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| Team USA players and staff celebrate with the championship trophy following a gold medal win over Sweden at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship. Photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images |
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Congratulations USA Hockey! 2013 World Jr Champs!
The Impact of our Words - 2 Thoughts
During the week, a few Bible verses jumped out on the topic of how we should use our words. Here are a few thoughts:
1) Our words should result in the ENCOURAGING of others.
Ephesians 4:29, 32 (NET) - You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need ... be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
2) Our words should aid in the EVANGELIZING of others.
While His disciples went into the city, Jesus remained outside of the city and visited with the Samaritan woman at the well.
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| Painting by Giacomo Franceschini (17th-18th Century) |
She believed on Him and aggressively shared the good news with her friends and family. As a result, "many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the report of the woman who testified". (John 4:39 NET) We need to "always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope" that we possess. (2 Peter 3:15 NET)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Remember, Forget, and Look Ahead
As the new year begins today -
We should take the time to REMEMBER the wonderful things that the Lord provided to us in 2012 - some Bible verses to reinforce this include:
We should also FORGET those struggles that challenged us and move forward:
We should take the time to REMEMBER the wonderful things that the Lord provided to us in 2012 - some Bible verses to reinforce this include:
- Remember His marvelous works that He hath done (Psalm 105:5 - KJV)
- Remember what the Lord thy God did (Deuteronomy 7:18 - KJV)
We should also FORGET those struggles that challenged us and move forward:
- Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead (Philippians 3:13 - NET).
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
April 2012 - Daily Bible Verses
2 Samuel 5:10 (NET) "David's power grew steadily, for the LORD God was with him."
2 Samuel 22:4,7 (NET) "I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was delivered...In my distress I called to the LORD; I called to my God. He listened to my cry for help."
Right before David's death, he gave the following guidance to Solomon, "Do the job the LORD your God has assigned you by following his instructions and obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws...Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish." 1 Kings 2:3 (NET)
In 1 Kings 12, we see that Rehoboam was made king of Israel after Solomon died. He had a choice to follow the wise counsel of the "older men" which would result in the Israelites supporting him. However, he ignored their wise counsel and listened to the advice from his peers. This ultimately resulted in Rehoboam losing the majority of his kingdom and power. Before we make decisions, let's seek advice from people who are wiser than us - not our peers.
In 1 Kings 18, we see the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Elijah began his test with prayer in verses 36-37 (NET) "O LORD God prove today that you are God and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know you are the true God."
Psalm 27:14 (NET) "Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!"
King Rehoboam was not a good king at all; however, he did humble himself and repent a few times - which benefited him and his country. 2 Chronicles 12:12 (NET) "So when Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD relented from his anger and did not annihilate him; Judah experienced some good things."
King Hezekiah was a good king and the Lord blessed him. "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel...he was loyal to the LORD and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments which the LORD had given to Moses. The LORD was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors." 2 Kings 18:5-7 (NET)
1 Chronicles begins with lots of names, genealogies, etc. Within this information, there are some descriptions of people.
- Judah had a son Er - he "displeased the LORD, so the LORD killed him." (2:3)
- Achan "brought the disaster on Israel when he stole what was devoted to God." (2:7)
- The Gadites "cried out to God during the battle; he responded to their prayers because they trusted him. (5:20)
Sadly, the final words about King Saul are these: "So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD and did not obey the LORD's instructions...he did not seek the LORD's guidance, so the LORD killed him and transferred the kingdom to David." 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NET)
King David was a very good example of someone who took time to thank and praise the Lord. A few examples of this show up in 1 Chronicles 16. "Give thanks to the LORD!...make known his accomplishments...tell about all his miraculous deeds...recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts" (vs. 8-12 NET). In 17:20 he also acknowledges "O LORD, there is none like you."
King David was a very good example of someone who took time to thank and praise the Lord. A few examples of this show up in 1 Chronicles 16. "Give thanks to the LORD!...make known his accomplishments...tell about all his miraculous deeds...recall the miraculous deeds he performed, his mighty acts" (vs. 8-12 NET). In 17:20 he also acknowledges "O LORD, there is none like you."
Saturday, April 28, 2012
March 2012 - Daily Verses
In the book of Esther, we see that Haman was ultimately hung on the same gallows that he was planning to use for Mordecai. The sad thing is that his ten sons were also hung on those gallows because of his wickedness (Esther 9:14). Sin does not only impact the one person sinning - it also impacts others (including family).
When Daniel was in a position where his circumstances were in conflict with his faith, he "made up his mind that he would not defile himself" (Daniel 1:8 NET). When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were having their faith challenged with death, they responded to the king, "If our God whom we are serving exists, he is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will rescue us, O king, from your power as well. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don't serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected." (Daniel 3:17-18 NET)
Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NET) "A good reputation is better that precious perfume." We all need to make sure that we always are doing what is right to make sure that our testimony/reputation is a positive one. One way to do this is to "Fear God and keep his commandments." (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NET)
After the decree was signed that no one should pray to another god but the king, Daniel did not waver in his faithfulness to God. Daniel 6:10 (NET) "When Daniel realized that a written decree had been issued, he entered his home, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times daily he was kneeling and offering prayers and thanks to his God just as he had been accustomed to do previously."
During the time of Hosea, the Israelites had gotten away from the Lord. As a result, their lives were full of misery and problems. When they submitted to the Lord, they again received his blessings. Hosea 3:5 (NET) "Then they will submit to the LORD in fear and receive his blessings in the future."
Hosea 14:9 (NET) "For the ways of the LORD are right, the godly walk in them." 9:9 states, "He will remember their wrongdoing. He will repay them for their sins." There are blessings to following the Lord, and difficulties when we do not.
In Joshua 6, Rahab's family was saved because of her. In Joshua 7, Achan's family was killed because of him. Decisions we make impact the lives of others. Let's make sure that those decisions result in blessings!
In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites tricked Joshua in order to save their own lives. After they told their story to Joshua, "The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the LORD's advice (verse 14 NET). We need to always seek God's guidance in all we do.
Joshua 23:14 (NET) "You know with all your heart and being that not even one of all the faithful promises the LORD your God made to you is left unfulfilled; every one was realized - not one promise is unfulfilled." Thank the Lord for his faithfulness to us!
Judges 2:13-15 (NET) " They abandoned the LORD and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. The LORD was furious with Israel and handed them over to robbers who plundered them. He turned them over to their enemies who lived around them. They could not withstand their enemies' attacks. Whenever they went out to fight, the LORD did them harm, just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do. They suffered greatly."
Psalm 19:14 (KJV) "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer."
After Gideon had great success defeating the Midianites, he created an altar of false worship. Judges 8:27 (NET) states that "it became a snare to Gideon and his family." We must make sure that nothing gets in the way of worshiping the Lord!
After Samson finally gave in to Delilah and shared his secret of strength "She said, 'The Philistines are here Samson!' He woke up and thought, 'I will do as I did before and shake myself free.' But he did not realize that the LORD had left him." (Judges 16:20 NET) Let's never get to the place where the Lord would not be there to help us!
1 Samuel 18:14 (NET) "Now David achieved success in all he did, for the LORD was with him."
In 1 Samuel 26:23 (NET), David states, "The LORD rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty."
When Daniel was in a position where his circumstances were in conflict with his faith, he "made up his mind that he would not defile himself" (Daniel 1:8 NET). When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were having their faith challenged with death, they responded to the king, "If our God whom we are serving exists, he is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will rescue us, O king, from your power as well. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don't serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected." (Daniel 3:17-18 NET)
Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NET) "A good reputation is better that precious perfume." We all need to make sure that we always are doing what is right to make sure that our testimony/reputation is a positive one. One way to do this is to "Fear God and keep his commandments." (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NET)
After the decree was signed that no one should pray to another god but the king, Daniel did not waver in his faithfulness to God. Daniel 6:10 (NET) "When Daniel realized that a written decree had been issued, he entered his home, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times daily he was kneeling and offering prayers and thanks to his God just as he had been accustomed to do previously."
During the time of Hosea, the Israelites had gotten away from the Lord. As a result, their lives were full of misery and problems. When they submitted to the Lord, they again received his blessings. Hosea 3:5 (NET) "Then they will submit to the LORD in fear and receive his blessings in the future."
Hosea 14:9 (NET) "For the ways of the LORD are right, the godly walk in them." 9:9 states, "He will remember their wrongdoing. He will repay them for their sins." There are blessings to following the Lord, and difficulties when we do not.
In Joshua 6, Rahab's family was saved because of her. In Joshua 7, Achan's family was killed because of him. Decisions we make impact the lives of others. Let's make sure that those decisions result in blessings!
In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites tricked Joshua in order to save their own lives. After they told their story to Joshua, "The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the LORD's advice (verse 14 NET). We need to always seek God's guidance in all we do.
Joshua 23:14 (NET) "You know with all your heart and being that not even one of all the faithful promises the LORD your God made to you is left unfulfilled; every one was realized - not one promise is unfulfilled." Thank the Lord for his faithfulness to us!
Judges 2:13-15 (NET) " They abandoned the LORD and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. The LORD was furious with Israel and handed them over to robbers who plundered them. He turned them over to their enemies who lived around them. They could not withstand their enemies' attacks. Whenever they went out to fight, the LORD did them harm, just as he had warned and solemnly vowed he would do. They suffered greatly."
Psalm 19:14 (KJV) "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer."
After Gideon had great success defeating the Midianites, he created an altar of false worship. Judges 8:27 (NET) states that "it became a snare to Gideon and his family." We must make sure that nothing gets in the way of worshiping the Lord!
After Samson finally gave in to Delilah and shared his secret of strength "She said, 'The Philistines are here Samson!' He woke up and thought, 'I will do as I did before and shake myself free.' But he did not realize that the LORD had left him." (Judges 16:20 NET) Let's never get to the place where the Lord would not be there to help us!
1 Samuel 18:14 (NET) "Now David achieved success in all he did, for the LORD was with him."
In 1 Samuel 26:23 (NET), David states, "The LORD rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty."
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