Do You Still Have a Record?
Romans 1; Romans 2; Romans 3; Romans 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Romans 4
4 When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. 5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. 6 David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
7 “Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
8 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.”
Observation
Today a person can go on the internet and see if you have a police record or not. Teenagers who commit crimes while they are still considered juveniles have the opportunity to have their records wiped clean. God says that all of us have records and if those offenses are not wiped clean then we will die in our sins (offenses).
We have the opportunity to have our sins forgiven by God and God is willing to forgive our sins if we put our faith in Jesus Christ. It is our faith in Christ that allows God to forgive our sins and it is only when we place our faith in Christ that our record is wiped clean.
So let me ask you …do you still have a record, or has it been wiped clean by the blood of Christ? Yes or No?
Application
This is the Good News that I plan to share this week as God allows me opportunities.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that my record has been wiped clean. I am Heaven bound because of Your Grace and Your Love. It is not because of anything that I have done. I don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but thank You for forgiving me. Help me share this Good News with someone this week.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
So We Keep On Praying For You…
1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 1; 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Thessalonians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Thessalonians 1
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Observation
Paul’s letters are amazing! Here is how we should pray for other believers, “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” Is that a great prayer or what!
Application
I will pray this prayer for Kathy and others that are on my prayer list for today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that you enable Kathy to live a life worthy of Your call. I pray that You give her the power to accomplish all the good things that her faith prompts her to do. Amen
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 1; 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Thessalonians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Thessalonians 1
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Observation
Paul’s letters are amazing! Here is how we should pray for other believers, “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” Is that a great prayer or what!
Application
I will pray this prayer for Kathy and others that are on my prayer list for today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that you enable Kathy to live a life worthy of Your call. I pray that You give her the power to accomplish all the good things that her faith prompts her to do. Amen
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Great Commission With a Great Promise!
Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians 1; 1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Thessalonians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 28
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Observation
Ever feel like you are alone? Do you ever feel defeated and that you are losing the battle? If you are a Christ-Follower you need to hold onto this great promise that Jesus made to us before He ascended back to Heaven, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
He is with you today. It is black Friday for some, but not for us that call Him our Lord and Savior. There is no such thing as a black Friday for us. Everyday we live knowing that He is with us and the final victory is ours!
Application
I will try to acknowledge the Lord today in everything that I do. He is right here with me!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are with us and thank you that we are never alone. I pray for believers today in India. I pray for those that have been taken hostage. I pray for their protection. I pray that India would become even more open to the Gospel because of what is happening there.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians 1; 1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Thessalonians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 28
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Observation
Ever feel like you are alone? Do you ever feel defeated and that you are losing the battle? If you are a Christ-Follower you need to hold onto this great promise that Jesus made to us before He ascended back to Heaven, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
He is with you today. It is black Friday for some, but not for us that call Him our Lord and Savior. There is no such thing as a black Friday for us. Everyday we live knowing that He is with us and the final victory is ours!
Application
I will try to acknowledge the Lord today in everything that I do. He is right here with me!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are with us and thank you that we are never alone. I pray for believers today in India. I pray for those that have been taken hostage. I pray for their protection. I pray that India would become even more open to the Gospel because of what is happening there.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
If that happens …and it did!
Psalm 125; Matthew 26; Matthew 27
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 27
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”
65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
Observation
How sad it was for the leading priests and Pharisees that they had heard Jesus say that He was going to rise from the dead think that they could keep Jesus from doing what He said by posting guards at the tomb.
God’s plans are going to be carried out whether we believe them or not or even if we try to oppose God. Going against God and His plans is very stupid and yet I watch people do it everyday.
God wants us to join Him in extending His Kingdom. He has called us to work with Him. It is very cool that Creator God wants us to be a part of what He is doing in this world.
Application
As I read the headline news today I know that God is aware of everything going on and He will use today’s events to further His Kingdom.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am reminded as I read this morning’s scripture reading that You came down from Heaven, took the form of a servant, and died a criminal’s death to give me eternal life. You didn’t have to do it, but You did and I am thankful. Thank you for all the wonderful things that You have provided for Kathy and me. We are so blessed. We don’t lack one thing. Thank you for loving me. Help me share that love with those around me. It is my desire to give you honor and glory through out this day. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Psalm 125; Matthew 26; Matthew 27
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 27
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”
65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
Observation
How sad it was for the leading priests and Pharisees that they had heard Jesus say that He was going to rise from the dead think that they could keep Jesus from doing what He said by posting guards at the tomb.
God’s plans are going to be carried out whether we believe them or not or even if we try to oppose God. Going against God and His plans is very stupid and yet I watch people do it everyday.
God wants us to join Him in extending His Kingdom. He has called us to work with Him. It is very cool that Creator God wants us to be a part of what He is doing in this world.
Application
As I read the headline news today I know that God is aware of everything going on and He will use today’s events to further His Kingdom.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am reminded as I read this morning’s scripture reading that You came down from Heaven, took the form of a servant, and died a criminal’s death to give me eternal life. You didn’t have to do it, but You did and I am thankful. Thank you for all the wonderful things that You have provided for Kathy and me. We are so blessed. We don’t lack one thing. Thank you for loving me. Help me share that love with those around me. It is my desire to give you honor and glory through out this day. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Lord, when did we ever …
Matthew 23; Matthew 24; Matthew 25
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 25
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.
Observation
Our church this past Sunday did something very much out of the ordinary, but hopefully will become something that is very ordinary. We cut our church service short and took off to the nearest Publix Supermarket where we bought can goods and food and then we trucked those can goods down to Mission Tampa. We took them over 1,200 pounds of can goods! It was fun. It is what church is all about! We also loaded up 259 Christmas shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and took them to Samaritan’s Purse for children all over this world… All of this took place on the same Sunday morning!
Our church is small, but I believe that last Sunday we did something huge, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”
Application
I will continue to lead our church to think of those less fortunate and to think of those that have not heard the Gospel.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us be your hands and your feet everyday to those around us. Thank you for such a great church. Thank you for the commitment of our people to serve you.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Bible Summed Up In Two Short Phrases …
Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 22
37 Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Observation
Have you ever tried to paraphrase a part of the Bible? Write a chapter of the Bible in your own words is not an easy assignment and trying to summarize each verse using around 10 words per verse is really hard. Jesus sums up the entire Bible with these two phrases: “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” … and … “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we do that then we are going to live this life just as God planned for us to live! Which one of these two needs more work today?
Application
Today I will work on loving my neighbor as myself!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to show Your love to someone today. Give me the chance and don’t let me blow the opportunity to do something good for someone today. I love You Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. Help me to show it.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 22
37 Jesus replied, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Observation
Have you ever tried to paraphrase a part of the Bible? Write a chapter of the Bible in your own words is not an easy assignment and trying to summarize each verse using around 10 words per verse is really hard. Jesus sums up the entire Bible with these two phrases: “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” … and … “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we do that then we are going to live this life just as God planned for us to live! Which one of these two needs more work today?
Application
Today I will work on loving my neighbor as myself!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to show Your love to someone today. Give me the chance and don’t let me blow the opportunity to do something good for someone today. I love You Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. Help me to show it.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, November 24, 2008
What Will We Get?
Matthew 17; Matthew 18; Matthew 19
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 19
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”
28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
Observation
This question by Peter, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” is a question that you may be asking the Lord too! With the world economy going down the tube and our economy crashing down hard on top of us it is a perfect time for us to evaluate what we are holding on to and what we have given up to follow Christ. Only what we have given up, only what we have turned over to Him will count in the end.
Peter said to the Lord, “We’ve given up everything to follow you? Can you and I say that too?
Application
What do I need to turn over to the Lord?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and show me anything that is not right so I can be completely right with You. I don’t want to hold onto anything. I want to give up everything to follow You. Help me to do just that! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 17; Matthew 18; Matthew 19
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 19
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”
28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
Observation
This question by Peter, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” is a question that you may be asking the Lord too! With the world economy going down the tube and our economy crashing down hard on top of us it is a perfect time for us to evaluate what we are holding on to and what we have given up to follow Christ. Only what we have given up, only what we have turned over to Him will count in the end.
Peter said to the Lord, “We’ve given up everything to follow you? Can you and I say that too?
Application
What do I need to turn over to the Lord?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and show me anything that is not right so I can be completely right with You. I don’t want to hold onto anything. I want to give up everything to follow You. Help me to do just that! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
You Feed Them…
Matthew 14; Matthew 15; Matthew 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 14
15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Observation
Today our church will let out of church early go down to Publix, buy can goods and then take them to Mission Tampa. Jesus said, “You feed them…” I don’t know how many in our church will participate, but everyone that does will receive a blessing and our church will be blessed. Our campaign is called “ONE CAN Feed the Hungry” and if everyone will help with just a can or two then Jesus can and will multiply what we give. It is a way to show our gratitude for all that God has given us here at Thanksgiving time!
Application
I will participate today with all my heart!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for being so good to my family and me. We are blessed. Help us bless others during this holiday season!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 14; Matthew 15; Matthew 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 14
15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”
17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Observation
Today our church will let out of church early go down to Publix, buy can goods and then take them to Mission Tampa. Jesus said, “You feed them…” I don’t know how many in our church will participate, but everyone that does will receive a blessing and our church will be blessed. Our campaign is called “ONE CAN Feed the Hungry” and if everyone will help with just a can or two then Jesus can and will multiply what we give. It is a way to show our gratitude for all that God has given us here at Thanksgiving time!
Application
I will participate today with all my heart!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for being so good to my family and me. We are blessed. Help us bless others during this holiday season!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Weighted Down This Morning?
Matthew 11; Matthew 12; Matthew 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 11
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Observation
All you have to do these days is to watch the news for five minutes and you will begin to feel weary and depressed. I suggest that we turn to Jesus. He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Spending more time with Jesus and less time with Fox News is the remedy for a heavy heart. We would not describe what we see on TV as “Good News” would we, but Jesus is our source for Good News. He can lift us up. When we yoke ourselves with Him then our load is light. Are you weighed down this morning? If you are then you might just need to get into the yoke with Christ and quit going it alone.
Application
I will focus more on Jesus and what He is doing during this difficult economic time and less time listening to the gloom and doom reports on television.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to focus more on You and Your word and less on what the world is saying. Show me new things in Your word about what You are doing in our world today. I know that you are in control even though it seems like things are out of control. I pray for our church. I pray that our people would grow strong through this time of economic trouble.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 11; Matthew 12; Matthew 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 11
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Observation
All you have to do these days is to watch the news for five minutes and you will begin to feel weary and depressed. I suggest that we turn to Jesus. He says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Spending more time with Jesus and less time with Fox News is the remedy for a heavy heart. We would not describe what we see on TV as “Good News” would we, but Jesus is our source for Good News. He can lift us up. When we yoke ourselves with Him then our load is light. Are you weighed down this morning? If you are then you might just need to get into the yoke with Christ and quit going it alone.
Application
I will focus more on Jesus and what He is doing during this difficult economic time and less time listening to the gloom and doom reports on television.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to focus more on You and Your word and less on what the world is saying. Show me new things in Your word about what You are doing in our world today. I know that you are in control even though it seems like things are out of control. I pray for our church. I pray that our people would grow strong through this time of economic trouble.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Friday, November 21, 2008
What Does India Need?
Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 9
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Observation
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” What we have in India is a shortage of Christian workers and we have the same problem in the other Middle Eastern and North African countries too! This is not the case any longer in China where it is said that there are 30,000 new believers everyday.
The harvest is great …so there is not anything wrong with the harvest. The problem is too few workers to bring in the harvest. This is a problem that is solved by praying to the Lord of the harvest and asking Him to send laborers into His harvest. Careful …that prayer could send you to the other side of the world to help!
Application
I will continue to pray to the Lord that He send laborers to India and other places where the Gospel is needed.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I do pray for India and I ask that You send an army of believers to that country to help reach that nation. It is a country that is still so unreached. I pray for Millie and Hugh that go there every year that you bless them and help them to continue going and I pray that you provide them with the support that they need and with more people to help them. You are the Lord of the harvest.
Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 9
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Observation
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” What we have in India is a shortage of Christian workers and we have the same problem in the other Middle Eastern and North African countries too! This is not the case any longer in China where it is said that there are 30,000 new believers everyday.
The harvest is great …so there is not anything wrong with the harvest. The problem is too few workers to bring in the harvest. This is a problem that is solved by praying to the Lord of the harvest and asking Him to send laborers into His harvest. Careful …that prayer could send you to the other side of the world to help!
Application
I will continue to pray to the Lord that He send laborers to India and other places where the Gospel is needed.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I do pray for India and I ask that You send an army of believers to that country to help reach that nation. It is a country that is still so unreached. I pray for Millie and Hugh that go there every year that you bless them and help them to continue going and I pray that you provide them with the support that they need and with more people to help them. You are the Lord of the harvest.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Where’s Your Treasure?
Matthew 5; Matthew 6; Matthew 7
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 6
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Observation
Trillions of dollars lost in the stock market in just a few weeks shows us just how true the scriptures are when they say, “riches do have wings”! It is a reminder that our treasure needs to be stored in Heaven because it is the only safe place to put our riches.
Paul said that Jesus became poor so that we could become rich. We have the opportunity to do the same thing for other people. We can be poor so that others can find the true treasure. Christ-followers are rich! We have been given every spiritual blessing! We do not lack one thing.
I think I saw this on a T- Shirt that Scott Harding was wearing, “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” And we will leave all of our toys that we have accumulated on this earth for someone else to enjoy. We are not taking any of them with us.
Application
I plan to send my treasures on ahead of me to Heaven so they will be safe from all of our government’s bail out plans.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be able to keep my focus on You and Your kingdom and help me to be generous and not so selfish. Thank you for the group of guys that I meet with every Thursday morning every week I see them growing more and more like You. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 5; Matthew 6; Matthew 7
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 6
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Observation
Trillions of dollars lost in the stock market in just a few weeks shows us just how true the scriptures are when they say, “riches do have wings”! It is a reminder that our treasure needs to be stored in Heaven because it is the only safe place to put our riches.
Paul said that Jesus became poor so that we could become rich. We have the opportunity to do the same thing for other people. We can be poor so that others can find the true treasure. Christ-followers are rich! We have been given every spiritual blessing! We do not lack one thing.
I think I saw this on a T- Shirt that Scott Harding was wearing, “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” And we will leave all of our toys that we have accumulated on this earth for someone else to enjoy. We are not taking any of them with us.
Application
I plan to send my treasures on ahead of me to Heaven so they will be safe from all of our government’s bail out plans.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be able to keep my focus on You and Your kingdom and help me to be generous and not so selfish. Thank you for the group of guys that I meet with every Thursday morning every week I see them growing more and more like You. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Repenting is a Two Step Process
Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 4
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Observation
You can’t become a Christ-follower unless you do these two things:
1. Turn from sin
2. Turn from self directed living. Then turn to God and put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your life must turn around.
People sometimes seem to want it both ways; they say they want eternal life, but at the same time they are unwilling to turn from a life of sin and self-directed living. You can’t have a relationship with God until you repent, which means to turn from sin and self and turn to God.
Application
Jesus answered Satan’s temptations by quoting the Word of God and refusing to give in to his offers. When temptations come I will use scripture to protect myself from our enemy Satan.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to continue memorizing Your Word. I pray for men and women to repent and turn to You today through the ministry of our church.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 4
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Observation
You can’t become a Christ-follower unless you do these two things:
1. Turn from sin
2. Turn from self directed living. Then turn to God and put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your life must turn around.
People sometimes seem to want it both ways; they say they want eternal life, but at the same time they are unwilling to turn from a life of sin and self-directed living. You can’t have a relationship with God until you repent, which means to turn from sin and self and turn to God.
Application
Jesus answered Satan’s temptations by quoting the Word of God and refusing to give in to his offers. When temptations come I will use scripture to protect myself from our enemy Satan.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to continue memorizing Your Word. I pray for men and women to repent and turn to You today through the ministry of our church.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
God’s Power Works Best in Our Weakness!
Practice The “F.R.O.G. Principle”
Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 12
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Observation
F.R.O.G. principle = Fully Rely On God. I read that somewhere last week and I thought that it was worth remembering. When we think that we can do everything ourselves and we don’t need to rely on God that is when God can’t use us. His power works best in weakness.
Paul struggled with a “thorn in the flesh” and we don’t know what it was, but Paul said that it came from Satan. Some think that it could have been poor eyesight or some kind of eye disease. Some have even said that this phrase proves that Paul was married…it may take you a minute to make the connection! I have a great marriage and a great wife, but I have met some wives of some guys that really fit this description!
But the lesson for me this morning is that God allows me to have weaknesses in my life in order that He can show Himself powerful. You cannot do what God has called you to do on your own. If you are going to be successful in the Christian life you need to follow the F.R.O.G. principle and fully rely on God. He is all-powerful and you and I are not. We are weak so He can work His power in our lives.
"For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philip. 4:13
Application
“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philip. 4:13
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me every weakness that I have so I can fully rely on you and Your Power.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Practice The “F.R.O.G. Principle”
Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 12
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Observation
F.R.O.G. principle = Fully Rely On God. I read that somewhere last week and I thought that it was worth remembering. When we think that we can do everything ourselves and we don’t need to rely on God that is when God can’t use us. His power works best in weakness.
Paul struggled with a “thorn in the flesh” and we don’t know what it was, but Paul said that it came from Satan. Some think that it could have been poor eyesight or some kind of eye disease. Some have even said that this phrase proves that Paul was married…it may take you a minute to make the connection! I have a great marriage and a great wife, but I have met some wives of some guys that really fit this description!
But the lesson for me this morning is that God allows me to have weaknesses in my life in order that He can show Himself powerful. You cannot do what God has called you to do on your own. If you are going to be successful in the Christian life you need to follow the F.R.O.G. principle and fully rely on God. He is all-powerful and you and I are not. We are weak so He can work His power in our lives.
"For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philip. 4:13
Application
“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Philip. 4:13
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me every weakness that I have so I can fully rely on you and Your Power.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Applause of One!
2 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 10
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Observation
All of us like to be recognized for the things that we do, but if that is the only reason we are doing what we are doing then we will miss the blessing and our true reward. No one may say anything about what you are doing at your church or in your neighborhood, but if you are doing it for the Lord then He will commend you for everything that you do.
Volunteers like to be recognized and we should recognize them as much as we can, but their motivation for doing what they are doing needs to go deeper than just our pat on the back. We have some faithful volunteers that serve without hardly any recognition, but God is going to richly bless them and their reward in Heaven will be great.
One of my men (Gerald Bolig) arrives very early on Sunday morning to unlock all of our buildings and turn on the air conditioning (now heat) and he is the last to leave on Sunday night. I don’t even know how many people know that he does this for them. He is faithful. I never have to worry whether he is going to show up or not. He has never missed a Sunday since the day he started. He is faithful.
Application
I want to please the Lord with my faithfulness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be completely faithful to you this week.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 10
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Observation
All of us like to be recognized for the things that we do, but if that is the only reason we are doing what we are doing then we will miss the blessing and our true reward. No one may say anything about what you are doing at your church or in your neighborhood, but if you are doing it for the Lord then He will commend you for everything that you do.
Volunteers like to be recognized and we should recognize them as much as we can, but their motivation for doing what they are doing needs to go deeper than just our pat on the back. We have some faithful volunteers that serve without hardly any recognition, but God is going to richly bless them and their reward in Heaven will be great.
One of my men (Gerald Bolig) arrives very early on Sunday morning to unlock all of our buildings and turn on the air conditioning (now heat) and he is the last to leave on Sunday night. I don’t even know how many people know that he does this for them. He is faithful. I never have to worry whether he is going to show up or not. He has never missed a Sunday since the day he started. He is faithful.
Application
I want to please the Lord with my faithfulness.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be completely faithful to you this week.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Ambassadors for Christ
2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Observation
We are God’s representatives, His ambassadors and our task is to bring people back to Him. We go to those that are enemies of God and share with them the Good News of God’s love and urge and invite them to come back to God.
The message is this, “Surrender your life to God so that you can live forever as one of His children. If you continue in your sins and continue to go your own way and refuse to follow Christ then you will die in your sins and you will perish.”
Are you an enemy of God or has their been a time in your life when you made peace with Him?
Application
I will be a bold ambassador for Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your ambassador. I realize that it has nothing to do with my goodness, but everything to do with Who You Are and Your Righteousness and Your Goodness. Help me to be good ambassador that you can be proud of. Don’t let me bring you shame. Give me your thoughts and your message today to share with Your people as we meet.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5
18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Observation
We are God’s representatives, His ambassadors and our task is to bring people back to Him. We go to those that are enemies of God and share with them the Good News of God’s love and urge and invite them to come back to God.
The message is this, “Surrender your life to God so that you can live forever as one of His children. If you continue in your sins and continue to go your own way and refuse to follow Christ then you will die in your sins and you will perish.”
Are you an enemy of God or has their been a time in your life when you made peace with Him?
Application
I will be a bold ambassador for Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me the privilege of being your ambassador. I realize that it has nothing to do with my goodness, but everything to do with Who You Are and Your Righteousness and Your Goodness. Help me to be good ambassador that you can be proud of. Don’t let me bring you shame. Give me your thoughts and your message today to share with Your people as we meet.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
What if Job Had Refused to Forgive?
Job 41; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 2
Click here to read or listen to today's daily Bible reading
Scripture
My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.
10 When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!
Observation
Did you notice that Job didn’t receive the blessing of having his fortune restored until he prayed for his friends? Good thing that he didn’t stay angry with them and refuse to pray for them. It shows us how important it is to forgive and to intercede for our friends. With friends like Job had you sure don’t need any enemies, but he still prayed for them and God answered his prayers for them.
Application
I will continue to pray for people asking God to bless them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and hearing my prayers. Thank you for showing me that I need to pray for people and that you want to work in their lives.
Job 41; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 2
Click here to read or listen to today's daily Bible reading
Scripture
My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.
10 When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!
Observation
Did you notice that Job didn’t receive the blessing of having his fortune restored until he prayed for his friends? Good thing that he didn’t stay angry with them and refuse to pray for them. It shows us how important it is to forgive and to intercede for our friends. With friends like Job had you sure don’t need any enemies, but he still prayed for them and God answered his prayers for them.
Application
I will continue to pray for people asking God to bless them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and hearing my prayers. Thank you for showing me that I need to pray for people and that you want to work in their lives.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Be Strong!
Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Corinthians 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
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.
1 Corinthians 16
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.
Observation
I will not take the time this morning, but I wonder how many times Paul said, “be strong” in his letters to the churches. I know that it is a repeating theme.
I know that it was something that God said over and over again in the Old Testament too.
I must have the tendency to be weak! Yes, I believe I do so this is a very good Word for me today. Be Strong. Be Courageous. Stand firm and be immovable. Do everything in love and do everything enthusiastically for the Lord.
Application
I will be strong and I will stand firm today and I will do everything with enthusiasm and I will do it all for the Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Help me do what I just said that I plan to do today!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Corinthians 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
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.
1 Corinthians 16
13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.
Observation
I will not take the time this morning, but I wonder how many times Paul said, “be strong” in his letters to the churches. I know that it is a repeating theme.
I know that it was something that God said over and over again in the Old Testament too.
I must have the tendency to be weak! Yes, I believe I do so this is a very good Word for me today. Be Strong. Be Courageous. Stand firm and be immovable. Do everything in love and do everything enthusiastically for the Lord.
Application
I will be strong and I will stand firm today and I will do everything with enthusiasm and I will do it all for the Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. Help me do what I just said that I plan to do today!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
But if I Don’t Love Others …
Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
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.
Observation
It doesn’t matter how much money you have, or how much talent you have, or how successful you might think you are, if you don’t love others … you are nothing!
Bottom line … what counts is how well we love people. How are we doing putting into practice verses 4-7 of 1 Corinthians 13?
Application
I will look for the person that needs an extra dose of God’s agape love today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me live out 1 Corinthians 13 today. I want to love people the way you tell me to in this chapter but I need Your help. It is not my nature to be patient and it is easy for me to be unkind. Help me be kind today and help me not to be irritable. Help me always to be hopeful and never give up. Thank you for loving me and help me love others the same way You love me.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
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.
Observation
It doesn’t matter how much money you have, or how much talent you have, or how successful you might think you are, if you don’t love others … you are nothing!
Bottom line … what counts is how well we love people. How are we doing putting into practice verses 4-7 of 1 Corinthians 13?
Application
I will look for the person that needs an extra dose of God’s agape love today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me live out 1 Corinthians 13 today. I want to love people the way you tell me to in this chapter but I need Your help. It is not my nature to be patient and it is easy for me to be unkind. Help me be kind today and help me not to be irritable. Help me always to be hopeful and never give up. Thank you for loving me and help me love others the same way You love me.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Importance of a Healthy Body!
Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12
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.
Observation
I hurt my back about 6 weeks ago and I found out how important it was to have a healthy body. My injured back made it so I couldn’t even walk. The pain was terrible and it affected everything. I couldn’t do the simplest task. Kathy had to take out the garbage. I still try to fake the back pain now every Tuesday and Friday trying to get her to keep taking out the trash, but she is too smart to fall for that one.
Now that my back is better I am able to get back to what I supposed to be doing. The body of Christ, the church, is the same way. When the church is healthy it can grow and prosper! It can accomplish what God intended for it to do.
Application
I will continue to focus my time and attention on the health of our church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You love harmony and unity and it is Your desire for the body of Christ to be healthy. Every person in our church is equally as important as the other and we all need each other. Thank you for the small group that meets in our house. They are a gift from You to Kathy and I. We are blessed.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12
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.
Observation
I hurt my back about 6 weeks ago and I found out how important it was to have a healthy body. My injured back made it so I couldn’t even walk. The pain was terrible and it affected everything. I couldn’t do the simplest task. Kathy had to take out the garbage. I still try to fake the back pain now every Tuesday and Friday trying to get her to keep taking out the trash, but she is too smart to fall for that one.
Now that my back is better I am able to get back to what I supposed to be doing. The body of Christ, the church, is the same way. When the church is healthy it can grow and prosper! It can accomplish what God intended for it to do.
Application
I will continue to focus my time and attention on the health of our church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You love harmony and unity and it is Your desire for the body of Christ to be healthy. Every person in our church is equally as important as the other and we all need each other. Thank you for the small group that meets in our house. They are a gift from You to Kathy and I. We are blessed.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
What Makes You Glad?
Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 122
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Observation
I love to go to church. I love going and seeing all God’s people every week. It is fun. It is very special. The family of God that meets at church on Sundays can have a closer bond with each other many times than they have with their own physical family. It is a good thing too because we are going to live forever with our spiritual family!
Paul talks about our spiritual family in 1 Corinthians and he lets us know how we should treat each other. I like what he says in 1 Corinthians 10:24 “Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” Selfless living makes for a very wonderful church.
When I went to Cuba on a mission trip a few weeks ago one of the men in our church decided he would fix my car while I was gone. The repair turned out to be both complicated and I am sure expensive, but he was determined to get it fixed for me.
He is an example of what Paul was saying in I Corinthians 10:24 and it is guys like him that make our church a wonderful place! I have watched him grow in Christ over the past couple of years and it has been an amazing transformation.
How do you feel about going to church when Sunday comes around? Maybe you need a good dose of 1 Corinthians 10:24!
Application
I look forward to Sunday!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to serve You. Thank You for bringing such wonderful people into my life. Bless them Lord.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 122
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Observation
I love to go to church. I love going and seeing all God’s people every week. It is fun. It is very special. The family of God that meets at church on Sundays can have a closer bond with each other many times than they have with their own physical family. It is a good thing too because we are going to live forever with our spiritual family!
Paul talks about our spiritual family in 1 Corinthians and he lets us know how we should treat each other. I like what he says in 1 Corinthians 10:24 “Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” Selfless living makes for a very wonderful church.
When I went to Cuba on a mission trip a few weeks ago one of the men in our church decided he would fix my car while I was gone. The repair turned out to be both complicated and I am sure expensive, but he was determined to get it fixed for me.
He is an example of what Paul was saying in I Corinthians 10:24 and it is guys like him that make our church a wonderful place! I have watched him grow in Christ over the past couple of years and it has been an amazing transformation.
How do you feel about going to church when Sunday comes around? Maybe you need a good dose of 1 Corinthians 10:24!
Application
I look forward to Sunday!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to serve You. Thank You for bringing such wonderful people into my life. Bless them Lord.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Practicing the Weaker Brother Principle
Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 8
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
Observation
The weaker brother principle comes into play in those gray areas where there doesn’t seem to be a black and white, right or wrong answer. It could be ok for you but if what you are getting ready to do offends someone else then Paul says don’t do it.
This could be in the area of drinking a beer or a glass of wine, or for some even going to a theater to watch a movie. If you know that this is going to offend one of your brothers and you go ahead and do it then you have sinned. And you may have caused your weaker brother to stumble.
Application
I will focus on keeping the main thing the main thing this week. Sharing Jesus is the main thing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to cause someone else to stumble in his or her walk with you. I want to help others grow and not cause them to fall. Give me wisdom to use my time wisely. I pray that you would put on my heart the really important things and help me not to waste time on things that don’t matter. I want to see you work Mightily in the lives of those around me.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 8
13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
Observation
The weaker brother principle comes into play in those gray areas where there doesn’t seem to be a black and white, right or wrong answer. It could be ok for you but if what you are getting ready to do offends someone else then Paul says don’t do it.
This could be in the area of drinking a beer or a glass of wine, or for some even going to a theater to watch a movie. If you know that this is going to offend one of your brothers and you go ahead and do it then you have sinned. And you may have caused your weaker brother to stumble.
Application
I will focus on keeping the main thing the main thing this week. Sharing Jesus is the main thing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to cause someone else to stumble in his or her walk with you. I want to help others grow and not cause them to fall. Give me wisdom to use my time wisely. I pray that you would put on my heart the really important things and help me not to waste time on things that don’t matter. I want to see you work Mightily in the lives of those around me.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Can You and I Encourage People to Do This?
Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 4
16 So I urge you to imitate me.
Observation
Paul told his converts to imitate him. Are we living a life so close to God that we can do the same thing? Paul was so mad at the folks at Corinth. They were a mess and Paul challenged them to imitate him. He loved them but he was so aggravated with them at the same time.
We have to live godly lives so that others around us have someone to imitate. Where will the people around you see Jesus if it is not in your life or my life?
Could someone imitate my life today? How about yours?
Application
I want to be able to tell people “to imitate me” like Paul was able to do.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be so full of Your Holy Spirit that I could tell folks to imitate my life. It is my desire for people to see Jesus in me. Examine my heart and my life show me any sin that I need to confess so I can be completely right with you. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 4
16 So I urge you to imitate me.
Observation
Paul told his converts to imitate him. Are we living a life so close to God that we can do the same thing? Paul was so mad at the folks at Corinth. They were a mess and Paul challenged them to imitate him. He loved them but he was so aggravated with them at the same time.
We have to live godly lives so that others around us have someone to imitate. Where will the people around you see Jesus if it is not in your life or my life?
Could someone imitate my life today? How about yours?
Application
I want to be able to tell people “to imitate me” like Paul was able to do.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be so full of Your Holy Spirit that I could tell folks to imitate my life. It is my desire for people to see Jesus in me. Examine my heart and my life show me any sin that I need to confess so I can be completely right with you. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, November 08, 2008
When Babies Aren’t Cute!
Job 33; 1 Corinthians 1; 1 Corinthians 2; 1 Corinthians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 3
1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.
2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?
5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Observation
Have you ever seen a kid that is way past being a toddler still walking around drinking milk from a baby bottle and thought, “Somebody needs to take that baby bottle away from that big kid.”
Babies are cute, but if you are 20, 30, 40, 50 years old and you are still not potty trained, you still are wearing diapers and you are still sucking on a baby bottle then you are no longer cute you are sad. A Christian that stays a spiritual baby and does not grow is just as tragic.
The church at Corinth was a mess. They were a bunch of spiritual babies. Paul sharply rebukes them and reminds them that they are the temple of God and that they should be controlled by His Holy Spirit.
Application
These 3 chapters in 1 Corinthians are a reminder to me that I am not dealing all the time with a bunch of grown ups.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for this verse in 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.” I know that you have wonderful things ahead for all of us that are your children. I look forward to enjoying everything you have prepared for me. Help me to live for you today. Help me to bring you Glory and Honor.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 33; 1 Corinthians 1; 1 Corinthians 2; 1 Corinthians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Corinthians 3
1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.
2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?
5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Observation
Have you ever seen a kid that is way past being a toddler still walking around drinking milk from a baby bottle and thought, “Somebody needs to take that baby bottle away from that big kid.”
Babies are cute, but if you are 20, 30, 40, 50 years old and you are still not potty trained, you still are wearing diapers and you are still sucking on a baby bottle then you are no longer cute you are sad. A Christian that stays a spiritual baby and does not grow is just as tragic.
The church at Corinth was a mess. They were a bunch of spiritual babies. Paul sharply rebukes them and reminds them that they are the temple of God and that they should be controlled by His Holy Spirit.
Application
These 3 chapters in 1 Corinthians are a reminder to me that I am not dealing all the time with a bunch of grown ups.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for this verse in 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.” I know that you have wonderful things ahead for all of us that are your children. I look forward to enjoying everything you have prepared for me. Help me to live for you today. Help me to bring you Glory and Honor.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Friday, November 07, 2008
The Overflow Of Your Life Is …?
Job 31; Job 32; Galatians 5; Galatians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Galatians 5
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.
OR
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….”
Observation
Have you ever heard someone say, “Yes, I know he said that or yes, I know that he did that, but really deep inside he is a very good person?” The Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. All of us when the Holy Spirit is not in control have a heart like what Jeremiah 17:9 describes, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” All of us, when the Holy Spirit is not in control of our lives follow the desires of our sinful natures … all of us!
When something other than that kind of fruit is coming out of my life or yours then we are our sinful nature control our lives. People that don’t have Christ in their lives can only be expected to follow their sinful nature. It is the only nature that they have!
But why do we have some folks that attend church every Sunday following the desires of their old sinful nature: “sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins …”
It makes me wonder if they know Jesus the same way I do, or if they know the Jesus that died on the cross to set me free from my old sinful nature and my old sinful way of living.
Application
The Holy Spirit will control me and I will not give in to the desires of the flesh.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be guided and controlled by your Holy Spirit. Don’t let me yield to the temptations that come my way and allow the old nature to control my life. Help me to be strong. Guide my thoughts today. I pray for our people that they would walk in victory.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 31; Job 32; Galatians 5; Galatians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Galatians 5
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.
OR
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….”
Observation
Have you ever heard someone say, “Yes, I know he said that or yes, I know that he did that, but really deep inside he is a very good person?” The Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. All of us when the Holy Spirit is not in control have a heart like what Jeremiah 17:9 describes, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” All of us, when the Holy Spirit is not in control of our lives follow the desires of our sinful natures … all of us!
When something other than that kind of fruit is coming out of my life or yours then we are our sinful nature control our lives. People that don’t have Christ in their lives can only be expected to follow their sinful nature. It is the only nature that they have!
But why do we have some folks that attend church every Sunday following the desires of their old sinful nature: “sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins …”
It makes me wonder if they know Jesus the same way I do, or if they know the Jesus that died on the cross to set me free from my old sinful nature and my old sinful way of living.
Application
The Holy Spirit will control me and I will not give in to the desires of the flesh.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be guided and controlled by your Holy Spirit. Don’t let me yield to the temptations that come my way and allow the old nature to control my life. Help me to be strong. Guide my thoughts today. I pray for our people that they would walk in victory.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Troubles and Where to Take Them!
Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3; Galatians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 120
1 I took my troubles to the LORD;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
Observation
Do you find yourself with “troubles” today? Cry out to Jesus and let Him answer your prayers! What kind of trouble are you in? What are you doing about it? Have you taken your troubles to the Lord?
Our Heavenly Father is ready and willing to help us with today’s trouble, but we need to go to Him in prayer. He loves to answer our prayers. He loves to take care of us, but we must come humbly to Him and seek His help. Take your troubles to the Lord today and leave them with Him!
Application
I will take my troubles to the Lord!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You don’t promise us a trouble free life, in fact, You have told us that we will experience a life that is filled with trouble. Life is tough whether we are one of Your children or not, but those of us that have been born into Your family can depend on You to take care of us as we go through life’s tough moments.
Thank You for walking with me through everything that I face today. You are Wonderful. You are My Refuge and My Strength! Thank You for answering my prayers. Amen
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3; Galatians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 120
1 I took my troubles to the LORD;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
Observation
Do you find yourself with “troubles” today? Cry out to Jesus and let Him answer your prayers! What kind of trouble are you in? What are you doing about it? Have you taken your troubles to the Lord?
Our Heavenly Father is ready and willing to help us with today’s trouble, but we need to go to Him in prayer. He loves to answer our prayers. He loves to take care of us, but we must come humbly to Him and seek His help. Take your troubles to the Lord today and leave them with Him!
Application
I will take my troubles to the Lord!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You don’t promise us a trouble free life, in fact, You have told us that we will experience a life that is filled with trouble. Life is tough whether we are one of Your children or not, but those of us that have been born into Your family can depend on You to take care of us as we go through life’s tough moments.
Thank You for walking with me through everything that I face today. You are Wonderful. You are My Refuge and My Strength! Thank You for answering my prayers. Amen
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Rescued! The Only Real “Bail Out Plan”!
Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Galatians 1
4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
Observation
If you haven’t noticed we live in a very evil world and it is not getter any better. In fact we live in a world so evil that we need someone to rescue us. We need someone to save us. This world is a sinking ship and our only hope is Jesus.
No matter how bad things get here in the United States, and know matter how evil this world becomes I won’t trust any president to rescue me. No my savior, my rescuer, is not any president or congressman or senator, no my Rescuer has a Name and His Name is Jesus.
Before I turn on the television to hear who won the election I already know Who really cares for me – His Name is Jesus! I will put my trust in Him and in Him alone to save me! I will trust in God’s rescue plan – Jesus!
Application
I will share the Good News so that others can be rescued from this evil world too!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for planning out a rescue plan for me. This world is evil and without Christ it would be a hopeless place to live. Thank You for letting us know how it will all come out in the end and for letting us know that we will be victorious in the end. Thank You for rescuing me. Thank You for overcoming this evil world.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Galatians 1
4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
Observation
If you haven’t noticed we live in a very evil world and it is not getter any better. In fact we live in a world so evil that we need someone to rescue us. We need someone to save us. This world is a sinking ship and our only hope is Jesus.
No matter how bad things get here in the United States, and know matter how evil this world becomes I won’t trust any president to rescue me. No my savior, my rescuer, is not any president or congressman or senator, no my Rescuer has a Name and His Name is Jesus.
Before I turn on the television to hear who won the election I already know Who really cares for me – His Name is Jesus! I will put my trust in Him and in Him alone to save me! I will trust in God’s rescue plan – Jesus!
Application
I will share the Good News so that others can be rescued from this evil world too!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for planning out a rescue plan for me. This world is evil and without Christ it would be a hopeless place to live. Thank You for letting us know how it will all come out in the end and for letting us know that we will be victorious in the end. Thank You for rescuing me. Thank You for overcoming this evil world.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Merely a Whisper of His Power!
Job 26; Job 27; Mark 15; Mark 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Job 26
God stretches the northern sky over empty space
and hangs the earth on nothing.
8 He wraps the rain in his thick clouds,
and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
9 He covers the face of the moon,
shrouding it with his clouds.
10 He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
he set the boundary between day and night.
11 The foundations of heaven tremble;
they shudder at his rebuke.
12 By his power the sea grew calm.
By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
14 These are just the beginning of all that he does,
merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”
Observation
When we look around and see God’s creation, when we experience a thunder storm, or the beauty of a sunrise or a sunset, we have to remember that these are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of His Power!
We can’t even begin to imagine how powerful of a God we serve! And yet in all of His Greatness, in all of His Power, He takes time to think about you and me. Amazing isn’t it!
Application
I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge Him so He can direct my path. You are way Powerful enough to take care of me and our church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, what an Awesome God I serve. All that I can see is merely a whisper of your power and it is true I can’t comprehend the thunder of Your Power. Help me trust You with all of my heart today. Direct my path. I pray for our country as we select a new president today. I pray that the new leader will seek Your face and be guided by Your Spirit and that he will lead our country according to Your Word.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 26; Job 27; Mark 15; Mark 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Job 26
God stretches the northern sky over empty space
and hangs the earth on nothing.
8 He wraps the rain in his thick clouds,
and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
9 He covers the face of the moon,
shrouding it with his clouds.
10 He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
he set the boundary between day and night.
11 The foundations of heaven tremble;
they shudder at his rebuke.
12 By his power the sea grew calm.
By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
14 These are just the beginning of all that he does,
merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”
Observation
When we look around and see God’s creation, when we experience a thunder storm, or the beauty of a sunrise or a sunset, we have to remember that these are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of His Power!
We can’t even begin to imagine how powerful of a God we serve! And yet in all of His Greatness, in all of His Power, He takes time to think about you and me. Amazing isn’t it!
Application
I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge Him so He can direct my path. You are way Powerful enough to take care of me and our church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, what an Awesome God I serve. All that I can see is merely a whisper of your power and it is true I can’t comprehend the thunder of Your Power. Help me trust You with all of my heart today. Direct my path. I pray for our country as we select a new president today. I pray that the new leader will seek Your face and be guided by Your Spirit and that he will lead our country according to Your Word.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, November 03, 2008
The Spirit is Willing, But the Body is Weak
Job 25; Mark 13; Mark 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 14
38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Observation
Jesus had asked his closest disciples to pray while he was praying a short distance away from them, but every time he returned to them he found them sleeping. He woke them up a couple of times and then was going to let them go ahead and sleep but Judas arrived with a cohort of soldiers to arrest Him.
Temptation is our biggest challenge. We are constantly being tempted and unless we are constantly in prayer and on the look out we will yield to the temptation because our bodies are weak.
I know that if I don’t stay in God’s Word and daily have time with Him that I could easily yield to temptation, which then leads to sin. Temptation is not sin, but giving in to the temptation does result in sin.
We find Peter sleeping when he should have been praying and he denied Christ three times a short time later.
Application
I will spend time every day in prayer so that I can resist temptations as they come.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that I am weak but You are strong. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I pray for Your Strength today to be able to withstand the temptations that will come my way. Help me to stay focused on Your Kingdom. Show me where to walk. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 25; Mark 13; Mark 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 14
38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Observation
Jesus had asked his closest disciples to pray while he was praying a short distance away from them, but every time he returned to them he found them sleeping. He woke them up a couple of times and then was going to let them go ahead and sleep but Judas arrived with a cohort of soldiers to arrest Him.
Temptation is our biggest challenge. We are constantly being tempted and unless we are constantly in prayer and on the look out we will yield to the temptation because our bodies are weak.
I know that if I don’t stay in God’s Word and daily have time with Him that I could easily yield to temptation, which then leads to sin. Temptation is not sin, but giving in to the temptation does result in sin.
We find Peter sleeping when he should have been praying and he denied Christ three times a short time later.
Application
I will spend time every day in prayer so that I can resist temptations as they come.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that I am weak but You are strong. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I pray for Your Strength today to be able to withstand the temptations that will come my way. Help me to stay focused on Your Kingdom. Show me where to walk. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Job 23; Job 24; Mark 11; Mark 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 12
28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”
34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Observation
Jesus summed up the entire teaching of the Bible with these two commandments, “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Then Jesus replied to this man, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God”. At that moment I think that the man was about 18 inches away from the Kingdom of God – the distance from his head to his heart.
How close are you? Have you believed in your head but not yet in your heart? If you were to die today where would you spend eternity? I wonder if this man ever became a Christ follower or did he come that close to Heaven but still ended up in hell?
All this man lacked was putting his faith in Christ ... have you done that yet?
Application
I will continue to ask men and women if they have a heart relationship with Jesus and I will continue to challenge them to move that 18 inches that keeps them from Heaven!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that it is my task as a Christ follower to share the Good News. Give me the boldness to share everyday. I pray for my Cuban brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that you bless them. I pray for Janet the doctor that I met in Cuba that needs to be healed from a chronic illness. I pray in the name of Jesus that she be healed. Nothing is too hard for you.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Job 23; Job 24; Mark 11; Mark 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 12
28 One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
32 The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”
34 Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
Observation
Jesus summed up the entire teaching of the Bible with these two commandments, “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Then Jesus replied to this man, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God”. At that moment I think that the man was about 18 inches away from the Kingdom of God – the distance from his head to his heart.
How close are you? Have you believed in your head but not yet in your heart? If you were to die today where would you spend eternity? I wonder if this man ever became a Christ follower or did he come that close to Heaven but still ended up in hell?
All this man lacked was putting his faith in Christ ... have you done that yet?
Application
I will continue to ask men and women if they have a heart relationship with Jesus and I will continue to challenge them to move that 18 inches that keeps them from Heaven!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that it is my task as a Christ follower to share the Good News. Give me the boldness to share everyday. I pray for my Cuban brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that you bless them. I pray for Janet the doctor that I met in Cuba that needs to be healed from a chronic illness. I pray in the name of Jesus that she be healed. Nothing is too hard for you.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Today is our 39th Wedding Anniversary!
I have the Best Wife in the Entire World!
Kathy, I love you!
Rewards in Heaven For Something As Small As a Cup Of Water!
Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 9
41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
Observation
I have just returned from a mission trip to Cuba. We went to minister to the Cuban people but every time I go it is always the other way around. The Cuban Christians are so giving, so generous and yet they have so little. Their reward will be very great in Heaven!
We had ice cream a few times while we were there that the church obtained for us. A small container of ice cream is a month’s wages for a Cuban. (Think about that for a minute)
One of our guys on the team told the Cuban construction leader (an architect) who was talking about his need to gain weight that he should eat ice cream late every night and he would surely gain weight. He told him that was how he had become so large (fat) in the past!
The reply of the very thin Cuban was “hmmm … ice cream what is that? Then the architect proceeded to show us the size of the small container of ice cream that would cost him or any other Cuban a month’s wages.
We ate very well while we were there but we had the advantage of dollars to help provide a way to help them find food for our team.
We don’t know how blessed we are in our country, even with the financial situation that we now face!
But the Cuban’s that worked with us will be rewarded in Heaven for everything that they did for us and likewise every one of our team will be rewarded for everything that they gave to the Cuban Christians.
It is a promise that Jesus makes in verse 41 and He makes the same promise in many other parts of the Bible. Something as simple as a cup of water given to another brother or sister in Christ will not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father.
Application
I plan to give every time I am impressed by the Holy Spirit and not hold back.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be generous so that my reward in Heaven will be great! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
I have the Best Wife in the Entire World!
Kathy, I love you!
Rewards in Heaven For Something As Small As a Cup Of Water!
Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Mark 9
41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
Observation
I have just returned from a mission trip to Cuba. We went to minister to the Cuban people but every time I go it is always the other way around. The Cuban Christians are so giving, so generous and yet they have so little. Their reward will be very great in Heaven!
We had ice cream a few times while we were there that the church obtained for us. A small container of ice cream is a month’s wages for a Cuban. (Think about that for a minute)
One of our guys on the team told the Cuban construction leader (an architect) who was talking about his need to gain weight that he should eat ice cream late every night and he would surely gain weight. He told him that was how he had become so large (fat) in the past!
The reply of the very thin Cuban was “hmmm … ice cream what is that? Then the architect proceeded to show us the size of the small container of ice cream that would cost him or any other Cuban a month’s wages.
We ate very well while we were there but we had the advantage of dollars to help provide a way to help them find food for our team.
We don’t know how blessed we are in our country, even with the financial situation that we now face!
But the Cuban’s that worked with us will be rewarded in Heaven for everything that they did for us and likewise every one of our team will be rewarded for everything that they gave to the Cuban Christians.
It is a promise that Jesus makes in verse 41 and He makes the same promise in many other parts of the Bible. Something as simple as a cup of water given to another brother or sister in Christ will not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father.
Application
I plan to give every time I am impressed by the Holy Spirit and not hold back.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be generous so that my reward in Heaven will be great! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)