Thursday, August 31, 2006

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE!


Ezekiel 12; Ezekiel 13; Ezekiel 14; Revelation 5

Scripture


Revelation 5:11-14 “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Observation

I can’t even imagine what it will be like around the throne of God, but it sounds like it is going to be unbelievable! Thousands and thousands of angels singing, thousands and thousands of believers praising Him is to beyond our imagination! When I went to the Promise Keepers Rally in Washington D.C. the praise and worship at that moment was a little glimpse of maybe what it is going to be like in Heaven! God created us to praise Him. This past Sunday’s praise and worship at our church was also a small glimpse of Heaven.

Application

Heaven becomes more attractive everyday. I plan to give God praise all day today!


Prayer

Father, you are worthy of worship! Help me not to set up idols in my heart. I want you to be the priority of my life. Help me help our people worship you in a way that prepares all of us for Heaven!




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Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Invite God to Join Us in Our Circumstances!


Ezekiel 4; Ezekiel 5; Ezekiel 6; Ezekiel 7; Revelation 3

Scripture

Rev. 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Observation

Our small group is doing a four-week Bible study called, “The Way of the Worshiper”. Buddy Owens, one of the pastors at Saddleback Church is leading the study via a DVD presentation. He says that worship is when we ascribe value to God. How much do you value God? He suggests that we need to invite God into our circumstances. Are you in a crisis? Buddy Owens says, “Just worship God in your crisis”. We should live ours lives as an act of worship!

Application

I want to worship God 24/7. Not just on Sunday and not just during my devotional time or my quiet time I want it to be all day and all night!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be able to worship you no matter what. Don’t let me lose sight of you. I want my life to be an act of worship. I want to make you smile.



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Monday, August 28, 2006

Victory is Ours!


Ezekiel 1; Ezekiel 2; Ezekiel 3; Revelation 2


Scripture

Rev. 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Observation

Many Christians go around defeated and act like we lost the battle! All they have to do is turn to the book of Revelation to find out that we win! The Victory is Ours! We are Overcomers! Read the end of the book! 1 John 5:4 “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” WOW! Christians should respond differently to life’s problem than those that don’t know Christ! We are on the winning team!

Application


I need to practice claiming the victory! When fear of defeat enters my thoughts, I need to remind myself that I am on the winning team.


Prayer

Thank you, Heavenly Father for showing me how things will finally end up! Life is full of struggles and the battle is fierce, but the victory is ours! Thank you for the strength to fight the battle. Give me the energy I need for this week’s attacks! Help me to fight the good fight!


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Friday, August 25, 2006

Face to Face!

Jeremiah 37; Jeremiah 38; Jeremiah 39; Psalm 79; 2 John 1

Scripture

2 John 1:12 “I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”

Observation

Email is great, blogs are fun, letters are good, telephone calls are ok, but sometimes there is nothing better than talking to someone face to face! Some things just can’t be expressed correctly unless you are face to face. When you communicate face to face the person gets to see your body language and you get to see theirs! It is easier to communicate clearly when you talk face to face. Especially when what you are sharing is going to bring JOY!

Application

I meet with some guys every Thursday for breakfast and I meet with some pastors every Wednesday for lunch. It is great to talk to these guys face to face. I have some other folks that I need to meet with this week and a phone call just won’t do.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, I look forward to the day when I can talk to you face to face!



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Thursday, August 24, 2006

God’s Phone Number “Jeremiah 33:3”

Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5

Scripture

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Observation

We do have a direct line to God.

Jeremiah 33:3 has been called “God’s Phone Number”. Talk to me God says and I will tell you some great incredible stuff. I will answer you if you talk to me! This verse has come to my mind many times when I have thought about talking to my Heavenly Father. 1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. Then he goes on to say that because he hears us we know that we have what we asked him! What great promises!


Application

I need to ask big! I have a huge God that is more than able to answer me and he wants me to ask big!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am calling on you right now. Do mighty things at our church. Do wonderful things in the life of our people. Help us to ask you for things that are in your will so you can give us what we ask! Thank you for being such a great provider! I pray that this weekend service bring you glory and honor. May lives be changed through the testimonies that will be shared.


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Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Nothing is Too Hard For My God!

Jeremiah 31; Jeremiah 32; 1 John 4

Scripture


Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?


Observation



Is there anything too hard for God?

When God created the universe, when He created the Earth and everything in it He didn’t get tired and it wasn’t something that exhausted Him. He is All Powerful. Everything is easy for Him. I heard the story about a teacher that asked a class, “Is there anything too hard for God?” A little boy asked, “Can God make a rock so big that He couldn’t pick it up?” God can heal someone with cancer, create a new planet or star, or raise someone from the dead and it is all easy for Him.


Application

Nothing that I am facing in my life is too difficult for God to handle. Nothing is too big and nothing is too small for God. He is my Heavenly Father that cares for me.



Prayer


Heavenly Father, there are a few things in my life right now that seem impossible. I am reminded today that nothing is too hard for you. Impossible is not in your vocabulary. Help me today to roll my cares over on to you so that you can handle them for me. Thank you for not being too tired this morning to listen to me, and thank you for being strong enough to take care of all of my needs!



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Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Extravagant Love!

Jeremiah 28; Jeremiah 29; Jeremiah 30; 1 John 3

Scripture

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

1 John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

Observation

These two passages were just too good to pass up so I have to write about both of them. Jeremiah’s words to the remnant of Israel and John’s words in I John reflect God’s heart for us. God has plans for us. Plans so great that they are beyond our comprehension! In I John the Apostle John says that God lavishes his love on us. In our small group Bible study that we had last night we learned that it is the Prodigal Father rather than the Prodigal son in the parable found in Luke 15! God pours out His love on us. He is extravagant with His love.


Application

I want to share these two passages with someone this week that has the wrong idea about what God is like.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me find someone to share the Good News of your Wonderful Love. Thank you for being so extravagant with your Love, with your Mercy, with your Grace. Thank you that I can be called a child of God.



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Monday, August 21, 2006

A Heart to Know God!

Jeremiah 21; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 27; Psalm 118; 1 John 2

Scripture

Jeremiah 24:7 “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.”

Observation

God tells Jeremiah that He is going to give the remnant that is in exile a “heart to know Him”. When I pray for people that do not know Christ I ask God to give them a heart that will want to know Him.


Application

I will not give up praying for my family and my friends that do not know Christ. I will continue to ask God to give them a heart to know Him!


Prayer

Heavenly Father, please help me never to stop praying for those that do not know you and those that are not walking with you. Please save those in my family that are walking in darkness. Please give them a “Heart to know you”!



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Saturday, August 19, 2006

What About Them?

Jeremiah 45; Jeremiah 46; Jeremiah 47; Psalm 105; John 21

Scripture

John 21:20 “Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them--the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, "Lord, who among us will betray you?" 21Peter asked Jesus, "What about him, Lord?"

Observation

Isn’t it human nature that when God begins to speak to us about doing something we begin to look to see what the folks around us are doing! Peter was just asked 3 times, Peter, do you love me? Peter, do you love me? Peter, do you love me? Peter finally responded, “Lord you know that I love you”. Then after Peter was told by Jesus, “Follow Me” Peter asked Jesus, “Well what about him Lord”. Jesus told Peter, “Don’t worry about him, you “Follow Me”.

Application

I can’t worry about what other people are doing or not doing. God has called me to do certain things and I don’t need to fret over what others are not doing. I need to concentrate on what God has told me to do.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be obedient to what you tell me to do. It doesn’t matter how many other people are there to help. Help me to be faithful to you. Help me serve and try to please an audience of One! I love you.



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Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Pray for One Another!

Scripture

John 17:20
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

Observation

Jesus prayed for me! He also continues to pray for me! Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” I didn’t deserve to be saved. I still don’t deserve the salvation that I have. Jesus loves me just as I am. He prays for me so that I don’t stay just as I am! Prayer and intercession was so important to Jesus.


Application

Jesus is interceding right now for me. I need to follow his example and intercede for others. It is our most important work!


Prayer


Father, thank you for letting me know through your Word that Jesus continues to talk to you on my behalf. Please bring to my mind the people that I need to pray for.
Blessed!

2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

Scripture

Psalm 112:1 “Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.”

Observation

Blessed is the man that fears the Lord. The rest of the Psalm is filled with how God blesses someone that fears Him. He says that his children will be mighty. He will not fear hearing bad news because his heart is secure and steadfast. He will have victory over his enemies.

Application

I am blessed. I can’t begin to count all the ways that God has blessed me. I plan to thank God all day long for His goodness and for all his blessings.


Prayer

Father, thank you for blessing me with a wonderful wife and family. Thank you for blessing me with so many grandchildren. Thank you for blessing me with so many good friends. You have been so good to me!


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Monday, August 14, 2006

Trouble, Trouble, Trouble, with Peace!

Jeremiah 16; Jeremiah 17; Psalm 96; John 16

Scripture


John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Observation

Jesus is getting ready to go to the cross to die in our place. He is telling his disciples that even though they would be left to live in a world filled with trouble, he would give them peace. He would provide peace right in the middle of trouble. Life is tough! Life is full of trouble! I am glad that Jesus can give us a perfect peace in spite of all of our problems!

Application

Over and over again in John 14 - 16 Jesus says that he is leaving a Comforter (the Holy Spirit) so that we could have joy and peace in the midst of life’s difficulties. We need to place our faith and trust in Him.


Prayer

Father, help me to put my complete faith and trust in your Word. I won’t to experience your peace and your joy in the midst of all my problems and struggles. Thank you for telling me that I can ask anything in your Name and you will provide it. You are a Mighty Provider!


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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Light, Love, Life

Jeremiah 10; Jeremiah 11; Jeremiah 12; John 14

John 12, 13, 14


Scripture

John 12:35 “Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light."


John 13:34" A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”


Observation

In Chapter 12 Jesus says that He is Light. He said that we should become sons of light. He wants that light spread out all over Tampa, because we live in a dark place! In Chapter 13 He commands us to love one another and those people that live in darkness will know that we are his disciples because of our love for one another! The Jesus sums it all up in Chapter 14 by declaring that He is the only way to God the Father. He is eternal life.


Application


I need to realize that the world is watching me. They will know if I am a disciple of Jesus Christ by the love I show other Christians! Wow!

Prayer

Father, help me to be the light to the world around me. Help me to love others deeply. Help me to express that love in such a way that it brings people to a saving knowledge of you. You are wonderful.


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Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Do You Believe This?

Jeremiah 3; Jeremiah 4; John 11

Scripture


John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Observation

The question at the end of verse 26 is one of the most important four word questions that we could ever be asked! “Do you believe this”? Do you believe that Jesus Christ can save you and give you eternal life? Do you believe He can? Do you believe this? Martha and Mary both thought that if Jesus had been there before Lazarus had died that Jesus could have healed him. They knew that Jesus worked miracles. But to bring a dead brother back to life after being dead for 3 days could they believe that? Jesus wanted to show that He has power over death and decay, and that nothing is too hard for him. I would have liked to be there when he called Lazarus by name and told him to come out! Wow! One day that very same thing will happen to us! We will be resurrected and given a new body!

Application

I need to share my faith. I need to ask the question, “Do you believe this”?


Prayer

Father, help me share my faith. Help me to ask penetrating questions like Jesus did to Martha and Mary. Give me the faith I need to serve you today with my whole heart!

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Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Ah, Sovereign LORD!


Jeremiah 1; Jeremiah 2; John 10

Scripture

Jeremiah 1:5-6 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." “Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.”



Observation

God is Sovereign! He rules! He is in control. His plan for your life and my life started before the earth was created! God told Jeremiah that before Jeremiah’s mother even thought of having a baby God had already mapped out Jeremiah’s future. In John 10:28, Jesus says that He gives His sheep eternal life and they shall never perish. They are completely safe in His Father’s hand.


Application

God knew me before I ever existed. I existed in the mind and heart of God before the creation of the earth! He is Sovereign! He is in control. He knows every need that I have and He can take care of every problem that comes my way!

Prayer

Lord, you are Awesome! Thank you for including me in you master plan for planet earth! Thank you that I am safe in your hand! Thank you for eternal life. Help me to know and to fulfill your plan and purpose for my life!

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Monday, August 07, 2006

Now I Can See!


Zephaniah 1; Zephaniah 2; Zephaniah 3; John 9

Scripture

John 9:25 “He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"


Observation

What a testimony! There was a time in my life when I was spiritually blind, but now I can see! Jesus healed this man and the man didn’t even know who Jesus was. He just knew that Jesus had healed him. We don’t have to know everything about the Bible to be able to say, “look what Jesus has done in my life”.

Application

I want to be able to share my testimony with someone this week! May God be glorified through what he has done in my life!


Prayer

Lord, help me to share my testimony this week with someone. Use my testimony to draw someone closer to you. I pray that you would be glorified this week through my life. Thank you for allowing me to see!


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Sunday, August 06, 2006

SORRY NO BLOGGING UNTIL WE GET MOVED!

I AM KEEPING UP WITH MY JOURNALING, BUT HAVEN'T INSTALLED THE COMPUTER AT HOME YET!

LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE STARTED JOURNALING ON-LINE! I WANT TO READ WHAT YOU ARE GETTING OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES!

LOVE,

EDDY

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

This Man Really Is The Savior of The World!


2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4

Scripture

John 4:42 “They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."


Observation

The Samaritan Woman was probably known by her many marriages and ungodly life style! Jesus made a trip through Samaria just so she could have a changed life. He did not condemn her for the five marriages or for her sinful lifestyle. He shared with her that she could have “Living Water”, that she could have an eternal relationship with God by trusting Jesus. She listened to Jesus and trusted in Him. Then she ran back to the city and told everyone about what had happened to her. The folks came out from the city to meet Jesus and many of them became believers!


Application

Jesus went out of his way to share the Good News with the Samaritan Woman. No sinner is too bad to come to Christ! I need to look for folks like the “Samaritan Woman” and share Christ with them.


Prayer

Father, help me to look for people that need the Gospel. Give me your heart, your eyes, and the willingness to go out of my way to share your Good News!


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Tuesday, August 01, 2006

“I” Must Become Less

Isaiah 65; Isaiah 66; Psalm 62; John 3


Scripture

John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.


Observation

John the Baptist was amazing. Have you ever thought about how it must have felt for John to have Jesus arrive on the scene and take his place of leadership! His disciples began to leave him and follow Jesus. Jesus began to have more people following him than John. John realized that Jesus must become greater and he must become less. AMAZING! David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas are great examples for us to follow. Jonathan recognized God’s hand on David and gave David his throne, Barnabas let Paul take the lead once they began their ministry together! So we don’t always have to be the boss!


Application

I need to be a “Barnabas” and help others become great leaders. And I need to have the servant heart of John the Baptist and become less and allow others to become greater!


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for guys like John the Baptist, Paul and Barnabas, and David and Jonathan! Help me to have a heart like their’s!


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