Κύριος Notes

Adoration

He IS ABLE

He is able, more than able

To accomplish what concerns me today.

He is able, more than able

To handle anything thay come my way.

He is able, more than able

To do much more than I could ever dream,

He is able, more than able,

To make me what He wants me to be

Scripture Reflection: Luke 9
37The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

It always seems as if, it is right after the points in my life where I have had the most spiritual victories that I end upright back in the thick of the quest...again. In fact it seems as if the higher the high points...the more I expect to see the attacks.

Note to self...Look for the valley right after the mountian top experieinces...they will be there...in fact they need to be there in order to get to the next mountain top.

38A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not."

While up on the mountian this boy was brought to the disciples...what was it that made it so they could not cast out this evil spirit? What about this situation was different than the others that they were able to address?

41"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."

Who was it that was unbelieving? Was it the boy's father? By the context is seems as if Dad had some issues.. Was it the disciples? The attitude of this father is that someone just needs to fix my son..not that he had to participate in it or that his faith had anything to do with it at all...he was looking for an expert.

The end result is that this boy is brought to Jesus...what the disciples could not do you did.

Where are you limited by my lack of faith?

42Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Lord Jesus--Thank you that you are able to meet my need ...you are able to meet it every time...no matter who else has failed you never fail. You are more than able to accomplish what is necessary.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Worthy is the Lamb
Thank You for the cross Lord
Thank You for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on Your throne
Crown You now with many crown
You reign victorious

Scripture Reflection: Luke 9

27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

Lord--Here you were talking about what James, John and Peter would experience on the mountain top with you...with the number of times I have read this how did I miss it?They saw the kingdom of God...on a mountain...they saw you in glory and honor. It was an event that shaped their understanding of you in all of your glory.

28About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

It was in the middle of prayer...the way that you looked to the disciples changed. External changes reflected internal reality.

How do I come to the place where internal reality is reflected by external reality? The connection becomes clearer and as time goes on the internal and external come closer and closer together.

In that moment you allowed yourself to shine in a way that this world seldom sees...Can that still happen? Reveal yourself to me in shining brilliance...shine through in the events in my life...shine through in my witness...shine through in Living Springs Church...shine through in all that is said and done. those places where it is difficult to shine...eliminate the smudge on my soul...you have unrestricted access to make the changes necessary. Jesus shine.

30Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

This was a working meeting. Two of the people who were pivotal people in Salvation History met and talked with you...talking of your death...talking of the fulfillment of things to come. These two figures whose deaths were shrouded with mystery and who were so important to the leadership of the people of God in the past...come to you at this pivotal time of your ministry.

I wonder if they had advise or were they in awe of what you were going to do? I suspect it was a surprise to even Moses that God's only son Messiah would be willing to submit to this ultimate act of giving.

32Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)

Peter opens mouth and inserts foot...into the middle of the mysterious and the majestic he wants to insert the mundane. Lord Jesus give me the grace to allow the mysterious and the majestic its place. I wonder if Peter was afraid, and just wanted to do something...anything but allow the power of the moment overwhelm him. I know that is me at my most awkward moments. Lord help.

34While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." 36When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

There was the need for commentary, explaination. Part of the reason for this incident was validation for the disciples...that they could know with certainty that you were the Christ...this came on the heels of Peter's knowledge of you as Messiah. It was the voice of the Father that sealed the disciples understanding of this incident...they would remember that voice forever.

Lord Jesus in this day, increase my ability to be transparent...shine through me in this day...in the travels of this day be with me...be in me...polish the glass of my soul so I can allow your brilliance to shine through.

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on Your throne
Crown You now with many crown
You reign victorious

Κύριος Notes

 Adoration

Amazing Grace 
How sweet the sound 
Amazing Love 
Now flowing down 
From hands and feet 
That were nailed to the tree 
As Grace flows down and covers me 


It covers me 
It covers me 
It covers me 
And covers me

²⁶If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 

Grace experienced and received is nothing to ever be ashamed of Lord Jesus.  You gave your life and I am here wondering all that means...it means that I need to be faithful in every environment that I find myself...that I you grace was given at a price...

You are coming back and everyday is an opportunity to live out my life in light of that fact.  In a day very near, you will come in glory and power...it will not be in a nativity scene but it will be with the host of heaven with victory in your wake and with an eternity to live with you.

I wonder sometimes how you would live this life that I find myself in...how would you deal with the issues of this hopeless, and empty time?  I know that you would find a way to find meaning and grace...Lord Jesus what changes would you make to my life?  What changes would you want to see in Living Springs Church?  What changes would you make in a moment and what changes would take time?

I want to bring glory not shame to your name...in church, in work, in the things that I do for fun...help...you know that with out your help in this moment none of that is possible. 

Lord Jesus--In the light of that day, help me face this present day...don't let me do anything that brings dishonor to your name. 

Playing nice in the sandbox...

I wrote this back in 2009 when Abby was much younger but the sand still flies from time to time. 


I spent time with Abby and her new friend Kaden.  They were playing the sand box and sand was flying.  It is what we expect when kids play.  I wonder why I expect anything less whenever humans get together...sand flies and it gets in our eyes and we think that if will never let us see again.

But we shed a few tears and we move on and know that the sand box is a place where we can expect to see the sand and the fur fly.

It isn't always fair...and it isn't the way that we like it...we learn from the whole thing...we learn that it is in the sand box that sand can fly but also it is in the sandbox where castles can be built.  In this life there is incredible beauty in the middle of such mess.  I choose to stay in the sandbox even when the sand flies.  Enjoy the sand and put up with the sand that flies...God can use it all both experiences to grow my soul.  That is the submission part, experience the sand flying and yet  trust that God is going to use it all for his kingdom's advanvr.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Sweetly Broken
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling

Of its suffering I do drink

Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed

Showed that God is loveAnd God is just
At the cross You beckon me

You draw me gently to my knees, and I am

Lost for words, so lost in love,

I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life

Have I been given

Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death

You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now through the cross I’m reconcile
In awe of the cross I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love and

How great is Your faithfulness

Scripture Reflections: Luke 9

Thoughts about Seeds
24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

In John 12 You said this way, Lord...

24"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

There is the picture of death bringing about life...a seed sown in soil does not choose where it is planted...the choice is with the One who sows the seed.

I might have chosen a different place to land if I were the one sowing me...but then you know best where I fit...you know best where I can grow...you know best the ground that I need to feed my quest after your will for my life.

There is the need to give up the seed's identity and lose itself in the very act of death bringing new life. that is the hard part to be willing to give up all that I have been to be all that you would have me to be.

Thoughts of the seed from underground...

It is dark down here. This ground that surrounds me is changing me I can sense that I am growing changing...never to be the same. Slowly but surely there is change and growth...but what will it be like when it is done. Will I even know who I am? Then there is the pressure...it is always there...not oppressive except when I really think about it. Pressure that is pushing on who I am...pushing on what forms me...pushing on the hopes for the future...pushing to allow change.

There is a breaking...of the outer husk and what will become roots start to dig deep...and what will become a tender shoot will quickly break for the light of day. There has to be breaking for there to be an ability to find the light...seeds don't know that when the earth is just covering them...all they know is there will be a breaking...

25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

So holding on to who I am...Lord...if I were able to make it work...What good does it do? if I am not with you when I get done.

You’ve called me out of death

You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath

Now through the cross I’m reconcile
In awe of the cross I must confess

How wondrous Your redeeming love and

How great is Your faithfulness

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

More Than A Friend
Jesus You're more than a friend

Jesus You're more than my heart

Could ever express

Your love and Your grace never fail me

Your merciful touch always heals me

You bring joy to my soul, joy to my soul

Scripture Reflection Luke 9

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Lord Jesus...the cross was in your mind and on your heart for the rest of your journey...

How do I take up my cross? The cross was the symbol of the Father's Will in your life. It was why you left heaven...it was a part of the plan, a part of the reason that God sustained the world in the first place. To take up the cross, I must first deny what I would like...or what I would plan for my life. The cross was a symbol of capital punishment and came to be a symbol of hope and grace.

What is the symbol of Your will for my life?

The thought of margin in life...the extra time and energy...and space to do stuff comes to mind. The extra bit of time that might go into a hobby or an interest...the time some people use for investing in the stock market, or rental housing on the side...You have asked for that time energy and space in my life Lord. I remember times when I turned down preaching in the past because I did no think that I would have time to prepare...I had not heard you call to use my margin time with you in control.

24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Saving and losing take on new meaning when the cross is clearly in view...You have asked not just for the a part of my heart...you have asked for all of it...the center...the margin...the whole thing...the interesting thing is as you have control of it all I am finding that there is always something to say....something that the Spirit has to communicate through me...sometimes in ways that I would not say if I had more energy or time to polish it more. Maybe that was a part of the problem in the past...just too much polish time....So I give you the whole life margin and middle with the hope that you can use it to Your Honor and glory.

So as I sit here in the Residence Inn in Raleigh listening to old jazz on the stereo in the common area I sense that you are here...You remind me that there are many ways to lose your life...sometimes it is in giving up life in one act...that was the way that I thought of it at one point...a event that once given was done.

I have come to think of the losing of my life for you more as an everyday act...of more getting lost in you...lost in your grace...lost in your hope, love and endurance for the task...then the losing will one day lead me to the place where time, space and energy will come from a throne surrounded by the legions of heaven"s hosts.

Lord Jesus--In this day as you work in my life and in the life of your Church live in me today. Draw those to Your house today that you would have there. Keep each of us in the center of your will... Remind me a new of the reality of Your touch, of Your love and Your grace...

Your love and Your grace never fail me

Your merciful touch always heals me

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

More Than A Friend
In the quiet of my soul

In the stillness I hear Your voice call

And I am overwhelmed

And I am lost for wordsTo describe You

Jesus You're more than a friend

Jesus You're more than my heart

Could ever express

Your love and Your grace never fail me

Your merciful touch always heals me

You bring joy to my soul, joy to my soul

My heart longs to worship You my king

And I long to bring You a pleasing offering

And I am overwhelmed

And I am lost for words

To describe You
--Jeremy Rddle

Scripture Reflections: Luke 9

21Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.

At this point the opposition was mounting to Your ministry Lord...the crowds loved you and the religious leadership didn't. There was a need to stay under the radar. There comes a point when people have been in opposition to the truth for just too long, and your only choice is to move in a new direction. Lord, I will follow...don't allow me to miss your leading...I want to be with you no matter where you lead.

22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

This was not the Christ that the disciples expected. The idea of Messiah suffering and dieing was just not what was in thier catagories...they could not grasp it.

Where are the places where I just don't get it, Lord? Places where your direction is in a differnt way than I expect or want to go? I am sure that the cross was not where you wanted to go, but you saw the direction of the Father and you obeyed.

I have the feeling there are more place than I would like to admit where my expectations are not yours...places where I need to change to be in step with your leading.

Jesus your love and your grace never fail me...you bring joy to my soul.

Even when my expectations need to change...even when it hurts to see them change...even when all of these words are statements of faith....and I am left wondering how they will ever come to past...your bring joy to my soul.

Lord Jesus--In this day show me the places where I need to change and I need to grow. Show me where your leading in this day.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Jesus Messiah

He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing
Love so amazing

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

Scripture Reflections Luke 9

¹⁸Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"

Lord Jesus if you spent time in prayer then, it must be very important...time that is spent in talking and time that is spent in listening. Was it something that the Father brought to mind that trigger this question of the disciples?

Or was it time to push it to the next step with these followers? It is time to push it to the next step with me?

¹⁹They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."

John and Elijah were of a kind and highly esteemed by the people. It was general knowledge that Elijah was to come before the Messiah as his messenger. Calling you a resurrected prophet showed their estimation and yet they did not mention Messiah.

It is one thing for me to value my relationship with You Lord. It is another step of faith to allow You to be Messiah and to be Lord of my life.

²⁰"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

The crowd was one thing they saw some of what You did, but the disciples spent day and night with you. They saw you even at the odd moments. Peter was there when you raised the widow's son in Nain, he was there when Jarius' daughter was raised from the dead. He knew in his heart who you were.

Lord Jesus--I am not sure that Peter knew all that it meant that you were Messiah. I am not sure I know on a street level all that means. Continue that teaching process in me. Help me to be open to your leading, and in your revealing of yourself to me each day. What would Jesus do? Let that question inform my decisions today.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

There Is None Like You 

I worship You, Almighty God,
there is none like You.
I worship You, oh Prince of Peace,
that is all I long to do.
I lift my hands for You are my righteousness.
I worship You, Almighty God;
there is none like You.

There is none like You,
no one else can touch
my heart like You do.
I could search for all eternity long and find, there is none like You.

Scripture Reflections Luke 9

¹⁰When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,

The disciples have just taken the next step in the spiritual formation, they had started what would in time become the church. It was time for some debriefing and discussion of what could be learned from their first attempt at ministry.

I wonder what pointers you must have given to them Lord Jesus...what were the issues that came up as you were walking with them to Bethsaida? There must have been excitement and over talking, back slapping and story telling of the journey.

¹¹but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Lord Jesus you do not overlook need. Your plans were changed by the needs of the crowd and the people who needed healing. I wonder if you were teaching as you were healing? The simple fact that the God of the Universe cares about my needs, my hopes, my sickness is something that I sometimes can not get my mind around. That may have been one of the most important lessons that you re=enforced with every healing that you performed.

What are the needs that you see in me that need your touch of healing Lord? Lord Jesus help me to see the needs that surround me...help me to be sensitive to the needs of the community that surrounds me, and to be willing to change my plans to meet those needs.

¹²Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."

¹³He replied, "You give them something to eat."

They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd." ¹⁴(About five thousand men were there.)

Lord Jesus, sometimes I want to make this relationship with you so spiritual. In the middle of that there is the real world...where there is sickness, there is hunger, there is hopelessness. there are hurting people. hurting marriages, hurting families. There is overwhelming need which can not be ignored. Your ministry was about what you could give, and the hunger of the crowd that day was a need that you wanted to see fulfilled.

But he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." ¹⁵The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. ¹⁶Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. ¹⁷They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve bucketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

This was a miracle of extension...you extended the amount of bread and fish that were available to feed the people. Luke doesn't tell us but this was a child's lunch that was made available for you to use. Maybe Luke didn't see where the fish and bread came from...but here it is for you use.

It seems like such a little thing, giving up a lunch for you Lord, but that small lunch was what you used to feed a crowd. It amazing me what you can do with the little that I have to give...you extent it beyond what I would ever think possible.

Lord Jesus in this day that is coming just a few hours from now, open my eyes to the need that surrounds me, and open my heart to the ways that you want to use me to see those needs met. Be close in this day.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Open My Eyes, Lord

Open my eyes, Lord
I want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch him.
To show him we love him.
Open my ears, Lord
And help me to listen.
Open my eyes, Lord
I want to see Jesus

Matt Hyam

Scripture Reflections Luke 9

⁷Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on.

Lord Jesus, Herod is ultimately such a sad figure. A man who gave everything to stay on his throne. He was the ultimate insider, a politician who would keep the pundits talking if he were alive in our day, and yet was on the outside of the most important events in history.

I want to be engaged up to my heart's capacity in the movement of Your Holy Spirit in my day Lord Jesus. I don't want to hear about it second hand, I want to see your Spirit working...and be a part of it. Work Holy Spirit in Living Springs Community Church with power, grace and glory.

And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.

Herod listened intently, from a distance he watched what was happening in Your ministry, Lord Jesus. Yet he did not and in a sense may have not been able to seek you out himself...he could not move away from the place that his own power and choices had made for himself. He was in a gilded cage, I will bet that he was so afraid of losing his place and his power that he could not leave his palace. He greatest success, his power was his prison.

Lord Jesus give me the courage to never be content to watch Your work from a distance. I give you permission to shape my life choices in a way that brings You glory even when it means losing in the present to gain in the eternal.

Herod was a prime example of gaining the world but losing his soul.

Luke 9: 24-25

24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

⁹But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him.

Herod had been touched by John. John's message to Herod, that cost John his life, was something that Herod thought about and ruminated over...Herod could not get away from his decision to kill the first prophet in 400 years. Herod was left with his guilt.

Lord, In this day help me to choose in light of the eternal, to live with You in mind each choice of the day.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

 Once Again

Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Matt Redman

Scripture Reflections Luke 9

¹When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ²and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

The disciples had watched Jesus for some time...they had heard him preach and seen the power of his healing ministry . It was time for the next step. The need was so great and the time was so short that there needed to be delegation of job duties and expansion.

Judas who would in the coming years betray Jesus was a part of the group that was able by the delegation of Christ's power to heal the sick and to cast out demons. It is sobering Lord Jesus to realize that Judas the betrayer had personal experience of Your power and glory and still walked away.

³He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. ⁴Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.

There was a custom of hospitality at that time. It was a time when there were very few inns or places to stay. Hospitality and taking care of travelers was expected. There was the expectation that the disciples would be taken care of. They were not to bring anything for the journey. Ministry when vital and life changing does not have to worry about money.The needs will be taken care of by the people who have received the blessing.

⁵If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." ⁶So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Alive ministry that is not accepted and supported by a community, says something about the community. What a change this ministry must have had on the area The impact of this outreach reached the ears of Herod the King.

Vital ministry changes the culture around it. The goal of ministry is not political agenda or the cause of the day. The goal of ministry is to change hearts to see healing and hope restored.

When I think about the culture I live in Lord Jesus, I realize the only real response is to pour out my life in the places that you have called me to.

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for

Brokenness is what I need

Brokenness, brokenness is what You want from me

So, take my heart and form it

Take my mind and transform it

Take my will and conform it To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Scripture Reflections Luke 8

49While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."

Lord Jesus the crowd that day thought that healing could only be accomplished this side of the grave. They did not expect nor did they envision that you could raise the dead. The limits of their faith was this side of the grave.

Where are the limits that I put on your ability to act Lord Jesus?

There are no limits to what you can do and will do with your people and in your church. The only limits are the ones that I put on you. Lord Jesus don't let me put boundaries around what you can do or are willing to do...

50Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

As he stood there next to You, What emotions and thoughts were going through this father's mind? Fear, must have been part of it...sadness, loss, grief and hurt were there also...struggling in the middle of it all to have faith that You could act on the behalf of his little one.

It is when I can allow You access into my heart, mind, and vision of what is possible ...while the fear, loss, sadness and hurt are still present...that is when soul work gets done. It is when I am able to allow you to use the hurt, loss, sadness and grief to Your glory that miracles can happen. You have to have access to my brokenness in order to have the room to act in power and grace.

Broken hearts can be healed...broken bodies mended, dead bodies brought back to life...it is not in my times of strength that You are free to act but in my weakness, in my need, in my inability to effect outcomes.

You asked Paul believe that You could use his weakness. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Corinthians 12:9 You used Paul's weakness, you used Jarius weakness...I am sure that you can use mine.

51When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.

It was the inner circle and the parents of this little girl who would be witnesses to your power to bring the power of death in half...to bring this girl back from beyond death.

52Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."

53They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!"

55Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Just four words...but what a difference they made in the life of this family. You are able to speak the words of power and grace in my life. There are astonishing things that you want to do in my life...

Lord Jesus work, Holy Spirit work in this day...speak the words of power and grace today.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Faithfulness, faithfulness
is what I long for
Faithfulness is what I need
Faithfulness, faithfulness is what
You want from me

So take my heart and form it
Take my mind, transform it
Take my will, conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Scripture Reflections Luke 8

40Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

Jarius was a leader in that community. He was inchage of the synagogue...he was someone who knew the law and who was in need.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

Interruptions can opportunities for You to work Lord. That is not the way that Jairus wanted this interchange to proceed. He was worried about his daughter. Enter this women, who in his mind was unclean...what does she have to stop Jesus for?

Lord Jesus remind me in the push and pull of the day what appear to be interuptions are opportunities for you to show your grace. It is in the middle of interruptions really that my ability to follow and to be faithful is lived out...in the middle of my stuff not getting done exactly the way that I would like it to...in the middle of it all trusting you to work and to lead and to protect.

Can you use the interruptions of life to bring about your will? there are times when the interludes are part of your communication to me. Lord Jesus in this situation this poor women was in desperate need and she took a risk right while important people were with you.

45"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

46But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

In the middle of the press of the crowd when people were pushing and shoving and the chaotic was all around...you could sense the touch of faith. Your attention is never overloaded Lord Jesus for the opportunity to affirm a hand reaching out with a touch of faith in it.

47Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.

Faith brought out into the real world should not go unnoticed. In fact for faith it be faith there must be an acknowledgment of the mountain that has been moved and who really did the moving.

48Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

It is faith in Jesus...that he can heal...that he can save...that he can transform...that he can make a difference...that heals.

So Lord what does this healing within a healing teach me? ...That nothing is unnoticed to You...that a part of fully developed faith is being willing to be noticed even when it is uncomfortable...that with you being on the way somewhere is just as important as getting to destination.

Lord Jesus,

In this day help me to be faithful in the journey, both in aiming at the destination but also to being aware of the interruptions along the way.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
Amazing Love
Now flowing down
From hands and feet
That were nailed to the tree
As Grace flows down and covers me

It covers me
It covers me
It covers me
And covers me

Scripture Reflections Luke 8

Reactions to Grace

34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

The reaction of the people to the work of God right in front of their eyes is telling. They were afraid. What were they afraid of? The man formerly known as Legion? Were they afraid of the changes that Jesus would bring?

Were they afraid of losing more money like the the pigs that ran into the sea and were drown...Were they afraid of the fact that if You could set this man free then maybe there was change that needed to take place in their lives...

The reality is Lord Jesus maybe they were just afraid of not being in control and of change that looked every bit as frightening as a mad man living in the tombs just outside of town.

Grace frightens me sometimes. It is so free, unearned and what if you show more grace to others than you have shown to me? It is that kind of thinking that somehow grace is limited and hard to come by that pushes me toward fear instead of faith.

36Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

If these people had only known that they asked the King of Glory to leave...they would have been even more afraid.

Lord Jesus sometimes I am afraid...Please don't go even when I am afraid...never leave, that is my prayer.Fear of the unknown and of the uncontrolled can lead me to places where I do not want to be...work in my heart and in my life as you see fit. In this day help me follow where ever you lead.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Scripture Reflections Luke 8

26They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.

Lord Jesus you went from the storm on the lake to the storm that raged in tthis man's heart and life. Your life was sometime a series of crisis one right after another. Sometimes it feels like I am a fireman...going from one fire to the next, from this part of Luke, it looks like that was what your life was like too.

It is very interesting that this man lived in the tombs. The end result that listening to the darkness and evil one is death, and this poor soul had forgotten that he did not yet belong living with the dead even though in a sense death was already inside him.

28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!"

Evil spirits know you Lord. They can see You coming from a distance. They can not endure the light. They do not question that You existence...they can not miss the light that You bring along with You where ever You come. I wonder if this Legion of evil spirit sensed Your presence even while You were in the middle of the storm?

29For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

Lord Jesus there is darkness that is just a step or two behind me...at my elbow at times...this man listened to the darkness and it lead him to lonely solitary places of imprisonment.

30Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

You have the power to free anyone, Lord Jesus. No one is beyond the touch of grace. Thank you for the power of your grace and love to transform anyone.

Thank you for the ways in which your grace has transformed me. Show Your power in the life of Living Springs...your power can quiet a storm of the sea, and a storm in the heart...transform by your grace the storms that rage around us into places where we can point to the display of your power... thank you for what you for what you have done already and for the coming acts of grace that are just around the next turn in the road.

Holy Spirit work in this day in my life and in the life of the church in power and grace. May we see captives set free and people restored to places of sanity and service by the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

Scripture Reflections:Luke 8

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

You knew before you left the side of the lake that there would be a storm, and still you were able to sleep while you were waiting...not worried...not concerned that you might drown. In the middle of water slashing at you feet You were catching z's...

Lord teach me that kind of trust that even as the cloud and wind take shape, even with my feet wet, I can still sleep,

24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

How many times have I hit the panic button instead of the faith button? The problem is it is not a button, there is no automatic way to grow faith, it is a process of growth. It is in the middle of the wind and the rain that faith has the chance to grow, In this storm the disciple missed out on the opportunity to grow. There would be other opportunities in the near future. Lord Jesus, where are the opportunities for my faith to grow right now...where am I missing out?

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

The honest answer is my faith is many times back on the shore during the teaching time when the wind is not screaming in my ears. You want to lead me Lord Jesus to the place where my faith is activated, engaged and enhanced by the storm.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

The wind and the waves obey the one who formed them. I seek to obey the One who formed me. In the next incident we will see that you are master of the storm that rage inside our souls as well as outside.

Lord Jesus, In the day that welcomes me help me to hear this prayer and make it real in my life:

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Wonderful Maker

No eye has fully seen how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard the faintest whispers
Of how great you are

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent your only son, for you are good

What a wonderful maker
What a wonderful savior
How majestic your whispers
And how humble your love
With a strength like no

Scripture Reflection: Luke 8

19Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd.

Family memories are strong ones. My family stories come to mind...camping trips, a broken down car on the side of Nevada highway, and the houses that were a apart of my history. I remember the simplicity of the time...I am sure that it was not simple for Mom and Dad. The feelings rush back as I think of them.

Lord Jesus, what feelings did you have as you saw your mother and brothers attempting to come to you through the crowd that day? The pull of the crowd at your elbow and their needs, blind people who needed to see, lame people who needed to walk, and the urgency of your Heavenly Father's call, it must have been confusion and grace all at once.

20Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you."

If those thoughts and feelings were there they are not what informed you response. Or at least that is not was included in your response to the crowd that day.

I wonder what memories and feelings flashed through your mind on that day? The smell of the saw dust and words of Joseph in you ears...

Could you feel the saw dust under you feet?

21He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

There was a transition that was going on that was real and that was tangible. You were enlarging Your family of reference. That family circle would include me 2000 or so years down the course of grace. Amazing.

What were the costs of that transition? The look in Your mother eyes...the look of Your brothers as they heard Your words...there is a cost for all of what You have given to your people. Grace is not given cheaply.

What are the transitions that I am going through right now? What are the ones that will come in the future? Some will be sure to be painful...all to be sure will be filled with and laced with grace, but none will be like the transitions that you made on my behalf.

Lord Jesus, Be with me during the mix in this coming day. Smooth over the transitions that wait for me just around the next curve. Thank you for Your grace to be revealed in this day.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration/Praise

Wonderful Maker
You spread out the skies over empty space

Said "let there be light"Into a dark and formless world

Your lightwas born

You spread out Your arms over empty hearts

Said "let there be light"

Into a dark and hopeless world

Your Sonwas born

You made the world and saw that it was good

You sent Your only son for You are good

Scripture Reflection Luke 8
16"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Lord Jesus You have shown your light into my heart. You didn't do that to have me hide the light that you have given. It is the how that is difficult sometimes. I wonder if the candle has that kind of problem. Does it think." I am not sure I feel comfortable about this. What if my light is not appreciated? What if they ingor me? What if I don't shine right?"

No! It just shines. So I need to just shine in the darkness that surrounds me...shine when the morning breaks...shine if the wind blows...shine the light that you have given.

17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

We can not hide the word that is inside, it will come out. I wonder if Nicodemus was listening to this teaching or maybe Joseph of Arimathea. In the end they found a way to shine for you Lord.

Remind me in the times when I would prefer to be under the radar that nothing that is hidden can stay that way long. Sercets conceled will be revealed and brought out into the light of day.

So shine, Kurt...

18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

Listening must be put into pratice, it must find action in the world where relevence is the measure of my effectiveness. I must listen and hear with all of my heart, the danger is that if I am not actualizing you word in the world, then my ability to hear the truth will be impacted.

Lord Jesus, In this day help me to live out what I have heard in your word. I need to see your word brought into the real world of push and shove, of pull and pinch...places where the reality of my relationship with you will be tested today. Let me live out you word, as You walk with me through this day.

Κύριος Notes

Adoration/Praise

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

Chris Tomlin

Scripture Reflection: Luke 8
4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."
When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,
" 'though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.

There are time when I understand and when I just don't get it Lord. I can not make sense out of the randomness of the events that shape Your work in my life. I miss the point and get lost and like Hansel and Gretel in the fable I loose the trail of the bread crumbs and end up in places that I never intended.

The fact that you continue to teach the people in parables...at a level that they could understand some what is encouraging to me. You did not abandon them you kept on attempting to communicate. Some of these same people would make up the early church in just a few short years...then the pieces of the puzzle would interlock and fall in place.
Lord Jesus I pray for the people who are a part of the Living Springs circle of concern that are just sorting out the pieces of their puzzle of faith...just trying to make sense out of the call of Your Holy Spirit on their life. Lord work in their hearts and their lives help them to see the trail of your grace in their lives.

11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Lord Jesus there is active intelligent evil that is on the prowl. I would like to ignore the signs of the battle that surround me. I would like to think that it is just my imagination that the forces of darkness dog our steps in this life. You remind me that there is active intelligent powerful evil that Your people are fighting against...and that at times wins the battle. Thank you that the war is already won...it was won on a cross...at an empty tomb...

13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
Lord Jesus there are times that continue to test our faith the reality is I have to invest energy in rooting myself in Your word, in thinking about, praying about and feeling my way through Your continued work in my life. I commit to continuing to rooting myself in You Lord Jesus.
14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Here is the one that I struggle with in the first decade of the 21^th century...it is the thorns and the worries and the stuff that surrounds me. Even rooting myself in the things of Your word and Your work will not stop this insidious process of silent and steady encroachment of the thorns that look so needed and necessary for my life.
Even good things...very good things...like job and tools and success can crowd out Your direction and desire for my growth and maturation process. Lord work in me..

15But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Persevering is just being who you have called me to be...and doing the hard work over time when there is not a lot of fun attached to the process, just the slow and steady nurturing process.

Lord Jesus let me hear the need for roots, let me heed the call to watching out and rooting out the thorns and weeds that would choke out maturity in my soul life, teach me the slow and steady lesson of persevering to produce the crop that will be ready at harvest time.