Trusting In Jesus Is Way Better Than Playing The Lottery Then Why Do You Continue To Play?

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2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Trusting In Jesus

Is Way Better Than Playing The Lottery

Then Why Do You Continue To Play?

Scripture

Matthew 17

²⁴ On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

²⁵ “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.
But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

²⁶ “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! ²⁷ However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Observation

If God wanted you and me to have those millions of dollars He could provide it for us in a million different ways. Just think about it! If you know that God will provide for you and supply you with way more than you need then why do you play the Lottery? 

To be honest when I see those signs on the interstate saying that I could win 160 million dollars I am tempted to give a store my dollar to see if I could win it, but in that very moment I am also reminded that if I need anything my God will supply it. 

Peter had a financial problem. He had just told a tax collector that of course he and Jesus paid taxes and then he went to ask Jesus if that was true or not. Jesus taught him that even though Jesus was King and kings didn’t pay taxes to their people He would be different and He would pay the Temple tax. 

Jesus wanted to impress on Peter (the fisherman) that he could trust him to supply his needs so Jesus sent Peter fishing. He sent him hook and line fishing not with nets, as was his usual custom. He told him to open the mouth of the very first fish that he caught and he would find a large silver coin in its mouth! 

 Think about that for a moment Jesus didn’t say, “go fishing and look in every fishes mouths that you catch and eventually you will find a large silver coin in one of their mouths.” No he said, “the first fish you catch will have a large silver coin in its mouth!” 

Here is the point: If God wanted you to have 160 million dollars He could provide it for you in a million different ways. God knows your needs and my needs and He has promised to take care of every need that we have. 

Is it wrong for you to play the “Lotto” or go to the Casino? It is not for me to say but I will say this, God wants to show you and me that we can trust Him. I will end with this passage found in Philippians, 

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philip. 4:19

Application

I will trust in Jesus to take care of my needs.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, if I am tempted to gamble when I see those signs I know that others struggle with those same temptations. Help us bring You glory and honor with the choices that we make. 

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Here Is Why I Don’t Worry About My Sick Heart And Other Body Parts That Seem To Be Going Downhill! What Are God’s Thoughts About You?

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2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Here Is Why I Don’t Worry

About My Sick Heart And Other Body Parts That Seem To Be Going Downhill!

What Are God’s Thoughts About You? 

Scripture

Psalm 139

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

Observation

Read Psalm 139 before you start your workweek! David knew that God thought about him all the time. God’s thoughts about him were without number. They outnumbered the grains of sand!

That is how God thinks about me too! When I wake up (which I appreciate every day!) God is still with me!

God made me and saw me before I was even born. He made me wonderfully complex! Every day of my life has been recorded in His book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Wow! So why should you and I worry about anything! God is good.

 He is thinking about me right now! I am blessed. I have no complaints. 

My poor health doesn’t come as a surprise to my God. He could fix me totally in an instant if He chose to do so (which by the way would be OK with me)! He promises to be with me every day of my life until He takes me to glory! What more could I ask!

We serve an Awesome God!

Application

Every morning this week when I go to bed and when I wake up I am going to thank the Lord for all His thoughts that He is thinking about me!  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, how precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

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Getting Even With People That Hurt You God Is The Only One That Can Take Care Of Them

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2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Getting Even With People That Hurt You 

God Is The Only One 

That Can Take Care Of Them

Scripture

1 Chronicles 12

³⁸ Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel? ³⁹ And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control. So may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.” 

Observation

David had no problem taking care of Goliath when he was only a teenager, but Joab and Abisai were evil characters that he had to live with even though he was now King of Israel. Joab was powerful – he was too powerful for even King David. 

Have you ever wondered why King David could not discipline or could not control Joab? I think about this every year as I read the Bible through. 

It makes me think of someone else who was extremely brave, but this person also had someone that made him shake in his boots. And to make it was worse his worse nightmare was not an excellent warrior like Joab; no it was a very evil woman. Do you remember this story about Elijah? 

1 Kings 18:18-40
¹⁸ “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. ¹⁹ Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”
²⁰ So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. ²¹ Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.

²² Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. ²³ Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. ²⁴ Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.

²⁵ Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood.”

²⁶ So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made.

²⁷ About noontime Elijah began mocking them. “You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself. Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be wakened!”

²⁸ So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. ²⁹ They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response.

³⁰ Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. ³¹ He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, ³² and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. ³³ He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood.

Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.”
³⁴ After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, ³⁵ and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench.

³⁶ At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. ³⁷ O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.”

³⁸ Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! ³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”

⁴⁰ Then Elijah commanded, “Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape!” So the people seized them all, and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there.

After all the prophets of Baal have been put to death, Jezebel’s threats to Elijah terrify him and he goes into a great depression and wants to die! Incredible! 

Read how scared Elijah was of this woman Jezebel:

1 Kings 19:1-4

19 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. ² So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

³ Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. ⁴ Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

She was evil to the core and made Elijah shake in his boots just like Joab’s evil personality made David afraid. 

There will be people in our lives that for some strange reason they just scare us. They flat out intimidate us. When you are dealing with people like that I think it is a super idea to remember these two stories from scripture and remember how they turned out. Joab was finally killed during the reign of David’s son Jonathan and Jezebel death was even more remarkable. Do you remember how her life was ended? 

Here is the end of the story of Jezebel if you haven’t read it lately:

2 Kings 9:30-35

³⁰ When Jezebel, the queen mother, heard that Jehu had come to Jezreel, she painted her eyelids and fixed her hair and sat at a window. ³¹ When Jehu entered the gate of the palace, she shouted at him, “Have you come in peace, you murderer? You’re just like Zimri, who murdered his master!”

³² Jehu looked up and saw her at the window and shouted, “Who is on my side?” And two or three eunuchs looked out at him. ³³ “Throw her down!” Jehu yelled. So they threw her out the window, and her blood spattered against the wall and on the horses. And Jehu trampled her body under his horses’ hooves.

³⁴ Then Jehu went into the palace and ate and drank. Afterward he said, “Someone go and bury this cursed woman, for she is the daughter of a king.” ³⁵ But when they went out to bury her, they found only her skull, her feet, and her hands.

Application

I will let God get even with folks that hurt or intimidate me or cause me to fear.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, these two stories from Your Word remind me that we are made of clay. You are our strength. You are our Rock. You are our Hiding Place. You are our Shelter. You protect us. You also get even with those that do us harm. Thank You for Your Word. David and Elijah were men, human beings and they had to rely on You. I will rely on You and Your Power to get me through this day. 

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Faith To Get Out Of The Stinky Boat Peter Amazes Me He Was The Only One Of The Twelve That Walked On Water

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2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Faith To Get Out Of The Stinky Boat

Peter Amazes Me

He Was The Only One Of The Twelve That Walked On Water

Scripture

Matthew 14

²⁴ Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. ²⁵ About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

²⁸ Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. ³³ Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Observation

Did you read this story carefully enough to get the real picture of what was happening? It was so rough that night that these seasoned fishermen found themselves in big trouble. They were probably already scared because of the intense sea, but then they saw what appeared to be a ghost walking on the water! Now they are terrified!

Jesus spoke to them saying, “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

What happens next in the story is truly amazing! 

Peter asked Jesus if he could walk out on the water to meet Him. Jesus says, “Come on!” Now remember that the waves are rough because they are in the middle of a storm. Peter would have to crawl over the wall of the boat to get out to where he could walk on the water. The waves are tossing the boat up and down. Peter somehow gets out of the bouncing boat and begins walking on the water!

 At that moment why didn’t all the other disciples climb over and begin the water walk with Peter? Have you ever wondered about that?  

Peter begins to walk out to Jesus, we don’t know how far he walked but we do know that suddenly he looked down at the waves and he felt the wind and he began to slowly sink. As he was sinking he cried out to Jesus and Jesus reached out and saved Him. He rebuked Peter saying, “You have so little faith, “Why did you doubt me?” 

There is more to the story, but here is the point that I want to make sure you get: 

At least Peter got out of the boat! Jesus said that Peter’s faith was small, but at least he got out of the stinky boat. The other disciples had less faith than that of Peter – they never got out of the boat. Then never got to sense the feeling of walking on water in a storm, but Peter did! They also didn’t get to feel the power of Jesus’ arm as He reached down to save Peter!

If you want to have water walking faith you have to get out of the stinky boat! You have to step out and take risks. You have to be willing to go wherever the Lord says go and do whatever the Lord says do!

Peter’s little faith still amazes me. How about you?  Are you ready to get out of the stinky boat and walk on water? 

Application

I want water-walking faith! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is easy for us to stay in the boat and not take risks. It is always easier to stay where we are comfortable and secure. Give me Peter’s water walking faith. Even as small as Peter’s faith was it got him out of the boat and on and into the rough seas. I know that it put a smile on Your face when You saw him walking out to Jesus. You knew he was going to begin to sink, but at least he got out of the boat. Help me to at least get out of the boat. Don’t let me be the one that misses out on the amazing and the miraculous because I am too afraid to step out in faith. 

It is impossible to please You without faith! 


Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Biblical Story Telling

Jesus Always Used This Method 

Why Not Follow The Master Teacher’s Example?

Scripture

Matthew 13

³⁴ Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.

Observation

“Jesus always” Jesus always used stories and illustrations! I think that the word “always” is pretty significant when you think about following Jesus. If the Master always did something then I would think that we might want to pay attention to what, why, and how, He always did what He did. 

Biblical Story Telling is a way to really dig into the Bible and it is a great way to disciple those in your small group. There is a tendency to shy away from this approach and use something that is already prepared. It is surely easier to use curriculum that only requires turning on a DVD player and listening to someone teach us what he or she has learned from a Bible passage. And we have plenty of curriculums to choose from!

I am sold on Biblical Story Telling. I love it when the people in our small group tell a story from God’s word. It is huge for them. And it is huge for everyone in our group. We are all listening intently to the story. We know that this is not easy for the person to do. It requires that the person telling the story take the time to learn the story during the week before they tell it.  

Application

I will encourage small groups to use the Biblical Story Telling approach as much as they can.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word is one big “Love Story” to us. Your Word is full of wonderful stories that teach us “Truths” that You want us to remember and that You want us to follow. Give us the ability to re-tell Your stories from Your Word. Help our people learn Your Word. Bless our church and I pray that You bless our leadership team.

 

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His Name Will Be The Hope Of All The World

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1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

His Name

Will Be The Hope

Of All The World

Scripture

Matthew 12

²¹ And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”

Observation

There is just something about that Name! Jesus! 

    Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12
 
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:6

A new President in the White House will not bring our nation hope! Jesus is the hope for the United States just as He is the hope of the entire world. What the US, China, Russia, India, African countries and all other nations need is Jesus! 

Application

I will not give up on the idea of taking the name of Jesus to people who have yet had the opportunity to trust in His Name.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You gave Your Only Son so that we would have hope. There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." I pray for laborers to take the name of Jesus to India and other places where millions have never heard about that Name. 

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Don’t Be Afraid You Are More Valuable To God Than A Whole Flock Of Sparrows

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1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Don’t Be Afraid

You Are More Valuable To God 

Than A Whole Flock Of Sparrows

Scripture

Matthew 10

²⁹ What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Observation

This blog is a day late in being written but I do now have a story to go with the passage. During the night I heard the annoying sound of one of our smoke alarms beeping because the battery needed to be changed. It was a constant, every couple of minutes, irritating beep! I couldn’t stand it! ... The story goes down hill from here on!

So I climbed up in a chair to get to the beeping smoke alarm - first mistake. 

I then tried to take the smoke alarm apart in the dark -second mistake. 

I couldn’t get it apart in the dark to get the dead battery out so I decided to get down off the chair and turn on a light - third and final mistake! 

The chair flipped and I crashed to the floor but before hitting the floor my head grazed the corner of the dresser that was in my body’s path! 

Here is the truth from the passage: “Not a single sparrow or Eddy can fall to the ground without our Heavenly Father knowing it!”

Minor little gash in my head with very little blood loss so I didn’t have to go to the hospital “zero cost”  - Having a wife that is a nurse – priceless!

God is so good. He has His Angel(s) watching over us. He places a very high value on us! He protects us even we do something that is stupid! 

Application

I am going to find a small ladder to use inside the house (just kidding – that is not my application) even though I am going to do that. We have one somewhere. 

I am going to Thank God all day today for His watchful care over me and His watchful care over all those that I love.

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize how close I came last night to meeting You face to face. Just a couple of inches closer to that dresser and I would have probably open my eyes in Glory. I am looking forward to that day, but I am glad that it wasn’t last night. I am highly valued by You. I am not worthy of the value that You place on me. I am a sinner. I am nothing and yet You think that I am something special. Thank You for loving me so much. You are Mighty God. Nothing gets by Your watchful eye. Nothing catches You by surprise. 

I pray for Dennis right now as he goes through surgery. I pray for his healing. Touch his life and heal his body for Your Glory and for Your Honor. 

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 28; 1 Samuel 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Do You Have That Run Down Feeling? 

Maybe You Need …

Scripture

Matthew 11

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

Observation

I love this passage! It is so easy to get weighed down with so many things when we are trying to deal with all of them by ourselves. Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down and I will give you rest.” Hello … did you hear what Jesus just said!
We don’t have to go through life burdened down. It is our choice! What do you choose today? I am going to Jesus. I am going to let Him help me with my load. How about you? 

 Application

I will give all my cares/worries to Jesus. I will let Him help me carry my heavy load.  

Prayer

Jesus, I am asking You to help me with all the details of my life that seem to weigh me down. I trust You will our finances and I trust You with my health. I trust You with my children and my grandchildren, which is probably my heaviest load. You are Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. You can change and transform lives and I pray that You do just that today. I pray for Dennis as he recovers from surgery. Give him a swift recovery and totally heal his body. 

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 25; 1 Samuel 26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

If You Were Going To Preach 

Your First Sermon

What Passage Would You Pick?

Scripture

Matthew 9

³⁵ Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

 ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  

³⁷ He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  

³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Observation

I had the chance to preach my first sermon when Dr. Waylon B. Moore was pastor of Spencer Memorial Baptist Church at the young age of 21 or 22! People that attended that Sunday evening service said that the message lasted 15 minutes but it had a 45-minute invitation. For years they joked with me about that sermon!  

 I can’t remember why I picked this passage to preach on that particular night, but this passage has always been one of my favorites. 

It is a constant reminder of why you and I are still on this planet called earth. There is a harvest and that harvest needs our attention. The harvest is ready to be harvested. 

Jesus said that the harvest is great, but the workers are few! 

Then He says the most remarkable thing! And it is the solution for reaching the world for Christ! 

Here is what we need to do: “… pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Application

I will pray for more and more laborers to work His Harvest! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know the harvest is ripe and ready to be reached. I pray for more laborers for Your harvest. I pray that more and more people will come to know Jesus through those who are working and serving in our church. You are the Lord of the harvest and I am praying to You that you send more workers into the fields. I am praying asking You to send more workers because that is what You told me to do!

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57; Psalm 58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8

Do You Want The Kind Of Faith 

That Amazes Jesus

He Is A Guy That Had That Kind Of Faith

Scripture

Matthew 8

⁵ When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, ⁶ “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”
⁷ Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

⁸ But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! ¹¹ And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. ¹² But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

¹³ Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. 

Observation

I have thought about this passage a lot over the years and I have often wondered about the statement that was made about Jesus and His response to the Roman officer’s faith when the writer of Matthew said; “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed.”

What a huge amount of faith it would take to amaze God! Jesus made a very big deal over this Centurion’s incredible amount of faith. He said that He had not seen that kind of faith among His own people the Jews! 

Have you ever asked God to give you that kind of faith? Faith that would amaze Your Heavenly Father! Why not? Why not ask Him for amazing faith today? 

Application

I will ask God to give me the kind of faith that this Centurion had. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, our life here on planet Earth is all about faith. It is all about trusting You with our lives and with our future. Give me the kind of faith that will amaze even You. Give me the faith of this Roman soldier in Matthew 8.

 It is impossible to please You without faith! Unbelief is a lack of faith in You. I pray that you make me a man of huge amazing faith so that I can please You. 

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When A Storm Comes Into Your Life Will It Wash You Away? Depends On What You Have Built Your Life On!

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1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31; Psalm 54; Matthew 7

When A Storm Comes Into Your Life

Will It Wash You Away? 

Depends On What You Have Built Your Life On!

Scripture

Matthew 7

²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 

²⁶ But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷ When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Observation

I have a high school friend who I have kept up with through the years. He has come to church with me several times and he has heard the Gospel. He had dedicated his life to having a good time, life as one big party. It was like he got stuck in the mindset that he and I had in high school.

Over the years he has become more and more resistant about coming to church or hearing anything about God or spiritual things. The last time I asked him to come to church he told me that it was not his kind of thing.

I heard from some friends that he was having problems in his marriage. He now risks losing everything.

It is still not too late for him to begin building his foundation on Christ, but this storm happening right now in his life may wash lots of what is precious to him away.

Jesus Christ is the Rock to build your life and your marriage on! Storms will come and you are going to need the firm foundation of a life built on Christ to survive the storms.

Jesus says that anyone who rejects His teaching is a “fool”. Don’t be a fool. Follow Jesus Christ and let Him sustain you through the storms of life!

Application

I will continue to share with my friend about Jesus and I will not give up.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friend who has been foolish to reject You. Now he needs to turn to You for help. I pray that You take off the spiritual blinders that have kept him from Your truth and I pray that he puts his faith and trust in You soon and I pray that he turns from his life of sin and self. Put his marriage back together. Work in the life of his wife too. May they both find help in You!

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To All You Worrywarts Out There Here Is What Jesus Has To Say To You!

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1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Matthew 6 

To All You Worrywarts Out There

Here Is What Jesus Has To Say

To You!

Scripture

Matthew 6 

²⁵ “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Observation

There is a very thin line between “concerned” and “worried”. I can be concerned about my health and that would be OK, but if it constantly was on my mind and it consumes my thought life then I have crossed from “concerned” to “worried”. 

I know some folks that have some big surgeries coming up over the next couple of weeks. I pray for them that God will give them His supernatural peace and I also pray that He gives their family members the same kind of supernatural peace to be able to deal with their sick loved one. 

God says in Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. “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.”

I love how Jesus closes this chapter, ³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Today’s trouble is enough for today – so lets don’t add any more to it! 

Application

When I catch myself worrying about something today I will pray about it instead! How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, worry and fear are actually just a lack of faith on our part in You. Help me to be a person of faith. Give me strength to trust You with every part of my life. I pray for Dennis and I also pray for Renee who are both facing big surgeries very soon. Help them to pray and not worry. Give them Your supernatural peace. I pray that You guide the surgeon’s hands and You take care of every detail of their lives. Give them quick recoveries and I pray that You heal them completely for Your glory and honor!

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Do You Have A “Life Verse”? This Is My Life Verse … And Here Is Why …

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1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Do You Have A “Life Verse”? 

This Is My Life Verse …

And Here Is Why …

Scripture

Matthew 5

¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Observation

When I was a young child I used to walk to church with my Granny and that is when I must have learned Matthew 5:16. My Granny got too sick to walk to church after I was around nine years old so I must have learned Matthew 5:16 before I was ten! Doing good works and glorifying the Father is what living on this earth is all about. It is what we were created to do!

You and I are supposed to shine before the people around us! They need to see our good works so the Father in heaven can get the glory! We shouldn’t do good works to draw attention to ourselves or to get any self-recognition or self-glory. If we get rewarded in that way then we have our reward and we will miss God’s reward! 

Application

I will continue to let my light my shine before men, that they may see my good works, and glorify my Father, which is in heaven.   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that we don’t do good works to get to Heaven. It is Your Grace that allows us to go to Heaven. You paid a high price, Your only Son’s death for our salvation. But we are Your masterpiece created to do good works so help us to serve You with all of our hearts and help us shine on all of those around us. 

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A Lesson On How To Fish For People From Fishing For Fish!

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1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

A Lesson On 

How To Fish For People

From Fishing For Fish!

Scripture

Matthew 4

¹⁸ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.

  ¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰ And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Observation

Someone told me the reason “Fishing” is called “Fishing” and not “Catching” is because we don’t always “Catch” something when we “Fish”. So true! Kathy says that I am a “Jonah” when it comes to fishing, but I love to go! 

There are some very good parallels between fishing for “Fish” and fishing for “Men”. Let me mention a few that immediately come to my mind:

1.      Fishing requires that we go where the fish are or at least where the fish should be. You are not going to catch fish sitting in your house in front of the TV. 

2.      If you are fishing with a rod and reel (hook and line) to catch fish then you have to use the right bait!

3.      If you are fishing with nets for fish then you have to go fishing at the right time – you normally don’t fish with nets during the daytime (because the fish can see the nets). 

4.      The best fisherman usually are the ones who have spent time learning how to fish from other very good fisherman!

So lets see if we can draw some truths about “Fishing for Men” from “Fishing for Fish”:

1.      If we are going to fish for men then we need to be intentional about it. We can’t win men and women to Christ sitting in our house in front of the TV. 

2.      We have to learn how to share our faith and we need to be willing to do everything we can to see the person come to Christ.

3.      We need to be sensitive to the right time to share our faith. Some folks dump the Gospel on people whether they are ready to hear it or not. You and I on the other hand always need to be ready to share our faith even when it is not a good time or convenient for us.

4.      It helps to be taught how to share your faith by someone who is a soul-winner! Soul-winners are in every church. You just need to find one and go out with them. 

Application

I will continue to “Fish” for “Fish” and I will continue to “Fish” for “Men”.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know I enjoy getting out on the water and at least trying to catch a fish, but I truly love to see someone come to Christ a lot more than catching a smelly fish. Help me be successful at fishing for men. In fishing for fish I will probably always be a fisher rather than a catcher, but when it comes to fishing for men I want to be successful. It is my calling. Help me be a success at it. 

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Helping Someone Get Into Heaven Can You Share The Gospel Start With These Few Verses

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1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Helping Someone Get Into Heaven

Can You Share The Gospel

Start With These Few Verses

Scripture

Matthew 3

² “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Observation

When you talk to most people about whether they will go to Heaven when they die, almost all of them believe that they are going! When you ask them to tell you why they think they will go to Heaven when they die they almost always give you “works” answers like: 

I am trying to do the best I can. I am a pretty good person. I do more good things in my life than bad things, etc. I am better than most of the folks that go down to your church!

So our task is to explain to people the true Gospel message and help folks understand that without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ they are lost and they are going to Hell. They have to understand that they are lost and bound for Hell. So how do you and I get them to see their predicament? They can’t get saved until they understand and see that they are lost!

John the Baptist used a very good word to describe what people need to do. He used the word “Repent”. People need to realize first that they are sinners and that their sin has separated them God. Most people you talk in the USA will readily agree with you that they are sinners, but they don’t believe that their sins separate them from God. 

So lets go over just a few verses that every person needs to hear. 

First: God loves you and me. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Second: There is something that has separated us from God’s love. “Sin” Romans 3:23; “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” All of us are sinners. You may sin less than me or maybe you have sinned more than me but we are all sinners. And that sin has separated us from God.

Third: What we earn by sinning is death – Physical death and Spiritual death – Romans 6:23 says, ‘For the wages of sin is death…”

Fourth: After we die there is judgment for our sins. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And it is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment.” 

Fifth: Because we are sinners we all deserve to go to a place called Hell. Luke 12:5 says, “But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.  2 Thessalonians 1:8 “in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.”

Sixth: We can don’t have to experience Hell and Judgment! Here is the Good News!
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

John 5:24 says, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

John 1:12 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Romans 10:9-10; 13 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Application

I will seek to share this Good News this week with those I have a chance to talk to.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus! Thank You for providing a way for my sins to be forgiven. Help people understand the Gospel message as we share it with them. Take the spiritual blinders off of their eyes so that they can be saved.

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Are You Facing Any Giants In Your Life Today? Here Is How You Defeat Them! From One Of The Greatest Stories In God’s Word…

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1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Are You Facing Any Giants In Your Life Today?

Here Is How You Defeat Them!

From One Of The Greatest Stories In God’s Word…

Scripture

1 Samuel 17

⁴⁰ He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

⁴¹ Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, ⁴² sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. ⁴³ “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. ⁴⁴ “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

⁴⁵ David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

 ⁴⁶ Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! ⁴⁷ And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

Observation

From every angle this story just amazes me and it gives me tremendous confidence in my God. I love David’s last sentence to the Goliath, “This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give it to us!”
I think we all need to say that phrase over and over again at least fifty times until it sticks in our brains! The battle is not ours. The battle is the Lord’s. 

It is so easy to forget this truth when we are in the middle of a fight. In the midst of the battle is may be hard to remember that the battle is not ours – the battle is the Lord’s!

What giants do you have in your life? How are you going to fight them? Have you been fighting them alone? Maybe the giant in your life is your health, maybe your giant is your job or lack of a job, maybe it is a relationship, or relationships, like a hostile or indifferent husband or wife, a troubled child – rebellious teenager, or maybe it is your sick and aging parents. 

There are so many Giants out there we sure do not need to fight them alone, but so many of us are doing just that. 

If you have been going it alone battling all your giants by your lonesome then maybe it is time to realize that like David you can call on the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies and let Him fight your battles. 

Application

To every battle in my life I say, “This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give it to me!”

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know the battles that I have going on in my life. They are your battles and I call on You for help. Thank You for hearing me and thank You for coming to my rescue. I am not alone. I pray for those that might read this who have been facing serious issues in his or her’ life that they might today call on You for help! Nothing is too hard for You. 

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All We Have To Do Is Obey God And He Will Bless Us – Why Is That So Hard?

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1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

All We Have To Do

Is Obey God 

And He Will Bless Us – Why Is That So Hard?

Scripture

1 Samuel 15

²² But Samuel replied,

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
    your burnt offerings and sacrifices
    or your obedience to his voice?

 
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
    and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

 
²³ Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
    and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

 
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.”

Observation                     

All King Saul had to do was to obey and do what the Lord had told him to do. He would have been a successful king. God would have blessed him and He would have blessed the nation of Israel. King Saul disobeyed over and over again and God took the kingdom away from him and gave it to David.

The lesson for us is this. Nothing is more pleasing to the Lord that our obedience to Him. NOTHING! Did you get that – NOTHING!

Tomorrow is Sunday. It is the Lord’s Day.

He has instructed all of us Christ Followers that we are to be in His House on His Day. Can’t get any more direct with a command than that and we all know it – yet – tomorrow many Christ Followers will make the decision to disobey God and they will stay home and maybe sleep in, they will go to a theme park, or they will go fishing or something just as bad (you only catch Devil fish on Sundays).

Now let me ask a question: Who loses when we choose to disobey God?

Saul paid a huge price for his disobedience. The Spirit of the Lord left him and a tormenting spirit came to torment him. He lived in constant fear and spent most of the rest of his time as king trying to kill David.

Here are few good verses on Obedience:

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.  Deuteronomy 10:12

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. Exodus 19:5

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Deuteronomy 5:10

This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’ Jeremiah 7:23

And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. 1 John 3:22

Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21 

Application

I will seek to obey God rather than do things just to please Eddy this week. How about you?

  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to obey You today. I know that you are delighted with us when we make the choice to obey You. I pray that tomorrow will be a day that brings You much glory. I pray for everyone that is working hard to make tomorrow a very special day of worship and celebration. I pray for Kevin and his team as they do all the hard work of preparing a meal for the entire church. Help them do it with joy and help them do it for You. 

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