The Returning Christ
Revelation 19; Revelation 20; Revelation 21; Revelation 22
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Scripture
Revelation 19
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Observation
What picture of Jesus do you have in your mind when you think of Him? He is no longer a babe in a manger. He is no longer a meek carpenter’s Son. This passage shows us what Jesus now looks like and how He will look when He comes again. Are you ready to meet this Jesus?
The first time He came to earth He came as a suffering servant, but the next time He returns He will return as a conquering King. Only those whose names are written in the book of life will be spared destruction.
Application
I look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am ready for Jesus to return. In fact, I would love it if He would come today. I know that He is only waiting for more and more to people to repent and turn to Him for salvation. It is because of Your patience that You continue to wait so that others can find salvation in You. I pray that many will find Christ this year through the ministry of our church. Help us to be faithful in sharing the Good News with many people this year and I pray that You give them spiritual understanding so that they can be saved.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Come Lord Jesus!
Revelation 15; Revelation 16; Revelation 17; Revelation 18
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Scripture
Revelation 16
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
Observation
Are you ready for the Lord’s return? He says that He will come as an unexpectedly as a thief so we better be ready. No one is expecting a thief when he comes. A thief picks a time when you least expect him.
Jesus says that we need to be ready. Are you ready?
Application
I am ready … at least I think that I am. I will stay focused on kingdom stuff and not let other stuff get me sidetracked.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is my desire to be ready for the day of Your return to this earth. On the day that You return I want You to find me ready. I want to be right in the center of Your will at that moment. Keep me from sin. Keep me from things that would distract me. Thank You for my family. I ask that You bless my children today. Help them to depend on You for their daily needs. Help them to walk with You.
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Revelation 15; Revelation 16; Revelation 17; Revelation 18
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Scripture
Revelation 16
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
Observation
Are you ready for the Lord’s return? He says that He will come as an unexpectedly as a thief so we better be ready. No one is expecting a thief when he comes. A thief picks a time when you least expect him.
Jesus says that we need to be ready. Are you ready?
Application
I am ready … at least I think that I am. I will stay focused on kingdom stuff and not let other stuff get me sidetracked.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is my desire to be ready for the day of Your return to this earth. On the day that You return I want You to find me ready. I want to be right in the center of Your will at that moment. Keep me from sin. Keep me from things that would distract me. Thank You for my family. I ask that You bless my children today. Help them to depend on You for their daily needs. Help them to walk with You.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Hang In There No Matter What!
Revelation 10; Revelation 11; Revelation 12; Revelation 13; Revelation 14
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Scripture
Revelation 14
12 This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
Observation
I did not understand most of what I read in God’s word this morning because it was things written about future end time events. I know that we are getting closer and closer to these end time events, but I can’t say that I understand them. I know people think that they understand what God is going to do in the future, but I don’t think they really do because I don’t think God wants to make it perfectly clear.
But there is one thing that He has made perfectly clear and we find it in verse 12 of chapter 14, “This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.”
We need to patiently endure persecution and we must continue to be obedient and keep our faith in Christ regardless of whether we understand completely what God is doing in the world around us. He is in control. He is Sovereign!
Application
I will hold on to my faith in Christ and I will continue to obey His word no matter what happens in this crazy world around me.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to Your Word and keep me from sin. Help me think Your thoughts and obey what You tell me to do. You are in control. You are Sovereign. Nothing that is happening in this world is catching You by surprise.
There is no leader of any country in power that You have not allowed to govern and they are puppets in Your hands no matter how evil they are. One day each one of them will answer to You for how they used the power that You allowed them to have. It is power on loan from You even if they do not realize it.
I pray for our president today that You give him wisdom to make good decisions for our country. Surround him with some godly men and women that can help him take our country in the right direction.
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Revelation 10; Revelation 11; Revelation 12; Revelation 13; Revelation 14
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Scripture
Revelation 14
12 This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
Observation
I did not understand most of what I read in God’s word this morning because it was things written about future end time events. I know that we are getting closer and closer to these end time events, but I can’t say that I understand them. I know people think that they understand what God is going to do in the future, but I don’t think they really do because I don’t think God wants to make it perfectly clear.
But there is one thing that He has made perfectly clear and we find it in verse 12 of chapter 14, “This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.”
We need to patiently endure persecution and we must continue to be obedient and keep our faith in Christ regardless of whether we understand completely what God is doing in the world around us. He is in control. He is Sovereign!
Application
I will hold on to my faith in Christ and I will continue to obey His word no matter what happens in this crazy world around me.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to Your Word and keep me from sin. Help me think Your thoughts and obey what You tell me to do. You are in control. You are Sovereign. Nothing that is happening in this world is catching You by surprise.
There is no leader of any country in power that You have not allowed to govern and they are puppets in Your hands no matter how evil they are. One day each one of them will answer to You for how they used the power that You allowed them to have. It is power on loan from You even if they do not realize it.
I pray for our president today that You give him wisdom to make good decisions for our country. Surround him with some godly men and women that can help him take our country in the right direction.
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Monday, December 28, 2009
The Prayers of God’s People
Revelation 5; Revelation 6; Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9
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Scripture
Revelation 5
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
Observation
Gold bowls filled with the prayers of God’s people…now do you think that God loves to hear us pray? He saves our prayers and they are like sweet smelling incense to Him.
Does that encourage you to pray? It sure encourages me. To think that I could say something to God in prayer that He would save and keep is amazing. He probably will not save any of my prayers that are totally self centered and selfish, but He probably loves my prayers that I pray for other people and that are prayers of praise to Him.
I wonder how many of our prayers God has saved up in those gold bowls?
Did you notice the promise in verse ten? We will be a Kingdom of priests and we will reign here on this earth!
Application
I will think about the prayers that I pray today and try to pray for others rather than for myself.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is easy for me to be self-centered and pray for my own needs. Help me to focus on others and be more concerned about the people around me than I am for myself.
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Revelation 5; Revelation 6; Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9
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Scripture
Revelation 5
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
Observation
Gold bowls filled with the prayers of God’s people…now do you think that God loves to hear us pray? He saves our prayers and they are like sweet smelling incense to Him.
Does that encourage you to pray? It sure encourages me. To think that I could say something to God in prayer that He would save and keep is amazing. He probably will not save any of my prayers that are totally self centered and selfish, but He probably loves my prayers that I pray for other people and that are prayers of praise to Him.
I wonder how many of our prayers God has saved up in those gold bowls?
Did you notice the promise in verse ten? We will be a Kingdom of priests and we will reign here on this earth!
Application
I will think about the prayers that I pray today and try to pray for others rather than for myself.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is easy for me to be self-centered and pray for my own needs. Help me to focus on others and be more concerned about the people around me than I am for myself.
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Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Kingdom of Priests
Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4
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Scripture
Revelation 1
1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches
4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.
Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.
All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Observation
He has made us a kingdom of priests for God. If you are a Christ follower then you are a priest. What does a priest do? What is the function of a priest? I think the main task of a priest is to go to God on behalf of someone else.
We have the privilege of asking God to work in the lives of the people around us. Who comes to your mind right now that needs for God to do a work in his or her life? Maybe it is your children, your grandchildren, a neighbor, a person at church, someone in your Sunday School class, a spouse ... you and I have the awesome privilege of being able to approach God on their behalf.
We can approach Him on their behalf because we are friends of God. A friendship that was bought with a price by Jesus Christ it cost Him His very life. Jesus has chosen us as His friends and wants us to grow in that relationship everyday. Is He Your very best friend? Really? Did you get up first thing this morning and spend time with him?
Application
My friendship and my relationship with Christ are not for me alone. I am to talk to Him on behalf of the people around me that need to be His friends to.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for allowing me to be Your friend. It is an awesome privilege. I am a priest in Your kingdom, which means that I am to pray for other people. My friendship with You is not just for me, but it is also so that others can have the opportunity to know You like I know You. Thank You for being my friend. I don’t deserve it. Nobody deserves it. You are a God of Grace and Mercy.
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Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4
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Scripture
Revelation 1
1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
John’s Greeting to the Seven Churches
4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia.
Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.
All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Observation
He has made us a kingdom of priests for God. If you are a Christ follower then you are a priest. What does a priest do? What is the function of a priest? I think the main task of a priest is to go to God on behalf of someone else.
We have the privilege of asking God to work in the lives of the people around us. Who comes to your mind right now that needs for God to do a work in his or her life? Maybe it is your children, your grandchildren, a neighbor, a person at church, someone in your Sunday School class, a spouse ... you and I have the awesome privilege of being able to approach God on their behalf.
We can approach Him on their behalf because we are friends of God. A friendship that was bought with a price by Jesus Christ it cost Him His very life. Jesus has chosen us as His friends and wants us to grow in that relationship everyday. Is He Your very best friend? Really? Did you get up first thing this morning and spend time with him?
Application
My friendship and my relationship with Christ are not for me alone. I am to talk to Him on behalf of the people around me that need to be His friends to.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for allowing me to be Your friend. It is an awesome privilege. I am a priest in Your kingdom, which means that I am to pray for other people. My friendship with You is not just for me, but it is also so that others can have the opportunity to know You like I know You. Thank You for being my friend. I don’t deserve it. Nobody deserves it. You are a God of Grace and Mercy.
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
Helping Others In The Ministry
Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John 1; 3 John 1
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Scripture
3 John 1
5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 8 So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
Observation
Providing for those in the ministry that need our help is very important today too. We have just taken up our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and we are just a little short of reaching our goal of $36,209.00, but this Sunday we should go over the goal. Why is it so important? It is important because our missionaries need to be able to serve without having to spend their time worrying about raising their own support. We (the churches in the USA) are spending so much money on ourselves and very little goes to help those around the world come to know Christ. This has to change soon!
Application
I will continue to give sacrificially to help traveling teachers/missionaries do what God has asked them to do. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me a bigger heart for those who do your work full-time and that depend on the support that others can give them. Thank You for providing so much for Kathy and I. We are blessed. Thank You for allowing us to travel and teach in many places and thank You for friends in so many different places. You are a wonderful God. You have given us so much. Help us be a blessing to others.
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Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John 1; 3 John 1
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Scripture
3 John 1
5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 8 So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.
Observation
Providing for those in the ministry that need our help is very important today too. We have just taken up our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and we are just a little short of reaching our goal of $36,209.00, but this Sunday we should go over the goal. Why is it so important? It is important because our missionaries need to be able to serve without having to spend their time worrying about raising their own support. We (the churches in the USA) are spending so much money on ourselves and very little goes to help those around the world come to know Christ. This has to change soon!
Application
I will continue to give sacrificially to help traveling teachers/missionaries do what God has asked them to do. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me a bigger heart for those who do your work full-time and that depend on the support that others can give them. Thank You for providing so much for Kathy and I. We are blessed. Thank You for allowing us to travel and teach in many places and thank You for friends in so many different places. You are a wonderful God. You have given us so much. Help us be a blessing to others.
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Friday, December 25, 2009
We Are Reminded Over and Over Again to Love One Another
1 John 1; 1 John 2; 1 John 3; 1 John 4; 1 John 5
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Scripture
1 John 4
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
Observation
I am fascinated with how many times in scripture and by how many different writers we are reminded to love one another. Hmm…it must not be a natural thing to do. I believe that it is the hardest thing that the church has been commanded to do – is to love one another. I watch people and even myself and we tend to drift in the other direction in our relationships. And I am convinced that if we don’t stay close to the Lord and daily spend time with Him it is something that is impossible for us to do.
John says, “If you don’t love someone that you can see then how can you love God who you can’t see.” Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ is not something optional we are commanded to love them.
How are you doing loving people like Jesus did? How am I doing?
Application
Is there someone today that I need to show God’s love to?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are love. Help me love people like You want me to love them. Show me where I am messing up. Help me to live like Jesus. I know that loving brothers and sisters in Christ is very important if it wasn’t You would not have mentioned it so many times in Your word. Give me the capacity to love people like You love them.
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1 John 1; 1 John 2; 1 John 3; 1 John 4; 1 John 5
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Scripture
1 John 4
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
Observation
I am fascinated with how many times in scripture and by how many different writers we are reminded to love one another. Hmm…it must not be a natural thing to do. I believe that it is the hardest thing that the church has been commanded to do – is to love one another. I watch people and even myself and we tend to drift in the other direction in our relationships. And I am convinced that if we don’t stay close to the Lord and daily spend time with Him it is something that is impossible for us to do.
John says, “If you don’t love someone that you can see then how can you love God who you can’t see.” Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ is not something optional we are commanded to love them.
How are you doing loving people like Jesus did? How am I doing?
Application
Is there someone today that I need to show God’s love to?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are love. Help me love people like You want me to love them. Show me where I am messing up. Help me to live like Jesus. I know that loving brothers and sisters in Christ is very important if it wasn’t You would not have mentioned it so many times in Your word. Give me the capacity to love people like You love them.
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Thursday, December 24, 2009
Very Blessed!
John 19; John 20; John 21
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Scripture
John 20
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Observation
Jesus is my Lord and my God and I am one of the ones that Jesus talked about that believes without seeing Him. I have never seen Jesus, but I believe in Him. I talk with Him everyday, but I have never seen Him. He is my Lord and my Savior but I have never seen Him.
Application
One day I will see Him. I will see Him in all His Glory. I will see Him on His throne. I will see Him in all His majesty. One day He will come back to this earth for me. How about you? Are you ready?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the faith to believe in Jesus without seeing Him. Thank You for saving me. You are Worthy of all of our praise.
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John 19; John 20; John 21
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Scripture
John 20
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Observation
Jesus is my Lord and my God and I am one of the ones that Jesus talked about that believes without seeing Him. I have never seen Jesus, but I believe in Him. I talk with Him everyday, but I have never seen Him. He is my Lord and my Savior but I have never seen Him.
Application
One day I will see Him. I will see Him in all His Glory. I will see Him on His throne. I will see Him in all His majesty. One day He will come back to this earth for me. How about you? Are you ready?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the faith to believe in Jesus without seeing Him. Thank You for saving me. You are Worthy of all of our praise.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009
We Don’t Belong Here
John 15; John 16; John 17; John 18
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Scripture
John 17
15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
Observation
Do you have the feeling that you just don’t belong here? If you have that feeling then there could be a good reason and that reason is this – if you are a Christian then you really don’t belong to this world anymore. It is not your home.
I have watched my grandson Louie get homesick when he is over at our house and it is really sad. Mainly it is really sad for us because he makes everybody unhappy when he is unhappy. The other night he was crying and kept saying, “I just want to go home.”
Jesus says that this in not our home. We are just here for a short time on this earth and it is not our permanent residence. Don’t get too comfortable here down this earth. You were made for Heaven if you are a Christian. You are not going to be totally at home here.
Application
Heaven is my home. I plan to act like it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for my home in Heaven. Help me act like this is not my home and that I am only passing through. Show me how to live this life here on earth in a way that would please You and bring You glory. Be glorified in and through me today.
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John 15; John 16; John 17; John 18
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Scripture
John 17
15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
Observation
Do you have the feeling that you just don’t belong here? If you have that feeling then there could be a good reason and that reason is this – if you are a Christian then you really don’t belong to this world anymore. It is not your home.
I have watched my grandson Louie get homesick when he is over at our house and it is really sad. Mainly it is really sad for us because he makes everybody unhappy when he is unhappy. The other night he was crying and kept saying, “I just want to go home.”
Jesus says that this in not our home. We are just here for a short time on this earth and it is not our permanent residence. Don’t get too comfortable here down this earth. You were made for Heaven if you are a Christian. You are not going to be totally at home here.
Application
Heaven is my home. I plan to act like it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for my home in Heaven. Help me act like this is not my home and that I am only passing through. Show me how to live this life here on earth in a way that would please You and bring You glory. Be glorified in and through me today.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
No Room to More Than Enough Room
John 12; John 13; John 14
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Scripture
John 14
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.
Observation
When Christ came into this world there was no room for Him to be born in a home or even an inn, but when we go to Heaven to be with Him there will be more than enough room for us.
The world still crowds out Jesus and it will continue to do so until this world comes to an end, but Heaven will have plenty of room for those that follow Christ. It must be quite a place because He says that when it is ready He will return for us and He has been working on our space now for about 2,000 years. Wow!
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in Christ too!
Application
I can and I plan to downsize a lot more here on earth because I am going to get to live in a mansion forever with Jesus. I don’t need a lot of stuff here. Do you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me die to this world. Help me focus on Heaven and on what is most important. Give me Your heart today for the people around me. Help me move someone closer to Your kingdom today.
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John 12; John 13; John 14
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Scripture
John 14
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.
Observation
When Christ came into this world there was no room for Him to be born in a home or even an inn, but when we go to Heaven to be with Him there will be more than enough room for us.
The world still crowds out Jesus and it will continue to do so until this world comes to an end, but Heaven will have plenty of room for those that follow Christ. It must be quite a place because He says that when it is ready He will return for us and He has been working on our space now for about 2,000 years. Wow!
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in Christ too!
Application
I can and I plan to downsize a lot more here on earth because I am going to get to live in a mansion forever with Jesus. I don’t need a lot of stuff here. Do you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me die to this world. Help me focus on Heaven and on what is most important. Give me Your heart today for the people around me. Help me move someone closer to Your kingdom today.
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Monday, December 21, 2009
Jesus Came To This Earth For This Reason
John 9; John 10; John 11
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Scripture
John 10
6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
Observation
Jesus said that the reason or purpose for His coming to earth was to give His sheep a rich and satisfying life. I contend that it is impossible to live a rich and satisfying life without knowing Jesus Christ personally. The thief’s purpose (and the thief is Satan) is to steal, kill and destroy.
Which life do you prefer: 1. A life that is rich and satisfying or 2. A life of death and destruction? Hmmm…that is a no brainer for me … I choose Jesus!
How about you?
Application
I will continue to follow Jesus. It is my desire to help others find Jesus too so they can have a life that is rich and satisfying.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Help me share with those at Mission Tampa that He is the answer to meeting the needs of their lives. Help me communicate clearly the Gospel message to them. Open their eyes so that they can believe the Gospel message.
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John 9; John 10; John 11
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Scripture
John 10
6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
Observation
Jesus said that the reason or purpose for His coming to earth was to give His sheep a rich and satisfying life. I contend that it is impossible to live a rich and satisfying life without knowing Jesus Christ personally. The thief’s purpose (and the thief is Satan) is to steal, kill and destroy.
Which life do you prefer: 1. A life that is rich and satisfying or 2. A life of death and destruction? Hmmm…that is a no brainer for me … I choose Jesus!
How about you?
Application
I will continue to follow Jesus. It is my desire to help others find Jesus too so they can have a life that is rich and satisfying.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Help me share with those at Mission Tampa that He is the answer to meeting the needs of their lives. Help me communicate clearly the Gospel message to them. Open their eyes so that they can believe the Gospel message.
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Sunday, December 20, 2009
Jesus Claims to Be God – “I AM”
John 7; John 8
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Scripture
John 8
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
Observation
How many of the great “I AM” passages do you remember from reading God’s word? In the Old Testament God told Moses to tell the Israel children that I AM sent him and they would realize that he was God’s leader to lead them out of Egypt. Over and over again Jesus claimed to be God and the Jews knew what He was claiming and that is why they tried to kill Him.
I AM the Bread of Life, I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the Door, I Am The Way, I AM The Truth, I AM The Life, I AM The Resurrection, I AM The Alpha and The Omega, and that is just to name of a few of the I AM passages referring to Jesus.
Do you know Him?
Has He become more than a baby in a manger to you? Do you believe that He is God and do you believe that He wants to save you from your sins? You can trust Him today. You can believe in Him right now.
Application
He is worthy of my worship. I will worship Him today. He is worthy of praise. I will praise Him today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for coming to this earth and living a sinless life and then dying on the cross to save me from my sins. You also died and laid down Your life not for just me but for everyone in this entire world. Your death on the cross as payment for our sins is the greatest gift of all, but it is a gift that must be received by us. Thank You for allowing me to understand the message of the Gospel. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for saving others that trust in you.
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John 7; John 8
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Scripture
John 8
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
Observation
How many of the great “I AM” passages do you remember from reading God’s word? In the Old Testament God told Moses to tell the Israel children that I AM sent him and they would realize that he was God’s leader to lead them out of Egypt. Over and over again Jesus claimed to be God and the Jews knew what He was claiming and that is why they tried to kill Him.
I AM the Bread of Life, I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the Door, I Am The Way, I AM The Truth, I AM The Life, I AM The Resurrection, I AM The Alpha and The Omega, and that is just to name of a few of the I AM passages referring to Jesus.
Do you know Him?
Has He become more than a baby in a manger to you? Do you believe that He is God and do you believe that He wants to save you from your sins? You can trust Him today. You can believe in Him right now.
Application
He is worthy of my worship. I will worship Him today. He is worthy of praise. I will praise Him today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for coming to this earth and living a sinless life and then dying on the cross to save me from my sins. You also died and laid down Your life not for just me but for everyone in this entire world. Your death on the cross as payment for our sins is the greatest gift of all, but it is a gift that must be received by us. Thank You for allowing me to understand the message of the Gospel. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for saving others that trust in you.
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Saturday, December 19, 2009
Human Effort Accomplishes Nothing!
John 5; John 6
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Scripture
John 6
63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
Observation
Everyone I talk to is trying to get to Heaven by being good, by trying to do more good things than bad things, in other words by their own efforts. Jesus lets us know that our human effort accomplishes absolutely “nothing” as far as getting into Heaven is concerned. So if you are trying to get to Heaven by your own effort then you need to stop trying and start “trusting”. This is the message that we can get from the passage today.
The word “Nothing” has been described as a big zero with the rim knocked off and that is how Jesus describes human effort and how close it gets us to Heaven! It gets us nowhere!
Application
I will pray to my Heavenly Father to save those that He puts on my heart because I know that only God can save them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those that need to stop trying and start trusting You know that they are on my heart. You know who they are. I pray that You would bring people and circumstances into their lives that would cause them to see the way of salvation. I pray that they would trust You and I pray that they would have eternal life and experience life to the fullest right now. I am tired of watching them flounder in sin and it hurts me to watch them as they destroy themselves. Thank You for our church ministry team that love You and are committed to serving You.
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John 5; John 6
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Scripture
John 6
63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
Observation
Everyone I talk to is trying to get to Heaven by being good, by trying to do more good things than bad things, in other words by their own efforts. Jesus lets us know that our human effort accomplishes absolutely “nothing” as far as getting into Heaven is concerned. So if you are trying to get to Heaven by your own effort then you need to stop trying and start “trusting”. This is the message that we can get from the passage today.
The word “Nothing” has been described as a big zero with the rim knocked off and that is how Jesus describes human effort and how close it gets us to Heaven! It gets us nowhere!
Application
I will pray to my Heavenly Father to save those that He puts on my heart because I know that only God can save them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those that need to stop trying and start trusting You know that they are on my heart. You know who they are. I pray that You would bring people and circumstances into their lives that would cause them to see the way of salvation. I pray that they would trust You and I pray that they would have eternal life and experience life to the fullest right now. I am tired of watching them flounder in sin and it hurts me to watch them as they destroy themselves. Thank You for our church ministry team that love You and are committed to serving You.
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Friday, December 18, 2009
Born Again!
John 2; John 3; John 4
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Scripture
John 3
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Observation
Nicodemus was very religious, but he was not born again. He didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about and most people today don’t understand the way to Heaven.
Being good doesn’t make you a Christian any more than pushing a wheelbarrow into a garage makes it a car. You must be spiritually born again. We must be born into the family of God to become one of God’s children. Everyone on this planet is God’s creation, but only those that have been born again are His children.
If you were standing at Heaven’s gate and God asked you, “Why should I let you into my kingdom or my Heaven what would you say to Him?” Your answer to that question would let me know whether you understood the Good News of the Bible or not.
Most people want to try to get into Heaven by their own goodness, but God says that a person must be born again. Are you born again? If you don’t know what I am talking about then there is a very good chance that you are lost and on your way to a place called Hell.
How can someone be “born again” that was what Nicodemus wanted to know? “Can a person go back into his or her mother’s womb” Nicodemus asked? He couldn’t grasp a spiritual rebirth. Do you understand?
God says that we are dead in our trespasses and sins…we are dead people walking…we are spiritually dead…and our only hope is to have Someone take away our sin. Jesus died on the cross to pay the death penalty of our sins.
He paid with His own life what we deserve to receive. He died in our place. He did this as a “gift”. When we trust in what He did on the cross for us and we turn from sin and self and turn to God we are born again. By trusting in what Christ did for us we are spiritually born into the family of God.
Application
I will share this Good News with everyone I can.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for me. Thank You for giving me eternal life. I don’t deserve it. Thank You for letting me be born again. I have been born into Your family. I am Your child. Thank You for letting me have the joy of sharing the Gospel with those around me. Give me more and more opportunities to tell people of Your love so others can be born again.
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John 2; John 3; John 4
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Scripture
John 3
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Observation
Nicodemus was very religious, but he was not born again. He didn’t understand what Jesus was talking about and most people today don’t understand the way to Heaven.
Being good doesn’t make you a Christian any more than pushing a wheelbarrow into a garage makes it a car. You must be spiritually born again. We must be born into the family of God to become one of God’s children. Everyone on this planet is God’s creation, but only those that have been born again are His children.
If you were standing at Heaven’s gate and God asked you, “Why should I let you into my kingdom or my Heaven what would you say to Him?” Your answer to that question would let me know whether you understood the Good News of the Bible or not.
Most people want to try to get into Heaven by their own goodness, but God says that a person must be born again. Are you born again? If you don’t know what I am talking about then there is a very good chance that you are lost and on your way to a place called Hell.
How can someone be “born again” that was what Nicodemus wanted to know? “Can a person go back into his or her mother’s womb” Nicodemus asked? He couldn’t grasp a spiritual rebirth. Do you understand?
God says that we are dead in our trespasses and sins…we are dead people walking…we are spiritually dead…and our only hope is to have Someone take away our sin. Jesus died on the cross to pay the death penalty of our sins.
He paid with His own life what we deserve to receive. He died in our place. He did this as a “gift”. When we trust in what He did on the cross for us and we turn from sin and self and turn to God we are born again. By trusting in what Christ did for us we are spiritually born into the family of God.
Application
I will share this Good News with everyone I can.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for me. Thank You for giving me eternal life. I don’t deserve it. Thank You for letting me be born again. I have been born into Your family. I am Your child. Thank You for letting me have the joy of sharing the Gospel with those around me. Give me more and more opportunities to tell people of Your love so others can be born again.
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Thursday, December 17, 2009
No Excuse – We Have Everything We Need
2 Peter 1; 2 Peter 2; 2 Peter 3; John 1
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Scripture
2 Peter 1
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.
Observation
It is easy to make excuses for why we don’t live godly lives but this verse should remove all doubt that not only is it possible but God expects it. He has equipped us to live godly lives. We don’t lack anything but our obedience. He has provided everything necessary … period … end of story … no excuses.
Application
It is my desire to live a godly life and I thank God that He has made it possible for me to do that.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me with everything I need to live a godly life. Don’t let me fall into sin. Don’t let me do things that would bring You disappointment. I pray that You would be all that is important to me today. Show me where and how to walk so I can bring You honor and glory.
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2 Peter 1; 2 Peter 2; 2 Peter 3; John 1
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Scripture
2 Peter 1
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.
Observation
It is easy to make excuses for why we don’t live godly lives but this verse should remove all doubt that not only is it possible but God expects it. He has equipped us to live godly lives. We don’t lack anything but our obedience. He has provided everything necessary … period … end of story … no excuses.
Application
It is my desire to live a godly life and I thank God that He has made it possible for me to do that.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me with everything I need to live a godly life. Don’t let me fall into sin. Don’t let me do things that would bring You disappointment. I pray that You would be all that is important to me today. Show me where and how to walk so I can bring You honor and glory.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Give All Your Worries and Cares to God and Don’t Take Them Back
1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5
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Scripture
1 Peter 5
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Observation
Do you remember when you were a kid that you would give something to someone and then want it back? We used the term “Indian giver” back then and I know that that term is probably full of prejudice and I don’t even know why we used it except it was used when someone gave something and then took it back.
When it comes to worries and cares we tend to do the same thing. We give them to God but then we take them back and start worrying about them all over again. May I suggest that you keep giving them back to the Lord everything that you begin to worry about them again. It would be nice if once we gave our worries and cares to the Lord that we never thought of them again, but it doesn’t happen at least not in my case. There are some fears and worries that daily come back to my mind and I have to take them to the Lord over and over again. If I don’t I will find myself worrying about them and my thoughts will be consumed by them.
Application
I will try not to be an Indian giver when it comes to my worries and cares that I give to God today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me give You all my worries and cares and help me not take them back.
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1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5
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Scripture
1 Peter 5
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Observation
Do you remember when you were a kid that you would give something to someone and then want it back? We used the term “Indian giver” back then and I know that that term is probably full of prejudice and I don’t even know why we used it except it was used when someone gave something and then took it back.
When it comes to worries and cares we tend to do the same thing. We give them to God but then we take them back and start worrying about them all over again. May I suggest that you keep giving them back to the Lord everything that you begin to worry about them again. It would be nice if once we gave our worries and cares to the Lord that we never thought of them again, but it doesn’t happen at least not in my case. There are some fears and worries that daily come back to my mind and I have to take them to the Lord over and over again. If I don’t I will find myself worrying about them and my thoughts will be consumed by them.
Application
I will try not to be an Indian giver when it comes to my worries and cares that I give to God today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me give You all my worries and cares and help me not take them back.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Great Power of Prayer
James 1; James 2; James 3; James 4; James 5
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Scripture
James 5
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Observation
Does it matter if you pray? If you are a righteous person then I think it matters a lot, because the scriptures say, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
So what big thing are you praying for? I am praying for some miracles in some peoples’ lives – how about you? I believe that we can make a difference in the lives of people by being willing to pray for them on a regular basis. Do you believe that it makes a difference?
Application
I will continue to pray for some people on a daily basis because I know that prayer is powerful and produces wonderful results.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know who I pray for everyday and I don’t plan to give up until I see their lives turn around and change. Some of them are out of Your will and some others need physical healing. You are able to touch each one of them and I am counting on You doing just that. You are wonderful and nothing is too hard for You.
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James 1; James 2; James 3; James 4; James 5
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Scripture
James 5
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Observation
Does it matter if you pray? If you are a righteous person then I think it matters a lot, because the scriptures say, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
So what big thing are you praying for? I am praying for some miracles in some peoples’ lives – how about you? I believe that we can make a difference in the lives of people by being willing to pray for them on a regular basis. Do you believe that it makes a difference?
Application
I will continue to pray for some people on a daily basis because I know that prayer is powerful and produces wonderful results.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know who I pray for everyday and I don’t plan to give up until I see their lives turn around and change. Some of them are out of Your will and some others need physical healing. You are able to touch each one of them and I am counting on You doing just that. You are wonderful and nothing is too hard for You.
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Monday, December 14, 2009
It is Good To Be Reminded To Love One Another
Hebrews 12; Hebrews 13; Jude 1
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Scripture
Hebrews 13
1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.
20 Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Observation
We have to be reminded to keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters…hmm…I wonder why we are reminded over and over again in scripture to love each other…is it that we tend to drift in the other direction.
I think that being reminded to do things that we already know or have already read about in scripture is super important. I think that we need to be continuously reminded so that we don’t lose our focus. It is so easy to lose focus. It can happen during the holidays very easily. It can happen during the summer vacation break. So it is good to be reminded to put first things first.
Verse 20 begins a blessing that is for you and me…
Application
I will practice hospitality today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to love those in our church as brothers and sisters. For the leadership in our church I pray that You equip them with all they need for doing Your will. May You produce in them, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to You.
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Hebrews 12; Hebrews 13; Jude 1
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Scripture
Hebrews 13
1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.
20 Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Observation
We have to be reminded to keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters…hmm…I wonder why we are reminded over and over again in scripture to love each other…is it that we tend to drift in the other direction.
I think that being reminded to do things that we already know or have already read about in scripture is super important. I think that we need to be continuously reminded so that we don’t lose our focus. It is so easy to lose focus. It can happen during the holidays very easily. It can happen during the summer vacation break. So it is good to be reminded to put first things first.
Verse 20 begins a blessing that is for you and me…
Application
I will practice hospitality today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to love those in our church as brothers and sisters. For the leadership in our church I pray that You equip them with all they need for doing Your will. May You produce in them, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to You.
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Sunday, December 13, 2009
Let’s Encourage Each Other
Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10; Hebrews 11
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Scripture
Hebrews 10
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Observation
We need to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Application
I will think of ways of encouraging folks today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be an encourager to people and not one that discourages. Help me think of ways to motivate people to acts of love and good works. Thank You for those that You have placed in my life that are encouragers.
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Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10; Hebrews 11
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Scripture
Hebrews 10
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Observation
We need to think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Application
I will think of ways of encouraging folks today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be an encourager to people and not one that discourages. Help me think of ways to motivate people to acts of love and good works. Thank You for those that You have placed in my life that are encouragers.
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Saturday, December 12, 2009
Anchor For Our Souls
Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8
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Scripture
Hebrews 6
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Observation
Have you ever been out in the ocean and tossed around in a boat by a storm? Everyone needs an anchor for his or her soul. This world is becoming more difficult by the day. So many things toss us about; the pace of change is getting faster and faster everyday. Our government seems to be swirling out of control. You and I definitely need an Anchor and His Name is Jesus.
Application
I will hold on to the Anchor today. He is all that I need.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to the anchor of my soul – Jesus. Thank You that He never changes. He will always be the same no matter what is happening around me. He is my Rock. He is my Anchor. He is my Mighty Fortress. He is the anchor of my soul.
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Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Hebrews 6
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Observation
Have you ever been out in the ocean and tossed around in a boat by a storm? Everyone needs an anchor for his or her soul. This world is becoming more difficult by the day. So many things toss us about; the pace of change is getting faster and faster everyday. Our government seems to be swirling out of control. You and I definitely need an Anchor and His Name is Jesus.
Application
I will hold on to the Anchor today. He is all that I need.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to hold on to the anchor of my soul – Jesus. Thank You that He never changes. He will always be the same no matter what is happening around me. He is my Rock. He is my Anchor. He is my Mighty Fortress. He is the anchor of my soul.
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Friday, December 11, 2009
Boldly Coming Before The King of Kings
Philemon 1; Hebrews 1; Hebrews 2; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4
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Scripture
Hebrews 4
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Observation
At God’s throne we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Mercy is not getting what we deserve and Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve and we can come boldly to the throne of God to receive both. Only Christ-followers have this privilege and that is the Good News that we have to share with the entire world that everyone who hears God’s word and trust in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation can come directly to God the Father’s throne.
Can you imagine the privilege of being able to go directly to an earthly king’s throne and ask him for help? I think of Nehemiah and how he went to his king and Queen Esther and how she went before her king, but both of these Bible characters went before their kings with fear and trembling (courageously but trembling), while we can boldly come before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to receive His help. And we can come before His presence with confidence and without fear (reverence yes, but not fear).
Application
I will boldly come to the throne of my Heavenly Father and seek His help.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You have given me access to Your throne. I can come directly into Your presence because of what Christ Your Son did for me on the cross. It is a huge privilege, but I also know that it is a big responsibility. I pray that You guide and direct me. It is my desire to serve You with all my heart today. Thank You for being so good to me. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for calling me to serve You. Help me be 100% obedient today to Your will. Thank You for our church. I pray that You would raise up an army of leaders from within our fellowship. I pray that our young people would find a place to serve, a place to fit in and be used by You to reach other young people. I pray that You would bless our church.
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Philemon 1; Hebrews 1; Hebrews 2; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4
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Scripture
Hebrews 4
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Observation
At God’s throne we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Mercy is not getting what we deserve and Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve and we can come boldly to the throne of God to receive both. Only Christ-followers have this privilege and that is the Good News that we have to share with the entire world that everyone who hears God’s word and trust in His Son Jesus Christ for salvation can come directly to God the Father’s throne.
Can you imagine the privilege of being able to go directly to an earthly king’s throne and ask him for help? I think of Nehemiah and how he went to his king and Queen Esther and how she went before her king, but both of these Bible characters went before their kings with fear and trembling (courageously but trembling), while we can boldly come before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to receive His help. And we can come before His presence with confidence and without fear (reverence yes, but not fear).
Application
I will boldly come to the throne of my Heavenly Father and seek His help.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You have given me access to Your throne. I can come directly into Your presence because of what Christ Your Son did for me on the cross. It is a huge privilege, but I also know that it is a big responsibility. I pray that You guide and direct me. It is my desire to serve You with all my heart today. Thank You for being so good to me. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for calling me to serve You. Help me be 100% obedient today to Your will. Thank You for our church. I pray that You would raise up an army of leaders from within our fellowship. I pray that our young people would find a place to serve, a place to fit in and be used by You to reach other young people. I pray that You would bless our church.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Run!
2 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy 2; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 4
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Scripture
2 Timothy 2
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Observation
Run from anything that is going to cause you to sin, and instead focus on things that are going to help you be more Christ like. Hang out and have fun with men that are godly. Bad company corrupts good character.
Don’t sit there and watch programs on your television that stimulates youthful lusts. Don’t do it. Run from anything that does that.
Pursue…chase after…righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.
Application
I will run from anything that causes or stimulates lusts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me chase after the right kind of living. Don’t let me fall into sin with my eyes. Guard my heart and keep me from sin. I want to live for You today and not myself.
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2 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy 2; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Timothy 2
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Observation
Run from anything that is going to cause you to sin, and instead focus on things that are going to help you be more Christ like. Hang out and have fun with men that are godly. Bad company corrupts good character.
Don’t sit there and watch programs on your television that stimulates youthful lusts. Don’t do it. Run from anything that does that.
Pursue…chase after…righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.
Application
I will run from anything that causes or stimulates lusts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me chase after the right kind of living. Don’t let me fall into sin with my eyes. Guard my heart and keep me from sin. I want to live for You today and not myself.
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Wednesday, December 09, 2009
A Good Reminder At Christmas Time!
1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1; Titus 2; Titus 3
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Scripture
1 Timothy 6
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
Observation
Can you and I be content with just sufficient food to eat and with just enough clothes to wear? Can we? I think we will have to work hard on that verse, but can we?
Application
I will memorize verse 8 today so I will stay content during this Christmas season.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be content with food to eat and clothes to keep me covered.
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1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1; Titus 2; Titus 3
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Scripture
1 Timothy 6
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
Observation
Can you and I be content with just sufficient food to eat and with just enough clothes to wear? Can we? I think we will have to work hard on that verse, but can we?
Application
I will memorize verse 8 today so I will stay content during this Christmas season.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be content with food to eat and clothes to keep me covered.
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Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Throw Yourself Into What You Do For The Lord
1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4
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Scripture
1 Timothy 4
15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.
Observation
Don’ t just go through the motions, instead throw yourself into what you do for the Lord. It is so easy to just go through the motions and get stuck in a rut. What do you need to do to get out of the rut and begin to once again serve the Lord with everything that you’ve got? Just do it!
Timothy must have been a little timid and a little laid back. Paul thought that he needed a gentle push to stay focused on the work that God had called him to. Who do you know that needs a gentle push today? Do you have a Timothy that needs a word of encouragement and gentle kick in the seat of the pants?
Application
I will throw my self into the work of the Lord today and I will also look for a Timothy that needs some encouragement.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on what You have called me to do. Help me to throw myself into Your service. Give me the energy and the desire that I need today to be fruitful and productive for Your kingdom. Show me a Timothy who needs to be encouraged and let me encourage him in a way that truly motivates and helps him.
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1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4
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Scripture
1 Timothy 4
15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.
Observation
Don’ t just go through the motions, instead throw yourself into what you do for the Lord. It is so easy to just go through the motions and get stuck in a rut. What do you need to do to get out of the rut and begin to once again serve the Lord with everything that you’ve got? Just do it!
Timothy must have been a little timid and a little laid back. Paul thought that he needed a gentle push to stay focused on the work that God had called him to. Who do you know that needs a gentle push today? Do you have a Timothy that needs a word of encouragement and gentle kick in the seat of the pants?
Application
I will throw my self into the work of the Lord today and I will also look for a Timothy that needs some encouragement.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stay focused on what You have called me to do. Help me to throw myself into Your service. Give me the energy and the desire that I need today to be fruitful and productive for Your kingdom. Show me a Timothy who needs to be encouraged and let me encourage him in a way that truly motivates and helps him.
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Monday, December 07, 2009
Never Treat Your Wife Harshly!
Colossians 1; Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4
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Scripture
Colossians 3
19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
Observation
Never…never treat them harshly; why do you think Paul said that to us husbands? He said it because I think he observed how men generally tend to treat their wives and saw that it was not good. It is easy to be harsh. Men are physically stronger generally than women and in the culture of Paul’s day and even today in our culture women are often looked down on as second-class citizens. For example men still get paid more than women in our country for most jobs. The macho man syndrome still exists in our world today. It is even worse in other countries but it is bad enough here.
So we are to love our wives and we are to treat her gently not harshly. Today is a great day to put this verse into action.
Application
I will treat Kathy gently today, not harshly.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is so easy to be mean to those that you love the most. I am so glad that You are not like we are. Help me to be gentle with Kathy and not harsh today. Help me make her feel loved and special today. She is the greatest gift that You have ever given me. Help me to love her like she should be loved. Don’t let me treat her harshly. I pray for the men of our church that they would love their wives like Christ loved the church. If they would it would solve a lot of problems for me. Thank You for living in me and giving me the strength to live out the Christian life today.
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Colossians 1; Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Colossians 3
19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
Observation
Never…never treat them harshly; why do you think Paul said that to us husbands? He said it because I think he observed how men generally tend to treat their wives and saw that it was not good. It is easy to be harsh. Men are physically stronger generally than women and in the culture of Paul’s day and even today in our culture women are often looked down on as second-class citizens. For example men still get paid more than women in our country for most jobs. The macho man syndrome still exists in our world today. It is even worse in other countries but it is bad enough here.
So we are to love our wives and we are to treat her gently not harshly. Today is a great day to put this verse into action.
Application
I will treat Kathy gently today, not harshly.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is so easy to be mean to those that you love the most. I am so glad that You are not like we are. Help me to be gentle with Kathy and not harsh today. Help me make her feel loved and special today. She is the greatest gift that You have ever given me. Help me to love her like she should be loved. Don’t let me treat her harshly. I pray for the men of our church that they would love their wives like Christ loved the church. If they would it would solve a lot of problems for me. Thank You for living in me and giving me the strength to live out the Christian life today.
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Sunday, December 06, 2009
Tell God What You Need and Thank Him for all He has Done
Philippians 1; Philippians 2; Philippians 3; Philippians 4
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Scripture
Philippians 4
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Observation
Don’t worry about anything…anything is pretty much everything! We are not supposed to worry; we are supposed to “tell” and “thank” God instead! It sounds easy but it is not. But it is the only way to experience God’s peace.
Paul was writing this letter from prison and it is full of “joy”. It is evident that Paul practiced what he preached when it comes to “worry”.
Application
I will thank God for what He has done all day long today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for what You are doing in the lives of our people. Thank You for answering my prayers. Help me not worry about stuff and help me to tell You what I need and help me do it with an attitude of thankfulness. Thank You for providing my every need and more than what I need. You are Wonderful. You are a Mighty God.
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Philippians 1; Philippians 2; Philippians 3; Philippians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Philippians 4
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Observation
Don’t worry about anything…anything is pretty much everything! We are not supposed to worry; we are supposed to “tell” and “thank” God instead! It sounds easy but it is not. But it is the only way to experience God’s peace.
Paul was writing this letter from prison and it is full of “joy”. It is evident that Paul practiced what he preached when it comes to “worry”.
Application
I will thank God for what He has done all day long today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for what You are doing in the lives of our people. Thank You for answering my prayers. Help me not worry about stuff and help me to tell You what I need and help me do it with an attitude of thankfulness. Thank You for providing my every need and more than what I need. You are Wonderful. You are a Mighty God.
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Saturday, December 05, 2009
Imitate God … Love People … As Christ Loved Us
Ephesians 5; Ephesians 6; Psalm 119:1-80
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Scripture
Ephesians 5
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Observation
Imitate God in everything you do…period…because we are His children. Live a life filled with love … period … following the example of Christ.
Application
I will preach on this tomorrow.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me imitate You. May people see Christ in me. Fill me with Your sacrificial love for those around me. Help me be a pleasing aroma to You.
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Ephesians 5; Ephesians 6; Psalm 119:1-80
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 5
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Observation
Imitate God in everything you do…period…because we are His children. Live a life filled with love … period … following the example of Christ.
Application
I will preach on this tomorrow.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me imitate You. May people see Christ in me. Fill me with Your sacrificial love for those around me. Help me be a pleasing aroma to You.
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Friday, December 04, 2009
Gift of Forgiveness
Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4
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Scripture
Ephesians 2
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Observation
He gifted us with the gift of forgiveness that provides our salvation from a life of sin, death, and destruction.
Application
I will re gift God’s gift of forgiveness that He has given me. Help me do the good works that You planned for me to do!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am Your masterpiece. Help me act like it.
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Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 2
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Observation
He gifted us with the gift of forgiveness that provides our salvation from a life of sin, death, and destruction.
Application
I will re gift God’s gift of forgiveness that He has given me. Help me do the good works that You planned for me to do!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am Your masterpiece. Help me act like it.
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Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
Romans 9; Romans 10; Romans 11; Romans 12
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Scripture
Romans 12
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the LORD.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Observation
Ordinary people…who are the ordinary people who are in your life? Maybe it is the waitress where you go to eat after church or maybe it is the person at the dry cleaners that takes your clothes, or maybe it is a neighbor living right next door that you haven’t gotten to know. Take time for the ordinary people that God brings into our lives.
We may find out that some of those ordinary people are extraordinary once we get to know them.
Application
Jesus took time to go out and talk with the ordinary people of His day: prostitutes and tax collectors seemed to be right up there on the top of his list. I will look for an ordinary person today to talk to.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I don’t think You ever see people as ordinary, but we do. Help me see people like You see them. Help me look past their outward appearance and help me see them for who they really are. I realize that I too am very ordinary and the only thing that makes me different is my relationship with You. I have no right to look down on anyone. Give me Your eyes and Your heart for the people that I will come in contact with today.
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Romans 9; Romans 10; Romans 11; Romans 12
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Scripture
Romans 12
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the LORD.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Observation
Ordinary people…who are the ordinary people who are in your life? Maybe it is the waitress where you go to eat after church or maybe it is the person at the dry cleaners that takes your clothes, or maybe it is a neighbor living right next door that you haven’t gotten to know. Take time for the ordinary people that God brings into our lives.
We may find out that some of those ordinary people are extraordinary once we get to know them.
Application
Jesus took time to go out and talk with the ordinary people of His day: prostitutes and tax collectors seemed to be right up there on the top of his list. I will look for an ordinary person today to talk to.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I don’t think You ever see people as ordinary, but we do. Help me see people like You see them. Help me look past their outward appearance and help me see them for who they really are. I realize that I too am very ordinary and the only thing that makes me different is my relationship with You. I have no right to look down on anyone. Give me Your eyes and Your heart for the people that I will come in contact with today.
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Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
Romans 5; Romans 6; Romans 7; Romans 8
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Scripture
Romans 8
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Observation
Nothing…do we need a definition for the word “nothing” … how about a zero with it’s rim knocked off! Nothing means just what it says, “not anything”. You may be tempted to add a “but” to the definition and begin to try to find something that could separate us from the love of Christ, but you will not be successful.
I love this chapter I am so thankful that it follows chapter 7 because if you just read Romans chapter 7 you might feel a bit defeated as a Christ-follower, but chapter 8 lets us know just how much God loves us. Wow! He loves us so much!
I have had a guy read verse 38 of chapter 8 of Romans and then had the audacity to tell me, “yes I know that nothing can separate us from God but”…then he went on to say that even though nothing can separate us from God’s love we can walk away from God and we can separate ourselves from God. It is amazing that someone could read this chapter and still not feel secure in their own relationship with God.
It makes me very secure. How about you?
Application
I will share this passage tonight at the Memorial service that I will preach. It is so uplifting and encouraging for someone who has lost a loved one.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Romans 8. Thank You for letting us know that “nothing” can separate us from You … if we are Your children we are very secure. Thank You that You have given us the victory in Christ Jesus. We have already won the battle.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Romans 5; Romans 6; Romans 7; Romans 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Romans 8
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Observation
Nothing…do we need a definition for the word “nothing” … how about a zero with it’s rim knocked off! Nothing means just what it says, “not anything”. You may be tempted to add a “but” to the definition and begin to try to find something that could separate us from the love of Christ, but you will not be successful.
I love this chapter I am so thankful that it follows chapter 7 because if you just read Romans chapter 7 you might feel a bit defeated as a Christ-follower, but chapter 8 lets us know just how much God loves us. Wow! He loves us so much!
I have had a guy read verse 38 of chapter 8 of Romans and then had the audacity to tell me, “yes I know that nothing can separate us from God but”…then he went on to say that even though nothing can separate us from God’s love we can walk away from God and we can separate ourselves from God. It is amazing that someone could read this chapter and still not feel secure in their own relationship with God.
It makes me very secure. How about you?
Application
I will share this passage tonight at the Memorial service that I will preach. It is so uplifting and encouraging for someone who has lost a loved one.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Romans 8. Thank You for letting us know that “nothing” can separate us from You … if we are Your children we are very secure. Thank You that You have given us the victory in Christ Jesus. We have already won the battle.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Gift of Forgiveness!
Romans 1; Romans 2; Romans 3; Romans 4
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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.
Observation
The Gift of Forgiveness, it cannot be earned but it seems like everyone tries to work their way to Heaven anyway. The Good News is that God has a Gift of Forgiveness that by faith we only need to accept. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and He did it as a gift for us. A gift must be received before it becomes yours. Have you received God’s gift of forgiveness?
Application
I will share this verse with the folks at Mission Tampa today!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me explain Your plan of salvation today in a clear way so people will understand. Help our missionaries as they share at our academy and use them in the lives of our people as they speak to different small groups tonight.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
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.
Observation
The Gift of Forgiveness, it cannot be earned but it seems like everyone tries to work their way to Heaven anyway. The Good News is that God has a Gift of Forgiveness that by faith we only need to accept. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and He did it as a gift for us. A gift must be received before it becomes yours. Have you received God’s gift of forgiveness?
Application
I will share this verse with the folks at Mission Tampa today!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me explain Your plan of salvation today in a clear way so people will understand. Help our missionaries as they share at our academy and use them in the lives of our people as they speak to different small groups tonight.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Always…Never…All
1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 1; 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Thessalonians 3
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Scripture
1 Thessalonians 5
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Observation
Always…Never…All…these are words that should describe your life in Christ, but do they?
Is it hard for you to always be joyful and thankful in all circumstances? But this is God’s will for you and me if we belong to Jesus.
So lets never stop praying.
Application
I will meditate on these verses during the day.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to “always” be joyful, help me to be thankful in all circumstances, and don’t let me ever stop praying because I know that this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus.
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
1 Thessalonians 5
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Observation
Always…Never…All…these are words that should describe your life in Christ, but do they?
Is it hard for you to always be joyful and thankful in all circumstances? But this is God’s will for you and me if we belong to Jesus.
So lets never stop praying.
Application
I will meditate on these verses during the day.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to “always” be joyful, help me to be thankful in all circumstances, and don’t let me ever stop praying because I know that this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Do You Bring Great Joy To Someone?
Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians 1; 1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Thessalonians 3
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Scripture
1 Thessalonians 3
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Observation
The church in Thessalonica brought great joy to Paul. They were living out their faith and had a strong testimony evidently with people everywhere. Paul was hearing about their faith from others.
His prayer for them is that God makes their love for others grow and overflow, just as his love overflows for them. When something overflows it splashes all over the place. It is a good prayer for us to pray for those Christ-followers in our lives. Pray that their lives overflow with God’s love.
Application
I want to have God’s love overflowing in my life splashing on those around me so I can bring great joy to them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that the love of those in our church grows and overflows and begins splashing everyone in our area. I pray that when people talk about our church it will be to talk about what a great love they have for those in our fellowship and such a great love for those in our community. Help us be that kind of church. Help me be that kind of person. Amen.
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
1 Thessalonians 3
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Observation
The church in Thessalonica brought great joy to Paul. They were living out their faith and had a strong testimony evidently with people everywhere. Paul was hearing about their faith from others.
His prayer for them is that God makes their love for others grow and overflow, just as his love overflows for them. When something overflows it splashes all over the place. It is a good prayer for us to pray for those Christ-followers in our lives. Pray that their lives overflow with God’s love.
Application
I want to have God’s love overflowing in my life splashing on those around me so I can bring great joy to them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that the love of those in our church grows and overflows and begins splashing everyone in our area. I pray that when people talk about our church it will be to talk about what a great love they have for those in our fellowship and such a great love for those in our community. Help us be that kind of church. Help me be that kind of person. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Hearts in Tune With You Lord
Psalm 125; Matthew 26; Matthew 27
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Scripture
Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O LORD, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
Observation
What kind of heart do you want or do you have? I want a heart in tune with the Lord. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now, and forever. Have you ever been in a valley with mountains surrounding you?
Trust in the Lord, if you do, God says that you will be as secure as Mt. Zion. Mt. Zion was the mountain or hill in the city of Jerusalem.
Application
I will ask God for a heart that is in tune with His.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you surround me like the mountains that surround Jerusalem. I am secure in You. You are my protection. Give me a heart that is in tune with Your heart.
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
Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O LORD, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD.
Take them away with those who do evil.
Observation
What kind of heart do you want or do you have? I want a heart in tune with the Lord. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now, and forever. Have you ever been in a valley with mountains surrounding you?
Trust in the Lord, if you do, God says that you will be as secure as Mt. Zion. Mt. Zion was the mountain or hill in the city of Jerusalem.
Application
I will ask God for a heart that is in tune with His.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you surround me like the mountains that surround Jerusalem. I am secure in You. You are my protection. Give me a heart that is in tune with Your heart.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
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