Look, I See The Heavens Opened And The Son Of Man Standing In The Place Of Honor At God’s Right Hand!

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Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7

Look, 

I See The Heavens Opened And The Son Of 

Man Standing In The Place Of Honor At God’s Right Hand!

Scripture

Acts 7

⁵⁴ The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ⁵⁶ And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Observation

One day I will see Jesus face to face. One day like Stephen did I will see Him too!

I am ready to see Him.

How about you?

 Application

I will talk to Jesus today and I will think about this story as I go through this day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, one day I will see Jesus at Your Right Hand. One day I will stand before Him and bow in His presence. I pray that You help me live in a way today that makes You smile. Help me to be like Stephen. Give me his faith, his courage, and his boldness! 

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But As The Believers Rapidly Multiplied, There Were Rumblings Of Discontent.

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Exodus 25; Exodus 26; Exodus 27; Acts 6 

But As The Believers

Rapidly Multiplied,

There Were Rumblings Of Discontent.

Scripture

Acts 6 

6 But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.

Observation

By chapter 6 of the book of Acts the number of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ had grown to over 5,000 men not counting the women and children. With growth comes rumblings – imagine that!

This past Sunday our attendance at church was an all time high! Decisions were made for Christ. There was excitement! It was our new church’s 2^nd anniversary! It was a time to celebrate! There was a baptism! There were cupcakes! We heard a new song produced and written just for our church by members of our church! It was an incredible, awesome, super wonderful day of worship!

By Monday … you guessed it … rumblings of discontent! 

What do people find to complain about when things are going so well? 

How about ribbons and banners that keep them from sitting their bottoms anywhere they choose in the Sanctuary?

You have to take a deep breath and remind yourself that with growth come rumblings of discontent!

Application

I will keep my focus on our church reaching people for Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are doing awesome things at our church. Don’t let our lead team be distracted by rumblings or by issues that would take energy away from our main purpose. Give Pastor Bruce and all of our leadership the ability to stay focused on the Great Commission. Give them wisdom. Encourage them. Bless them. 

Thank You for everything that happened this past Sunday. Don’t let us miss what You are doing. Give us Your eyes and Your heart.

 

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They Continued To Teach And Preach This Message: “Jesus Is The Messiah.”

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Exodus 23; Exodus 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

They Continued To Teach And Preach

This Message:

“Jesus Is The Messiah.”

Scripture

Acts 5

42 And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

Observation

Our message never changes: “Jesus is the Messiah.” Our methods of how we share that message change all the time. The Gospel is shared every week at Christ Fellowship. People make decisions to follow Jesus every Sunday. 

It is so exciting to see what God is doing in and through our church. 

When I hear a few “church folks” complain or gripe that they don’t like this or they don’t like that I do my best to get them refocused on Jesus. People are lost and going to Hell. 

Hello … people are lost and going to Hell! Lets make all the modifications (changes) we need to make so that more and more people have the chance to meet our Savior!

 Application 

I will support our church in every new idea we come up with to reach more people for Jesus! How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Ananias and Sapphira didn’t care about other people. They only cared about themselves. What happened to them should be a reminder to us. Help me to stay focused on reaching the lost. Help me this week to take time with my neighbors and with others that need Jesus. Guard my heart so that I don’t develop a critical spirit. 

Don’t let me take my eyes off of what is truly important. I pray that people would be saved this week at Christ Fellowship. I pray for our people that You would use them as Your witnesses. Be glorified through our church this week. Give our leadership all the wisdom that they need to make important decisions that will help us reach more for Jesus. 

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“By What Power, Or In Whose Name, Have You Done This?”

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Exodus 21; Exodus 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

“By What Power,

Or In Whose Name,

Have You Done This?”

Scripture

Acts 4

⁷ They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, ⁹ are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? ¹⁰ Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. ¹¹ For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.’

¹² There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Observation

Someone very recently asked me this question, “Do you think that you (not me personally but speaking of our church) would have as many people as you do coming to your church if you didn’t use the gimmicks that you use to get people to attend? That question was followed up by this comment/question. If you just preached the Gospel and didn’t do all of those things (outreach events) do you think you would have all of those people coming?

My short answer to this person’s question, “No, we would not.”

It has been awhile since I have heard a question like that concerning our outreach ministry to our community. I used to hear things like that a lot when we brought in over 300 people on buses each week to church back in the early 1970’s. (Yes, the early 1970’s!) 

People would constantly question our motives back then. Many didn’t like us bringing those dirty - disruptive bus kids to church, but it was a life changing experience for both the bus kids we brought and the workers that served in the bus ministry. 

We had a team of over 50 people that would spend half a day every Saturday visiting the homes of those kids. Sundays were very long days by the time you picked up and then dropped off every one on your bus.

Two events happened in the first couple of chapters in the book of Acts that caused huge crowds to gather. Both of these events gave the Apostle Peter the opportunity to preach the Gospel and from those two events over 5,000 people were saved. 

The first event happened at Pentecost (Acts 2) when 3,000 people were saved and the second was the healing of the man who had been crippled for more than 40 years (Acts 3). After Peter and John healed the crippled man at the Temple the church grew to over 5,000 men (not including the number of women and children).

Peter took advantage of preaching the Gospel to these crowds!

Lets take advantage and invite people to the big days we have at church!

1. Friend Day Sunday – Dessert Breakfast Sunday - February 3^rd.
2. B’B’Q’ Sunday – February 10^th

I was so happy for one of our church members yesterday when one of her friends that she had invited came and this friend made a decision for Christ!

Yes, it is important to have special events to draw crowds because in those crowds are people that need our Savior!

Application

 I will invite some people to Friend Day this Sunday!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ! 

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“In The Name Of Jesus Christ The Nazarene, Get Up And Walk!”

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Exodus 17; Exodus 18; Exodus 19; Exodus 20; Acts 3

“In The Name 

Of Jesus Christ The Nazarene,

Get Up And Walk!”

Scripture

Acts 3

4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 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!”

7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk!

Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

Observation

There is power in the name of Jesus! People are healed. People are saved. Miracles happen when we depend on the name of Jesus. 

I would have like to have been there that day. I would have loved to have seen that man walking, leaping, and praising God as he went into the Temple with Peter and John.

By the power of the name of Jesus I was dead and I am now alive. I give all glory, honor, and power to Jesus for giving me life! 

I was also once spiritually dead and Jesus gave me Eternal life. 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there is something about that Name! 

Application

I will praise Him today as I go to Christ Fellowship to worship!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for that powerful name Jesus. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for bringing back to life. Thank You for giving me this day to serve You. You are Awesome!

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Don’t Be Afraid. Just Stand Still And Watch The Lord Rescue You Today.

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Exodus 14; Exodus 15; Exodus 16; Acts 2

Don’t Be Afraid.

Just Stand Still And 

Watch The Lord Rescue You Today.

Scripture

Exodus 14

¹³ But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. ¹⁴ The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Escape through the Red Sea

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

 ¹⁶ Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
 
¹⁷ And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers.

 ¹⁸ When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”

Observation

The Hebrew children were trapped and the Egyptian army was closing in on them and they were afraid. They had nowhere to go. They were trapped and it seemed hopeless. I love what their leader Moses told them, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today … the Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.

When the situation seems totally impossible, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.” 

As I read through the Bible again in 2013 I will read over and over again, “Don’t be afraid!” Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today.” It is a theme that repeats itself over and over and over again through out God’s word. 

Don’t believe me? Listen to this from the book of Acts from today’s Bible reading,
“I see that the Lord is always with me.
 
    I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Acts 2:25b

Fear is a lack of faith. 

It is a lack of trust. 

We are commanded not to be afraid! 

 Application

 I will trust in the Lord today. I will not be afraid. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the Hebrew children experienced a miracle that day when You opened up the Red Sea and allowed them to go across on dry ground. I have experienced Your Power in my life too. I know that I don’t need to be afraid. Help those today that are struggling with life. Help them to put their faith and trust in You. Help them not to be afraid. 

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Rise Up, O Lord, In All Your Power. With Music And Singing We Celebrate Your Mighty Acts.

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Exodus 12; Exodus 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1 

Rise Up, O Lord, 

In All Your Power.

With Music And Singing We Celebrate Your Mighty Acts.

Scripture

Psalm 21

² For you have given him his heart’s desire;
    you have withheld nothing he requested.

¹³ Rise up, O Lord, in all your power.
    With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts.

Observation

Do you look forward to worshiping the Lord on Sundays? I sure do! It is a celebration! I have watched God transform our church over the past 2 years since Pastor Bruce has taken over as the lead pastor. 

I love it!

There is a freedom to worship as God leads and there is “celebration” every Sunday. 

King David enjoyed worship! He celebrated! He praised the Lord! He was thankful for all that the Lord had given him. God had given him his heart’s desire. God didn’t withhold anything from him that he asked for. 

Wow!

Lets celebrate this Lord’s Day! I am. How about you? 

 Application

I will celebrate all that the Lord is doing and all that the Lord has done. I will celebrate with all my heart! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the transformation that is happening at Christ Fellowship. Thank You for the leadership that has helped us make this change. God You are so good. Thank You for our Praise and Worship team. Thank You for every person that helps us worship You better on Sundays. Give them their heart’s desire. Don’t withhold any good thing from them. You are worthy to be praised! 

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“Didn’t Our Hearts Burn Within Us As He Talked With Us On The Road And Explained The Scriptures To Us?”

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Exodus 9; Exodus 10; Exodus 11; Luke 24 

“Didn’t Our Hearts Burn Within Us

As He Talked With Us

On The Road And Explained The Scriptures To Us?”

Scripture

Luke 24 

²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. ³⁰ As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
 

Observation

I have been involved in Bible studies where I have sensed a little bit of what these two disciples experienced. God’s Word is powerful and living! It is exciting to be a part of a group that studies God’s Word. 

We do “Biblical Storytelling” in our life group and we have been going through the Gospels looking at how Jesus taught and mentored His disciples. When someone in our group tells the Bible story the Bible comes alive and everyone in our group gets to experience in a small way what those disciples experienced on the road to Emmaus!

Here are a few of the discussion questions that are asked after every story: 1. What do we learn about Jesus in this story? 2. What is Jesus teaching his disciples in this story? 3. What is Jesus teaching me personally from this story? 

Application

I will look forward to reading God’s Word every day with anticipation and great expectation! How about you?

  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may Your Word always burn in my heart when I hear it and when I read it. Don’t ever let me become indifferent to Your Word. I pray that more and more of our people that make up our church would develop the habit of spending time in Your Word every day. 

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“I Assure You, Today You Will Be With Me In Paradise.”

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Exodus 6; Exodus 7; Exodus 8; Luke 23

 “I Assure You, Today

You Will Be With Me 

In Paradise.”

Scripture

Luke 23

³⁹ One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? ⁴¹ We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

⁴³ And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation

This criminal didn’t deserve to be with Jesus in paradise and neither do we? What did the criminal do that allowed him the privilege to go to Heaven? He did only one thing and it is the one thing that you and I must do if we desire to spend eternity with Jesus. We must put our Faith and our Trust in Him as our Savior and Lord. He believed with all his heart!

In that moment on the cross the one criminal was able to see that Jesus was truly the Messiah. He suddenly understood that he was in the presence of God himself and the thief humbled himself and called out to Jesus to save him. 

All three men were on the cross and all three men would die an excruciating death. But while all three men were still alive one of the criminals became a believer. He suddenly understood that Jesus was His Savior and that very day he crossed over into paradise with Jesus.

You and I are like the two criminals on the cross. We also deserve death and we deserve to go to Hell.

Unless we call out to Jesus and ask Him to save us we too will die in our sins. Have you turned from sin and self and have you asked Jesus to save you?

Application

I will think of everyone that I see today as people that need the forgiveness of Jesus.

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me Your eyes and Your heart for the people that I meet today. Help me to see their need for Jesus!

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“What Is That In Your Hand?” “A Shepherd’s Staff,” Moses Replied. “Throw It Down On The Ground,”

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Exodus 3; Exodus 4; Exodus 5; Luke 22

“What Is That In Your Hand?”

“A Shepherd’s Staff,” Moses Replied.

“Throw It Down On The Ground,”

Scripture

Exodus 4

4 But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?”

² Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.

³ “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.

Observation

God can take whatever we have and it can become a powerful tool for Him if we will just yield it to Him. As long as it is in our hand, in our control then God cannot use it, but once we yield it to God then He can do powerful things in and through our lives.

What is in your hand … talent, career, money, influence, or expertise in some area … throw it down and yield it to God. It can become powerful and life-changing if it is under the control of a Mighty God.

What is in your hand? What is in my hand? Lets yield those things to God.

Moses did and God used Moses to lead His people out of bondage and eventually into the Promised Land. God can and will use you and me if we will yield ourselves to Him and allow ourselves to be used by Him.

What is in your hand?

Application

 I will allow God to use my life today. I will make sure that everything I have is yielded to Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be used by You. Don’t let me hold on to anything too tightly. I want everything in my life yielded to You. Give me an attitude like Moses at the burning bush. Help me to be humble and meek like the man Moses. Power and Honor and Glory all belong to You!

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Now Hear My Prayer; Listen To My Cry. For My Life Is Full Of Troubles.

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Exodus 1; Exodus 2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

Now Hear My Prayer;

Listen To My Cry.

For My Life Is Full Of Troubles.

Scripture

Psalm 88

¹ O Lord, God of my salvation,
    I cry out to you by day.
    I come to you at night.

² Now hear my prayer;
    listen to my cry.

³ For my life is full of troubles,

Observation

Life is full of troubles! 

If your life is trouble free right now then just wait a few days … and you will experience some trouble. Why do I say this? 

Because Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble…” then He said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

Our lives are not going to be trouble free no matter how close we are to the Lord, but take heart! Jesus has overcome the world.    

 

Application

When I face “trouble” this week I will take heart because Jesus has overcome the world.  

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, life’s troubles give me the opportunity to trust and depend on You. I pray for the faith to do that. I pray for those that are going through trouble right now in their lives. I pray that it will draw them closer to You. You know every detail of my life. Nothing touches me that You do not allow. You turn even bad things around for my good. You are an Awesome God. 

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O Lord, Our Lord, Your Majestic Name Fills The Earth

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Genesis 49; Genesis 50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

O Lord, Our Lord, Your Majestic Name

Fills 

The Earth

Scripture

Psalm 8

¹ O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.

³ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—

⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?

 Observation

When we walk our little puppy at night Kathy and I look up and marvel at the moon and the stars in the sky and everything that God has made. And He made it all for us! Wow!

His majestic name does fill the earth!  

Application

 I will worship the Lord today Whose majestic name fills the earth!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are Worthy of Praise! 

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“If They Kept Quiet, The Stones Along The Road Would Burst Into Cheers!”

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Genesis 47; Genesis 48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

“If They Kept Quiet,

The Stones Along The Road

Would Burst Into Cheers!”

Scripture

Luke 19

³⁵ So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

³⁶ As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. ³⁷ When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

³⁸ “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

³⁹ But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

⁴⁰ He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Observation

The praise and worship is going to be loud in Heaven so lets get used to it right here and now!
The Pharisees were upset because the crowd was wildly praising Jesus as He road into Jerusalem on the donkey. This passage is appropriately called the “Triumphant Entry”. 

The Pharisees told Jesus to tell his followers to stop praising Him. His reply to them, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” 

Don’t tell those around you to quiet down. Don’t even think it! Join them and praise Jesus with all your heart!

 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

Application

Tomorrow at church I will sing loud and with all my heart as I praise Jesus! How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I would have liked to have been there the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that colt. I would have loved to have heard the shouts of praise! Help me to worship You with all my heart. Don’t let me be afraid of what others may think. Help me focus on worshiping You. You are Worthy of Praise!

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One Day Jesus Told His Disciples A Story To Show That They Should Always Pray And Never Give Up

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Genesis 44; Genesis 45; Genesis 46; Luke 18

One Day Jesus Told His Disciples

A Story To Show That They Should Always

Pray And Never Give Up

Scripture

Luke 18

1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

Observation 

So … always pray and never give up. I think the word “always” and the word “never” are the two key words when we think of prayer. Always keep praying. Never stop praying! 

Application

I will not give up on praying for people that have yet to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. How about you?   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me today to never give up praying for the people or the things that You put on my heart. 

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Listen To My Voice In The Morning, Lord. Each Morning I Bring My Requests To You And I will Wait Expectantly.

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Genesis 42; Genesis 43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

Listen To My Voice In The Morning, 

Lord.

Each Morning I Bring My Requests To You And I will Wait Expectantly. 

Scripture

Psalm 5

³ Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Observation

Is this a great verse for us today or what! I love it. I come to the Lord this morning with my requests and I wait EXPECTANTLY!

  Application

I am coming to the Lord this morning and I am waiting expectantly because my God is good and wants to answer my request! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come to You with so many requests this morning. I don’t do it begging. I come with confidence knowing that You listen to me and that you will answer me. You are an Awesome God. Worthy of all Praise!

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“I Am In Anguish In These Flames.”

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Genesis 39; Genesis 40; Genesis 41; Luke 16 

“I Am 

In Anguish 

In These Flames.”

Scripture

Luke 16 

²⁴ “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

²⁵ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

  ²⁶ And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’

²⁷ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home.

  ²⁸ For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

Observation

 Hell!

The rich man cried to Father Abraham, but Abraham replied, “And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.”

It is a place of deep regret. It is a place of eternal torment. It is a real place. It is just as real as Heaven.

Interesting that those in Hell could actually see the people in Heaven. This rich man was crying out to Abraham to send someone to warn his five brothers so they didn’t end up in this place of torment, but Abraham told him it was too late!

This story is a reminder to me that the people around me are on their way to Hell. It is a place of eternal torment. It is a real place. It is a reminder to me to share the Gospel!

Application

I will look for opportunities to share about Jesus!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me boldness to share the Gospel. Give me love and concern for the people around me.

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He Was Lost, But Now He Is Found. So The Party Began.

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Genesis 37; Genesis 38; Psalm 7; Luke 15 

He Was Lost,

But Now He Is Found.

So The Party Began.

Scripture

Luke 15 

²² “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. ²³ And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,  

²⁴ for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Observation

What is Your God like? My God is extravagant! He is my Heavenly Father that gives me way more than I deserve and doesn’t give me what I really do deserve.

I feel like the younger son in the story. His father lavished love on him and he felt so unworthy.

God feels the same way about me as the father in this story did when His son returned to him.

God feels that way about me right now.

I have a very Extravagant Heavenly Father. How about you?  

Application

I will look for ways today to show extravagant love for people that God brings into my path.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are so extravagant and I am so thankful that You are. Thank You for giving me so much. I am blessed. I don’t deserve it. Help me today to be generous too. Help me to show the same kind of extravagant love to people that You have shown me! 

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So You Cannot Become My Disciple Without Giving Up Everything You Own.

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Genesis 34; Genesis 35; Genesis 36; Luke 14

So You Cannot 

Become My Disciple

Without Giving Up Everything You Own.

Scripture

Luke 14

³³ So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Observation

Storage Units, garage sales, flea markets all speak to the amount of stuff that we tend to accumulate. We are very rich – all of us. By comparison to the rest of the world even our poor in the United States are doing pretty good.

How much stuff do you own? How much of the stuff owns you?

Jesus says that we cannot become His disciple without giving up everything we own.

So how much do you and I own? If it is really God’s stuff and not our own then the real question is “How well are we using it?”

 Application

I have been trying to get rid of clutter/stuff for a few years. This year I will continue to work on eliminating stuff we don’t need and that other people might be able to use. I will also think through my inventory of stuff/junk/toys and make sure I have yielded ownership of all of that over to the Lord.   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You own everything that I have in my possession. Help me to act like You do. Don’t let me value anything more than I should. Help me be a good steward of the resources that you have blessed us with. You have been so very good to us. We are blessed.

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http://www.enewhope.org/bible/

You Will Perish, Too, Unless You Repent Of Your Sins And Turn To God.

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Genesis 31; Genesis 32; Genesis 33; Luke 13

You Will Perish, Too,

Unless You Repent

Of Your Sins And Turn To God.

Scripture

Luke 13

About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. ² “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?
 
³ Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. ⁴ And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
 
⁵ No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

Observation

It is not that you will cease to exist, but you will perish from the presence of God and you will perish from the presence of everyone that has a personal relationship with God - unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.

    "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 

Application

I will continue to share the message that Jesus Saves. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it bothers me when people say that they are going to Hell. They say it like it is no big deal. They need to read Your Word. Help me to share Your message about Heaven clearly with those that You bring into my life so they don’t experience an eternal Hell. 

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Fear God, Who Has The Power To Kill You And Then Throw You Into Hell.

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Genesis 29; Genesis 30; Luke 12

Fear God,

Who Has The Power To Kill You 

And Then Throw You Into Hell.

Scripture

Luke 12

⁴ “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. ⁵ 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.

⁶ “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. ⁷ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Observation

Anybody can tell you to go to Hell, but there is One Person who has the power to kill you and then throw you there. God.

But if you will keep reading down to verse 6 you will see that God doesn’t want to do that.

I talked to a couple this week that both told me that if they were to die today that they would both go to Hell. Hmmm…

Where are you going when you die?

I told this couple that they could know for sure that they were going to go to Heaven instead of Hell. They needed to place their trust and their faith in what Christ did on the cross for them. They needed to have a personal relationship with God.

When I was nineteen years old I prayed and I asked Jesus Christ to save me. I asked Him to forgive me of my sins. I put my faith and my trust in the fact that He died on the cross in my place for my sins. 

Have you made that decision? 

Have you asked Christ to forgive your sins? 

Have you turned from a life of sin and self and turned to God? 

If your answer is “no” or “not yet” then you are headed for a place call Hell totally and forever separated from everyone that has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

Do something about that today!

God loves us. He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place on the cross. We are very valuable to Him.

Application

 I will continue to share with people that they do not have to go to Hell. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me boldness to share with the people that I meet that Jesus saves. Help me clearly share the plan of salvation with them. Give me Your heart for people. I pray for strength today to do all that I need to do. 

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“This Is How You Should Pray”

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Genesis 27; Genesis 28; Psalm 4; Luke 11 

“This 

Is How 

You Should Pray”

Scripture

Luke 11 

Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

“Father, may your name be kept holy.
    May your Kingdom come soon.
 
³ Give us each day the food we need,
 
⁴ and forgive us our sins,
    as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

⁹ “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Observation

Here is what Jesus is saying to us, “Don’t give up.” Keep praying! Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking. If we do then the closed door will be opened to us.

This lesson should speak to us about continuing to pray for those people in our lives that continue to break our hearts. This verse should give us encouragement to pray for our children or grandchildren that aren’t walking with the Lord. Can you see that this verse should help us as you and I face financial problems? How about problems with our health or the health of one of our loved ones?

Keep on praying. Never give up!

Application

I will continue to pray today for unanswered prayers. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father You know I have people that I keep praying for and even though there doesn’t seem to be any change in their lives yet I am going to keep on praying for them. I am going to keep on seeking a change in their lives. I am going to continue to knock on the door until it is one day opened. I believe that You hear my prayers and I believe that You will one-day answer me. I will see their lives changed!

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“…Be Glad That Your Names Are Written In Heaven.”

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Genesis 25; Genesis 26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

“…Be Glad

That Your Names

Are Written In Heaven.”

Scripture

Luke 10

¹⁷ The 72 returned with joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name.”

¹⁸ Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions. You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. ²⁰ But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you. 

Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation

The disciples came back from their mission trip all excited because they had been able to cast out demons and do miracles. Jesus was filled with joy when they came back and gave Him their report!

Then He gave them a reminder to just be glad that their names are written in heaven. Heaven is going to be so much better than even the best experience we could possibly have here on earth.

The 72 returned with joy over what they had experienced, but Jesus reminded them that they hadn’t seen anything yet! (Eddy paraphrase)

Application

I want to live today in such a way that it brings Jesus joy! How about you? 

Is your name written in Heaven?

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that my name is written in Heaven. What You have in store for me is indescribable! 

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." I Cor. 2:9

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You Must Turn From Your Selfish Ways, Take Up Your Cross Daily, And Follow Me.

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Genesis 23; Genesis 24; Luke 9

You Must Turn 

From Your Selfish Ways, 

Take Up Your Cross Daily, And Follow Me.

Scripture

 Luke 9

²³ Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
 
²⁴ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁵ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
 
²⁶ If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

Observation

It is a huge problem! Huge! You ask what problem? Me, Myself and I – It is those three words that describe my biggest problem. How about you?

If I weren’t so selfish, so self-centered, I would be so much more effective as a disciple of Christ!

Turning from my selfish ways and following Jesus is a daily choice. Daily denying what I want to do is part of taking up my cross and is part of following Jesus.

Application

I will ask the Lord to help me today not to be selfish. I want to follow Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know me. You know me so very well. Help me to focus on others today and not myself. Help my concern be for those around me and not for myself. Guide me through this day in a way that allows me to bring You glory. Keep me away from sin. 

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