Look, I Am Coming Soon, Bringing My Reward With Me

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Revelation 19; Revelation 20; Revelation 21; Revelation 22

Look, 

I Am Coming Soon,

Bringing My Reward With Me

Scripture

Revelation 22

¹² “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Observation

2013 will be here in just a few hours – how will you live it out? At the end of the Bible in Revelation 22 there is a reminder that Jesus is returning soon and bringing His reward with Him. 

My plan is to live out 2013 in such a way that when Jesus returns I will be rewarded for how I lived it out. How about you? How do you plan to live out 2013? 

Can you and I look back over 2012 and be content about how we lived out this past year?
If you can’t then let me remind you that our God’s mercy is fresh and new every morning. You can start this New Year out and make it different than last year. Because of God’s Mercy and because of God’s Goodness He is willing to give us a fresh new start in 2013! Great is His faithfulness! 

Why not make a commitment to God right now to live 2013 totally sold out to Him! How about making a commitment to read your Bible through in 2013 - or at least make a commitment to have a devotional time with God every day this New Year? 

 Application

I commit to reading the Bible through again in 2013 and I make the commitment to have a Quiet time everyday this year. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me keep my promise to You to read my Bible everyday, but not in a legalistic way. Give me the desire everyday to want to be in Your Word and give me the desire to want to spend time with You everyday. Don’t let me drift or wander away from You. Keep me close to You in 2013. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

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This Great Choir Sang A Wonderful New Song

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Revelation 10; Revelation 11; Revelation 12; Revelation 13; Revelation 14 

This Great Choir Sang A Wonderful 

New 

Song

Scripture

Revelation 14 

² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.

³ This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders.

Observation

Tomorrow we get to go to worship together and part of our worship tomorrow will consist of singing and the playing of music by our musicians. Another integral part of worship is Biblical teaching and Biblical preaching. Neither part can be viewed as less important than the other! 

If you are avoiding one or the other it is a sure sign that you are spiritually unhealthy! 

 Application

I will enjoy and I will participate in every part of our worship service tomorrow! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are Worthy of our worship! Help me to worship you with all of my heart and all of our soul! 

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“For The Lamb On The Throne Will Be Their Shepherd. He Will Lead Them To Springs Of Life-Giving Water. And God Will Wipe Every Tear From Their Eyes.”

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Revelation 5; Revelation 6; Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9

“For The Lamb On The Throne Will Be Their Shepherd.

He Will Lead Them To Springs Of Life-Giving Water.

And God Will Wipe Every Tear From Their Eyes.”

Scripture

Revelation 7

¹⁷ For the Lamb on the throne
    will be their Shepherd.
 
He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.
    And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Observation

This Sunday I have been asked to teach for Bob Baxter because they are traveling to Kentucky to see his family. Bob is one of the best Bible teachers someone could ever sit under! He faithfully teaches the Word of God at 9 am on Sunday mornings at Christ Fellowship in the activities room in our gym building. Bob and Josie’s Bible study class is open and they would love for you to join them.

The lesson for this Sunday is “Jesus – Our Shepherd” – the focus of the lesson is found in John 10:7-16.

As I read my Bible reading today this passage found in Revelation 7:17 caught my attention and brought my thoughts once again to Jesus – The Shepherd. Jesus will guide us through this life’s difficult situations and He will also continue to Shepherd us when we are with Him in Heaven!

Application

I will think of Psalm 23:1 as I go through this day! “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!” Can you say that with me today?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Bob and Josie and their family as they make this quick trip to see their family in Kentucky. Thank You for godly teachers like Bob and Josie. I pray that You continue to bless them. Protect them as they serve us and as they serve our city. I pray that You protect all the other police and firefighters that work each day to keep us safe. 

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

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“Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord God, The Almighty – The One Who Always Was, Who Is, And Who Is Still To Come.”

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Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4 

“Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord God, The Almighty –

The One Who Always Was,

Who Is, And Who Is Still To Come.”

Scripture

Revelation 4 

⁸ Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out.

Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—

    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” 

Observation

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, does it bother you?

I smile when I hear people criticize today’s worship songs and one of their main criticisms is often over the repeating of the same words over and over again. What will the complainers think when they get to Heaven where this same praise and worship song will be sung day after day and night after night!

 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty –

the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Could it be that Sunday worship in a contemporary worship style church is getting us ready for praise and worship in Heaven!

Now that is a refreshing thought to me!

Application

 I will repeat this phrase all day today! And as I do I will think of the One who is on the throne in Heaven who deserves my worship!

Prayer

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” 

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

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You Are My Refuge And My Shield; Your Word Is My Source Of Hope

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Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John 1; 3 John 1

You Are My Refuge And My Shield;

Your Word

Is My Source Of Hope

Scripture

Psalm 119

¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
    your word is my source of hope.

Observation

Today we have the chance to read the shortest chapter in the Bible and part of the longest chapter!

Psalm 119 is one of my favorite chapters in all of God’s Word.

This coming year 2013 will you join me in reading through God’s Word – The Bible. It is my source of hope! It can be yours too!

God is my refuge and my shield. Can you say the same thing? He protects me. He is my place of safety. He is my hope.

I look forward to reading through the Bible in 2013. Every year I find new and exciting things in God’s Word. It is new and fresh every morning. Will you join me?

It is not hard to read the Bible through in a year if you use a system to do it. You can read using a Chronological Bible that way you get to read some of the Old Testament and some of the New Testament everyday.

I use Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s reading plan, which is online, and it only takes going to my browser’s favorites and clicking on it everyday. I journal about a one of the Bible passages that I have read using Wayne Cordeiro’s S.O.A.P. format. This helps me to remember what I have read and it helps me to apply God’s word to my life.

Application

I will read the Bible through again in 2013. How about you? Will you take the challenge? It takes about 15 minutes a day to read the Bible through in a year. Will you join me?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my Refuge and my Shield; Your Word is my source of Hope. Help me to stay in Your word everyday in 2013!

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“You Will Find A Baby Wrapped Snugly In Strips Of Cloth, Lying In A Manger.”

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John 19; John 20; John 21

“You Will Find A 

Baby

Wrapped Snugly In Strips Of Cloth, Lying In A Manger.”

Scripture

John 19

⁴⁰ Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. ⁴¹ The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 

John 20
³ Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. ⁴ They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. ⁵ He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, ⁷ while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. ⁸ Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed —

Luke 2:8-12


⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
 

Observation

At Jesus’ birth and at His death we find Jesus wrapped in cloths.

We should marvel –

We should marvel at His death just as much as we marvel at His birth. Both events are just as important as each other. His birth that we celebrate at Christmas wouldn’t have meant anything without His death on the cross!

Resurrection morning and the day of Christ’s birth are two days filled with Glory, Wonder and Awe! Christmas and Easter - The two best days of the year! 

Application

I will take time today on Christmas Eve to thank Jesus for His Indescribable Gift – Eternal Life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize that Christmas and Easter for those that don’t know You are days filled with emptiness and not wonder. For those who don’t know You these days are just days to party and to try to have fun. They can’t experience Christmas or Easter because they don’t know Jesus. Thank You for saving me. Today is all about Jesus! It is a day to enjoy our relationship with You. It is a day to be filled with Wonder and Awe at what You have done for us. 

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I AM Leaving You With A Gift – Peace Of Mind And Heart. And The Peace I Give Is A Gift The World Cannot Give.

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John 12; John 13; John 14

I AM Leaving You With A Gift – 

Peace Of Mind And Heart.

And The Peace I Give Is A Gift The World Cannot Give.

Scripture

John 14

²⁷ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

    I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

     For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 

 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 

Observation

Do you have the gift of peace this Christmas? You won’t find it at any department store or at any store online either! In fact the Christmas Season can be so frantic and stressful that we can easily forget all about its true meaning; we can totally miss the true celebration – Jesus – The Gift of Christmas!

He is the Gift of Christmas! He came to give. He came to give His life as a gift. The gift is Eternal Life paid in full by His death on the cross for us.

Have you received the gift of Christmas? Do you have Eternal Life? Do you have the peace that this passage is talking about?

Do you know the Prince of Peace?  

Application

Eternal life is one gift that is expected to be re-gifted! I will look for ways to share this wonderful gift! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, today our family celebrates Christmas. We give gifts to our kids and are grandkids this afternoon. Help us make it perfectly clear to our children and our grandchildren what the true meaning of Christmas really is. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Open the eyes of our children and our grandchildren to the Wonder of Christmas – His Name is Jesus!

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But I Came To Give Life – Life That Is Full and Good.

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John 9; John 10; John 11

But I Came

To Give Life –

Life That Is Full and Good.

Scripture

John 10

⁷ So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out.
They will find everything they need.
 
¹⁰ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (NLT)

Observation

Either you are living a life that is rich and satisfying or you are living a life that lacks meaning and purpose.

Which life best describes yours?

Which life would you rather have?

There is a fight going on right now for the lives of the people around us. Satan wants to destroy them and Jesus wants to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Satan wants to destroy you. He wants to destroy your family. If you are married He wants to destroy your marriage. Satan wants to destroy me. He wants to destroy my marriage and my family.

If we choose to live for Jesus Christ He will provide everything we need. He will give us a rich and satisfying life.

The choice is ours!

Application

I choose to live for Jesus Christ. I choose the life that is rich and satisfying. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Satan wants to destroy us. He wants to mess up our lives. But I have given my life to Jesus Christ. I have been given eternal life, and I will never perish. No one can snatch me away from You; You are more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch me from my Father’s hand.
 
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“For The Scriptures Clearly State That The Messiah Will Be Born Of The Royal Line Of David, In Bethlehem, The Village Where King David Was Born.”

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John 7; John 8

“For The Scriptures Clearly State

That The Messiah Will Be Born Of The Royal Line Of David,

In Bethlehem, The Village Where King David Was Born.”

Scripture

John 7

⁴² For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him.

Observation

As we read John chapter 7 we find the Jewish people divided on who Jesus was. Today, in the United States we find the people divided on who Jesus Christ is! Some things never change!

In every store Kathy and I gave gone into during this Christmas season we have made a point of telling the clerks “Merry Christmas” as we checked out! It has been interesting how in some of the stores the reply back is “Happy Holidays”. How wrong and weird is that!

We did go into a store where the clerk wished us a Merry Christmas before we had a chance to tell her. How refreshing it was to hear her say the simple words, “Merry Christmas”.

The scriptures tell us that Jesus will bring division. As our country moves more and more to a secular society we can only expect the animosity towards Christians, our Christian beliefs and Christian traditions to grow.  

Application

I will continue to share “The Light of the World” with those who live in darkness. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, during this Christmas season I pray that many people will be drawn into a closer relationship with You. I pray for my daughter Debby today on her 27^th birthday. I pray that You richly bless her and I pray that You protect her. Thank You for allowing us to have five children and especially for the Tapatia! 

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You Search The Scriptures Because You Think They Give You Eternal Life. But The Scriptures Point To Me! Yet You Refuse To Come To Me To Receive This Life

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John 5; John 6

You Search The Scriptures Because You Think They Give You Eternal Life.

But The Scriptures Point To Me!

Yet You Refuse To Come To Me To Receive This Life

Scripture

John 5

³⁹ “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! ⁴⁰ Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

Observation

Kathy and I talk to people all the time who are trying to go to Heaven by being good, by keeping God’s commandments, by doing God’s will, by going to church etc., but the only way to go to Heaven is by coming to Jesus.

Scripture points to Jesus but people even today still try to obtain eternal life without putting their faith and their trust in Him. I am amazed!

At Mission Tampa we ask people over and over again month after month some now for several years the same two questions: If you were to die today where would you spend eternity? If you were standing at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into my Heaven what would you say?

Now you would think that people over time would be able to at least remember the correct answer to those two questions even if they didn’t actually come to Jesus, but they don’t. It is a works answer month after month after month! They are spiritually blinded.

Do we give up? Nope! Because one day God will open up their spiritual minds and some of them will come to Jesus!

We are planting the seed and waiting expectantly for the harvest.

 

Application

I will continue to point people to Jesus. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the people that hear the Good News week after week after week and yet do not respond to our invitation to come to Jesus. I refuse to give up on them. I pray for those in our church who still need to come to Jesus and I pray for those that come to Mission Tampa month after month and yet still do not understand the Gospel. I pray that You give them understanding. I pray for their salvation. Help us as we share. Help us to make the Gospel message clear. 

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Wake Up And Look Around. The Fields Are Already Ripe For Harvest.

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John 2; John 3; John 4 

Wake Up

And Look Around.

The Fields Are Already Ripe For Harvest.

Scripture

John 4 

³⁵ You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. ³⁶ The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! ³⁷ You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. ³⁸ I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

Observation

Jesus is telling us to “Wake Up”! There is a harvest all around us that is ready and ripe for harvest.

We are to plant and we are to harvest it is who we are as Christians. We are planters. We sow the Gospel message. We share the Good News about Jesus Christ. Then we get to harvest and harvesting is when someone says, “yes” to Jesus.

If we sow enough seed we will see a great harvest.

Jesus went through Samaria a place hated by the Jews and He went through with one purpose. He went to share the Good News with a Samaritan Woman. She trusted in the Messiah. She ran back to her village and she told everyone about Jesus. The entire village went out to meet Jesus and there was a great harvest. Many from that village many came to hear Jesus and many became believers that day. It must have been a total shock to His disciples that Samaritans could also be saved.

The voice and testimony of one woman changed an entire village – what Power!

So lets wake up and see the harvest that is all around us! 

Application

I will share the Gospel and be ready to reap the harvest! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not miss the opportunity to tell someone about You. Help me to faithfully plant the seed of the Gospel wherever I have the opportunity. I pray for people to be saved this week at Christ Fellowship. I pray that the people that attend our special candle light Christmas Eve service will respond and say “yes” to Your gift of salvation this Christmas.

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Come And See For Yourself!

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2 Peter 1; 2 Peter 2; 2 Peter 3; John 1

Come

And 

See For Yourself!

Scripture

John 1

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. ⁴¹ Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

⁴² Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” ⁴⁴ Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.

⁴⁵ Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

⁴⁶ “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

⁴⁷ As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

Observation

At Christ Fellowship everyone can pick up a pack of invite cards after the worship service every Sunday!

This week’s invite cards are for our special Christmas Eve Candle Light Services. If you happen to be reading this and no one has invited you to a Christmas Eve service how about attending worship with us @ 5:30 pm and 7 pm.

A simply invite to your church can begin a miracle in someone’s life! We see it every Sunday!

Come and see for yourself! That is all you have to say!

Application

I will invite neighbors to our Christmas Eve service this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me invite people to our Christmas Eve service. Bring people into my path that need to know You. 

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Do You Have The Gift Of Helping Others? Do It With All The Strength And Energy That God Supplies. Then Everything You Do Will Bring Glory To God Through Jesus Christ.

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1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5 

Do You Have The Gift Of Helping Others? 

Do It With All The Strength And Energy That God Supplies.

Then Everything You Do Will Bring Glory To God Through Jesus Christ. 

Scripture

1 Peter 4

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. 

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! 

Amen.

Observation

Pastor Bruce at Christ Fellowship is very big on having people find their place of service just as soon as they can because he knows that it is impossible to serve God without serving people!
God has gifted each of us with at least one spiritual gift and He wants us to use it. 

Do you have the gift of helping others? Good chance that you probably do.

Whatever God puts on your heart to do then do it with all of your heart!

If he puts someone on your heart today that needs your help then do it with all of your heart.

Application

I will help folks find places to serve! 

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me be self-centered. Help me keep my eyes and my heart on the needs of others. Give me the strength, the energy, and an outward focus to serve others in a way that is pleasing to You. 

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And We, Out Of All Creation, Became His Prized Possession.

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James 1; James 2; James 3; James 4; James 5

And We,

Out Of All Creation,

Became His Prized Possession. 

Scripture 

James 1

 

¹⁸ He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Observation

Think about this as you approach Christmas day, “And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.” 

Out of all God’s creation – including all the Stars, including the entire Universe, you and me became His prized possession. 

In fact, God loved us so much that He came down from Heaven to save us! One day this earth, as we know it will pass away but those that know Jesus Christ will never perish! 

Why…because we are His prized possession!

He delights in us - even though we will never deserve it. 

  Application

 I will thank Him for allowing me to be among the chosen. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t understand why You chose me. I will never understand it. You are so good to me. Thank You for allowing me to know You - the God of all creation. 

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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.

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Hebrews 12, Hebrews 13, Jude 1


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.

Scripture

Hebrews 13

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

I had never realized how important it was for me to pray a blessing on people until Kathy and I attended a “Weekend To Remember” Marriage Seminar and the speaker challenged each man to pray a blessing on their wife each day as he was leaving for work.

If you have never tried to do that every day you need to try it. Kathy and I would laugh together because I had to really be creative so I didn’t pray the same blessing every day. It is just as important as that kiss you should give her before you leave the house … maybe … just maybe … it is even more important.

Why is it important? Glad you asked!

It is important because God loves to bless people!

Just look through scripture and you will find plenty of evidence that blessings are very important to God. God works through us when we ask him to bless people. He even asks us to bless our enemies.

Pray a blessing on your wife and children everyday!

 Application

I will continue to pray blessings on Kathy, my children, my grandchildren and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Prayer

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—
 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.

Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

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And It Is Impossible To Please God Without Faith

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Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10; Hebrews 11

And It Is Impossible To Please

God

Without Faith

Scripture

Hebrews 11

⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. 

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Observation

We have a God that rewards those who sincerely seek Him. I sure like that statement don’t you?

What are you and I doing to please God?

If it doesn’t involve trusting Him then you and I will never please Him. Pleasing God is all about our having faith to trust in Him.

What are we trusting God for today? If nothing immediately comes to our minds then it is doubtful that we are pleasing Him.

Our lives are to be lived out by faith in a Mighty God. Just read what God did for all the saints mentioned in Hebrews 11!  

Application

 I am trusting God to do miracles in the lives of a couple of guys that need to get their marriages back on the right path. I am trusting God to heal some friends that are really sick. I am trusting God to bring some family members into a right relationship with Him. 

How about you? What are you trusting God for today? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will trust You with the things that I just mentioned. I don’t need to name them in this prayer. You already know who they are because I pray for them all the time. 

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Therefore He Is Able, To Save Those Who Come To God Through Him. He Lives Forever To Intercede With God On Their Behalf.

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Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8

Therefore He Is Able, To Save Those Who Come To God

Through Him.

He Lives Forever To Intercede With God On Their Behalf.

Scripture

Hebrews 7

²⁴ But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
 
²⁵ Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Observation

If you read Hebrews 6 this morning and you didn’t read anything else in the Bible you could walk away possibly thinking that a person could lose their salvation. Some people read the Bible that way. They base their theology on one or two verses and seem to ignore the rest of the Bible.

There are by far more verses and passages that give us confidence that our salvation is secure. 

There are only a couple of places in the Bible that seem to imply that we could lose eternal life.  Two of those passages are in Hebrews, but Hebrews 7:24 makes it perfectly clear to me at least that our salvation is secure because we have a High Priest Who lives forever. His name is Jesus. He lives forever to intercede with God on our behalf.

Can you think of more verses that show that our salvation is secure?

Application

 I will review the scriptures that I have memorized in the past that demonstrate that my God is big enough to save me and powerful enough to keep me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am not worthy of being one of Your children. I will never be worthy enough. You love me and You love me not because of anything that I have done. You just love me. You saved me. I know that I am secure in Your love. I know that Your Holy Spirit has come into my life and You now live in me. You have given me a new nature. I am a new creation. I have been born into Your kingdom. I cannot be unborn! Thank You for my salvation. Help me to share this Good News with everyone I can. You are All-Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You. 

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With Jesus As Our High Priest, We Can Feel Free To Come Before God’s Throne Where There Is Grace.

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Philemon 1; Hebrews 1; Hebrews 2; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4

With Jesus As Our High Priest,

We Can Feel Free To Come Before God’s Throne

Where There Is Grace.

Scripture

Hebrews 4

¹⁴ We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him.
 
¹⁵ Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned.
 
¹⁶ With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.

Observation

Jesus understands our weaknesses. He knows us.

Yet He still loves us.

He was tempted in every way. He was tempted just like we are, but He never sinned.  

We can feel free to go before our Heavenly Father’s throne where there is grace because Jesus is our High Priest.

When we go to His throne where there is grace we will also experience God’s mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.

Need some help today?

Application

I will come before God’s throne today. I will experience His mercy and His kindness. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, what a privilege it is for us to be able to come directly to Your throne. You are a God of Grace. You are a God of Mercy. You are a God of Kindness. Thank You for giving me what I don’t deserve and I really thank You for not giving me what I do deserve. 

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I Have Fought The Good Fight. I Have Finished The Race. I Have Served The Lord Faithfully.

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2 Timothy 1; 2 Timothy 2; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 4

I Have Fought The Good Fight.

I Have Finished The Race.

I Have Served The Lord Faithfully.

Scripture

2 Timothy 4

⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. ⁸ Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God.

⁶ My life is being given as an offering for God. The time has come for me to leave this life here. ⁷ I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have served the Lord faithfully. ⁸ Now, a prize is waiting for me—the crown that will show I am right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give it to me on that Day. Yes, he will give it to me and to everyone else who is eagerly looking forward to his coming.

Observation

When I am close to death I want to be able to say what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. I don’t want to be afraid I want to be able to look forward to the prize that is waiting for me.

When I stand before Jesus Christ I want him to say to me, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Application

I will serve the Lord faithfully today. How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart. Help me live in a way that pleases You. Help me to finish well. Be glorified through my life. I want my life to count for You and Your kingdom. Don’t let me mess up. 

I pray today for some men that You have brought into my life. I pray that these men will totally surrender their lives to You. I pray that they will be the godly husbands, and the godly fathers that You have called them to be. Help them to wake up and see what they are going to lose if they don’t change the direction of their lives. Shake them up Lord so that they can wake up and change the way they are living. 

Nothing is too hard for You. 

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Tell The To Hope In God, Not Their Money. Money Cannot Be Trusted, But God Takes Care Of Us Richly. He Gives Us Everything To Enjoy

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1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1; Titus 2; Titus 3

Tell The To Hope In God, Not Their Money.

Money Cannot Be Trusted,

But God Takes Care Of Us Richly. He Gives Us Everything To Enjoy

Scripture

1 Timothy 6

17 Give this command to those who are rich with the things of this world. Tell them not to be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not their money. Money cannot be trusted, but God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy.
 
18 Tell those who are rich to do good—to be rich in good works. And tell them they should be happy to give and ready to share. 19 By doing this, they will be saving up a treasure for themselves. And that treasure will be a strong foundation on which their future life will be built. They will be able to have the life that is true life.

Observation

Before you think that this passage is for someone else you need to think again because you and I are some of the richest people on this planet. Yes, I know you and I may have spent ourselves into debt, but we are still some of the richest people on the face of this earth. So Paul is writing to us!
Here is a way that we can be truly rich:

 ⁶ Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have. ⁷ When we came into the world, we brought nothing. And when we die, we can take nothing out. ⁸ So, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. I Timothy 6:6-8

When we came into this world, we brought nothing and we die we can take nothing out! 

Here is God’s promise: 

God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy.  

How devoted are you and I to God? How satisfied are we with what we have? Can you and I say, “So, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that”?

This is a very good passage right before Christmas. How much are we spending on Christmas? Why?  

Application

 I will not trust in money. I will look for someone this week that needs my help. 

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be content with what You have so blessed me with. You have been so good to us. Help us to be content with food and clothing. Help us to share with others so we can store up treasure in Heaven. I pray today for our church. I pray that people would be open to the message. 

Empower Pastor Bruce to speak to us in a way that causes us to apply Your word to our lives. I pray for people to be saved. I pray for people to be called out to ministry and service today. Help them to say “yes” when You speak. You are All-Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You. 

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Be An Example To Show The Believers How They Should Live. Show Them By What You Say, By The Way You Live, By Your Love, By Your Faith, And By Your Pure Life.

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1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4

Be An Example To Show The Believers How They Should Live.

Show Them By What You Say, By The Way You Live,

By Your Love, By Your Faith, And By Your Pure Life. 

Scripture

1 Timothy 4

¹² You are young, but don’t let anyone treat you as if you are not important. 

Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them by what you say, by the way you live, by your love, by your faith, and by your pure life.

Observation

The Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy are good ones for us today. 

We are called to live lives that are examples for the believers around us. We should be showing them how to live the Christian life through our words that are backed up with our actions. 

Believers should see our love, our faith, and our pure lives and our lives should help others move closer in their relationship to God.  

Is there a new believer that comes to your mind right now that needs your help?

Application

I will strive to live my life so others can follow my example.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me impact the lives of those around me by the way I live. Give me the right words to say. Give me Your love for people. Help me to be stronger in my faith. And help me to live a life that is pure. I realize that I can do none of this without You and Your Holy Spirit working within me. I pray that You take control of my life today – 100% of it. 

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Be Ready For Anything By Praying And Being Thankful.

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Colossians 1; Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4

Be Ready For Anything

By Praying

And Being Thankful.

Scripture

Colossians 4

² Never stop praying. Be ready for anything by praying and being thankful.

Observation

So you and I want to be ready for anything! Then here is what we need to do: you and I need to pray and we need to be thankful.

Sounds too simple! I didn’t come up with the idea God did!

Having an attitude of gratitude and praying about everything gets you and I ready for anything and everything!

When should we stop praying … NEVER!

Application

 I will pray with a thankful heart so I can be ready for anything. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me a thankful heart today. I want to be ready for anything!

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