Weekly Reflection and Scripture Tags

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Weekly Reflection Genesis 2:18 NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Life is a race! Which race are you running in?  As I meditate on the first question that Apostle Paul asked in verse 24, it brought me to Mathew chapter 7:13-14 when Jesus made it clear there are two roads that every person must choose from. The narrow gate according to Jesus leads to life and wide gate leads

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Weekly Reflection 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.

This incredible promise from Jesus is one of the reasons for my zeal as a servant of the living God. Jesus is the gate that leads to a land filled with milk and honey. In life, I meet many people who are seeking happiness and peace. I was once one of these people. They are often frustrated because every time they think this is it, disappointments and setbacks overwhelm them. Jesus is offering a land that we can have access to that we truly seek.  He is calling us to a green land

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.

Weekly Reflection John 10:9 NIV

Matthew 18:7-8 NIV
Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!  If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

James 4:4 NIV
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an

Matthew 18:7-8 NIV
Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!  If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.

James 4:4 NIV
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

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We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

Have you ever made plans and believed your decisions were justified?  Or do you make plans that seem right for reasons that are noble or selfless?  Yet, despite your good or noble reasons for making the decisions it often feels that everything is going against you. The plans you have made are developing differently from what you pictured or anticipated.  As a result, you get frustrated; you prayed, you bargain with God or doubt yourself and sometimes blame others around you.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 16:1 NLT

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Weekly Reflection Exodus 20:18-21

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

I remember growing up my grandma used to say to my cousins after she disciplined them and they were crying, "I rather you cry now instead of me crying later."  As a child, I did not understand why she would say that to them. However, when I became a parent, I found myself saying the same statement to my son.  I took her statement a step further, I might cry later but I don’t want my tears to be driven by guilt that I did not do my best to bestow values and discipline in his life.

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 19:18 NIV

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

He has risen!

Do you know why Jesus Christ has risen? We often focus on the cross and his death as we teach on the topic of forgiveness through Jesus Christ which are equally important as He has risen! The fact that He has risen, is the most incredible gift that God has blessed the world with (John 3:16). Why is Jesus risen the most powerful gift to a world full of condemnation?

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Weekly Reflection Matthew 28:5-6 NIV

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Father God! We come before you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Please help us see your presence amid our trials and victories. Father, we know that true deliverance from our distress only comes from you.  Heavenly Father! We don't deserve your mercy and your deliverance. There is nothing we can do to earn relief during trials in our lives. Father, we feel surrounded by our enemies at every corner.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

Weekly Reflection Psalm 4:1-NIV

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Growing up my grandmother who was not a follower of Jesus, would often tell us to put this statement into practice, treat everyone with kindness. I recalled her saying that a poor person might just be the one who saves your life one day. Growing up, that value stayed with me and has carried me through in life. I would like to share two stories that might help me bring this scripture to life.

And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Weekly Reflection Matthew 5:47-48 -NIV

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Imagine someone you love and care about is walking toward a fire, and they don't see it, but you can clearly see they are entering a road that will lead to their death. You decided I love them so much that I don’t want to disappoint or hurt them in hope that they will turn around or someone else might help them. Perhaps, your warning may not change the person’s path or might cost you their friendship. Do you love them enough to take the risk?