view it as an opportunity to learn. I understand that God is always speaking through His written word, but I especially love the stories found in the Bible of people just like us. Stories that encompass their whole lives; their failures, triumphs and everything in between. The Bible doesn’t leave out the “bad days” and I believe we benefit from that. This way, when we read their lives, we see glimpses of ourselves. We can relate in weakness and anticipate the triumphs they experienced.
As I read Psalm 106 today, I highlighted the verses that stuck with me. When I pulled away from the passage and glanced over the entire chapter, I noticed a commonality in the verses I had marked. If I designated a theme for this chapter, I would probably have gone with the forgiveness of God or the multitude of His mercies. I assumed I would write this piece on one of those two subjects. However, what kept resonating with me was Israel’s ability to so easily forget the mighty deeds of their God. The writer of this Psalm points out a few of God’s stupendous acts. He writes about God delivering Israel from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think I could ever forget seeing my enemies being washed away (literally)! I don’t think the writer was implying that Israel was suffering from memory loss.
Israel did what we often do and that is to fail to keep God’s greatness in the forefront of our minds. We, just like Israel quickly shift from a song of victory to a desperate cry of fear when all we see is wasteland. We do this because we have already forgotten where God has brought us from and the marvelous acts He has performed in our lives. Throughout scripture, God emphasizes man’s need to remember His great deeds and to meditate on His wonders. Moses told Israel in regards to keeping the ordinances of the law, “When your children ask, “Why do we do this?” to remind them of the mighty acts God had performed on their journey to the promise land.
So it is with us. When we ask ourselves ,“Why do I live for Christ?” or “Why do I continue to believe for a miracle when all seems lost?”, we then remind ourselves of God’s mighty deeds throughout our journey. The “Red Sea” He parted when He delivered us from the depths of our depression. Or how He rescued us from the grip of our oppressor, whether it was poverty, promiscuity or fear. You see, when we forget God’s supernatural acts or His faithfulness, we silence the songs of thanksgiving and praise that should come from our lips. But, when we meditate on God’s goodness, the overflow of our lips will always be the highest of praise. We will always have a song in the wilderness!
So whether you are looking out at a wasteland or rejoicing in triumph, remember your God. Remember He that rescued you from death and punitive exile. Remember He who adopted you and called you His own. Remember His goodness that pervades every facet of your life.
Psalm 103:2-5 is applicable. It reads, “Praise the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits. He who forgives all of your sins and heals all of your diseases. He who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. “
Warmly,
Lauryn
As I read Psalm 106 today, I highlighted the verses that stuck with me. When I pulled away from the passage and glanced over the entire chapter, I noticed a commonality in the verses I had marked. If I designated a theme for this chapter, I would probably have gone with the forgiveness of God or the multitude of His mercies. I assumed I would write this piece on one of those two subjects. However, what kept resonating with me was Israel’s ability to so easily forget the mighty deeds of their God. The writer of this Psalm points out a few of God’s stupendous acts. He writes about God delivering Israel from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think I could ever forget seeing my enemies being washed away (literally)! I don’t think the writer was implying that Israel was suffering from memory loss.
Israel did what we often do and that is to fail to keep God’s greatness in the forefront of our minds. We, just like Israel quickly shift from a song of victory to a desperate cry of fear when all we see is wasteland. We do this because we have already forgotten where God has brought us from and the marvelous acts He has performed in our lives. Throughout scripture, God emphasizes man’s need to remember His great deeds and to meditate on His wonders. Moses told Israel in regards to keeping the ordinances of the law, “When your children ask, “Why do we do this?” to remind them of the mighty acts God had performed on their journey to the promise land.
So it is with us. When we ask ourselves ,“Why do I live for Christ?” or “Why do I continue to believe for a miracle when all seems lost?”, we then remind ourselves of God’s mighty deeds throughout our journey. The “Red Sea” He parted when He delivered us from the depths of our depression. Or how He rescued us from the grip of our oppressor, whether it was poverty, promiscuity or fear. You see, when we forget God’s supernatural acts or His faithfulness, we silence the songs of thanksgiving and praise that should come from our lips. But, when we meditate on God’s goodness, the overflow of our lips will always be the highest of praise. We will always have a song in the wilderness!
So whether you are looking out at a wasteland or rejoicing in triumph, remember your God. Remember He that rescued you from death and punitive exile. Remember He who adopted you and called you His own. Remember His goodness that pervades every facet of your life.
Psalm 103:2-5 is applicable. It reads, “Praise the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits. He who forgives all of your sins and heals all of your diseases. He who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. “
Warmly,
Lauryn
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 5
Hello Hillcrest!
Are you ready to embrace you destiny? We've been through good times and bad times, easy times and hard times, joyous times and sad times. We've swam hard through the flood waters and as God promised we are not drowned. The fires of hell have raged against us, but we are not burned. Everything we've come through has brought us to this point right now. We stand before God as His church, His bride, with a decision to make.
Ezekiel 12:20 ...THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD. Yesterday, I had the privilege of sitting in the Esther Bible study. Beth Moore emphasized this phrase that recurs over and over throughout the Bible. God knows all. He knows our beginning and our end and everything in between. It's us that must begin to know Him. Hillcrest, everything God has brought us through and allowed us to experience has set us up to know that He is Lord! Everything we are getting ready to walk into points us to Him. Because knowing God and bringing others into that knowledge is the greatest thing that we can ever hope to achieve.
So today I pray that we will embrace our God-mandated destiny and that we will KNOW THAT HE IS THE LORD! Have a blessed weekend. See you tomorrow.
Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Chilren's Minister
Are you ready to embrace you destiny? We've been through good times and bad times, easy times and hard times, joyous times and sad times. We've swam hard through the flood waters and as God promised we are not drowned. The fires of hell have raged against us, but we are not burned. Everything we've come through has brought us to this point right now. We stand before God as His church, His bride, with a decision to make.
Ezekiel 12:20 ...THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD. Yesterday, I had the privilege of sitting in the Esther Bible study. Beth Moore emphasized this phrase that recurs over and over throughout the Bible. God knows all. He knows our beginning and our end and everything in between. It's us that must begin to know Him. Hillcrest, everything God has brought us through and allowed us to experience has set us up to know that He is Lord! Everything we are getting ready to walk into points us to Him. Because knowing God and bringing others into that knowledge is the greatest thing that we can ever hope to achieve.
So today I pray that we will embrace our God-mandated destiny and that we will KNOW THAT HE IS THE LORD! Have a blessed weekend. See you tomorrow.
Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Chilren's Minister
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November 1
Dear child,
Today, when you hear my voice, do not retreat in fear. Fear is a vast wilderness and there is no cultivating it. Guard your heart from those who would deceive it. For when deceived, it becomes hard and unmalleable in My hands. Remember, my promises are seeds and your heart is the soil. They cannot take root in soil that is not cultivated by faith. A hard heart is a barren land.
Today, when you hear my words, do not filter them through what you see. You will quickly come to the conclusion that you don’t qualify for what I’ve promised. It is certainly easier to belief in what seems possible and to hope in what your own hands can accomplish. Beloved, your walk is one of faith and your path is foreign. You have never been to the place I’m bringing you. Please keep from leaning on your own understanding and keep your hands from interfering. Keep your eyes closed and let what I have prepared be a surprise!
Today, you will surely hear my voice. Allow it to lead you to deep places of rest. Grant it access to the places you keep hidden. Let my words engulf the wounds you cover. Let healing come!
Today, I ask, “Do you wish to be a wanderer in the wilderness?” For with a mighty hand I led Israel out of Egypt. I was leading them to land they would call their own. They would live in houses they built and eat of the fruit of their hands. I would be there God and they would be my people. I was the Builder and I was leading them home. Yet because the path home was arduous, they doubted. They worried that their Deliverer had lost His way. They tested me in the wilderness, constantly seeking signs. In their unbelief, their hearts departed from Me. The wilderness became their dwelling. 40 years later, they died there having never stepped foot in the house I built for them.
Hold to My voice, child.
Remember, I have prepared a place for you. A place a fruitfulness and abundance. I will make the path known. Only do not doubt. Put your faith to work and put your works to rest.
Today, when you hear my voice, do not retreat in fear. Fear is a vast wilderness and there is no cultivating it. Guard your heart from those who would deceive it. For when deceived, it becomes hard and unmalleable in My hands. Remember, my promises are seeds and your heart is the soil. They cannot take root in soil that is not cultivated by faith. A hard heart is a barren land.
Today, when you hear my words, do not filter them through what you see. You will quickly come to the conclusion that you don’t qualify for what I’ve promised. It is certainly easier to belief in what seems possible and to hope in what your own hands can accomplish. Beloved, your walk is one of faith and your path is foreign. You have never been to the place I’m bringing you. Please keep from leaning on your own understanding and keep your hands from interfering. Keep your eyes closed and let what I have prepared be a surprise!
Today, you will surely hear my voice. Allow it to lead you to deep places of rest. Grant it access to the places you keep hidden. Let my words engulf the wounds you cover. Let healing come!
Today, I ask, “Do you wish to be a wanderer in the wilderness?” For with a mighty hand I led Israel out of Egypt. I was leading them to land they would call their own. They would live in houses they built and eat of the fruit of their hands. I would be there God and they would be my people. I was the Builder and I was leading them home. Yet because the path home was arduous, they doubted. They worried that their Deliverer had lost His way. They tested me in the wilderness, constantly seeking signs. In their unbelief, their hearts departed from Me. The wilderness became their dwelling. 40 years later, they died there having never stepped foot in the house I built for them.
Hold to My voice, child.
Remember, I have prepared a place for you. A place a fruitfulness and abundance. I will make the path known. Only do not doubt. Put your faith to work and put your works to rest.
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