Friday, December 31, 2010

Come Lord Jesus. Come.

Revelation 19; Revelation 20; Revelation 21; Revelation 22
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Come Lord Jesus. Come.


Scripture

Revelation 21

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 22

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”

20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Observation

The New Jerusalem will be 1,400 miles high, 1400 miles long, and 1,400 miles wide! There will be 12 gates and it will have a river running down the center of it and it will have the tree of life growing along the river’s bank. I don’t know what else will be in this city, but it sounds good to me. There will be no more crying, no more death, no more suffering, no more sin in the New Jerusalem. It sounds like a great place to me. Gold will be so common that God paves the streets with it. All that we hold as precious here on earth will be nothing compared to what we will have in Heaven.

These are great chapters to end the year reading. I am ready to start 2011 and watch God in all of His glory do the miraculous. He is going to do some wonderful things in this year that is coming. He is Mighty.

Application

I will anticipate a great year in 2011. God will answer many of my prayers in 2011 that have not yet happened.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we walk by faith and not by sight. I know that You are going to do mighty things in the year to come. All of Your promises are “yes”. They will happen. You are on Your throne. Nothing is too hard for You. I look forward to the year 2011 knowing that You are in control and that many people will be saved and many lives will be changed in the year to come. Come Lord Jesus. Come.

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Count Me In

Revelation 15; Revelation 16; Revelation 17; Revelation 18
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Count Me In

Scripture

Revelation 15:4

“…All nations will come and worship before you, …”

Observation

All nations will come and worship before God this is a promise that will come to pass. In every nation God will have His people. The word “all” is important because it lets us know that God will have representatives present from every nation when He wraps this whole thing up. When it is finished and His children are in Heaven there will be people from every tribe and nation there to worship Him. He will make sure of it.

He has invited us to help Him give out the invitations to join Him. We get to share the Good News that Jesus saves and that Jesus can change the lives of those we witness to.

Application

Count me in … I want to help take His message to the nations.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, one day I will be standing in this place that John has described in Revelation. One day I will stand on that sea of glass. I day I will get to see and experience all that You have in store for me in Heaven. But today I need to focus on reaching more people for Your kingdom. Help us as a church be successful this year in reaching more and more people for You.

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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Come Up Here!

Revelation 10; Revelation 11; Revelation 12; Revelation 13; Revelation 14
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Come Up Here!


Scripture

Revelation 11

12-13 I heard a strong voice out of Heaven calling, "Come up here!" and up they went to Heaven, wrapped in a cloud, their enemies watching it all.

Observation

One of my most favorite people to visit was a church member named Mrs. Penn. This was when I was a seminary student and I was pastor of a small in Ft. Worth, Texas. Every time that I would knock on her door she would always say the same thing, “Get in this house.” We would sit around her kitchen table and talk and I would always leave her house feeling great. She made everyone feel some welcome and so important. I have picked up that same phrase to use when people come to my door for a visit. One day we are going to hear our Savior say, “Come up here!” I am ready how about you?

Application

God’s word, the Bible, is all about His invitation to come to Him. It is our job that people understand clearly what God wants them to do. It is the Good News that we get to share with people. I am ready to share the Good News with someone how about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I can’t wait until You tell me, “Get into this house.” I am ready. Help me in this New Year to bring many people with me when I come. Give me the boldness and give me the platform to reach many people for You. Help our church become the church that You want us to be.

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Are You Ready to Sing?

Revelation 5; Revelation 6; Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9
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Are You Ready to Sing?

Scripture

Revelation 5

11-14 I looked again. I heard a company of Angels around the Throne, the Animals, and the Elders—ten thousand times ten thousand their number, thousand after thousand after thousand in full song:

The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!

Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:

To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.

The Four Animals called out, "Oh, Yes!" The Elders fell to their knees and worshiped.

Revelation 7

9-12 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:

Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!

All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals— fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!

Observation

One day we will live out what is written in the book of Revelation. One day we will surround the throne of our God and sing praises to Him. We will sing out these very words:

“The slain Lamb is worthy!
Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!
Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!

Then I heard every creature in Heaven and earth, in underworld and sea, join in, all voices in all places, singing:

To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb!
The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength,
For age after age after age.”

Are you ready to sing?

Application

I want to stand at God’s throne knowing that I have done everything I could to help others have the privilege to stand around His throne. I will continue to serve Him with all my heart and with all my soul and I will continue to share God’s Good News with others.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I can’t imagine what it is going to be like in Heaven with people from all over the world all worshiping You together with one voice. “The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing! To the One on the Throne! To the Lamb! The blessing, the honor, the glory, the strength, For age after age after age.”

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Take the Glory! The Honor! Then Power!

Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4
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Take the Glory! The Honor! The Power!

Scripture

Revelation 4:11

Worthy, O Master! Yes, our God!
Take the glory! the honor! the power!
You created it all;
It was created because you wanted it.

Observation

Think about it everything that we see and our God created even everything that we can’t see. He created it because He wanted it. It is all for Him. And the wonder of this is that God loves us, out of all of His creation He loves us the most. It is mind boggling to think about this because we know how sinful we are and how we don’t deserve His love or His attention. One day we will see with our own eyes what John talked about in the book of Revelation. One day we will be around God’s throne to experience what John tries to describe in Revelation. I am ready how about you?
The massive snowstorms that are hitting our country today is just a little reminder of God’s power and might, but it is nothing compared to what He will do when He returns. Are you ready?

Application

I will praise God today for all that He has created all that He has given to us for us to enjoy.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love to see Your power in storms and how You shake this earth with Your breath. One day this earth will be no more and we will be around Your throne and we will get to see You face to face. You are worthy! “Worthy, O Master! Yes, our God! Take the glory! the honor! the power! You created it all; It was created because you wanted it.” I was created because You wanted me to know You and experience Your love and kindness. Thank You for saving me. As I read Revelation I know that one day I will see for myself everything that is in the book.

Come Lord Jesus. Come.


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Sunday, December 26, 2010

God Show Yourself Today!

Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John 1; 3 John 1
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God Show Yourself Today!

Scripture

Psalm 119:174

I love it when you show yourself!
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,
use your decrees to put iron in my soul. Message

Observation

I am not sure what verse or verses this is because I was reading from the Message paraphrase this morning. I know that it is close to verse 176. Don’t you love it when God shows up and does a “God thing”? I want God to do that today don’t you? I love the way the writer of the Message puts things and I agree with the writer of this Psalm I want God to invigorate my soul. I want to praise Him well!

Application

I will look for God to show Himself today. I will ask Him to invigorate my soul.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You are going to show Yourself today. I just need to look for where You are working. Thank You for working so mightily in our Christmas Eve service. I pray for the many that made decisions for You that You would invigorate their souls. I pray for that too I pray that You invigorate my soul today. Put iron in my soul as I read and study Your Word. You are worthy of Praise and Honor and Glory.

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Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas!

1 John 1; 1 John 2; 1 John 3; 1 John 4; 1 John 5
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Christmas!

Scripture

1 John 1

1-2 From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.

Observation

This is the Christmas story from John’s point of view! This is from the Message translation of the Bible and I like how it describes the entry into this world the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

How has your Christmas been this year? How close are you to the Christ child of Christmas? Is there unconfessed sin in your life that keeps Christmas from being what it could be? Why don’t you just talk to the Lord about the things that are not right in your life and turn everything over to Him?

Application

I am going to enjoy this day by enjoying the people God brings into my life today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Jesus!

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Friday, December 24, 2010

Fishing and Catching Nothing

John 19; John 20; John 21
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Fishing and Catching Nothing

Scripture

John 21

3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Observation

Peter didn’t say to his buddies, “Let’s go fishing”; instead he said to them, “I’m going out to fish.” Why in the world did he decide to go fishing then and why did the disciples decide to go with him? We will never know, but we do know that even though they did something that doesn’t make good sense to us Jesus met them where they were.

There are times when I do things out of habit or because of a habit or a routine just to feel safe. Fishing is what those guys grew up doing and it was probably what they did every day before meeting Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t scold them for going fishing. He even helps them catch fish and then He feeds them fish and bread and even cooks some of the fish that they have caught. It is a lesson for them and a lesson for us. The lesson is this: When we do things on our own we will not be successful, but when we do things with Christ we will be very successful. They seemed to have learned the lesson because the only fishing mentioned after this in scripture was fishing for men!

Application

I can do all things through Christ and without Him I can do nothing. I recognize today that He is the Vine and I am a branch and I need to stay connected to Him to be successful.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me put into practice what I just wrote as an application and help me to do all things through Christ and not on my own. Guide me today. Help me to please You with the choices that I make. Don’t let the Devil get a foothold in my life today. Thank You for coming to this earth to do something for us that we could not do for ourselves, which is taking away our sins. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins.

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Thursday, December 23, 2010

The “I AM” of Christmas

John 15; John 16; John 17; John 18
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The “I AM” of Christmas

Scripture

John 18

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Observation

Christmas is way more than a baby being born in a manger. It is all about God’s plan to redeem us from the clutches of sin and death. He allowed his self to be arrested in that garden that night for you and for me. At just the hearing of His words, “I am he” the soldiers that came to arrest him fell backwards to the ground. Can you visualize this scene? Then Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest … Jesus restores the ear and then allows the soldiers to arrest Him. Can you visualize all of this? I can.

Application

I will have a thankful heart today for all that Christ has done for me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy. I praise You during this Christmas season. It is a wonderful time to think and reflect on all that You have done for us.

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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

All Powerful Yet a Servant

John 12; John 13; John 14
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All Powerful Yet a Servant

Scripture

John 13

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Observation

All-powerful…what if you were all powerful…would you wash people’s feet if you were all powerful? Jesus, there is nothing more powerful than Him and yet He humbled Himself to wash His disciples feet.

Where has God called you to be a servant to someone else? In what way will you serve someone else today? Do you have a servant’s heart? Do I? It is a daily choice whether to serve or not.

Application

I will be a servant to someone today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, show me who I can serve. Show me how I can serve. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to serve You. Thank You for my family. Thank You for my kids and my grandkids. They are gifts from You. Thank You for giving me each one of them. May Your face shine on them and bless them.

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Monday, December 20, 2010

Who Do You Think You Are?

John 7; John 8
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Who Do You Think You Are?

Scripture

John 8

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen
Abraham!”

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Observation

The Jewish leaders were blinded to who Jesus was and still is. His reply, “before Abraham was born, I AM”! Jesus didn’t say, “I was” no He said, “I AM” and the Jews knew just exactly what He was saying when He used that phrase and they picked up stones to kill him because Jesus was claiming to be God

What is Jesus to you? Is He just a story character that you hear about at Christmas time? Do you recognize Him as a famous person in history? Or is He your Lord and your Savior? Do you recognize Him as God in the flesh?

I think it is very sad that the Pharisees for the most part remained blinded to the identity of Jesus and they died in their sins. There were some believers in their midst but very few of them could see Jesus as the Messiah.

Application

I will share that Jesus is Savior and Lord with people today at Mission Tampa and I pray that they believe and put their trust in Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, what the people at Mission Tampa need today more than anything else is to understand that they need a Savior. Help them understand the Christmas story. I pray that today some would put their trust and their faith in Jesus. Give them understanding and enable them to say, “Yes” to the Gospel message. You are Mighty. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are worthy of all Praise!

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Only God Can Save

John 5; John 6
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Only God Can Save

Scripture

John 6

65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

Observation

Pray for your lost family and friends. Pray that their spiritual eyes would be opened to the Good News of Jesus Christ and that they would be saved. The Heavenly Father has to enable someone to be saved. God saves. We can pray and share, but only God saves. Who is lost that needs to come to Jesus? Pray that God would cure them of the spiritual blindness that keeps them from becoming children of God.

Application

I will pray for the lost and ask God to heal them of their spiritual blindness.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for people to be saved today in our worship service. I pray that You would give them spiritual understanding so that they might be saved. You are the only One Who saves. I pray for the movement of Your Holy Spirit within our worship service. I pray that You would fill our worship service with Your Presence. You are Worthy to be praised. You are my Savior and my Lord.

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

Savior of the World

John 2; John 3; John 4
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Savior of the World

Scripture

John 4

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

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

Observation

It was the witness of the Samaritan woman that brought the city to Jesus. She was convincing and they could tell that she was a changed woman. They could tell that she had met the Messiah. Are people convinced about the Savior after they meet us and talk to us? Do we lead them to a relationship with the Savior of the world? It is what Christmas is all about … sharing the Good News!

Application

I want to be as convincing with my testimony as the Samaritan woman as I talk to people about Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me share and witness with the power of Your Holy Spirit. I pray that You would be in control of the migrant Christmas party and that You would take care of the details. I pray that those attending would hear a witness, a message about the Savior of the world.

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Bringing People To Jesus

2 Peter 1; 2 Peter 2; 2 Peter 3; John 1
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Bringing People To Jesus

Scripture

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Observation

Christmas is the best time of the year to move people closer to Jesus! Who comes to mind when you think of people that need Jesus? Andrew immediately went to look for his brother just as soon as he had met Jesus. Who do you need to bring to Jesus? Who do I need to invite to the Christmas Eve service?

Application

I will look for every opportunity to bring people to Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You will bring people into my life that need to hear about Jesus. Help me to be sensitive enough and bold enough to make sure that they have an opportunity to become Your children. Thank You for what You are doing at our church. Help us to be faithful and help us not miss any opportunities that You put in front of us to reach people for Your kingdom. You are Worthy of Praise and Honor. You are Mighty. There is not anything too hard for You. I pray for people to be saved this Sunday.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Power of Prayer

James 1; James 2; James 3; James 4; James 5
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Power of Prayer

Scripture

James 5

The Prayer of Faith

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Observation

How important is it for you to pray for other people? How important is it for you to pray for yourself? Pray when you are in trouble and pray (praise) when you are happy! Pray when someone is sick and get others to pray for someone that needs to be healed. Your prayer if you are righteous is powerful and effective.

Application

I will pray for others today so they can be healed.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, put on my heart the people that need for me to pray for them. Since Your word says that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective help me to be righteous today so my prayers would be effective. Help me to pray for the right things and help me to pray for the people that need Your help today. I believe Your word and I know that my prayers are important for those around me. Guide my thoughts and my actions today. Help me focus on the important things today.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

All Glory, Majesty, Power, and Authority!

Hebrews 12; Hebrews 13; Jude 1
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All Glory, Majesty, Power, and Authority!

Scripture

Jude 1

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Observation

One day I will stand in front of God my Father and be presented to Him by the Lord Jesus Christ. And Jesus will do this with great joy. And oh yes, I will be presented without fault.

Jesus is able to keep me from stumbling. He is not only able, but He will keep me from stumbling.

And I agree with the writer of Jude when he says, “to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

Application

I am not alone. Jesus is guiding me. He will keep me from stumbling. I will go through this day with the confident assurance that Jesus is taking care of me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray today for James and for Sam both need Your healing power today. I pray that You would direct my thoughts and my attitude and my actions. I want to bring You glory today. It is my desire to please You. Help me to do just that. And so I pray “to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

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Monday, December 13, 2010

It is All About Faith!

Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10; Hebrews 11
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It is All About Faith!

Scripture

Hebrews 10

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 11

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Observation

If God was rewriting Hebrews chapter 11 could God use you and me as examples of faith like those that God mentioned in the chapter? Our lives as Christians are all about faith and without it we cannot please God.

It takes faith to believe that God created everything and it takes faith to believe that God sent His Son to this earth to die in our place on a terrible cross. It takes faith and trust in what Christ did on the cross for us to be saved. Have you placed your faith and your trust in what Christ did on the cross and have you asked Christ to come into your life and forgive you of your sins? Are you forgiven?

Application

I challenge people today about their need to place their faith in Christ for their salvation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for giving me the ability to have faith and trust in You. Help me today to share with others about this faith. Help me share the story of Christmas with someone today.

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Sunday, December 12, 2010

Able To Save Completely

Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8
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Able To Save Completely

Scripture

Hebrews 6

“…we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7

25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Observation

When you read chapters 5-8 of Hebrews you can realize all that Christ did for us as our High Priest. We can be confident of our salvation because we have a High Priest that is continually interceding for us. This is the hope that anchors our soul and makes it firm and secure. Christ is able to save us completely! I like that … how about you?

Application

I know that the only answer people have in life is Jesus. He is our only hope. He is their only hope. I will share about Him today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Melissa today. She served us at a restaurant yesterday. I pray that she and her husband will soon be able to have Sundays off so they can go to church together. I pray that people would be saved today. I pray that Your hand would be on our church today. I pray that Your face would shine on us. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would move during our worship service and people would realize their need to repent and I pray that they would turn to You. You are the Mighty God. You are able to save. You are able to save us completely. This hope is an anchor to our souls.

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Saturday, December 11, 2010

God’s Throne of Grace

Philemon 1; Hebrews 1; Hebrews 2; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4
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God’s Throne of Grace

Scripture

Hebrews 4

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Observation

How did you approach God this morning? Did you come to His throne of grace with confidence? These are some great promises for you and me for the situations that we find ourselves in. God knows us. He knows our every weakness. Jesus came to this earth as 100% man and 100% God so that He could empathize with our weaknesses. He knows what you and I are going through.

Application

I will come to God’s throne with confidence and with boldness today because Jesus has provided me that privilege.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me such great and wonderful promises. Thank You for understanding just how I feel and for knowing my weaknesses. I want to come boldly to Your throne of grace this morning. Give me the confidence I need to be able to trust totally in You. I don’t deserve Your help. I don’t deserve the life that You are allowing me to live, but I am grateful for how much You love and care about me. I pray that You direct my thoughts and my actions today so that I may bring You glory.

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Friday, December 10, 2010

Preach The Word

2 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy 2; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 4
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Preach The Word

Scripture

2 Timothy 4

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Observation

God’s Word … preach it. Always be ready to share it. Use it to encourage, to correct, to spank, but do it with great patience and do it very carefully.

Application

I will preach God’s Word.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love Your word. Help me share it everyday. Help me enjoy it. Help me to use it to encourage others and myself. Help me to use it to correct folks when they need correcting. Your word gives life. It gives direction. It gives hope. Thank You for Your word. I want to meditate on it all day today. Thank You for encouraging me through Your word this week. Thank You for using Your word in my life this week to give me direction. I know that You love me. I know that I am in the center of Your will.

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Thursday, December 09, 2010

Fight The Good Fight!

1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1; Titus 2; Titus 3
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Fight The Good Fight!

Scripture

1 Timothy 6

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Observation

Do you want to be a part of a good fight? If you do then fight the good fight of the faith.

This is a reminder that we are in a spiritual battle, but it is a good fight and we know the outcome. So lets jump in and fight!

Application

I will fight the good fight of faith today!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love a good fight especially when it is a good fight of faith. Help me to be a good soldier. Help me to serve in Your army well. Don’t let me be a wimp. Help me to be strong and tough. I pray that You would give me victories along the way to encourage me. I pray for people to be saved this week. I pray for Your mighty hand to work through our church. Use me in this battle Lord … use me.

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Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Christ Jesus Came Into This World to Save Sinners!

1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4
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Christ Jesus Came Into This World to Save Sinners!

Scripture

1 Timothy 1

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation

Our energy and our focus should be on sharing Christ so people can be saved. Not on other stuff that has no eternal value, but Satan will always move God’s people away from sharing Christ where our time is spent on things that are not important.

Application

I will think about how I can keep my focus on sharing Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to put my focus on things that don’t have eternal worth. Help me stay focused. Thank You for letting me see how important it is to pray for people all during the day. I pray that You continue to put on my heart what is important and not what is urgent. Guide me to the people that need to hear the Gospel.

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Tuesday, December 07, 2010

You Are Not Serving Your Boss. It is The Lord Christ You Are Serving!

Colossians 1; Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4
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You Are Not Serving Your Boss. It is The Lord Christ You Are Serving!

Scripture

Colossians 3

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Observation

What will you do today? Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. “Whatever” covers anything that you plan to do today. Do it with all your heart. Do it as if you are serving the Lord. The big picture is that even if you are a slave and you are working for a master then you should still do it with all your heart, because you are not really working for a master, but you are working for the Master. Amazing! Do you have a bad boss? Do you have a terrible job? No problem … you should work as if you were serving the Lord and do that job with all your heart.

Application

I will serve the Lord with all my heart.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me serve You with all my heart today.

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Monday, December 06, 2010

How To Experience The Peace of God

Philippians 1; Philippians 2; Philippians 3; Philippians 4

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How To Experience The Peace of God

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.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Observation

There is a connection between what Paul writes about in verses 6-7 and what he writes about in verses 8-9, both sets of verses talk about having the peace of God. The first set of verses say that the peace of God comes when you don’t worry about anything and you pray about everything. You also have to be thankful to God for what He is doing and what He has done. In the second set of verses Paul tells us that the focus of our thoughts needs to be on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, and excellent and worthy of praise then we will experience the peace of God.

So when I am troubled and disturbed and don’t have the peace of God that Paul describes in chapter 4 I should immediately do a little test. Am I worrying? Am I praying with thanksgiving? Is my focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise? If I flunk the above quiz then what should I do? I should get my focus off my circumstances and place it back on Heavenly things, Kingdom stuff, and do it with thanksgiving in my heart.

Application

I will meditate on and put into practice these verses this week.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not to worry about anything and help me to remember to pray to You about everything with a thankful heart. Help me to keep my focus on the right things because I want to experience Your peace that is greater than anything else. The things that I tend to worry about are not the important things in life. The things that grab my attention and my focus are many times not the things that are true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, and excellent and worthy of praise, but those are the things that I want to focus on. Help me to do just that.

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Sunday, December 05, 2010

Enthusiasm!

Ephesians 5; Ephesians 6; Psalm 119:1-80
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Enthusiasm!

Scripture

Ephesians 6

7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Observation

Paul doesn’t tell the slaves to pray and ask God to set them free, no, he tells the slaves to work with enthusiasm and to work like they are working for the Lord. It is a good word for us today. You and I need to work with enthusiasm. We need to do everything like it is work for the Lord rather than people.

Application

I will work with enthusiasm today. I will serve the Lord today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to do everything today with enthusiasm and help me to realize that I am working for You and not for anyone else. I pray that Your hand would be on our fellowship. I pray for Agnatius that You heal him. I pray for Bruce and Heather today that You would use them in a mighty way. I pray for all of our Sunday school teachers and small group leaders that they serve You with enthusiasm and with all of their hearts.

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Saturday, December 04, 2010

Praying for Others

Romans 13; Romans 14; Romans 15; Romans 16
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Praying for Others

Scripture

Romans 15

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation

How important is it that you pray for others? I found out yesterday that a pastor friend in Uganda is in the hospital in critical condition after a car crash. They have done emergency surgery. He has lost a lot of blood and has internal injuries. The hospitals in Uganda are not like hospitals here in the US.

I am praying for him. His name is Asalamuku Agnatius. We call him Agnatius. How important is it to pray for Agnatius? I believe that God is counting on our prayers to him for Agnatius so that He will be glorified by healing him. I will pray for healing because God tells us that we should pray for those that are sick. God tells us that we should pray for one another. Why would God tell us to do this if it didn’t matter? It matters a lot to our Heavenly Father that we intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Application

I will pray for Agnatius that God raises him up and heals him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my brother in Christ, Agnatius. I pray that You intervene and heal his body. The hospital is not equipped to handle his injuries so I pray that You miraculously work in his life. Touch him and heal him for Your glory and for Your honor. I pray that you be with his family and his church that You would strengthen them and show them Your power and Your might.

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Friday, December 03, 2010

Let’s Pray For Each Other

Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4
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Let’s Pray For Each Other

Scripture

Ephesians 3

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Observation

Paul had no computer, no Facebook, no television, no radio, to distract him, but even if he would have had these modern day distractions I believe that he would have still prayed and interceded for others during most of his free time. Who are you praying for? Who did you pray for this morning? Who will you pray for during the day? This is a great prayer to pray for the person or persons that comes to your mind.

Application

I will pray this for my friends: that God will empower them with inner strength through his Spirit and that Christ will make his home in their hearts as they trust in him. That their roots will grow down into God’s love and keep them strong. 18 And may they have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May they experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then they will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that God will empower my brothers and sisters in Christ with inner strength through his Spirit and that Christ will make his home in their hearts as they trust in him. That their roots will grow down into Your love and keep them strong. 18 And may they have the power to understand, as all Your people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May they experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then they will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You.

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Thursday, December 02, 2010

Beautiful Feet!

Romans 9; Romans 10; Romans 11; Romans 12
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Beautiful Feet!

Scripture

Romans 10

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “LORD, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Observation

The urgency is the need to share the Gospel with as many people as possible each and every day because the more we share the more will hear and more will be saved. The key to the spread of the Gospel is having enough people with “beautiful feet”. How are your feet? How are my feet? Are they beautiful? Are they ugly? Ugly feet are the ones that stay at home and never share the Good News!

Application

I will work towards having better and better looking feet. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire that when You look at my feet that in Your eyes You will find them beautiful. Help me share the Good News all the time, every chance I get.

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Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Can Anything Ever Separate Us From Christ’s Love?

Romans 5; Romans 6; Romans 7; Romans 8
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Can Anything Ever Separate Us From Christ’s Love?

Scripture

Romans 8

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.

Observation

Chapter 8 of Romans is a great reminder of just how much God loves us. Maybe we should read this chapter about 10 times today and let it really sink in. God loves us so much. We are His inheritance. We will share in His glory. And yes we will also share in Christ’s suffering too.

Think about what God says in these verses:

26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

When you don’t know what to pray, no problem, the Holy Spirit prays for us. “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Application

Everything that is happening in my life today God will work it to my good because He loves me. I know that God is on my side. I am His child. I will share in His glory. Amazing.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t know why I ever worry. As I read Romans 5-8 this morning I realize how much You love us and how Your care for us is so complete. From the beginning of my life to its end here on earth it is in your complete control. Nothing escapes Your watchful eye. You don’t ever miss anything. Thank You for taking such good care of me and help me to remember that You are always watching out for me. Keep me away from sin. It is my desire to bring You glory today.

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