“Because You Were Killed, And With Your Blood Sacrifice You Bought People For God From Every Tribe, Language, Race Of People, And Nation.”

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Ezekiel 12; Ezekiel 13; Ezekiel 14; Revelation 5

“Because You Were Killed,

And With Your Blood Sacrifice You Bought People For God

From Every Tribe, Language, Race Of People, And Nation.”

Scripture

Revelation 5

9 “…because you were killed,
    and with your blood sacrifice you bought people for God
    from every tribe, language, race of people, and nation.”

Observation

We have been bought with a blood sacrifice! Jesus was killed so I could have eternal life. He bought people for God from “every tribe, language, race of people, and nation.”

Every morning as I begin to read my daily Bible reading I pray for an unreached people group somewhere in the world that still needs to hear about Jesus. Every morning on my blog there is a different unreached people to pray for.  (I also pray for my nephew Jonathan who has been in a coma since December 2007!) 

Kathy and I give a very small amount each month to help a young man (a teenager) in Uganda. I know his Mom. She is a great personal evangelist. Her name is Grace. As she wins people to Jesus – Kathy and I are a small part of her ministry. For  more information on how to support people in Uganda like Patrick and his Mom Grace please contact Millie Roberts at 

www.OnMission4Jesus.blogspot.com

In January 2013 we will have the opportunity to work in the Amazon jungle. I can’t go and work in the Amazon jungle, living among one of the tribes. With my bad heart I wouldn’t last a week! But Kathy and I will go as we support Crystal Snow and help her work among the tribal people in that jungle. Crystal is on facebook and I would love it if God led you to help her with a small monthly gift. 

https://www.facebook.com/crystal.snow.96

Jesus has bought with His blood people for God from every tribe, language, race of people, and nation. The question today for you and me is this, “Are we going to be a part of reaching those nations and people groups for Christ?”

I sure want to be a part of what God is doing – how about you?

Application

I will be open to opportunities of helping others go where I can’t yet go.

  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Patrick in Uganda and for his Mom Grace. I pray that You would use them to do the work of an evangelist among their people. I pray for Crystal Snow as she works to raise the support she will need to live and serve You in the Amazon jungle. Show Kathy and I how we can do more to fulfill the Great Commission. Use people that read this blog to do more to take the Gospel to those who have never heard about Your Son Jesus.

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“Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord God All-Powerful. He Always Was, He Is, And He Is Coming.”

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Ezekiel 8; Ezekiel 9; Ezekiel 10; Ezekiel 11; Revelation 4 

“Holy, Holy, Holy

Is The Lord God All-Powerful.

He Always Was, He Is, And He Is Coming.”

Scripture

Revelation 4 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God All-Powerful.
    He always was, he is, and he is coming.”

…Suddenly, the power of the Lord GOD came on me. I saw something that looked like fire, like a man’s body. From the waist down, he was like fire. From the waist up, he was bright and shining like hot metal in a fire. Ezekiel 8:1b-2

Observation

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God All-Powerful! He always was, He is, and He is coming.” The Lord Jesus Christ when we see Him He will look so different from the pictures we see of Him now! He will look like the description we find in Ezekiel or Revelation. Are you ready to see Him? He is coming soon!

In Ezekiel we find the Temple of God has been polluted by the worship of many different idols and gods. The people had drifted so far away from the God that had delivered them so many times. They had become so unholy, so dirty, and so evil.

God calls on us to be Holy because He is Holy. He wants you and I to stay away from sin. How are you doing with that? How am I doing with that? Are we Holy?

 I hope you had a chance to read Ezekiel and Revelation today. We get a glimpse into Heaven. There is a challenge in these chapters for you and me to live a life that is different. We are challenged to live lives of holiness. It doesn’t mean that we are not going to sin, but it does mean that we are living our lives determined to stay away from sin and to stay close to God.

Application

I live out this day thinking of God’s holiness and His command on my life for me to be holy.

Prayer

 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God All-Powerful.
    He always was, he is, and he is coming.” Amen

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I Have Put Before You An Open Door That No One Can Close.

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Ezekiel 4; Ezekiel 5; Ezekiel 6; Ezekiel 7; Revelation 3

I Have Put Before You

An Open Door

That No One Can Close.

Scripture

Revelation 3

⁸ “I know what you do. I have put before you an open door that no one can close. I know you are weak, but you have followed my teaching.

²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.

Observation

Jesus was speaking to the seven churches in Revelation 3, but what He said to two of them can speak to our hearts today. To the church in Philadelphia He writes, “I know what you do. I have put before you an open door that no one can close. I know you are weak, but you have followed my teaching.” 

Jesus does know what we do. He does know that we are weak. And yet He still opens doors for us that no one can close. He has in my life and if you are a Christ follower I am sure that He has opened doors for you too. 

To the church at Laodicea Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.”

Jesus wants us to fellowship with Him. We have to open up the door of our heart for Him to come in. We must spend time with Him. Listen … do you hear His voice … then open up the door of your heart and let Him come in! Don’t shut Him out!  

Application

  I will focus on the doors that are open in my life and not worry about the ones that seem closed. I will open up the door of my heart to Jesus and I will enjoy spending time with Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t ever want to be lukewarm when it comes to my relationship with You. Don’t let it ever happen. Keep me away from sin that would mess up my relationship with You. I pray for those going through difficult times today. I pray that You would be their strength. I pray that they would depend on You. I pray for healing. I pray that You open doors for those that are seeking to serve You. Those friends of ours that want to go on mission trips I pray that You provide for them. You are the God that opens doors that no one can shut. You are God All-Powerful!

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They Will Have The Same Power I Received From My Father, And I Will Give Them The Morning Star.

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Ezekiel 1; Ezekiel 2; Ezekiel 3; Revelation 2 

They Will Have The Same Power

I Received From My Father, 

And I Will Give Them The Morning Star.

Scripture

Revelation 2 

²⁸ They will have the same power I received from my Father, and I will give them the morning star. ²⁹ Everyone who hears this should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Observation

Do you have that run down feeling some days when you wake up? 

Do you feel helpless some days and do you ever feel that your life is out of control?

If you were honest with me you would probably say, “Yes” to those two questions. 

To be perfectly honest there are days when I feel powerless and helpless. There are people close to me that are moving the wrong direction and headed towards a life of misery and destruction and I seem unable – powerless to help them. 

But … You and I are not “powerless”. You and I are not “helpless”. We do not have to go through the day feeling run down and helpless! As Pastor Bruce says, “You don’t have to lose your Swagger – your Godfidence!”

We have been given the same POWER that Jesus Christ was given! We don’t have to go through life defeated, discouraged, or live every day down in the dumps! 

    But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

    Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

    And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6

    For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 

Application

I will depend on God’s Power to direct me today. I will exercise my “Godfidence”! 

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, You tell me in Your word that I am supposed to call on You will answer me and You will show me great and mighty things. I will not go through this day powerless. I will depend on Your Mighty Power. I am not powerless. I can pray for those going in the wrong direction and You can turn their hearts and lives around. I don’t have to worry about anything. You tell me to pray about everything. And You tell me that if I will do that then I will experience a perfect peace. I am going to do just that today. Help anyone reading this blog to do the same. You are a Mighty God.

 

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LORD, Why Are People Important To You? Why Do You Even Notice Us? Our Life Is Like A Puff Of Air. It Is Like A Passing Shadow.

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Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143; Psalm 144

LORD, Why Are People Important To You?

Why Do You Even Notice Us? 

Our Life Is Like A Puff Of Air. It Is Like A Passing Shadow.

Scripture

Psalm 144

³ LORD, why are people important to you?
    Why do you even notice us?

⁴ Our life is like a puff of air.
    It is like a passing shadow.

Observation

Have you ever wondered why God even bothers with us? Why does the Creator of the entire Universe think about us? Good question? He even hung the Stars, the Moon, and the Sun just for us!

 Praise the LORD!
    He is my Rock.
He prepares me for war.
    He trains me for battle.
² He loves me and protects me.
    He is my safe place high on the mountain.
He rescues me.
    He is my shield.
I trust in him.
    He helps me rule my people. Psalm 144:1-2

King David was blown away with God’s love for his life! Are you and I blown away with God’s goodness or are we living life without even realizing God’s blessings?
Our life is a puff of air. It is a like a passing shadow. Better give God praise while we have the chance!

Application

I will give God praise today for I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, It is amazing that You even think about us at all. We are nothing compared to You. Not only do You think about us, but also You command us to think about and love others. We don’t deserve Your love, which makes it even more amazing! Today I give You praise for I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!  You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.     Psalm 139:1-6; 13-14

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They Went On Their Trip To Serve Christ … So We Should Help Them. When We Help Them, We Share With Their Work …

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Jeremiah 50; Jeremiah 51; 3 John 1 

They Went On Their Trip To Serve Christ …

So We Should Help Them.

When We Help Them, We Share With Their Work …

Scripture

3 John 1 

⁷ They went on their trip to serve Christ. They did not accept any help from people who are not believers. ⁸ So we should help them. When we help them, we share with their work for the truth.

Observation

Crystal Snow is going to Peru in January 2013 to serve as a missionary among the tribes in the Amazon jungle. Crystal has served on staff at Word of Life Bible Institute and I have gotten to know Crystal as she has volunteered and served with us at our church Christ Fellowship. 

Kathy and I plan on helping Crystal financially. We will serve with her in the Amazon jungle because of our small financial gift each month. We can’t serve in the Amazon jungle personally, but we can be there by helping Crystal go and serve. 

Maybe you are at a point in your life where you could also help Crystal work in the Amazon jungle. Maybe you can’t see yourself actually flying down to South America and living with a tribe in the jungle, but you can go if you support Crystal as she goes. And you and I can share with her in her work. 

I love it. 

If you want to help support Crystal Snow just let me know. Your support doesn’t need to start until December 2012 or January 2013.

Application

I will continue to help encourage others to serve in the Amazon jungle by making them aware that Crystal Snow needs their support!

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, as a small child Crystal knew that You wanted her to serve You as a Missionary. How amazing is that! I pray for her today. I pray that you provide the funds that she needs to be able to be obedient to the call that you have placed on her life. To have a desire to go and work in the Amazon jungle and to live with the people in that place makes her a hero to me. I admire her for her obedience. Now bless her with the support she needs to do the work You have called her to do. I pray that You put on the hearts of many people to work in the Amazon jungle by supporting Crystal as she goes. You are an Amazing God.  

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We Should All Love Each Other. And Loving Means Living The Way He Commanded Us To Live.

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Jeremiah 37; Jeremiah 38; Jeremiah 39; Psalm 79; 2 John 1

We Should All Love Each Other.

And Loving Means

Living The Way He Commanded Us To Live. 

Scripture

2 John 1

⁵ “… We should all love each other. This is not a new command. It is the same command we had from the beginning. ⁶ And loving means living the way he commanded us to live. And God’s command is this: that you live a life of love. You heard this command from the beginning.

Observation

It is not natural for us to love people like God loves them. So God commands us to love them. Isn’t it interesting that He has to command us to love!

Have you ever been surprised at just how mean and ugly you can be to people that you are supposed to love the most?

I am shocked at how mean I can be to Kathy sometimes. And that is why God commands me to love. He knows how mean I can be.

He also knows how mean and ugly you can be and that is why you are also commanded to live a life of love!

 Application

I will live a life of love today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know me like no one else does. You know I don’t like myself when I am mean and unloving. Help me to live a life of love. Help me make You smile by the way I love people. I pray for Kathy today. I pray that you bless her. I pray that You bring people into her life that will encourage her. Thank You for giving her to me. I am blessed. You have been so good to me by giving her to me as my wife and my best friend. 

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We Are In His Son, Jesus Christ He Is The True God, And He Is Eternal Life

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Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5

We Are In His Son, Jesus Christ

He Is The True God, 

And He Is Eternal Life

Scripture

1 John 5


17 Doing wrong is always sin. But there is sin that does not lead to eternal death.

18 We know that those who have been made God’s children do not continue to sin. The Son of God keeps them safe. The Evil One cannot hurt them. 19 We know that we belong to God, but the Evil One controls the whole world. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding. 

So now we can know the one who is true, and we live in that true God. We are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God, and he is eternal life. 21 So, dear children, keep yourselves away from false gods.

Observation

As people share their spiritual journey with me I listen carefully to see if the person mentions having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If they talk about “God this and God that” but never about “Jesus” red flags go up in my mind and it causes me to wonder if they really do know the Son. He/She that has the Son of God in their life has eternal life, but he/she who doesn’t have the Son does not have life.

Is Jesus your personal Lord and Savior?

What comes out of your mouth and my mouth when we talk about our spiritual journey? Do people hear the name “Jesus”!

Application

When I share my testimony I will try to be very clear about my relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that doing wrong is always sin. Keep me from doing wrong. Keep me from doing things that will mess up my relationship with You. I know that Jesus is God. I know that He is eternal life. I know that Jesus saved me. Protect me from the Evil One. You are far greater than he is! Help those that talk about God but not Jesus come to salvation through Your Son. 

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Where God’s Love Is, There Is No Fear, Because God’s Perfect Love Takes Away Fear.

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Jeremiah 31; Jeremiah 32; 1 John 4

Where God’s Love Is,

There Is No Fear, 

Because God’s Perfect Love Takes Away Fear.

Scripture

1 John 4

¹⁸ Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear.(a)

Observation

FEAR…what are you afraid of? Where God’s love is, there is no fear! God’s perfect love takes away fear.

Fear on our part is always a lack of faith and trust in our Heavenly Father! He loves us. He will take care of us. We do not need to fear.

I don’t fear death. I don’t fear dying. I know that I will. And since I have already come close to it several times in less than a year I can tell you that I don’t fear leaving this world.

Fear creeps into my life not over something big like dying, but over the little…the tiny…the petty things. My Heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He owns the hills and yet I sometimes have a fear of not being able to provide for my family. Do you ever experience fears like that?

So when those little fears try to creep in I go to God’s Word and I hold on to His promises. And there are so many promises for me to hold on to! Here are two of my favorites:

    Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. 1 Peter 5:7

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

 

 Application

Every time fear creeps in I am going to remember 1 John 4:18 “Where God’s love is, there is no fear!”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to trust You in the big things of life and in the small things too. The small things seem to trip me up. It is in the small things where fear slips in. I know that You love me. I know that where Your love is, there is no fear!

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You Will Search For Me, And When You Search For Me With All Your Heart, You Will Find Me. I Will Let You Find Me.

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Jeremiah 28; Jeremiah 29; Jeremiah 30; 1 John 3

You Will Search For Me,

And When You Search For Me With All Your Heart,

You Will Find Me. I Will Let You Find Me. 

Scripture

Jeremiah 29

¹¹ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.

  ¹² Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  

¹³ You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will let you find me.”

Observation

God pursues a relationship with us. He had good plans for us. When we search for Him with all of our hearts - we find Him – Because He lets us find Him! 

What is your God like? My God is like who Jeremiah described in Jeremiah 29:11-14. He knows the plans He has for me. He has good plans for me. He doesn’t plan to hurt me. He plans to give me hope and a future. He will listen to me when I talk with Him. When I search for Him He will let me find Him. 

Wow! What a Great God to serve!

 Application

I will give thanks to the Lord for His Goodness! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for having good plans for me. Thank You for giving me hope and a future. Thank You for listening to me when I talk with You. Thank You for letting me find You when I am seeking You out. You are an Awesome God! You are Worthy of Praise! 

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If We Say We Live In God, We Must Live The Way Jesus Lived.

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Jeremiah 21; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 27; Psalm 118; 1 John 2

If We Say

We Live In God,

We Must Live The Way Jesus Lived.

Scripture

1 John 2

⁶ If we say we live in God, we must live the way Jesus lived.

Observation

Politicians all seem to have some kind of connection to a church when it gets close to an election! Wouldn’t it be refreshing if more of them actually lived the way Jesus lived. But I don’t want to be too hard on politicians … on second thought - yes I do!

There are exceptions with those running for public office. Ronda Storms is one of those rare exceptions.  Her close walk with Jesus challenged me when I served as one of her pastors at First Baptist Brandon. It is refreshing to be around someone who lives the way Jesus lived.

Does our example challenge those around us to live the way Jesus lived? It should.

Application

I want to live for God. I want to live the way Jesus lived. How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me live the way Jesus lived. Help me be an example to those around me. I pray for Ronda Storms today and other Christ followers that have decided to make a difference in our world by running for public office. Keep her away from sin. Give her wisdom. Help her to influence the leaders in our community to act in accordance with Your Word. Protect her from the Evil one. Bless her husband David and the rest of their family.

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But If We Confess Our Sins, God Will Forgive Us. We Can Trust God To Do This.

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Jeremiah 48; Jeremiah 49; Psalm 67; 1 John 1 

But If We Confess Our Sins,

God Will Forgive Us.

We Can Trust God To Do This.

Scripture

1 John 1 

⁹ But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.

Observation

Maybe you are like the lady that I talked to Saturday at Mission Tampa who told me that if she didn’t pray for forgiveness of her sins every night then she would go to Hell because she had sins that she didn’t ask forgiveness for!

When she left even after all my “eloquent” explaining about the assurance of salvation I believe she still probably thinks that she can lose her salvation. She agreed with me that salvation was a free gift. She even seemed to agree with me that salvation was something that was undeserved, but she still thought that if she committed one sin that she didn’t remember to confess that she would go to Hell.

Don’t laugh! There are a lot of people that live everyday just like she does. You might be one of them. If you are I hope you listen up – there is hope for you yet! Christ died one time for the penalty of your sin and my sin. We deserve death, both physical and spiritual death. We deserve to be eternally separated from God because we are sinners. Our sin is what separates from God.

God sent Jesus Christ to redeem us from the penalty of sin. He paid that penalty by sacrificing his sinless life on the cross. He wants to exchange His sinless life for our sinful lives. When we put our faith and our trust in what He did on the cross then we have eternal life. It is ours. It is an eternal, everlasting, underserved free gift.

Even though we are Christians we are still going to sin. The Apostle John says, “But if we confess our sins, God will forgive us.” What is he talking about? As children of God when we sin we break our fellowship with God – we don’t lose our salvation – we are still His children – but we have messed up our relationship. So we need to come to Him and ask Him to forgive us. Not so that we can regain our salvation, but so we can walk in a right relationship with Him. To walk in a right relationship with Him is to be able to walk under His authority and receive His blessings.

Application

I will keep my sins confessed up so I can walk in a right relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Eternal Life. I don’t deserve it, but I know that I won’t lose it. I didn’t do anything to earn or deserve it and I know that I can’t do anything that would cause me to lose it. I am Yours forever! I am Your prized possession. I have been bought with a very high price. I pray that people would understand this truth today as I share the Gospel with them today at Mission Tampa. Give them spiritual understanding. Open their spiritual eyes to the Truth!

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Depend On The LORD For Strength. Always Go To Him For Help. Remember The Amazing Things He Has Done.

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Jeremiah 45; Jeremiah 46; Jeremiah 47; Psalm 105; John 21

Depend On The LORD For Strength.

Always Go To Him For Help.

Remember The Amazing Things He Has Done.

Scripture

Psalm 105

⁴ Depend on the LORD for strength.
    Always go to him for help.

⁵ Remember the amazing things he has done.

Observation

Are you tired and run down? Do you feel like you don’t have enough strength to deal with the challenges that you face today? Then here is a great passage for you and I to think about and apply on this Lord’s Day! 

Three keys words:

Depend

Always

Remember

We are hard headed and that is why the Lord tells us over and over again in His word these three things. 

It is super important to remember the amazing things God has done for us. It is so easy to forget that He worked miracles in our lives just a short time ago. As you face tough problems it is a huge help to think back on how God has always come through for you. 

Take time to “Remember” all the amazing things that He has done in your life. He is the same God that will take care of you today!

Application

 I will Depend on the LORD for strength. I will Always go to him for help. I will  Remember the amazing things he has done.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my Strength. You are all I need. I will go to You when I need help. I will remember all the amazing things that You have done for me. You are worthy of Praise. You are the LORD All-Powerful!

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“Put Your Finger Here. Look At My Hands. Put Your Hand Here In My Side. Stop Doubting And Believe.” Thomas Said To Jesus, “My Lord And My God!”

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Jeremiah 26; Jeremiah 35; Jeremiah 36; John 20

“Put Your Finger Here. Look At My Hands.

Put Your Hand Here In My Side. Stop Doubting And Believe.”

Thomas Said To Jesus, “My Lord And My God!”

Scripture

John 20

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
²⁸ Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

Observation

Doubting that Jesus is God is not only a problem for Thomas, one of Jesus’ very own disciples, it is also a problem for a lot of people today. Jesus is God. And that statement is true whether you believe it or not. You may not believe in the law of gravity, but if you were to step off of the top of the Empire State Building you would fall to your death whether you believed the law of gravity was true or not.

 One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD – whether you believe it or not. 

Doubting Thomas became a believer that day when Jesus confronted him with the undeniable truth of His Deity. Thomas’ response to seeing the Risen Christ, “My Lord and my God!” 

Are you a doubting Thomas? Or are you a believer?  

Application

I will trust the Lord today. He is my Lord and my God!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being so patient with us. You didn’t give up on Thomas and you didn’t give up on me. I pray for those that may be reading this blog today that are still doubting and who have yet to put their faith and their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that You would give them understanding and I pray that You would take away their spiritual blindness. 

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When He Tasted The Wine, He Said, “It Is Finished.” Then He Bowed His Head And Died.

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Jeremiah 23; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 25; John 19

When He Tasted The Wine,

He Said, “It Is Finished.”

Then He Bowed His Head And Died.

Scripture

John 19

³⁰ When he tasted the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.

Observation 

 The soldiers took Jesus. ¹⁷ He carried his own cross to a place called “The Place of the Skull.” (In Aramaic the name of this place is “Golgotha.”) ¹⁸ There they nailed Jesus to the cross. They also nailed two other men to crosses. They put them on each side of Jesus with him in the middle.

³⁰ When he tasted the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.

When you and I see a cross around someone’s neck what does it symbolize to us? To some that wear crosses around their necks it is a good luck charm and they wear it thinking that it is going to bring them good luck – just like a rabbit’s foot – or any other lucky charm. 

When I see a cross I see the heart of God! It reminds me of how much He loves me. He loves me so much that He went to the cross for me. He died on that cruel cross for you too! When he said, “It is finished.” His earthly mission to this world was complete. He had provided with His own blood a way for us to go to Heaven. 

When I hear people talk about God, but never hear them talk about Jesus or even mention Jesus’ Name, I have to wonder – “Do they know Him” Is He their Lord and Savior? To that person that only talks about God and never mentions the name Jesus it could be that to him or her, the cross that they wear around the neck is just a lucky charm and nothing more! 

How sad is that!

Application

When I see a cross today I will think about what Jesus did for me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You loved me so much that You sent Your One and Only Son to die on the cross for me. Jesus will come back in Victory. Come Lord Jesus Come!

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Good Comes To Those Who Lend Money Generously And Conduct Their Business Fairly.

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2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

Good Comes To Those

Who Lend Money Generously

And Conduct Their Business Fairly.

Scripture

Psalm 112

⁴ Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
    They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
⁵ Good comes to those who lend money generously
    and conduct their business fairly.
⁶ Such people will not be overcome by evil.
    Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
⁷ They do not fear bad news;
    they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
⁸ They are confident and fearless
    and can face their foes triumphantly.
⁹ They share freely and give generously to those in need.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
    They will have influence and honor.

Observation

If you are godly then you don’t need to fear bad news; you can confidently trust in the Lord to care for you. You are confident and fearless and can face your foes triumphantly. You share freely and you can give generously to those in need. Your good deeds will be remembered forever. You will have influence and honor.
Great reasons to live a godly life! 

Application

 I will confidently trust the Lord to care for me. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be generous and give me the desire to share with those in need. Help me to live a life that pleases you. Give me the confidence that comes from trusting in you so I will not be in constant fear of bad news. 

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“I Am Praying Not Only For These Disciples But Also For All Who Will Ever Believe In Me Through Their Message.”

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Jeremiah 18; Jeremiah 19; Jeremiah 20; Psalm 93; John 17

“I Am Praying Not Only For These Disciples

But Also For All Who Will Ever

Believe In Me Through Their Message.”

Scripture

John 17

²⁰ “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

Observation

Jesus was praying for me just before He went to the cross. In John 17 we find the real Lord’s Prayer. He was interceding for all of us that believe in His Name.

He is interceding for us right now at the right hand of our Heavenly Father.

    “But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.” Hebrews 7:24-25

Jesus continues to pray for us. He is concerned about every detail of your life and mine. Only He understands exactly what you and I are going through.

Application

I will trust Jesus knowing that He is working in my life and I am confident that He knows every need of my life. Will you trust Him too? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us John 17. It gives us the assurance that Jesus loves us. We don’t deserve it. I know that Jesus is constantly pleading for me. Help me pray for others. Give me Your heart for the people around me. Help me intercede for them. 

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“In This World You Will Have Troubles. But Be Brave! I Have Defeated The World!”

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Jeremiah 16; Jeremiah 17; Psalm 96; John 16

“In This World You Will Have Troubles.

But Be Brave!

I Have Defeated The World!”

Scripture

John 16

³³ “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

Observation

In this world you will have troubles! Not might have, Jesus didn’t say that you could have, no Jesus said that we will have troubles! 

Yesterday, I talked to a friend who just found out he has cancer – In this world you will have troubles. 

I am praying for a friend who has had multiple operations because of a staff infection that the doctors can’t seem to get rid of and he will now undergo yet another operation this week in an effort to fight and remove the infection – In this world you will have troubles. 

For those who live in this world without a relationship with Jesus Christ they face these troubles without hope, but for those of us who know Jesus we face rough times with His encouraging words, “Be brave! I have defeated the world!”

As I pray for these sick friends and others who are going through rough times I pray with confidence knowing that I have a Savior who has overcome death. He understands suffering. He hears my prayers. He feels our pain. And He promises us Victory!

Application 

 I will be brave in a world of troubles! How about you?
 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have not promised us an easy life. You tell us up front that we live in a world full of trials and trouble. You also tell us ahead of time how everything is going to end and that we will be victorious. I pray with confidence knowing that You hear me. I pray holding on to all of Your promises that tell me that You will answer me. I am Your child. You say in John 16: 23-24 “My Father will give me anything I ask him for in Jesus name. When I ask in Jesus name, I will receive. And I will have the fullest joy possible.

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“You Did Not Choose Me. I Chose You…”

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Jeremiah 13; Jeremiah 14; Jeremiah 15; John 15

“You Did Not Choose Me.

I Chose You…”

Scripture

John 15

¹⁶ “You did not choose me. I chose you. …”

Observation

To think that Creator God chose me to be one of His children is a wonderful thought as I start this week! How about you? Have you been chosen too?

I was not good at baseball growing up and it was not fun when the two team captains picked their teams. It was agonizing for me as well as for them. I was usually picked by default when there was no one else left for them to pick! Thank goodness that there was also a sport called football.

God didn’t pick me by default. He didn’t pick me because I was the last one to be picked. No, God’s word tells me that I am a delight to Him. I am the apple of His eye! He chose me before the foundation of the world!

I don’t know why He did. I surely don’t deserve His love or deserve being one of His chosen, but I am very glad that I am.

Everything that happens in my life has to be viewed from the perspective of being one of God’s children. Nothing … Nothing … Absolutely Nothing … that happens to me is just by accident. I am not lucky. It didn’t just happen by coincidence! It happened in the light of me being chosen. Whatever it is …good or bad…it all happens under the watchful eye of my Heavenly Father who chose to have me as one of His children! Nothing gets to me without first being filtered through the loving arms of my Heavenly Father. It can’t happen to me unless He allows it. And if He allowed it then ultimately it is for my good that He has let it happen! 

How do you know if you have been chosen? Has there been a time in your life when you turned from sin and self and turned to God? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ in what He did for you on the cross? Have you asked and received forgiveness of your sins? Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If your answer to those questions was a big YES, then you are one of God’s chosen possessions just like me!

The following is taken from Anne Graham Lotz book, “Why”. It is a book that Kathy and I are reading together each morning. I highly recommend it to you and I especially recommend it if you are walking through difficult times right now!

When there are no answers to your questions …

            Trust Him when you don’t understand.

                        Trust His heart.

                          Trust His Purpose

                             Trust Him when it is your heart that’s broken.          

                                Trust His goodness.

                                    Trust Him beyond the grave.

                                       Trust Him to know best.

                                          Trust His plan to be bigger than yours.

                                             Trust Him to keep His Word.             

                                                Trust Him to be on time.

                                                   Trust Him to be enough.

                                                      Trust Him to set you free.  

                                                         Trust Him –and Him alone!

The times when you and I can’t trace His hand of purpose, we must trust His heart of love! Trust HIM!

When I don’t understand why, I trust him because …

            God does care—more than I can possibly know.

 Application

I will trust Him today! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have chosen me. I am the apple of Your eye. You delight in me. I don’t know why. Everything that happens in my life has to come through You first. You are my Rock. You are my hiding place. You are my Savior. I trust You today and I will trust You tomorrow. You are so good to me. 

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People Are So Stupid!

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Jeremiah 10; Jeremiah 11; Jeremiah 12; John 14

People Are So Stupid!

Scripture

Jeremiah 10

¹⁴ People are so stupid!

 Metalworkers are fooled by the idols that they themselves made.
These statues are nothing but lies.

 They are stupid.

 God is the one who used his power and made the earth.
    He used his wisdom and built the world.
    With his understanding he stretched the sky over the earth.

¹³ God causes the loud thunder,
    and he causes great floods of water to fall from the sky.
He makes clouds rise in the sky every place on earth.
    He sends lightning with the rain.
    He brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Observation

 LORD, there is no one like you. You are great! Your name is great and powerful! Jeremiah 10:6
Would you agree with Jeremiah and me in saying that people are so stupid? So many people live life as though God does not exist. They may give lip service but with their lives and with their actions they are saying that they don’t really believe that my God exists. They are so stupid.  

Application

I know that “LORD, there is no one like you. You are great! Your name is great and powerful!” Jeremiah 10:6

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for all the stupid people that decide everyday not to follow You. Some in my own family that have heard the Good News and should know that You love them have continued to live life as though You don’t exist. I pray for them. They are stupid because they should know like I know there is no one like You. You are great! Your name is great and powerful!” I pray that You turn their hearts and their lives back to You. 

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Let Them Brag That They Learned To Know Me Let Them Brag That They Understand That I Am The LORD, I Love This Kind Of Bragging! This Message Is From The LORD.

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Jeremiah 7; Jeremiah 8; Jeremiah 9; John 13

Let Them Brag That They Learned To Know Me

Let Them Brag That They Understand That I Am The LORD,

I Love This Kind Of Bragging! This Message Is From The LORD.

Scripture

Jeremiah 9

²⁴ But if someone wants to brag, then let them brag about this:
    Let them brag that they learned to know me.
 
Let them brag that they understand that I am the LORD,
    that I am kind and fair,
 
and that I do good things on earth.
    I love this kind of bragging.”
 
This message is from the LORD.

Observation

Bragging … does it bother you like it does me to be around someone that is always bragging about himself? No matter what you say or no matter what you have done this person always has a story that tops yours!

Well God likes one type of “bragging” and that kind of bragging talks about what God has done and talks about what God is doing!

I think we should brag on the LORD for what He is doing in and through our church right now. I believe it makes Him smile when He hears us bragging and giving Him the credit. People are being saved and lives are being changed at Christ Fellowship but only God should get the glory. As long as we continue to give God the glory and honor for what He is doing then I believe He will continue to bless us. What a Mighty God we serve!

Why don’t you brag on Him right now! Give Him praise for what He is doing in your life and in the lives of those in your family and in the life of your church! Brag … Brag … Brag! 

Application

I will brag on the LORD today and I will give Him the honor and the praise! How about you?

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the people in day of Jeremiah had forgotten You. They lived as though You didn’t exist. You do exist! You are doing powerful things in my life and in the lives of those around me and in the life of our church. You are worthy of praise! Glory and Honor and Praise belong to You and You alone!

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