Acting in Good Faith!
Judges 9; Judges 10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16
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Scripture
Judges 9
19 “If you have acted honorably and in good faith toward Gideon and his descendants today, then may you find joy in Abimelech, and may he find joy in you. 20 But if you have not acted in good faith, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech!”
Observation
Doing something out of good faith is super important like we can see in the negative example of Abimelech who chose to act out of bad faith. Why we do what we do is super important because the motivation for the action comes either out of good faith or bad faith. It is obvious to me that killing the 70 sons of Gideon was not acting in good faith and Jotham was actually pronouncing a curse on Abimelech and the town leaders for this horrendous act. Setting himself up as king was also a terrible thing to do even if he had not killed the 70 sons.
We need to question our motives and ask ourselves why we do what we do. Why are we going to church? Why am I teaching this class? Why am I saying this about this person? Is what I am getting ready to do motivated by good faith? “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it,” says the prophet Jeremiah. Even some of our generous gestures can be made out of bad faith instead of the good stuff. That is why we need to guard our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.”
Application
I will strive today to do things out of good faith. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked so help me guard my heart today. Don’t let me do something out of bad faith. Show me what you would have me to do today. Direct my thoughts and help me to do things for the right motive. I pray for my brother Rick today. I pray that you find him the perfect job. I pray that you find he and Julie the perfect place to worship. Meet the deep needs of their lives so that they may bring you honor and glory. Amen.
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Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Victory Over Sin and Death!
Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 15
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Observation
Won’t it be wonderful when we don’t have to put up with the influence of sin? If 95% of all evil is brought about by God giving man the free will to make the choice to sin or to walk in obedience with God and as a result most of the pain and suffering we experience comes from man choosing sin over God then without its influence life will be indescribable!
One day all of sin’s terrible influence will be over and we (all that have a personal relationship with Christ) will have new glorified bodies, bodies that will last forever. When Christ returns sin/evil will be defeated, in fact the victory is ours already we just haven’t had the chance to enjoy it yet. One day all of this evil and suffering will be over.
Why doesn’t God put an end to all evil right now? Good question…one of the reasons is there are still people that need to hear the Good News and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. 2 Peter 3:9 “God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.” (Message)
Application
I will take this verse as a word of encouragement today to keep pressing on for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, It is hard not to get discouraged when we look around and see so much evil, so much destruction, and so much brokenness. Help me to be strong, immovable and enthusiastic in the Lord. Give me the ability to look beyond the suffering to see You at work in the lives of those that are suffering. I know that not one thing goes on without your noticing it. I pray for our church that it be spiritually healthy so that it can fight the powers of darkness. I pray that it be pure and not contaminated with the influence of sin. May lives be changed today during our worship services and Sunday School. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 15
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Observation
Won’t it be wonderful when we don’t have to put up with the influence of sin? If 95% of all evil is brought about by God giving man the free will to make the choice to sin or to walk in obedience with God and as a result most of the pain and suffering we experience comes from man choosing sin over God then without its influence life will be indescribable!
One day all of sin’s terrible influence will be over and we (all that have a personal relationship with Christ) will have new glorified bodies, bodies that will last forever. When Christ returns sin/evil will be defeated, in fact the victory is ours already we just haven’t had the chance to enjoy it yet. One day all of this evil and suffering will be over.
Why doesn’t God put an end to all evil right now? Good question…one of the reasons is there are still people that need to hear the Good News and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. 2 Peter 3:9 “God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.” (Message)
Application
I will take this verse as a word of encouragement today to keep pressing on for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, It is hard not to get discouraged when we look around and see so much evil, so much destruction, and so much brokenness. Help me to be strong, immovable and enthusiastic in the Lord. Give me the ability to look beyond the suffering to see You at work in the lives of those that are suffering. I know that not one thing goes on without your noticing it. I pray for our church that it be spiritually healthy so that it can fight the powers of darkness. I pray that it be pure and not contaminated with the influence of sin. May lives be changed today during our worship services and Sunday School. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Saturday, March 29, 2008
“Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”
Judges 6; Judges 7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14
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Scripture
Judges 6
12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”
Observation
The Mighty hero is of course Gideon and you really need to take a minute and read the entire chapter about the making of a Mighty hero! I think that it will encourage you in your spiritual walk today. When the angel of the Lord found Gideon he was hiding in the bottom of a wine press from the Midianites trying to thresh some wheat. Gideon was the least in his family and his tribe was the least significant in Israel at least that is what he told the angel of the Lord.
God was extremely patient with Gideon as you might remember. Gideon was the one that put out the fleece, not once but twice. Finally God showed Gideon that yes he was a Mighty hero and God put Gideon to a huge test. Gideon had an army of 22,000 fighting men but God told him that the army was too big. He told Gideon to ask the soldiers if they were scared and if they were scared they should go home so 12,000 were scared and went back home. God then said that 10,000 were still too many. He told Gideon to have the warriors drink water from a stream and the ones that drank water using a cupped hand were 300 and the rest of the 12,000 just stuck their heads in the water to drink. God said to send all home except the 300 that drank water with a cupped hand and God said that He would win the battle with the 300.
The Mighty hero went to battle with the 300 + God and won the battle! Gideon was indeed a Mighty warrior. God + one is a majority! It reminds me of what Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Gideon is also found in the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter in Hebrews 11.
Application
With God on our side we too can be Mighty heroes!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for putting this story in the Bible to encourage us. It doesn’t matter if we are outnumbered as long as you are on our side. Help us not to become discouraged as we watch what is happening to our country. Lord, raise up a strong Mighty hero that will lead us and Lord raise up strong voices in our churches that will give our country hope, courage, and direction. Silence men that preach hate and prejudice and use your church to bring people together. Please raise up Mighty heroes Lord. Amen.
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Judges 6; Judges 7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Judges 6
12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”
Observation
The Mighty hero is of course Gideon and you really need to take a minute and read the entire chapter about the making of a Mighty hero! I think that it will encourage you in your spiritual walk today. When the angel of the Lord found Gideon he was hiding in the bottom of a wine press from the Midianites trying to thresh some wheat. Gideon was the least in his family and his tribe was the least significant in Israel at least that is what he told the angel of the Lord.
God was extremely patient with Gideon as you might remember. Gideon was the one that put out the fleece, not once but twice. Finally God showed Gideon that yes he was a Mighty hero and God put Gideon to a huge test. Gideon had an army of 22,000 fighting men but God told him that the army was too big. He told Gideon to ask the soldiers if they were scared and if they were scared they should go home so 12,000 were scared and went back home. God then said that 10,000 were still too many. He told Gideon to have the warriors drink water from a stream and the ones that drank water using a cupped hand were 300 and the rest of the 12,000 just stuck their heads in the water to drink. God said to send all home except the 300 that drank water with a cupped hand and God said that He would win the battle with the 300.
The Mighty hero went to battle with the 300 + God and won the battle! Gideon was indeed a Mighty warrior. God + one is a majority! It reminds me of what Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Gideon is also found in the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter in Hebrews 11.
Application
With God on our side we too can be Mighty heroes!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for putting this story in the Bible to encourage us. It doesn’t matter if we are outnumbered as long as you are on our side. Help us not to become discouraged as we watch what is happening to our country. Lord, raise up a strong Mighty hero that will lead us and Lord raise up strong voices in our churches that will give our country hope, courage, and direction. Silence men that preach hate and prejudice and use your church to bring people together. Please raise up Mighty heroes Lord. Amen.
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Friday, March 28, 2008
Love Is…
Judges 4; Judges 5; Psalm 39; Psalm 41; 1 Corinthians 13
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 13
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”.
Observation
God’s love is taking a bad wrap these days by some folks.
They think that they can rationalize their lust for someone outside of their marriage relationship and call it love. The verses listed above talk about God’s love and it is the kind of love that we are to have towards everyone. It is a selfless love.
A best friend told me one time, “I just don’t love my wife anymore and can’t even make myself have sex with her, but I am really in love with this woman I work with.” I told this friend, “Too bad, you are married to __________ she is your wife… end of conversation”. But he wanted to rationalize that his lust affair with the other woman was somehow ok. Many months later this friend called me to tell me that he was returning to his wife and would try to get his marriage back together. He told me that he had been so wrong and asked me to forgive him. He had to get things right with the other woman, with his children, with his wife, and people in his church. Today he is very happily married to the woman that he told me that he didn’t love anymore. He and his wife now do marriage conferences and they travel all over the world doing mission work together.
God is so good.
Application
I will maintain my boundaries with folks of the opposite sex and I will always try to love my wife as Christ loves the church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help those that have been deceived to think that lust is love. Open their eyes and restore their marriages. I pray that you give them a clear understanding of your word today. Keep me from doing the same thing. I know that I am very capable of falling into the same kind of sin. Give me strength today to confront in love those violating their marriage covenant and trying to call it love. Open their eyes to the Truth of your word. Bring correction today so that they might enjoy the life that you have called them to. In Jesus Name…amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Judges 4; Judges 5; Psalm 39; Psalm 41; 1 Corinthians 13
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 13
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”.
Observation
God’s love is taking a bad wrap these days by some folks.
They think that they can rationalize their lust for someone outside of their marriage relationship and call it love. The verses listed above talk about God’s love and it is the kind of love that we are to have towards everyone. It is a selfless love.
A best friend told me one time, “I just don’t love my wife anymore and can’t even make myself have sex with her, but I am really in love with this woman I work with.” I told this friend, “Too bad, you are married to __________ she is your wife… end of conversation”. But he wanted to rationalize that his lust affair with the other woman was somehow ok. Many months later this friend called me to tell me that he was returning to his wife and would try to get his marriage back together. He told me that he had been so wrong and asked me to forgive him. He had to get things right with the other woman, with his children, with his wife, and people in his church. Today he is very happily married to the woman that he told me that he didn’t love anymore. He and his wife now do marriage conferences and they travel all over the world doing mission work together.
God is so good.
Application
I will maintain my boundaries with folks of the opposite sex and I will always try to love my wife as Christ loves the church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help those that have been deceived to think that lust is love. Open their eyes and restore their marriages. I pray that you give them a clear understanding of your word today. Keep me from doing the same thing. I know that I am very capable of falling into the same kind of sin. Give me strength today to confront in love those violating their marriage covenant and trying to call it love. Open their eyes to the Truth of your word. Bring correction today so that they might enjoy the life that you have called them to. In Jesus Name…amen.
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Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Body of Christ…The Church!
Judges 1; Judges 2; Judges 3; 1 Corinthians 12
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 12
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
Observation
The body of Christ, the church is amazing. Have you given much thought to the complexity of the church? God has made each member unique and each member has a gift that benefits others in the church. The gift that God has given a believer is for the body’s benefit and not for his or her own person.
When the body of Christ is functioning the way it should it is a beautiful thing, but when you have a few key people that are only concerned about themselves it takes the life right out of a fellowship!
Faithful people that are using their God given gift or gifts are a blessing to the church and they are a joy to the pastor. I have someone at our church that arrives early every Sunday to unlock all of the buildings and turn on the air conditioning or heat and probably most of the people in the church don’t even know that he does this ministry, but he is a joy to me. I know that I can count on him. I have a sound team that always arrive early on Sunday mornings and a small group of Sunday School leaders that faithfully arrive early just to make sure everything is ready for folks when it is time to start.
Application
I will write notes today to some of my most faithful people to thank them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us so many different gifts in the church. Thank you for those folks that love to use their gift(s) to help the body. Help those that just don’t understand that life is not all about them to begin to use their gifts to help others. Help me to model a servant’s heart in the way I serve the people of our church. Thank you for our church and the wonderful people that you have led to be a part of it. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Judges 1; Judges 2; Judges 3; 1 Corinthians 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12
One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
Observation
The body of Christ, the church is amazing. Have you given much thought to the complexity of the church? God has made each member unique and each member has a gift that benefits others in the church. The gift that God has given a believer is for the body’s benefit and not for his or her own person.
When the body of Christ is functioning the way it should it is a beautiful thing, but when you have a few key people that are only concerned about themselves it takes the life right out of a fellowship!
Faithful people that are using their God given gift or gifts are a blessing to the church and they are a joy to the pastor. I have someone at our church that arrives early every Sunday to unlock all of the buildings and turn on the air conditioning or heat and probably most of the people in the church don’t even know that he does this ministry, but he is a joy to me. I know that I can count on him. I have a sound team that always arrive early on Sunday mornings and a small group of Sunday School leaders that faithfully arrive early just to make sure everything is ready for folks when it is time to start.
Application
I will write notes today to some of my most faithful people to thank them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us so many different gifts in the church. Thank you for those folks that love to use their gift(s) to help the body. Help those that just don’t understand that life is not all about them to begin to use their gifts to help others. Help me to model a servant’s heart in the way I serve the people of our church. Thank you for our church and the wonderful people that you have led to be a part of it. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
What’s Up With So Much Evil?
Joshua 23; Joshua 24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11
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Scripture
Psalm 44
4 You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.
6 I do not trust in my bow;
I do not count on my sword to save me.
7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
8 O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name.
Interlude
9 But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.
You no longer lead our armies to battle.
10 You make us retreat from our enemies
and allow those who hate us to plunder our land.
11 You have butchered us like sheep
and scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold your precious people for a pittance,
making nothing on the sale.
13 You let our neighbors mock us.
We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
14 You have made us the butt of their jokes;
they shake their heads at us in scorn.
15 We can’t escape the constant humiliation;
shame is written across our faces.
16 All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
All we see are our vengeful enemies.
17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
We have not violated your covenant.
18 Our hearts have not deserted you.
We have not strayed from your path.
19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.
You have covered us with darkness and death.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
21 God would surely have known it,
for he knows the secrets of every heart.
22 But for your sake we are killed every day;
we are being slaughtered like sheep.
Observation
Do you have the answer to evil and suffering? Joshua told the children of Israel that God would bless them if they kept his commandments, but He would bring disaster on them if they disobeyed. But this Psalm is talking about affliction and suffering even though they were staying true to the Lord.
Jesus gave us at least a partial answer to this in John 16:33 when He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
We are going to experience suffering, affliction, pain, and persecution as Christ-followers, but we need to take heart because Jesus has given us the victory.
Someone has said that 95% of all pain and suffering is caused by moral evil brought on by man himself and only 5% is what we would call natural evil (hurricane, disease, natural disasters). Most of the pain we experience on a daily basis is caused by the sinfulness of man.
Why doesn’t God do away with evil and suffering? One day He will, but one reason that He doesn’t is because there are still evil people in this world that are lost and need a saving relationship with Him. So He is patient and puts up with evil (for a little longer) so that you and I might be saved.
Application
My trust will be in the Lord today and not in myself. He will be my strength.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to look back over my life to remember how good you have been to me. I am so blessed. Help me to love evil people, the people that are not easy to love and help me to look beyond their meanness to see their need for a Savior. Thank you for showing me that my focus needs to be on you and not on the troubles of this world. You are a Mighty God. You are my Rock. Help me to bring you glory today. Amen.
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Joshua 23; Joshua 24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 44
4 You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.
6 I do not trust in my bow;
I do not count on my sword to save me.
7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
8 O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name.
Interlude
9 But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.
You no longer lead our armies to battle.
10 You make us retreat from our enemies
and allow those who hate us to plunder our land.
11 You have butchered us like sheep
and scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold your precious people for a pittance,
making nothing on the sale.
13 You let our neighbors mock us.
We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
14 You have made us the butt of their jokes;
they shake their heads at us in scorn.
15 We can’t escape the constant humiliation;
shame is written across our faces.
16 All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
All we see are our vengeful enemies.
17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
We have not violated your covenant.
18 Our hearts have not deserted you.
We have not strayed from your path.
19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.
You have covered us with darkness and death.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
21 God would surely have known it,
for he knows the secrets of every heart.
22 But for your sake we are killed every day;
we are being slaughtered like sheep.
Observation
Do you have the answer to evil and suffering? Joshua told the children of Israel that God would bless them if they kept his commandments, but He would bring disaster on them if they disobeyed. But this Psalm is talking about affliction and suffering even though they were staying true to the Lord.
Jesus gave us at least a partial answer to this in John 16:33 when He said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
We are going to experience suffering, affliction, pain, and persecution as Christ-followers, but we need to take heart because Jesus has given us the victory.
Someone has said that 95% of all pain and suffering is caused by moral evil brought on by man himself and only 5% is what we would call natural evil (hurricane, disease, natural disasters). Most of the pain we experience on a daily basis is caused by the sinfulness of man.
Why doesn’t God do away with evil and suffering? One day He will, but one reason that He doesn’t is because there are still evil people in this world that are lost and need a saving relationship with Him. So He is patient and puts up with evil (for a little longer) so that you and I might be saved.
Application
My trust will be in the Lord today and not in myself. He will be my strength.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to look back over my life to remember how good you have been to me. I am so blessed. Help me to love evil people, the people that are not easy to love and help me to look beyond their meanness to see their need for a Savior. Thank you for showing me that my focus needs to be on you and not on the troubles of this world. You are a Mighty God. You are my Rock. Help me to bring you glory today. Amen.
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sing Praises to Our King, Sing Praises!
Joshua 21; Joshua 22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalms 47
1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
Shout to God with joyful praise!
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
5 God has ascended with a mighty shout.
The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm!
8 God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.
9 The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.
Observation
Do you enjoy watching praise videos on www.godtube.com like I do? I try to watch one every day after I finish my daily Bible reading. It helps me praise my God. Our choir this past Easter Sunday led our church in a special worship celebration with the musical “The Cross”. They used music to preach a powerful message of Christ death, burial, and resurrection. They did a great job!
I love Christian music of almost every variety even some Christian rap. I love the great hymns (upbeat) and I love contemporary praise and worship music. God has put music and singing in our hearts and He wants us to sing praises to Him.
Application
I will sing praises to the Lord today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for music. Thank you for musicians. I love to hear bands today like Mercy Me, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and I love to hear choirs and praise teams. I love to hear children singing praises to you. You are worthy to be Praised. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are a Mighty God and a Mighty Tower and Fortress. I will sing to you today! Amen.
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Joshua 21; Joshua 22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalms 47
1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
Shout to God with joyful praise!
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
5 God has ascended with a mighty shout.
The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm!
8 God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.
9 The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.
Observation
Do you enjoy watching praise videos on www.godtube.com like I do? I try to watch one every day after I finish my daily Bible reading. It helps me praise my God. Our choir this past Easter Sunday led our church in a special worship celebration with the musical “The Cross”. They used music to preach a powerful message of Christ death, burial, and resurrection. They did a great job!
I love Christian music of almost every variety even some Christian rap. I love the great hymns (upbeat) and I love contemporary praise and worship music. God has put music and singing in our hearts and He wants us to sing praises to Him.
Application
I will sing praises to the Lord today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for music. Thank you for musicians. I love to hear bands today like Mercy Me, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and I love to hear choirs and praise teams. I love to hear children singing praises to you. You are worthy to be Praised. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are a Mighty God and a Mighty Tower and Fortress. I will sing to you today! Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2008
So Run to Win!
Joshua 18; Joshua 19; Joshua 20; 1 Corinthians 9
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 9
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Observation
Life is a race so let’s run to win! How are you doing so far? Do you plan to finish well? I do. I want to finish this race well. I don’t want to get myself disqualified by doing something stupid. Just before these verses Paul said that everything he does he does in a way to win people to Christ. When he was with the Jews he acted like a Jew and when he was with the Gentiles he acted like a Gentile it is a good model for us isn’t it.
Application
I need to find a guy that needs a relationship with Jesus and find common ground with him. I hope he wants to go fishing and not play golf!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I do want to finish this race well. I want to be a strong witness to guys that are lost. Direct me to a guy that needs a relationship with you and then help me find common ground with him. Don’t let me fall into sin and mess up my life. I want to finish well. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Joshua 18; Joshua 19; Joshua 20; 1 Corinthians 9
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 9
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Observation
Life is a race so let’s run to win! How are you doing so far? Do you plan to finish well? I do. I want to finish this race well. I don’t want to get myself disqualified by doing something stupid. Just before these verses Paul said that everything he does he does in a way to win people to Christ. When he was with the Jews he acted like a Jew and when he was with the Gentiles he acted like a Gentile it is a good model for us isn’t it.
Application
I need to find a guy that needs a relationship with Jesus and find common ground with him. I hope he wants to go fishing and not play golf!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I do want to finish this race well. I want to be a strong witness to guys that are lost. Direct me to a guy that needs a relationship with you and then help me find common ground with him. Don’t let me fall into sin and mess up my life. I want to finish well. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Sunday, March 23, 2008
He is Our Strength
Joshua 15; Joshua 16; Joshua 17; 1 Corinthians 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Joshua 17
13 Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.
Observation
On their own the Israelites were never strong enough to destroy their enemies, but God had promised to fight for them. This is a sad verse because God never intended for the Israelites to make slaves out of the people that they conquered. There were told to completely destroy the Canaanites and others, but they didn’t. How sad when we read that the people couldn’t drive the enemy from the land, but they made them their slaves. If they made them slaves then they could have also destroyed them, but they didn’t. God warned them about this and it would be their downfall. Partial obedience is disobedience!
Application
I will examine my heart today and see where I am half-heartedly following God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that today you might be glorified throughout this world as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for Easter. Thank you for dying on the cross, and coming back to life on Easter Sunday. You are all powerful. There is nothing to hard for you. Death is no match for you. Help me to be totally devoted to you. Search my heart and show me where I am not being totally obedient. Cleanse my heart today. Be magnified throughout this earth today! In Jesus Name Amen.
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Joshua 15; Joshua 16; Joshua 17; 1 Corinthians 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Joshua 17
13 Later, however, when the Israelites became strong enough, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves. But they did not drive them out of the land.
Observation
On their own the Israelites were never strong enough to destroy their enemies, but God had promised to fight for them. This is a sad verse because God never intended for the Israelites to make slaves out of the people that they conquered. There were told to completely destroy the Canaanites and others, but they didn’t. How sad when we read that the people couldn’t drive the enemy from the land, but they made them their slaves. If they made them slaves then they could have also destroyed them, but they didn’t. God warned them about this and it would be their downfall. Partial obedience is disobedience!
Application
I will examine my heart today and see where I am half-heartedly following God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that today you might be glorified throughout this world as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for Easter. Thank you for dying on the cross, and coming back to life on Easter Sunday. You are all powerful. There is nothing to hard for you. Death is no match for you. Help me to be totally devoted to you. Search my heart and show me where I am not being totally obedient. Cleanse my heart today. Be magnified throughout this earth today! In Jesus Name Amen.
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Saturday, March 22, 2008
Distractions
Joshua 12; Joshua 13; Joshua 14; 1 Corinthians 7
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7
23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life.
35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
Observation
When I first read 1 Corinthians 7 I thought Paul was mainly talking about marriage and the benefits of remaining single, but what he was really emphasizing was a simple life style. The simpler our life style is then the easier it is to be completely dedicated to the Lord and His work.
Getting out of debt for a Christian is huge. Kathy and I want to be completely debt free so that we can go wherever God says to go whenever He says to go and we want to be able to help in God’s work financially when opportunities present themselves. Are you working on being debt free? Are you are able to give to the Lord’s work generously because you are not enslaved by the world?
Application
I will memorize these verses this week to help me stay focused on keeping the main thing the main thing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am very glad that I married to Kathy, but marriage, family, children, and now having grandchildren does complicate serving you. Help me to not be enslaved to this world. I pray that more and more my heart will be more open to your leading about giving to your work. Help me to apply these verses in my life. I pray for tomorrow Easter Sunday. I pray that people will be saved and I pray that people will be moved closer to you through the worship service! I love Easter. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and for coming back to life! Hallelujah what a Savior! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Joshua 12; Joshua 13; Joshua 14; 1 Corinthians 7
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7
23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life.
35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
Observation
When I first read 1 Corinthians 7 I thought Paul was mainly talking about marriage and the benefits of remaining single, but what he was really emphasizing was a simple life style. The simpler our life style is then the easier it is to be completely dedicated to the Lord and His work.
Getting out of debt for a Christian is huge. Kathy and I want to be completely debt free so that we can go wherever God says to go whenever He says to go and we want to be able to help in God’s work financially when opportunities present themselves. Are you working on being debt free? Are you are able to give to the Lord’s work generously because you are not enslaved by the world?
Application
I will memorize these verses this week to help me stay focused on keeping the main thing the main thing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am very glad that I married to Kathy, but marriage, family, children, and now having grandchildren does complicate serving you. Help me to not be enslaved to this world. I pray that more and more my heart will be more open to your leading about giving to your work. Help me to apply these verses in my life. I pray for tomorrow Easter Sunday. I pray that people will be saved and I pray that people will be moved closer to you through the worship service! I love Easter. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and for coming back to life! Hallelujah what a Savior! Amen.
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Friday, March 21, 2008
Run
Joshua 9; Joshua 10; Joshua 11; 1 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Observation
Sexual sin affects the body worse than any other and the Bible says, RUN from it. Do you just sit in front of the television when sex scenes appear in a program that you are watching or how about when a Victoria Secret commercial comes on do you just sit there and enjoy it? Let me encourage you not to do that especially if you are a man let me encourage you instead to get up and leave the room or at least cover or turn your face. You may be thinking to yourself, that is ridiculous, but I’m telling you it has been a huge help to me.
The Bible says, “RUN”. Did you know that about 20 to 30 percent of all pornography viewed on the Internet is viewed by women so maybe if you are a woman you should do the same as I am saying for the men. Teenagers and also those pre-teens are now becoming addicted to pornography on the Internet and make up a huge percentage of Internet pornography viewers.
I read this verse a few months back Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman” and after I read this verse I decided to make a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman (or even not so young women). So now when an attractive girl catches my eye and I start to take a second look I say to myself, “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to lust.” The Bible says, “Run”. Sexual sin is the most destructive sin because it is a sin against your body, and it destroys not only you but it can destroy a lot of other people that you love.
If when you are tempted to click over to a porn site you yield to that temptation and visit that site or maybe you have now developed a habit of looking at pornography then you need to do one or two things: throw your computer out in the yard or put on a filter that will keep you honest. No family that has children in the home should ever have a computer in their home that doesn’t have a filter on it. If you do then you are just down right “stupid”. I know that my wording is a little strong but you still are “stupid” if you allow the possibility of your children to be damaged and possibly destroyed by pornography reaching them by your computer.
It is said that addiction to pornography is stronger than an addiction to drugs or alcohol. I believe that someone, especially someone that is a Christian that is addicted to pornography sometimes may also be addicted to drugs or alcohol and they drink or do drugs just so they can numb or deaden the guilt of this sexual perversion.
Application
I will honor God with my body and I will keep the covenant that I have made with my eyes not to look lustfully at women. How about you? If you need help with any kind of addiction you can find it through a ministry called "Celebrate Recovery." Click here for more information.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep the covenant that I have made with you to keep my life pure. Don’t allow the evil one to have a victory in my life through things that my eyes see. Give me the strength to turn and not look when what I am tempted to look at something that would cause me to sin. Help those that I know that struggle with an addiction to pornography to have victory over this sin before it completely destroys them. Do whatever it takes to rescue them from this horrible sin. I know that because I have written this blog today about sexual sin that today I will probably come under attack in this area. Help me Lord to please you and help me to honor you with what my eyes focus on. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Joshua 9; Joshua 10; Joshua 11; 1 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Observation
Sexual sin affects the body worse than any other and the Bible says, RUN from it. Do you just sit in front of the television when sex scenes appear in a program that you are watching or how about when a Victoria Secret commercial comes on do you just sit there and enjoy it? Let me encourage you not to do that especially if you are a man let me encourage you instead to get up and leave the room or at least cover or turn your face. You may be thinking to yourself, that is ridiculous, but I’m telling you it has been a huge help to me.
The Bible says, “RUN”. Did you know that about 20 to 30 percent of all pornography viewed on the Internet is viewed by women so maybe if you are a woman you should do the same as I am saying for the men. Teenagers and also those pre-teens are now becoming addicted to pornography on the Internet and make up a huge percentage of Internet pornography viewers.
I read this verse a few months back Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman” and after I read this verse I decided to make a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman (or even not so young women). So now when an attractive girl catches my eye and I start to take a second look I say to myself, “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to lust.” The Bible says, “Run”. Sexual sin is the most destructive sin because it is a sin against your body, and it destroys not only you but it can destroy a lot of other people that you love.
If when you are tempted to click over to a porn site you yield to that temptation and visit that site or maybe you have now developed a habit of looking at pornography then you need to do one or two things: throw your computer out in the yard or put on a filter that will keep you honest. No family that has children in the home should ever have a computer in their home that doesn’t have a filter on it. If you do then you are just down right “stupid”. I know that my wording is a little strong but you still are “stupid” if you allow the possibility of your children to be damaged and possibly destroyed by pornography reaching them by your computer.
It is said that addiction to pornography is stronger than an addiction to drugs or alcohol. I believe that someone, especially someone that is a Christian that is addicted to pornography sometimes may also be addicted to drugs or alcohol and they drink or do drugs just so they can numb or deaden the guilt of this sexual perversion.
Application
I will honor God with my body and I will keep the covenant that I have made with my eyes not to look lustfully at women. How about you? If you need help with any kind of addiction you can find it through a ministry called "Celebrate Recovery." Click here for more information.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep the covenant that I have made with you to keep my life pure. Don’t allow the evil one to have a victory in my life through things that my eyes see. Give me the strength to turn and not look when what I am tempted to look at something that would cause me to sin. Help those that I know that struggle with an addiction to pornography to have victory over this sin before it completely destroys them. Do whatever it takes to rescue them from this horrible sin. I know that because I have written this blog today about sexual sin that today I will probably come under attack in this area. Help me Lord to please you and help me to honor you with what my eyes focus on. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sin in the Camp!
Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5
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Scripture
Joshua 7
19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.”
20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. 21 Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”
22 So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. 23 They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 5
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”
Observation
Today’s Old Testament and New Testament Bible reading dealt with sin in the camp. The sin of covetousness overcame Achan and caused the Israelites first defeat in the Promised Land and the sin of sexual immorality messed up the church in Corinth.
As Christ-followers we need to be walking in obedience and not living in sin. Sin is destructive. It messes up not just the sinner but also everyone else in their sphere of influence. Just look what the sin of Achan cost and it wasn’t just his life, but the lives of all his family and the defeat of Israel in a battle with the small town of Ai. Sin is costly. Sin is destructive. The pleasure of whatever sin we choose to participate in is so very temporary but the negative consequences tend to be huge and long lasting and some even have eternal consequences.
Application
I will ask God to show me any sin in my life today so that I can confess it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you want me to be holy. Help me today not to sin and so show me if there is any unconfessed sin in my life. I want to be someone that you can use today to help other people. I pray for revival in the hearts of our people. I pray that this weekend many people would hear the Good News. Use our choir this Sunday. I pray that you give Randy strength and energy to lead them. I pray that men and women that are involved in sexual sins would repent before it destroys them and their families. Help me to walk in obedience today. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Joshua 7
19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.”
20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. 21 Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”
22 So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. 23 They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 5
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”
Observation
Today’s Old Testament and New Testament Bible reading dealt with sin in the camp. The sin of covetousness overcame Achan and caused the Israelites first defeat in the Promised Land and the sin of sexual immorality messed up the church in Corinth.
As Christ-followers we need to be walking in obedience and not living in sin. Sin is destructive. It messes up not just the sinner but also everyone else in their sphere of influence. Just look what the sin of Achan cost and it wasn’t just his life, but the lives of all his family and the defeat of Israel in a battle with the small town of Ai. Sin is costly. Sin is destructive. The pleasure of whatever sin we choose to participate in is so very temporary but the negative consequences tend to be huge and long lasting and some even have eternal consequences.
Application
I will ask God to show me any sin in my life today so that I can confess it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you want me to be holy. Help me today not to sin and so show me if there is any unconfessed sin in my life. I want to be someone that you can use today to help other people. I pray for revival in the hearts of our people. I pray that this weekend many people would hear the Good News. Use our choir this Sunday. I pray that you give Randy strength and energy to lead them. I pray that men and women that are involved in sexual sins would repent before it destroys them and their families. Help me to walk in obedience today. Amen.
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Spiritual Markers
Joshua 3; Joshua 4; Joshua 5; Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 4
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Scripture
Joshua 4
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the LORD your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
8 So the men did as Joshua had commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the LORD had told Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there.
Observation
Do you have any spiritual markers in your life? Like: When you first accepted Christ? When you joined a certain church? When God called you to a specific ministry? When you really got serious about following Christ? When God called you out and maybe you had to move to another city or another country because He wanted you somewhere else?
If you are a Christ-Follower then you have spiritual markers in your life. Joshua wanted the people to remember what God did for them as they crossed the Jordan on dry ground. How quickly their fathers had forgotten about how God had parted the Red Sea and they were able to walk across to safety on dry ground. Remembering what God has done in your past is huge when it comes to getting through the problems of today. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Application
I will take time today to reflect on the spiritual markers of my life. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for doing so much in my life. There are so many times that you have come to my rescue. There have been so many times that you have changed the direction of our lives but never the purpose. Kathy and I are so blessed. You have been so good to us. Thank you for every place that you have taken us and thank you for all the friends that you have given to us along the way. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in Tampa and back in the church where we first came to know you as Savior. How neat is that! You are Wonderful. You are so worthy to be praised. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Joshua 3; Joshua 4; Joshua 5; Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 4
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Scripture
Joshua 4
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the LORD your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
8 So the men did as Joshua had commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the LORD had told Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there.
Observation
Do you have any spiritual markers in your life? Like: When you first accepted Christ? When you joined a certain church? When God called you to a specific ministry? When you really got serious about following Christ? When God called you out and maybe you had to move to another city or another country because He wanted you somewhere else?
If you are a Christ-Follower then you have spiritual markers in your life. Joshua wanted the people to remember what God did for them as they crossed the Jordan on dry ground. How quickly their fathers had forgotten about how God had parted the Red Sea and they were able to walk across to safety on dry ground. Remembering what God has done in your past is huge when it comes to getting through the problems of today. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Application
I will take time today to reflect on the spiritual markers of my life. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for doing so much in my life. There are so many times that you have come to my rescue. There have been so many times that you have changed the direction of our lives but never the purpose. Kathy and I are so blessed. You have been so good to us. Thank you for every place that you have taken us and thank you for all the friends that you have given to us along the way. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in Tampa and back in the church where we first came to know you as Savior. How neat is that! You are Wonderful. You are so worthy to be praised. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
God is Good!
Joshua 1; Joshua 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3
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Scripture
Psalm 37
3 Trust in the LORD and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Trust him, and he will help you.
16 It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and rich.
17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the LORD takes care of the godly.
23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the LORD holds them by the hand.
25 Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread.
26 The godly always give generous loans to others,
and their children are a blessing.
39 The LORD rescues the godly;
he is their fortress in times of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them,
rescuing them from the wicked.
He saves them,
and they find shelter in him.
Observation
Do you think of God the Father as a stern strict unloving God? The God of the Old Testament is also the same God of the New Testament, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all one and they are all Good. They are Love because God is Love.
Check it out…have you ever thought about God delighting in you? Verse 23 says that, “God delights in every detail of a Christ-follower’s life”. To think that the Creator God, the Creator of this entire universe delights in me is so way over the top. He delights in every detail of my life. Wow! I am loved. Today Eddy Williams is 57 years old. I have been a Christ-Follower since I was 19 and it has been awesome so far and I look forward to finishing well.
Application
I will give thanks to the Lord today for the life that He has allowed me to enjoy! And I am so thankful that He has allowed me the privilege of knowing Him and He has chosen unworthy me to become one of His children.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of Psalm 37:23 that says that you delight in me. I am the delight of your life because you choose to make me your delight. It has nothing to do with me. Thank you for giving me 57 years of life. They have been wonderful. Thank you for giving me Kathy as my life partner to share the joys of our lives in Christ. She is the best gift you could have ever given me. She is proof that you do delight in me. I pray that you help me finish my life well. I don’t want to fall into sin or drift into a life of disobedience. Give me energy to lead our church in the direction that you desire. Help me to keep my heart clean and my life right with you. Give me your thoughts, your ideas, your vision, so I can lead well. You are an awesome God. You are worthy to be praised. You are my delight. I love you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Joshua 1; Joshua 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 37
3 Trust in the LORD and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Trust him, and he will help you.
16 It is better to be godly and have little
than to be evil and rich.
17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the LORD takes care of the godly.
23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the LORD holds them by the hand.
25 Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread.
26 The godly always give generous loans to others,
and their children are a blessing.
39 The LORD rescues the godly;
he is their fortress in times of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them,
rescuing them from the wicked.
He saves them,
and they find shelter in him.
Observation
Do you think of God the Father as a stern strict unloving God? The God of the Old Testament is also the same God of the New Testament, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all one and they are all Good. They are Love because God is Love.
Check it out…have you ever thought about God delighting in you? Verse 23 says that, “God delights in every detail of a Christ-follower’s life”. To think that the Creator God, the Creator of this entire universe delights in me is so way over the top. He delights in every detail of my life. Wow! I am loved. Today Eddy Williams is 57 years old. I have been a Christ-Follower since I was 19 and it has been awesome so far and I look forward to finishing well.
Application
I will give thanks to the Lord today for the life that He has allowed me to enjoy! And I am so thankful that He has allowed me the privilege of knowing Him and He has chosen unworthy me to become one of His children.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of Psalm 37:23 that says that you delight in me. I am the delight of your life because you choose to make me your delight. It has nothing to do with me. Thank you for giving me 57 years of life. They have been wonderful. Thank you for giving me Kathy as my life partner to share the joys of our lives in Christ. She is the best gift you could have ever given me. She is proof that you do delight in me. I pray that you help me finish my life well. I don’t want to fall into sin or drift into a life of disobedience. Give me energy to lead our church in the direction that you desire. Help me to keep my heart clean and my life right with you. Give me your thoughts, your ideas, your vision, so I can lead well. You are an awesome God. You are worthy to be praised. You are my delight. I love you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Monday, March 17, 2008
Beyond Our Wildest Imagination!
Deuteronomy 32; Deuteronomy 33; Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 2:9
…“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
Observation
Paul quotes from Isaiah 64:4 to talk about what we as believers have in store for us in the future. I listened this morning to bleak financial news about how major banking institutions are in serious trouble. The future looks bleak from a television point of view, but for the Christ-follower the future is always bright and always filled with promise. Our Heavenly Father owns it all and He is going to take care of his children. No matter what happens we have a future that is beyond our wildest imagination.
Application
I will look forward to this week with great anticipation!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you are not wringing your hands over our country’s financial problems. You are fully aware of what is going on and I know that it is fitting in with your over all master plan. I pray that in spite of the financial slow down that the worldwide mission effort will remain strong. I pray for our missionaries today. I pray that you strengthen our friends serving is so many countries. May they sense your presence and your power. Thank you for preparing something so wonderful for us that is beyond our imagination. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Deuteronomy 32; Deuteronomy 33; Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 2:9
…“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
Observation
Paul quotes from Isaiah 64:4 to talk about what we as believers have in store for us in the future. I listened this morning to bleak financial news about how major banking institutions are in serious trouble. The future looks bleak from a television point of view, but for the Christ-follower the future is always bright and always filled with promise. Our Heavenly Father owns it all and He is going to take care of his children. No matter what happens we have a future that is beyond our wildest imagination.
Application
I will look forward to this week with great anticipation!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you are not wringing your hands over our country’s financial problems. You are fully aware of what is going on and I know that it is fitting in with your over all master plan. I pray that in spite of the financial slow down that the worldwide mission effort will remain strong. I pray for our missionaries today. I pray that you strengthen our friends serving is so many countries. May they sense your presence and your power. Thank you for preparing something so wonderful for us that is beyond our imagination. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Sunday, March 16, 2008
This is the Key to your Life
Deuteronomy 30; Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 30
19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Observation
Moses is pleading with the people to choose to obey God. He says it is a choice between life and death, between blessings and curses and today we have the same choice. Even as Christ-followers we can make a choice to be obedient or disobedient and it is a choice of blessings or curses. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, but even many believers choose to continue to yield to sin instead of yielding to God. How sad! For a person that hasn’t ever known Christ I can understand his or her disobedience, but for a Christian I have a hard time grasping why. Why choose a curse over a blessing?
Application
I will continue to warn Christ-followers to turn back to God. Those that are overcome with a sin I will try to help them turn back to an obedient walk.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is amazing to me that people choose a life of sin over a life full of blessings. I don’t understand it. Help me be a better confronter. Help me gently and humbly correct people so they can enjoy your blessings instead of curses. I pray that someone would put their faith and trust in you today during our worship services. I pray that You would receive much glory and much honor from everything that is done. You are worthy of praise. Amen.
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Deuteronomy 30; Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Deuteronomy 30
19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Observation
Moses is pleading with the people to choose to obey God. He says it is a choice between life and death, between blessings and curses and today we have the same choice. Even as Christ-followers we can make a choice to be obedient or disobedient and it is a choice of blessings or curses. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, but even many believers choose to continue to yield to sin instead of yielding to God. How sad! For a person that hasn’t ever known Christ I can understand his or her disobedience, but for a Christian I have a hard time grasping why. Why choose a curse over a blessing?
Application
I will continue to warn Christ-followers to turn back to God. Those that are overcome with a sin I will try to help them turn back to an obedient walk.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is amazing to me that people choose a life of sin over a life full of blessings. I don’t understand it. Help me be a better confronter. Help me gently and humbly correct people so they can enjoy your blessings instead of curses. I pray that someone would put their faith and trust in you today during our worship services. I pray that You would receive much glory and much honor from everything that is done. You are worthy of praise. Amen.
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Saturday, March 15, 2008
Overcome By Sin
Deuteronomy 28; Deuteronomy 29; Galatians 6
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Scripture
Galatians 6
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Observation
Sin overcomes you, but it overcomes little by little you drift away from the Lord. The Lord says that it is our job as believers to gently and humbly help the one that is overcome by sin back to the Lord. For months now I have left certain family members alone because they have been overcome by sin. I quit calling them. I quit trying to send them emails. But over the last few days I have once again been impressed to gently and hopefully humbly nudge them in the direction of the Lord.
God wouldn’t tell us to do it if it wasn’t going to help. So lets start nudging and lets get those folks back with the Lord. You and I could also fall into sin and if we do I hope that there is someone trying to get us back on track.
Application
I will not give up on folks even if they want me to quit talking to them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me who I need to focus on who needs a phone call and who should I write. Don’t let me give up on the people that I love. I pray that they will have a change of heart and that they will want to turn back to you. Turn their hearts back to you Lord. Amen.
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Deuteronomy 28; Deuteronomy 29; Galatians 6
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Scripture
Galatians 6
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Observation
Sin overcomes you, but it overcomes little by little you drift away from the Lord. The Lord says that it is our job as believers to gently and humbly help the one that is overcome by sin back to the Lord. For months now I have left certain family members alone because they have been overcome by sin. I quit calling them. I quit trying to send them emails. But over the last few days I have once again been impressed to gently and hopefully humbly nudge them in the direction of the Lord.
God wouldn’t tell us to do it if it wasn’t going to help. So lets start nudging and lets get those folks back with the Lord. You and I could also fall into sin and if we do I hope that there is someone trying to get us back on track.
Application
I will not give up on folks even if they want me to quit talking to them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me who I need to focus on who needs a phone call and who should I write. Don’t let me give up on the people that I love. I pray that they will have a change of heart and that they will want to turn back to you. Turn their hearts back to you Lord. Amen.
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Friday, March 14, 2008
Wild Parties and Drunkenness
Deuteronomy 25; Deuteronomy 26; Deuteronomy 27; Galatians 5
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Scripture
Galatians 5
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Observation
The battle that rages within us is the sinful nature against the Holy Spirit and you and I can pick which side we are going to be on and it is a daily choice. Today I have the choice whether to be guided by the desires of my sinful nature or guided by the Holy Spirit.
Now let me see … the fruit of my sinful nature is sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other bad stuff compared to … the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! Hmmm I wonder which one I should let control me today?
It seems so stupid but why do we choose choice #1 so often?
Application
Today I choose to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stay under your control today. I want to be guided by your Spirit and I do not want to yield to my sinful nature that always pulls me to do things that I know are not what you desire. I pray for some of my family and some of my friends that seem unable to allow your Holy Spirit to guide and direct their lives and they are living lives of destruction and they are hurting themselves and everyone around them. I pray that you rescue them from themselves. Draw them close to you so that they may experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives. You can change their lives. I know because you changed mine. You are awesome. Amen.
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Deuteronomy 25; Deuteronomy 26; Deuteronomy 27; Galatians 5
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Scripture
Galatians 5
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Observation
The battle that rages within us is the sinful nature against the Holy Spirit and you and I can pick which side we are going to be on and it is a daily choice. Today I have the choice whether to be guided by the desires of my sinful nature or guided by the Holy Spirit.
Now let me see … the fruit of my sinful nature is sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other bad stuff compared to … the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! Hmmm I wonder which one I should let control me today?
It seems so stupid but why do we choose choice #1 so often?
Application
Today I choose to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stay under your control today. I want to be guided by your Spirit and I do not want to yield to my sinful nature that always pulls me to do things that I know are not what you desire. I pray for some of my family and some of my friends that seem unable to allow your Holy Spirit to guide and direct their lives and they are living lives of destruction and they are hurting themselves and everyone around them. I pray that you rescue them from themselves. Draw them close to you so that they may experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives. You can change their lives. I know because you changed mine. You are awesome. Amen.
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Thursday, March 13, 2008
Heirs
Deuteronomy 22; Deuteronomy 23; Deuteronomy 24; Galatians 4
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Scripture
Galatians 4
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children,
6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Observation
On my desk I have an old will that I am in need of getting updated. It tells folks what to do with all of my valuables when I depart this earth. Kathy and I have five children and nine grandchildren so we do have to think of the heirs of our estate. Since we don’t own any property and have very little money our heirs aren’t going to have very much to squabble over anyway.
But I am an heir of God, which means that everything He owns I also get to enjoy. Those that have a personal relationship with Christ are very rich. We possess all spiritual blessings in heavenly realms. We are King’s kids!
Application
I will act like a King’s kid today and I will call Him, Abba, Father!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to know you and allowing us to become a part of your family. Thank you for giving your life to set us free from every kind of sin and for cleansing us, and for making us your very own children so that we could totally commit ourselves to doing what is right. (Titus 2:14) Amen.
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Deuteronomy 22; Deuteronomy 23; Deuteronomy 24; Galatians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Galatians 4
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children,
6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Observation
On my desk I have an old will that I am in need of getting updated. It tells folks what to do with all of my valuables when I depart this earth. Kathy and I have five children and nine grandchildren so we do have to think of the heirs of our estate. Since we don’t own any property and have very little money our heirs aren’t going to have very much to squabble over anyway.
But I am an heir of God, which means that everything He owns I also get to enjoy. Those that have a personal relationship with Christ are very rich. We possess all spiritual blessings in heavenly realms. We are King’s kids!
Application
I will act like a King’s kid today and I will call Him, Abba, Father!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to know you and allowing us to become a part of your family. Thank you for giving your life to set us free from every kind of sin and for cleansing us, and for making us your very own children so that we could totally commit ourselves to doing what is right. (Titus 2:14) Amen.
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Cursed
Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 21
22 “If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, 23 the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God. In this way, you will prevent the defilement of the land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession.
Galatians 3
13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.
Observation
Curses and Blessings are very real in the Bible. A negative blessing I guess would be a curse. Anyone hung on a tree was cursed in the sight of God it was the worse kind of punishment. Moses talked about it in Deuteronomy 21 but in the New Testament we find that Christ rescued us from the curse that we deserve by dying on the cross in our place. It was your sins and my sins that put Christ on the cross.
Application
I will try to find a small cross to carry in my pocket as a reminder of what Christ did for me.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for rescuing me from the curse of my sins. I know that I deserve death, judgment, and hell, but because of your love I have eternal life and an abundant life right now. Through Christ Jesus, You have blessed me with the same blessing You promised to Abraham, so that I might receive Your Holy Spirit through faith. (Gal. 3:14) Thank you for dying in my place. I pray for the sick today. I pray for my brother-in-law that you would remove the infection that is now slowing his recovery and I pray for my nephew that you would bring him out of the coma. You are an awesome God. Nothing is too hard for you. Amen.
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Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 21
22 “If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, 23 the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God. In this way, you will prevent the defilement of the land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession.
Galatians 3
13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.
Observation
Curses and Blessings are very real in the Bible. A negative blessing I guess would be a curse. Anyone hung on a tree was cursed in the sight of God it was the worse kind of punishment. Moses talked about it in Deuteronomy 21 but in the New Testament we find that Christ rescued us from the curse that we deserve by dying on the cross in our place. It was your sins and my sins that put Christ on the cross.
Application
I will try to find a small cross to carry in my pocket as a reminder of what Christ did for me.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for rescuing me from the curse of my sins. I know that I deserve death, judgment, and hell, but because of your love I have eternal life and an abundant life right now. Through Christ Jesus, You have blessed me with the same blessing You promised to Abraham, so that I might receive Your Holy Spirit through faith. (Gal. 3:14) Thank you for dying in my place. I pray for the sick today. I pray for my brother-in-law that you would remove the infection that is now slowing his recovery and I pray for my nephew that you would bring him out of the coma. You are an awesome God. Nothing is too hard for you. Amen.
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Power of Christ Living in Me
Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2
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Scripture
Galatians 2
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Observation
Jesus died so that He could be able to live in me and so that He could live in you - Christ in us the Hope of Glory. Paul said that he lived in his earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved him and gave himself for him. That is why Paul was able to say in Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Application
I will strive to allow Jesus to live through me today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me die to self today and allow Jesus to live through me. I pray that the power of Christ might touch lives around me. Help me to think your thoughts today. Guide me today in what I devote my time on so that it might be time that is profitable for your kingdom. Don’t let me waste opportunities help me see them in time to take advantage of them. Help me to clearly see you at work. Thank you for those in our small group. It was fun to laugh with them last night and also to pray for each other. Help every person in our church to be connected to a small group so they can experience this kind of joy. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2
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Scripture
Galatians 2
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Observation
Jesus died so that He could be able to live in me and so that He could live in you - Christ in us the Hope of Glory. Paul said that he lived in his earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved him and gave himself for him. That is why Paul was able to say in Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Application
I will strive to allow Jesus to live through me today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me die to self today and allow Jesus to live through me. I pray that the power of Christ might touch lives around me. Help me to think your thoughts today. Guide me today in what I devote my time on so that it might be time that is profitable for your kingdom. Don’t let me waste opportunities help me see them in time to take advantage of them. Help me to clearly see you at work. Thank you for those in our small group. It was fun to laugh with them last night and also to pray for each other. Help every person in our church to be connected to a small group so they can experience this kind of joy. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Monday, March 10, 2008
Pleasing an Audience of ONE
Deuteronomy 13; Deuteronomy 14; Deuteronomy 15; Galatians 1
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Scripture
Galatians 1
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Observation
We all like to please people. It is part of our nature, but when you are in ministry it is impossible to please everybody. Without fail almost every week in spite of everything I still find that someone among those that I serve is not pleased with something I have done or not done.
So I have to constantly remind myself that I am playing this game of life for an audience of ONE!
Application
I will strive to please the Lord today with my thoughts, my words, and my actions.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me please you today. In Jesus Name…Amen
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Deuteronomy 13; Deuteronomy 14; Deuteronomy 15; Galatians 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Galatians 1
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Observation
We all like to please people. It is part of our nature, but when you are in ministry it is impossible to please everybody. Without fail almost every week in spite of everything I still find that someone among those that I serve is not pleased with something I have done or not done.
So I have to constantly remind myself that I am playing this game of life for an audience of ONE!
Application
I will strive to please the Lord today with my thoughts, my words, and my actions.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me please you today. In Jesus Name…Amen
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Sunday, March 09, 2008
Orphans & Widows
Deuteronomy 10; Deuteronomy 11; Deuteronomy 12; Mark 16
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 10
17 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. 18 He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. 19 So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. 20 You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. 21 He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.
Observation
Several weeks ago I had someone in our congregation come to me and asked me if our church could help feed children that live in countries where that without help they are sure to meet certain death. As I read this passage I immediately began to think about her request.
Application
I will encourage this church member to help our church begin a ministry to help orphans and the poor.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for not forgetting the poor and the orphans and I pray that you help us develop a ministry to help them. You are a Great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality. Help us show no partiality too. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Deuteronomy 10; Deuteronomy 11; Deuteronomy 12; Mark 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Deuteronomy 10
17 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. 18 He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. 19 So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. 20 You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. 21 He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes.
Observation
Several weeks ago I had someone in our congregation come to me and asked me if our church could help feed children that live in countries where that without help they are sure to meet certain death. As I read this passage I immediately began to think about her request.
Application
I will encourage this church member to help our church begin a ministry to help orphans and the poor.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for not forgetting the poor and the orphans and I pray that you help us develop a ministry to help them. You are a Great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality. Help us show no partiality too. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Saturday, March 08, 2008
Stubbornness!
Deuteronomy 7; Deuteronomy 8; Deuteronomy 9; Mark 15
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 8
“Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.
Deuteronomy 9
4 “After the LORD your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The LORD has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. 5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 You must recognize that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people.
Observation
God doesn’t bless us because we deserve it. We are a stubborn people too. He blesses us because He loves us. He would love to lavish His love on us even more than He does but because of our stubbornness we miss out. The children of Israel had it made if they would have just obeyed. It is the same with us today.
Application
Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” I will deny myself certain foods/meals until Easter and concentrate more on God’s Word.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Job said, “I desire the words of your mouth more than my necessary food.” Give me the strength to be like Job. I want to obey you. I realize that I am a stubborn person and I do not deserve your love. Thank you for loving me in spite of my stubbornness. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Thank you for your healing power that brought my brother in law through surgery yesterday. Thank you for smiling on our family. You are worthy of Praise! In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Deuteronomy 7; Deuteronomy 8; Deuteronomy 9; Mark 15
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Deuteronomy 8
“Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.
Deuteronomy 9
4 “After the LORD your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The LORD has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. 5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 You must recognize that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people.
Observation
God doesn’t bless us because we deserve it. We are a stubborn people too. He blesses us because He loves us. He would love to lavish His love on us even more than He does but because of our stubbornness we miss out. The children of Israel had it made if they would have just obeyed. It is the same with us today.
Application
Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” I will deny myself certain foods/meals until Easter and concentrate more on God’s Word.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Job said, “I desire the words of your mouth more than my necessary food.” Give me the strength to be like Job. I want to obey you. I realize that I am a stubborn person and I do not deserve your love. Thank you for loving me in spite of my stubbornness. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Thank you for your healing power that brought my brother in law through surgery yesterday. Thank you for smiling on our family. You are worthy of Praise! In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Friday, March 07, 2008
Wholeheartedly!
Deuteronomy 5; Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 43; Mark 14
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 6
4 “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Observation
Deut. 5:10 “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”
If we obey God wholeheartedly then He will lavish His unfailing love on us. If that is true and I believe it is then why don’t we do it! Why disobey God when obedience to Him guarantees us His unfailing love? Why…because we don’t trust what He says in His word or His word is not in our hearts to help us obey. I think the key to trusting Him is found in verse seven, “repeat them again and again to your children.”
When someone walks into your house can someone tell that you are a Christ-follower? Is there scripture visible maybe on the wall, or would they see Christian books or Christian magazines or do they see an open Bible that has recently been read? When your children or grandchildren look around your house are they reminded of the relationship God wants to have with them? Reminders…do you have any in your car, or how about at your work place could your co-workers tell that you are a Christ-follower by anything on your desk or on your walls?
Application
I will find something for our front porch that let’s people know that we wholeheartedly serve the Lord!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want my grandchildren and my grown children to know you and to walk in obedience with you. I want them to love you wholeheartedly. Help Kathy and I do our part to turn their hearts toward you. I pray that you work in their hearts so that they might have the desire to turn from sin and self and put you first everyday. Help me to model the Christian life so that they may always see Christ in me. I pray that everyone that walks into our house would be reminded of your love for him or her. I pray for my brother-in-law DuWayne who is in surgery right now. I pray that you guide the surgeon’s hands and I pray that you restore him to good health. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Deuteronomy 5; Deuteronomy 6; Psalm 43; Mark 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Deuteronomy 6
4 “Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Observation
Deut. 5:10 “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”
If we obey God wholeheartedly then He will lavish His unfailing love on us. If that is true and I believe it is then why don’t we do it! Why disobey God when obedience to Him guarantees us His unfailing love? Why…because we don’t trust what He says in His word or His word is not in our hearts to help us obey. I think the key to trusting Him is found in verse seven, “repeat them again and again to your children.”
When someone walks into your house can someone tell that you are a Christ-follower? Is there scripture visible maybe on the wall, or would they see Christian books or Christian magazines or do they see an open Bible that has recently been read? When your children or grandchildren look around your house are they reminded of the relationship God wants to have with them? Reminders…do you have any in your car, or how about at your work place could your co-workers tell that you are a Christ-follower by anything on your desk or on your walls?
Application
I will find something for our front porch that let’s people know that we wholeheartedly serve the Lord!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want my grandchildren and my grown children to know you and to walk in obedience with you. I want them to love you wholeheartedly. Help Kathy and I do our part to turn their hearts toward you. I pray that you work in their hearts so that they might have the desire to turn from sin and self and put you first everyday. Help me to model the Christian life so that they may always see Christ in me. I pray that everyone that walks into our house would be reminded of your love for him or her. I pray for my brother-in-law DuWayne who is in surgery right now. I pray that you guide the surgeon’s hands and I pray that you restore him to good health. In Jesus Name…Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Must Be Preached
Deuteronomy 3; Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 36; Mark 13
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Scripture
Mark 13
10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.
Observation
Life gets so busy around us that we tend to forget that the Good News must be preached to all nations. Christ will return when the last people group has the opportunity to hear the Good News. Sharing Christ is what we are to be about but it is so easy to let everything else take the place of talking about Christ.
Nothing is more important than a man or woman’s relationship with Christ and we must have an urgency to talk to everyone about this Good News.
Application
Sharing the Good News with someone today will be my goal.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, order my steps today and give me the opportunity to share with someone the Good News that you love them and that you have a wonderful plan for their life. Thank you for putting this desire in my heart and now I ask that you give me the boldness and sensitivity to be your witness. Help me love people the way that you love them. Give me your eyes, your heart and give me the discernment to know when to share with someone so I share in a way that they listen. I pray for our missionary friends today that you bless them and use them in the countries where they are serving. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Deuteronomy 3; Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 36; Mark 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 13
10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.
Observation
Life gets so busy around us that we tend to forget that the Good News must be preached to all nations. Christ will return when the last people group has the opportunity to hear the Good News. Sharing Christ is what we are to be about but it is so easy to let everything else take the place of talking about Christ.
Nothing is more important than a man or woman’s relationship with Christ and we must have an urgency to talk to everyone about this Good News.
Application
Sharing the Good News with someone today will be my goal.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, order my steps today and give me the opportunity to share with someone the Good News that you love them and that you have a wonderful plan for their life. Thank you for putting this desire in my heart and now I ask that you give me the boldness and sensitivity to be your witness. Help me love people the way that you love them. Give me your eyes, your heart and give me the discernment to know when to share with someone so I share in a way that they listen. I pray for our missionary friends today that you bless them and use them in the countries where they are serving. In Jesus Name…Amen.
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Wednesday, March 05, 2008
The Collection Box
Deuteronomy 1; Deuteronomy 2; Mark 12
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Scripture
The Widow’s Offering
Mark 12
41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.
43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Observation
Evidently in the Temple they had a big collection box and at a certain time in the worship service the people passed by and dropped in their offerings. Passing the offering plate was not the tradition back then. Jesus sat down near the collection box because he knew the widow would be dropping in her offering and Jesus wanted to teach his disciples a lesson on true giving. I am sure that as the disciples watched the rich drop in all of their money they were probably very impressed. But Jesus wasn’t excited about the amount of money the rich gave he was very interested in the amount the poorest person gave.
Sometimes we may think that because our offering isn’t very big that it doesn’t really matter whether we give or not. We might think well they will never miss my small little offering. Your small little offering given with the right attitude and with the right heart may just be the biggest offering given on that certain Sunday. God is not concerned with the amount we give He is concerned about the amount of sacrifice behind what we give. He is also concerned about how we manage what we hold back for ourselves.
The scripture doesn’t say that because this widow gave everything she had that she left rich. All indication from reading the passage was that she was going to continue to be poor after she gave her all. We don’t know do we. But we do know that in heaven she is one very rich lady and that we can count on.
The big question for us is not how much money or how much stuff we have here on this earth no the big question is how much are we sending on ahead to heaven? How are we using what God has allowed us to manage for Him that is the real question?
Application
I will look around me to see where God wants me to give.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be greedy. Give me a generous heart. I want to be like this poor widow. I don’t want to be as poor as she was but I do want to be as generous. I pray for healing today for my brother-in-law that is facing a very delicate heart surgery. I pray that you do a mighty work in his life for Your Glory. I pray for other family members that are struggling with issues that only you can solve and I pray that you come to their rescue because of your love for Kathy and me. Thank you that I can call on you and you always hear me. You are my very present help in trouble. In Jesus Name…Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Deuteronomy 1; Deuteronomy 2; Mark 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
The Widow’s Offering
Mark 12
41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.
43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
Observation
Evidently in the Temple they had a big collection box and at a certain time in the worship service the people passed by and dropped in their offerings. Passing the offering plate was not the tradition back then. Jesus sat down near the collection box because he knew the widow would be dropping in her offering and Jesus wanted to teach his disciples a lesson on true giving. I am sure that as the disciples watched the rich drop in all of their money they were probably very impressed. But Jesus wasn’t excited about the amount of money the rich gave he was very interested in the amount the poorest person gave.
Sometimes we may think that because our offering isn’t very big that it doesn’t really matter whether we give or not. We might think well they will never miss my small little offering. Your small little offering given with the right attitude and with the right heart may just be the biggest offering given on that certain Sunday. God is not concerned with the amount we give He is concerned about the amount of sacrifice behind what we give. He is also concerned about how we manage what we hold back for ourselves.
The scripture doesn’t say that because this widow gave everything she had that she left rich. All indication from reading the passage was that she was going to continue to be poor after she gave her all. We don’t know do we. But we do know that in heaven she is one very rich lady and that we can count on.
The big question for us is not how much money or how much stuff we have here on this earth no the big question is how much are we sending on ahead to heaven? How are we using what God has allowed us to manage for Him that is the real question?
Application
I will look around me to see where God wants me to give.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be greedy. Give me a generous heart. I want to be like this poor widow. I don’t want to be as poor as she was but I do want to be as generous. I pray for healing today for my brother-in-law that is facing a very delicate heart surgery. I pray that you do a mighty work in his life for Your Glory. I pray for other family members that are struggling with issues that only you can solve and I pray that you come to their rescue because of your love for Kathy and me. Thank you that I can call on you and you always hear me. You are my very present help in trouble. In Jesus Name…Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
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