You Are Defiled By What Comes From Your Heart

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Job 22; Mark 7; Mark 8

You Are Defiled

By 

What Comes From Your Heart

Scripture

Mark 7

¹⁵ It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”

Observation

Maybe the word “heart” caught my attention because my heart has been acting out for the past couple of weeks and really has had my attention for the past couple of days. But the heart that Jesus is talking about is way more important than my blood pumping heart.

It is the real me! What is the real me like? Here is a verse that pretty well sums it up:

    "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9

There is only one thing that can go into my heart to help it:

    How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.     I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11

What I am doing right now is the most important thing that I can do for my heart … reading God’s Word.

Are you struggling right now with a relationship, a temptation, or a sin? Dig into and spend time in God’s word today.

Pastor Rapley Armstrong used this quote one time and I wrote it in one of my Bibles, “This Book (the Bible) will keep you away from sin and sin will keep you away from This Book”. So true.

What is keeping you away from spending time in God’s Word?

Application

 I will spend time in God’s Word everyday.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

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“Don’t Be Afraid. Just Have Faith.”

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Job 21; Mark 5; Mark 6

“Don’t Be 

Afraid.

Just Have Faith.”

Scripture

Mark 6

²² Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, ²³ pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

… messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

³⁶ But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

³⁹ He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

⁴⁰ The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. ⁴¹ Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” ⁴² And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! 

They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.
 

Observation

“Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” The Bible is full of commands just like this. Just do a search on the words faith, trust, fear, afraid using a Bible concordance and just see how many times God tells us to trust Him, how many times He tells us to have faith in Him and how many times He tells us not to be afraid! I will share a few with you that come to my mind.

Here is one that the Lord has placed on my heart over the past several days,

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Here are some of my favorites:

    So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6

    God is our refuge and strength,

        always ready to help in times of trouble.

    [2] So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come

        and the mountains crumble into the sea.

    [3] Let the oceans roar and foam.

        Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

    [7] The Lord Almighty is here among us;

        the God of Israel is our fortress.

    Psalm 46:1-3,7

    Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Application

 I will hold on to Proverbs 3:5-6 this week and I will trust Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and my strength. You are always ready to help in times of trouble. So I will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea. You are Almighty and You are right here with me. I will not be afraid, because You are with me. I will not be dismayed because You are my God. You will strengthen me. You will help me. You will uphold me with Your victorious right hand.

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He Taught Them By Telling Many Stories

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Job 20; Mark 3; Mark 4

He Taught 

Them 

By Telling Many Stories 

Scripture

Mark 4

4 Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore.
 
² He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables …

Observation

Biblical storytelling is one of the best ways for people to learn the Word of God, but many in church seem to think that the stories in the Bible are only for children to learn. Jesus used storytelling as His main way to teach God’s principles and God’s truth to the masses.

What is your favorite Bible story?  One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the “raising of Lazarus”. I never grow tired of hearing or reading that story. It is amazing! The story of David and Goliath ranks right up there on the top of my list too.

The stories found in the Bible were not put in the Bible for our enjoyment only but God included them in His Word to transform and change us. They are in God’s Word to show us that we can trust God and depend on Him. They teach us about Who God is. They show us His Heart.

Application

I will use God’s Word and His stories to help people know Him better. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, great is Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your Word. I don’t know how people go through life without it, how some people that say they are Your children, but don’t care about reading Your Word. Don’t ever let me get that way. Give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word everyday. You are Worthy of Praise! 

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Why Does He Eat With Tax Collectors And Sinners?

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Job 19; Mark 1; Mark 2

Why Does

He Eat

With Tax Collectors And Sinners?

Scripture

Mark 2

¹⁵ While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: 

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Observation

Why did Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners? He answers that question in Luke 19:10 when He said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Jesus said this after Zacchaeus had surrendered His life to Him.

We all have the tendency to forget that it is people who don’t know Jesus that should be our main concern. 

Let’s focus on them this week!  

Application

 I will look for people this week that need Jesus and focus on them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me take time this week for the people that need You as Savior. Give me Your spiritual eyes and give me Your heart for the people around me. I pray for those that are struggling right now in their relationships. Help them to see that the problem is sin. Help them to see that their spouse is not the enemy, but that Satan is their enemy and he wants to destroy their relationship. 

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“Do You Think That In Such A Short Time You Can Persuade Me To Be A Christian?”

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Job 17; Acts 24; Acts 25; Acts 26

“Do You Think

That In Such A Short Time

You Can Persuade Me To Be A Christian?”

Scripture

Acts 26

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

²⁹ Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Observation

Paul had the opportunity to witness to Kings and leaders in high places. Of course, he had to be arrested to have that opportunity, but I am sure for Paul that it was worth it. He was heading to Rome to win those in Caesar’s palace to Christ.

I wonder how many soldiers listening to Paul talk to King Agrippa became Christ followers that day?

How long does it take to share Christ? It depends on how long you have to talk to someone.

Sharing a brief testimony of how we came to Christ can be done in a minute, if we have 3 minutes even better and if we have an hour with a person that person can know for sure what they need to do to become a Christian.

It is our job to be ready to share. Are you ready?

Application

I will look for opportunities to share my testimony today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Give me the opportunity today to share about my faith in You. I pray for Doug and Jamie today as they get married. I pray Father that their marriage will draw many others to Christ. Use them to change their world. Don’t let them mess up. Protect them from the evil one. 

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I Need Someone To Mediate Between God And Me, As A Person Mediates Between Friends.

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Job 16; Acts 21; Acts 22; Acts 23

I Need Someone To Mediate

Between God And Me,

As A Person Mediates Between Friends.

Scripture

Job 16

²¹ I need someone to mediate between God and me,
    as a person mediates between friends.

Observation

As I read Job 16 and came to verse 21 I immediately thought of 1 Timothy 2:5 that says, “ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”

We are so fortunate to live on this side of the cross. We are so fortunate to have God’s Word to read everyday.

Not only does Jesus Christ stand between God and mankind to be the mediator for us, He also is at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 

Application

 I will give thanks to God for all He has provided me equipping me to do the work of the ministry.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, All praise and glory to You! You are able to keep me from stumbling and to present me before Your glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

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You Are Nothing But A Windbag

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Job 15; Acts 19; Acts 20

You

Are Nothing

But A Windbag

Scripture

Job 15

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

² “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk!
    You are nothing but a windbag.

Observation

With friends like Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, poor Job didn’t need any enemies. As I read Job I find that his friends with all of their advice where no help to Job at all. They only added to his misery.

Words are so powerful. We speak words of healing or we speak words that stab like a sword. As I read Job 15 this morning I was reminded of my memory verse that I learned this week. Proverbs 12:18 “Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.”

You and I have the opportunity to speak words that bring healing to someone’s life or we can also speak into their lives reckless, careless words that stab like a sword. It is our choice.

Who is the person close to your sword that is most likely to get stabbed first: your spouse, your children, your extended family, and then probably everyone else.

Application

I will be careful and try to speak wise words that bring healing to those close to me this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to speak words that are wise and words that bring healing instead of words that are careless and that stab like a sword. Guard my mouth. Guard my heart. Don’t let me hurt those around me with what comes out of my mouth. 

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They Invited Him To Their Home And Explained To Him The Way Of God More Adequately

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Job 13; Job 14; Acts 17; Acts 18

They Invited Him 

To Their Home

And Explained To Him The Way Of God More Adequately

Scripture

Acts 18

²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Observation

I heard someone who is very close to Kathy and I say proudly say one time that he had learned all that he needed to know for his life in kindergarten. He was saying that because he didn’t want to go to school anymore. He didn’t want to listen to teachers. He didn’t want to be taught. How sad! How dumb!

Apollos was evidently a very powerful speaker and he was very educated. He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures yet when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they knew that he didn’t have everything just right. They invited him to their home where they could explain the way of God more adequately.

And although the Scriptures don’t come right out and say it Apollos must have listened and he must have accepted what they shared with him.

He was teachable.

Do you and I have a teachable spirit? 

 Application

 I will listen and learn from people today. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be humble and teachable. I want to always be learning new things. I want to always be teachable. Don’t let me become someone that doesn’t need to learn from those around me. Give me a teachable spirit. Guide me today. Give me a greater hunger and thirst for Your Word than I even have today. May I be able to say as Job said in Job 23:12b “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

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The Lord Opened Her Heart To Respond To Paul’s Message

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Job 11; Job 12; Acts 15; Acts 16

The Lord

Opened Her Heart

To Respond To Paul’s Message

Scripture

Acts 16

¹³ On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵ When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Observation

God has given us the commission of sharing the Gospel with everyone around us. In fact, He has told us that it is our job to take the Good News to the entire world. But it is God Who opens the hearts of those who respond to our message. 

We proclaim but God saves!

It is very important that we give a clear witness about Jesus Christ, but we need to always realize that it is God Who saves. 

God places people in our lives and gives them opportunities to share the Gospel with us. When we share the Gospel we don’t necessarily get to the see immediate results. It may take the person hearing the message several more times from several other people before they say “Yes” to Jesus. 

Here are some good questions to ask to find out where someone is at in his/her spiritual journey:

1. What is your relationship with Jesus?
2. If you were to die today where would you spend eternity?
3. If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you, “Why should I let you into my Heaven?” What would you say to Him? 

Sharing the Gospel also involves listening to what the person says when you and I ask them questions. It is so important to depend on the Holy Spirit and be sensitive to His guidance as you and I share. We can pick up on whether the person is open or not and whether to continue to share or whether it is time to stop talking. It is very easy for me to keep going on and on even though the person has quit listening.  

Application

I will look for opportunities this week to share the Gospel.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to communicate the Good News about Jesus better and clearer every time I have the opportunity to be a witness. I pray for the people around me. I pray for my family, my friends, and my neighbors. I pray that as I have the opportunity share Jesus with them that You would open their hearts to respond to the message of salvation. 

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When Barnabas And Saul Had Finished Their Mission To Jerusalem They Returned, Taking John Mark With Them

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Job 6; Job 7; Job 8; Acts 12

When Barnabas And Saul Had Finished Their Mission

To Jerusalem

They Returned, Taking John Mark With Them

Scripture

Acts 12

²⁵ When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.

Observation

When you and I do ministry we need to take someone along with us. Barnabas had helped the Apostle Paul get going in ministry and now his focus was on John Mark. He believed in the value and worth of the young disciple John Mark so much that Paul and Barnabas had a blow up in their relationship because Paul couldn’t see in John Mark what Barnabas saw. Later in Paul’s ministry Paul realized just how valuable an asset John Mark was to the Kingdom of God and requested his help.

Let’s take time for people today. Let’s look for the person who needs some extra time today. I am not talking about the same people who always want to dominate every minute of our time. They will keep us from spending time with those that really need it. 

Application

I will take time with people today no matter what “crisis” tries to distract me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Barnabas had a gift with people. Give me that same gift. Give me his kind of heart for the men at our church. Help me to take time to encourage some men today. I pray for Pastor Bruce. Give him strength. Give him the ability to preach Your Word with power. Help the message be clear. May it penetrate our hearts as we hear it. Be glorified today through our church and through my life.

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Then Barnabas Went On To Tarsus To Look For Saul

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Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10; Acts 11

Then Barnabas Went 

On To Tarsus

To Look For Saul

Scripture

Acts 11

²⁴ Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

²⁵ Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. ²⁶ When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

Observation

The Apostle Paul wouldn’t have been all that he was and he would have accomplished all that he did without his friend Barnabas.

You and I always need to be helping someone become what God wants him or her to be. So many people around us have great potential, but they need someone to give them a little help. It is called discipleship!

Investing our lives in the lives of others is what we are to be about. Spending time with others. Encouraging others, lifting others up, showing them by our example how to grow in the Lord this is what God has called us to do.

It must always be the main thing on our minds. It must never take the back seat to anything else!

Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith, and his main task was helping Saul become the Apostle Paul.

Application

I will continue investing time in men to help them become what God wants them to be.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be a Barnabas to someone this week. Everyone needs someone that believes in him or her. Thank You for our Pastor and his Dad who very much believe in discipleship. I am who I am today because You brought Dr. Waylon Moore into my life. I will always be grateful for what I learned under his leadership. Thank You for the other men that You brought into my life like Charles Hartwig and Hugh Roberts. You are constantly bringing people into our lives that need to be discipled. Show me how to help them. I pray for the men of our church. I pray that they would be men of God, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. 

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When They Came Up Out Of The Water, The Spirit Of The Lord Snatched Philip Away.

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Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9

When They Came Up Out Of The Water, 

The Spirit Of The Lord 

Snatched Philip Away.

Scripture

Acts 8

²⁶ As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷ So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. …

Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. …

³⁰ Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

³¹ The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. …

³⁵ So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

³⁶ As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” ³⁸ He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

Observation

Do you ever think about what you are reading and put yourself in the story? I have baptized a fair amount of people in my ministry, but I have never been snatched away after a baptism. Just think what Philip must have thought after landing somewhere else!

God is God. He can do whatever He needs or wants to do whenever He wants to do it. Could He do this today? Of course, He could. Would He? He will do what He wants to do whenever He wants to do it.

The important thing in this story was Philip’s obedience to go and share the Gospel with the Ethiopian, who then took the Gospel back to his homeland.

You never know whom God will put in our paths. You never know what God will do with your life.

Application

I will look for someone today who needs to hear the Good News about Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the Bible is amazing. Everyday we get to experience how much You loved us and how much You love those who have still not heard the Good News. Give us a heart like Philip’s so that You can do miracles in and through us. Guide me today to someone who is open to Your Word. I pray today for those that will watch the movie “Home Run”. Use this movie to bring people to a relationship with You and use it to help set people free from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

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Then The LORD Asked Satan, “Have You Noticed My Servant Job? He Is The Finest Man In All The Earth. He Is Blameless – A Man Of Complete Integrity.

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Job 1; Job 2; Acts 6; Acts 7

Then The LORD Asked Satan, “Have You Noticed My Servant Job? 

He Is The Finest Man In All The Earth.

He Is Blameless – A Man Of Complete Integrity. 

Scripture

Job 2

³ Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

Observation

I would love for God to think about me the way He thought about Job, “A man of complete integrity.” How about you? I would love for Him to say to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Eddy? He is one of the finest men in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. 

It is my desire to be that kind of man ... A man of integrity.

I want to finish well. I want to bring a smile to God’s face!

 Application

I will fear God and I will stay away from evil. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, make me a man after Your Own Heart. Help me be a man of integrity. Help me to stay away from evil and help me to put You first in my life every day. You are Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. You are Sovereign! “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I have, and the Lord can take it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”

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I Will Pour Out A Blessing So Great You Won’t Have Enough Room To Take It In! Try It! Put Me To The Test!

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Malachi 3; Malachi 4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

I Will Pour Out A Blessing So Great


You Won’t Have Enough Room To Take It In!

Try It! Put Me To The Test!

Scripture

Malachi 3

¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

Observation

Show me where there is another place in the Bible where God says to put Him to the test? Maybe there is but I don’t think so!

This same principle or promise is found in the New Testament too!

    If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38

Have you put God to the test?

Kathy and I began tithing and giving offerings when we first got married. We have been married for almost 44 years. God has blessed us so much. We have not lacked anything that we have needed during those 44 years. If you tithe and give offerings you would be able to say the same thing I am sure. In fact, I am positive that you would.

Application

 I will continue to look for ways the Lord would have me to give. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who need to put You to the test. Show them that they can trust You when it comes to giving. Open their eyes so they can understand Your promise of blessing. Thank You for blessing Kathy and I so much. Help us to continue to look for ways to give. Give us big hearts. Help us to be generous. You are awesome. You are totally Worthy of Praise!

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They Also Recognized Them As Men Who Had Been With Jesus

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Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Acts 4

They Also Recognized Them

As Men

Who Had Been With Jesus

Scripture

Acts 4

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.”

¹³ The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
 

Observation

 I don’t know about you but I want the boldness of Peter and John! I also want people to say about me what these religious leaders said about Peter and John, “They recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”

I want people to see Jesus when they see me! I know that is not always the case, but it is the desire of my heart. How about you?

Application

I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit today so those I come in contact with today will see Jesus in me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire to live for You today. Show me anything in my life that is not pleasing to You so I can confess it. I want to be totally controlled and filled with Your Holy Spirit today. Direct my path today. Guide me today. Put on my heart the most important things to do. Put on my heart the people that You want me to talk to. Today I want to bring You honor and glory! Help my day today not be about me but about You. 

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Oh The Joys Of Those Who Do Not Follow The Advice Of The Wicked

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Nehemiah 11; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Oh 

The Joys Of Those Who Do Not 

Follow The Advice Of The Wicked

Scripture

Psalm 1

¹ Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.

² But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.

³ They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.

Observation

Living a godly life brings with it a lot of rewards. Do we delight in God’s Word? Do we meditate on it day and night?

If we do then Psalm 1 is all about us! We will be like a tree planted down close to the riverbank. We will be fruitful. We will be prosperous.

I like Joshua 1:8. It goes right along with Psalm 1.

 “Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”  Joshua 1:8

Application

I will meditate on God’s Word today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I watch people choose to live lives apart from You. They choose to live lives that are not prosperous and are not successful. I pray for those struggling with life today. I pray that they would put You first. I pray that they would turn from sin and self and turn to You. Open their spiritual eyes so they can see the Truth. Thank You for the joy in my life that comes from walking with You. You give my life meaning and purpose. 

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You Must Repent Of Your Sins And Turn To God

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You Must 

Repent Of Your Sins 

And Turn To God

Scripture

³⁷ Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 

Observation

I was 19 years old when I repented of my sins, turned to God and was forgiven of my sins! How about you?

Do you understand that Jesus Christ died for you? Have you placed your faith in Him? Have you turned from sin and self? Have you turned to God?

Peter’s message pierced their hearts. Has someone’s words ever pierced your heart?

Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior. Is He your Lord? Is He your Savior?

Application

I will be open and ready to share the Good News that Jesus saves with someone this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for those that continually struggle and can’t seem to turn their lives completely over to You. They want to straddle the fence. They act like they want to live in the world and live for You. Help them see that kind of life is not going to work. I pray for those who are ready to quit on their marriage. I pray that You show them that they need to stay with his or her spouse and make their marriage work. Help us all to repent of our sins and put You first.

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You Will Receive Power

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Nehemiah 7; Nehemiah 8; Acts 1 

You 

Will 

Receive Power

Scripture

Acts 1 

⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Observation

When you woke up this morning did you think about how powerful you were? I know it is Saturday and it has been a long week, but think about this – if you are a Christ Follower you are a very powerful person.

Nothing is more powerful on the face of this earth than a bunch of Christians who are walking in obedience with Jesus. NOTHING! Only Christians have the power to transform lives as they share the Good News about Jesus Christ. The Gospel changes everything!

Power … God’s Power … Holy Spirit Power … is available today for you and me. All we have to do is surrender our lives to the Lord and walk in obedience today. Where are you being disobedient today? Where am I being disobedient today?

    I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

 

 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
    only in your name can we trample our foes. Psalm 44:5

 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:21

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Application

I will confess any sin that God brings to my mind and I will walk in obedience today. How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, by Your Power I can push back my enemies; only in Your Name can I trample my foes. Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. By Your Power I will be Your witness, telling people about You everywhere—in my Jerusalem, throughout my Judea, in my Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

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Then He Opened Their Minds To Understand The Scriptures

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Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Then He Opened 

Their Minds

To Understand The Scriptures

Scripture

Luke 24

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Observation

God saves. He is the Giver of Eternal Life! Unless God gives spiritual understanding a person cannot understand and receive the Gospel. I pray all the time for God to give people spiritual understanding.

At Mission Tampa we see some of the same people every month and it is amazing that I can share the Gospel with them every month and they still don’t understand. It shouldn’t surprise me after working with people for so many years but it still does! How can they not see “The Good News” … because they are spiritually blind!

I pray for people that God has placed in my life and I ask God to open their minds to understand the Scriptures. I also pray for God to bring godly people into their lives to bring them to Christ. I also ask for God to do whatever it takes in the lives of those loved ones so they don’t miss out on Heaven and miss out on the abundant life that God has promised us here on earth.

Application

I will pray today for God to open up the minds of those who need to be saved.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know every person that is on my mind right now. They need a relationship with You . Nothing in their lives will be right until they get things right with You. Give them spiritual understanding. Open their minds to understand the Scriptures. Bring people into their lives that will bring them closer to You. You are Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. 

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Father, Forgive Them, For They Don’t Know What They Are Doing

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Nehemiah 3; Nehemiah 4; Luke 23

Father, Forgive Them,

For 

They Don’t Know What They Are Doing

Scripture

Luke 23

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Observation

They don’t know what they are doing? What did Jesus mean by that? 

When people hurt us, do they know what they are doing? It sure seems like they do! 

But the truth is they really don’t know what they are doing! If they really knew that by hurting us they were really only bringing God’s punishment on themselves then I think they would lighten up! 

Our Heavenly Father commands us not to retaliate. 

Here is what He says, 

“Christian brothers, never pay back someone for the bad he has done to you. Let the anger of God take care of the other person. The Holy Writings say, “I will pay back to them what they should get, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

When they hurt Jesus, when they nailed Him to the cross, they really didn’t know what they were doing did they?

Their cruelty and Christ’s suffering on the cross were all a part of God’s plan to free you and me from the bondage of sin.

Luke 23

 ³³ When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Application

I will forgive and I will let God deal with those who have hurt my family.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive them for they really don’t know what they are doing when they hurt my family. Deal with them gently. Show me how to let them know that I love them and that I only want Your best for them.

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How Wonderful, How Beautiful, When Brothers And Sisters Get Along

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Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2; Psalm 133; Psalm 134; Luke 22

How Wonderful, How Beautiful,

When Brothers And Sisters

Get Along

Scripture

Psalm 133

1. How wonderful, how beautiful,
    when brothers and sisters get along!

Observation

I love to watch Kathy with her brothers and sisters. They have a deep love for each other. Every Sunday afternoon they get together at the home where they all grew up. Her brothers Ken and David now live in the old homestead, but the family still gets together just like they always did before Kathy’s Mom passed away several years ago. 

Harmony! Getting along! It is a wonderful beautiful thing to see and even greater thing to experience. 

Going to a church where brothers and sisters get along is a wonderful thing too! It is not the case in every church! I am so glad that Christ Fellowship is a place where brothers and sisters get along!

I look forward to seeing everyone at Christ Fellowship! I love to see them. I look forward to seeing many of them tonight at our Wednesday night dinner and I look forward to talking with them. 

Harmony! Getting along! It is a beautiful thing! 

Application

I will enjoy being with everyone tonight at Christ Fellowship!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to get along with the people that You have placed in my life. Don’t let me be someone that causes disunity by demanding my own way. Help me to be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker. I pray for those in our family. Help us all to love each other. Give me the capacity to love those who around me who might not be very lovable or very kind. Give me Your heart and give me Your love for them!

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He Saw A Poor Widow Put In Two Pennies. She Gave Extravagantly What She Couldn’t Afford – She Gave Her All!

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Ezra 9; Ezra 10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

He Saw A Poor Widow Put In Two Pennies.

She Gave Extravagantly What She Couldn’t Afford –

She Gave Her All!

Scripture

Luke 21

 ^1-4 Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

Observation

Have you ever wondered what happened to this widow after she gave everything away? What would happen to us if we did something like she did? What if we were as extravagant in our giving as this widow was?

First, it would not go unnoticed! Jesus would take note of it! I believe that it would make Him smile. Second, God would bless us even more! How do I know that you ask?

 Because Jesus said so, 

“ If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38

Just the other day someone shared with me how one of our church members had given him some money.  This church member was working on a project at our church and needed some help to finish the task and had asked this other person to help him. I know the church member very well and I know that he has very little to live on each month, but he had given the other person a very extravagant amount of money for his help. 

When I heard what this church member had done I thought to myself, “why did he do that?” He can’t afford to do something like that. How could he be so extravagant? 

As I read this story in Luke about the widow giving all that she had and I thought of this extravagant friend and this friend’s extreme generosity, both stories brought conviction to my soul. 

How about yours? 

 Application

I will look for someone to be generous with today. How about you? 

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not to be so selfish. Help me to be extravagant in my giving. Help me to trust You with everything that You have given me and help me to not hold on to it so tightly. You are so extravagant with me. I am so blessed. Help me to be a blessing to others. I pray for my generous friend. Bless him. May Your face shine on him! Continue to use him to encourage others through his sacrificial giving.

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