Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Be Courageous. Be Strong. And Do Everything With Love.


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Be Courageous.
Be Strong.
And Do Everything With Love.

To be strong and courageous and to do everything in love requires meekness!

Scripture

1 Corinthians 16:13

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

Joshua 1:9

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
 
Psalm 31:24 (NLT)

24 So be strong and courageous,
    all you who put your hope in the Lord!


1 Corinthians 15:58

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Observation

The Christian life is not for wimps! The Apostle Paul tells us in these verses to man up! Be courageous! Be strong!

But …

Do everything in love!

This week’s sermon was taken from Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Definition of meek = strength under control.

So …

Be strong. Be courageous. Be meek.

To be strong and courageous and to do everything in love requires meekness!

Application

I will strive this week to be “meek”. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to show meekness with those I encounter this week. When I am tested help me to reveal the fruit of the Spirit and not the mean old Eddy that can come out so easily. Help me to be strong and courageous. Help me to do everything in love. Help me to be meek. Guide me today in the things that I need to do. Don’t let me waste time on stupid stuff that doesn’t matter to You. Amen. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Judges 9,10; Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16; Psalm 148-150

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Monday, March 30, 2015

For Our Dying Bodies Must Be Transformed Into Immortal Bodies.


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For Our Dying Bodies
Must Be Transformed
Into Immortal Bodies.

I woke up with my brother Rick yelling, “Eddy, are you all right? Eddy, are you hurt? Do I need to call 911?” 

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Observation

Saturday I went fishing on the Skyway Bridge fishing pier with my brother Rick. I threw my 9’ bait net over into the water.

Then suddenly I was having the best dream until I was woke up with my brother yelling, “Eddy, are you all right? Eddy, are you hurt? Do I need to call 911?” I looked up at him and I was wondering for a moment who he was and why he was trying to wake me up from such a good sleep! It felt very comfortable with my head against the curb of the sidewalk.

How I came down with my head resting on that concrete curb with no real injuries is a miracle in itself. One slightly bruised shoulder and the minor scrapes on some fingers of one hand were all the injuries that I suffered. My guardian angel must have guided me down to the concrete. If I would have followed the cast net into the water with its rope tied around my hand now that would have been made an even more interesting story, but probably with not as good of an out come!

To my brother Rick’s credit I want you to know that he let me keep on fishing after that and I even threw the net several more times just to see if it would happen again. But when I threw it, I did make sure that I stood back from the handrail and not over it each time I threw. Sorry Rick, I know that seeing me on the ground and unconscious made for an anxious fishing trip!

Hopefully I just passed out. I will call the doctor this morning and I guess they will want to check and see if my defibrillator shocked me back to life again. Hopefully I will find out that I just fainted from raising up too quickly with my blood pressure being too low.

It was a reminder no matter whether I just fainted or if I had sudden cardiac arrest again that my life is short!

 I better do all that I can while I can and as enthusiastically as I can for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your life is short too!

Jesus Christ’s death, his burial, and His resurrection all give me the assurance that one day this old body is getting a complete overhaul. It is going to be totally transformed.

And my new body, it is never going to faint, sputter, or die.


Application

I will look for people to invite to church for Easter Sunday! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I agree with the Apostle Paul when he says, 

 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Jesus, thank You for dying for me on the cross and paying the penalty for my sins on that terrible cross. I don’t deserve this new life. It is by Your grace and Your mercy only that I am saved. Thank You for the promise of a new body that will never ever wear out and that will fear no pain. You are an awesome God. 

Thank You for not letting me get hurt when I collapsed and fell to the curb. Now help me to serve You enthusiastically and not hold back! Amen.

Daily Bible Reading:  Judges 8; Psalms 42; 1 Corinthians 15

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Friday, March 27, 2015

How Wonderful And Pleasant It Is When Brothers Live Together In Harmony!


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How Wonderful
And Pleasant It Is
When Brothers Live Together In Harmony!

Who do you need to thank at your church for the wonderful harmony that you are experiencing?





Scripture

Psalm 133

How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!


Observation

Yesterday, Brea Malcolm, one of the many young leaders in our church, did an incredible job of organizing a team of people at Christ Fellowship to get a 40,000-piece mass mail out ready to be mailed out for Easter!

The team arrived, Brea led the group in prayer, gave everyone instructions and the team went to work like a well-oiled machine! It was a beautiful thing!

It is wonderful and pleasant to watch brothers and sisters live and work in harmony!

Application

I will write Brea and personally thank her for a job well done! How about you? Who do you need to thank at your church for the wonderful harmony that you are experiencing? Take time and write a personal note and send it to them “snail mail”!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Brea and her husband Brian and their new baby who will arrive very soon. Thank You for her hard work and the hard work of Trudy Baker her partner in the office. It is through their hard work and the work of our other leaders that we get to experience the wonderful harmony that we have at Christ Fellowship. Bless them Lord. May Your face shine on them. Continue to use the for Your honor and Your glory! Thank You for the leadership of Pastor Bruce and his wife Heather. God You are so good to us. 

Daily Bible Reading: Judges 1,2,3; 1 Corinthians 12; Psalm 131-136


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Thursday, March 26, 2015

Children Are A Gift From The LORD.


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Children Are
A Gift
From The LORD.

Grandchildren are the icing on the cake!

Scripture

Psalm 127

Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.


Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.


How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!


Psalm 128

6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.

Observation

Yesterday, I was able to go down to our neighborhood park with Kathy and our newest granddaughter Amelie who is now 16 months old. Everything is exciting for that little girl, she is full of energy and she loves to laugh!

Next week Kathy and I look forward to having two of our other grandchildren over for a couple of days during their spring break! A few weeks ago we enjoyed the company of one of our other granddaughters during her spring break.

God is good!

On Easter Sunday hopefully all 5 of our children and all 10 of our grandchildren will be able to come over for Easter lunch and egg hunt, along with a lot of other extended family members!

God is so good!

Children are a gift from the LORD! Grandchildren are the icing on the cake!

We love our 5 grown children and we really love our 10 grandchildren that our children have given to us!

Application

I will enjoy spending time with our grandchildren every time they are with us. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word is so true children are a gift from You. And the grandchildren You have given to us for us to enjoy bring us such a blessing. We are blessed. You are so good. Thank You for each one of my children and each one of my grandchildren. Each one is so unique. Each is so special. You are wonderful. You are Creator God.

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 23,24; Psalms 44; 1 Corinthians 11; Psalm 126-130


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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

I Took My Troubles To The LORD; I Cried Out To Him, And He Answered My Prayer.


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I
Took My Troubles To The LORD;
I Cried Out To Him, And He Answered My Prayer.

I would love to hear how our God has answered your prayers. I don’t know about you but it encourages me when I hear what God is doing in the lives of other people.


Scripture

Psalm 120

I took my troubles to the Lord;
    I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.


Observation

Do you have that kind of relationship with God? Do you take your troubles to Him?

When was the last time He answered your prayers?

Every week in the life groups that I get to participate in I hear about answers to prayers. God loves to respond to His children when they call on Him.

There are so many people that I am praying for right now. Many of them are dealing with health issues and it is my privilege to take their need to my God in prayer.

I prayed during the night for a couple whose marriage needs to be restored. Why did I take time to pray for them? Because I know my God loves to answer my prayers. And I know that He wants their marriage restored.

I hope you are praying and interceding for the people that God has brought into your life.

I would love to hear how our God has answered your prayers. I don’t know about you but it encourages me when I hear what God is doing in the lives of other people.


Application


I will continue praying for people as God puts them on my heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Donna who is in the hospital. I pray for healing. I pray for my friends dealing with cancer. Give them strength. Heal them 100%. 

I pray for my friends who need to have their marriage restored. Do whatever it takes Lord to restore that relationship. 

I take my troubles to You Lord; I cry out to You, and You answer my prayers.


Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 21,22; Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10; Psalm 120-125


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Tuesday, March 24, 2015

You Made Me; You Created Me. Now Give Me The Sense To Follow Your Commands.


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You Made Me; You Created Me.
Now
Give Me The Sense To Follow Your Commands.

Lord, don’t let me do stupid sins that mess up my relationship with You!

Scripture

Psalm 119

73 You made me; you created me.
    Now give me the sense to follow your commands.


Observation

What I need is the sense to not do stupid stuff! Lord, don’t let me do stupid sins that mess up my relationship with You!

What you and I need today is the sense to follow God … to be led by Him.

Why do we have to be so hard headed? Why do we disobey so easily?

Lord, give us the sense to follow Your commands today.

This chapter contains a few of my very first memory verses:

    Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:9 KJV

Psalm 119:105
    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. KJV

 Application

I will ask the Lord to give me the sense to follow His commands today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. I know how I can stay pure. I can 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.  

Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. Psalm 119:105,9,11,57-58
   

Daily Bible Reading:  Joshua 18,19,20; 1 Corinthians 9; Psalm 119

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Monday, March 23, 2015

It Is Love That Strengthens The Church


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It Is
Love
That Strengthens The Church

What can we do this week to let people know that we love and care about them?

Scripture

1 Corinthians 8

But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.
Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

Observation

Head knowledge is not a bad thing, it might even make us feel important, but it is love that strengthens the church.

Yesterday at Christ Fellowship we had the opportunity to show people that we loved and cared about them. We had our first “Annual Fish Fry and Friend Day”. It was our opportunity to take time to love on the people that were in attendance.

It was an excellent opportunity for our people to shine for Jesus! And shine they did!

Looking back and thinking about yesterday I would have to agree with the Apostle Paul that it is love that strengthens our church!

What can we do this week to let people know that we love and care about them?

Application

I will look for ways this week to show people that I care about them. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is not what I know that is so important today, but it is how I love people. Help me to be more concerned for those around me than I am about myself. Thank You for all of our young leaders at Christ Fellowship that are sacrificing time and energy to make us a better church. Use them to help us reach more and more people for Your kingdom. Show us how to love people in a way that strengthens Your church.

I pray for my brother Rick today on his birthday. Bless him. May Your face shine on him. Help him serve You with all his heart, strength, and soul. Use Him to further Your kingdom.


Daily Bible Reading:  Joshua 15,16,17; 1 Corinthians 8

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Sunday, March 22, 2015

Praise The Lord~ I Will Thank The LORD With All My Heart As I Meet With His Godly People.


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Praise The Lord~
I Will Thank The LORD With All My Heart
As I Meet With His Godly People.

You see I am not going to church to just meet anybody! Oh no! When I go to church I get to meet with His people!


Scripture

Psalm 111

Praise the Lord!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart
    as I meet with his godly people.


Observation

In just a few minutes I will get to go to church! I have the opportunity to see people that I haven’t seen all week!

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with His godly people.

You see I am not going to church to just meet anybody! Oh no! When I go to church I get to meet with His people!

I need to check on folks. I need to see how they are doing? 
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Application

I will thank the Lord for each person I get to speak to while I am at church today!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Pastor Bruce today. Help him preach Your Word with power. Give him Your insight and Your strength. I pray for those who are struggling with a relationship, with their marriage. I pray for those who are dealing with health issues. Bring healing! Show them they can trust You. Do a mighty work in their lives. You alone are God. You are their Hope. Thank You for Sundays! Help me enjoy Your people today as I have the chance to meet with them!

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 12,13,14; 1 Corinthians 7;  Psalm 108-112


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Saturday, March 21, 2015

Let All That I Am Praise The LORD; May I Never Forget The Good Things He Does For Me.


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Let All That I Am
Praise The LORD;
May I Never Forget The Good Things He Does For Me.

What a great Psalm to read on a Saturday!

Scripture

Psalm 103

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.


Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.


He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.


He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.


He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!


Observation

Do you ever wake up during the night and begin to think about stuff and find it hard to go back to sleep. Don’t you just hate that?

Last night was one of those nights for me.

Two of the passages of scripture that I immediately started quoting to myself were:


    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7


    You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
        whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

I just kept repeating these verses over and over again until I finally went back to sleep.

Fear of the future, and fear what may lie ahead are a few tools of Satan to mess us up. And the Bible is God’s tool to keep us walking down the road of faith!
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2




Application


Today I will take time to think about all of the good things that the Lord has done for me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Let all that I am praise You; with my whole heart, I will praise Your holy name. Let all that I am praise You; may I never forget the good things You have done for me. You forgive all my sins and heal all my diseases. You redeemed me from death and crowned me with love and tender mercies. You fill my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Amen Psalm 103:1-5 Personalized!

Daily Bible Reading:  Psalm 103-107

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Friday, March 20, 2015

I Will Lead A Life Of Integrity


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I
Will Lead
A Life Of Integrity

The choice is ours today. 

Scripture

Psalm 101

I will lead a life of integrity
    in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
    anything vile and vulgar.


Observation

King David desired to be a man of integrity.

 I also read this morning about a man named Achan who was not a man of integrity.

It didn’t turn out very well for him or his family.

20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. 21 Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.” Joshua 7:20-21

25 Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. 26 They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. Joshua 7:25-26

The choice is ours today. 

We either honor God and live lives of integrity or live only for ourselves and reap the consequences of selfish living!

Application

It is my desire today to live my life in a way that pleases my Heavenly Father. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. Psalm 101:1-3

 Don’t let me give in to the temptations around me. Give me the strength I need today to live a godly life. Help me live in a way that makes You smile.  Amen

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 7,8; Psalms 69; 1 Corinthians 5; Psalm 98-102


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Thursday, March 19, 2015

For The Kingdom Of God Is Not Just A Lot Of Talk;


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For The Kingdom Of God
Is Not
Just A Lot Of Talk;

It is living by God’s power. 

Scripture

1 Corinthians 4

20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

Observation

Contradictions … Hypocritical … That is what we are when we talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk!

Husbands, we need to live out the Christian life! Our wives need to see God’s power working in and through us.

Our kids and our grandkids need to see it!

Busyness and doing lots of stuff “for the Lord” without the Power of God evident in our lives just leaves us worn out and ineffective at the end of the day!

So … lets back up … lets re-evaluate … lets think about how we are investing our time … lets make sure that our spouse sees and experiences the power of God working in our lives!

Application

I want my family and my friends to see Jesus in me. How about you?

Prayer

 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:18-20




Daily Bible Reading:  Joshua 3,4,5,6; 1 Corinthians 4

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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Teach Us To Realize The Brevity Of Life


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Teach Us
To Realize
The Brevity Of Life

Lord, help me enjoy the people You have brought into my life!

Scripture

Psalm 90

12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.

10 Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.

 
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away.


Observation

No matter if we live to be 70, 80, or even 100 life is still very short!

Enjoy your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, and your friends while you can. Do everything you can – right now -to show them that you love them.

Why? Because life is so brief! We don’t have time to waste.

Lets not be selfish. Lets do whatever it takes to let those around us know how significant they are to us today.

Whatever it takes! 

 Application

I will enjoy being with people today. How about you?

Prayer

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.

 
For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.

 
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Amen … 


Psalm 91:1-4

Daily Bible Reading:  Psalm 88-92


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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

“No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard, And No Mind Has Imagined What God Has Prepared For Those Who Love Him”


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“No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard,
And No Mind Has Imagined
What God Has Prepared For Those Who Love Him”

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, …”

Scripture

1 Corinthians 2

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.”


Observation

The Apostle Paul is letting us know that even though we don’t know all of the wonderful things that the Lord has in store for us we do have the mind of Christ and God’s Holy Spirit gives us (those who are believers in Christ) spiritual insight that the rest of the world does not have.

10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.

 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

16 For,
“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to teach him?”


But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12,16

By the Apostle Paul’s own admission he was not much to look at and he admitted to the Corinthians that he was not powerful, eloquent or a flashy speaker. (1 Cor. 2:1-5)

But what the Apostle Paul did have was the Power of God’s Holy Spirit working in and through him and that is what you and I need today.

You and I need to rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Application

I will not depend on my own strength today. I will rely on God’s Holy Spirit.

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3


Prayer

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
 
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. 

This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  

He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 

Ephesians 1:1-8


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 32,33,34; 1 Corinthians 2


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Monday, March 16, 2015

Now Listen! Today I Am Giving You A Choice Between Life And Death, Between Prosperity And Disaster.


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Now Listen!
Today I Am Giving You A Choice
Between Life And Death, Between Prosperity And Disaster.

This seems like a no-brainer but it is not …it’s not because we are hard headed …

Scripture

Deuteronomy 30

15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.

Observation

The children of Israel could have had it made. All they had to do was to obey their God and walk in a way that pleased Him.

You and I have that very same opportunity today!

We too have a choice to make.

We can choose between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.

What choice will we make on this Monday morning? 

Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!” Luke 11:28

 Application

I will start this week out by trusting God and walking in obedience. How about you?

    How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11




Prayer

Heavenly Father, You bless those who realize their need for You, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. You bless those who mourn, for they will be comforted. You bless those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them. 

God, You bless those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full. You bless those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. You bless those whose hearts are pure, for they will see You. You bless those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. You bless those who are persecuted because they live for You, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3-10 (Personalized)

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 30,31; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 1

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Sunday, March 15, 2015

So Let’s Not Get Tired Of Doing What Is Good.


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So
Let’s Not Get Tired
Of Doing What Is Good.

Here is a great word for Sunday! Let’s put it into practice!

Scripture

Galatians 6

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Observation

Our assignment today is to do good! Our promise from God for doing good is that we are going to reap a harvest of blessing … if we don’t give up.

So today when you and I get to “big church” let’s do good. Let’s be concerned for the people that are around us. Let’s brighten their day!

Let’s find someone to encourage today. Even an appropriate heart felt hug could go a long way to making someone feel significant.

Let’s show them that we care!

Application

I will do my best to do good today and I will try to focus in on those that need encouragement. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to do good today especially to those who attend Christ Fellowship. Don’t let me miss an opportunity. Don’t let me give up. I am blessed. You are so good to me. Help me to do good to those around me. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 28,29; Galatians 6

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Saturday, March 14, 2015

You Were Chosen To Be Free


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You
Were Chosen
To Be Free

But - There is a war going on inside each one of us today! 

Scripture

Galatians 5

13 My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another in love.

16 So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your desires controlled by sin want you to do.

22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful 23 and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. 

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to his cross.

Observation

You and I were chosen by God to be free. But did you know that there is a war going on inside us?
17 The desires controlled by sin do not want what the Spirit delights in. And the Spirit does not want what the desires controlled by sin delight in. The two are at war with each other. That’s why you are not supposed to do whatever you want.

You and I are not free to do whatever we want. 

We must make a choice everyday to live under the Holy Spirit’s power. 

When we do the Holy Spirit produces in us love, joy, and peace. He produces patience, kindness, and goodness. And the Holy Spirit produces in us faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

 What would you rather have, desires controlled by sin or desires controlled by God’s Holy Spirit? 


There is a war going on inside each one of us today! 

Application

Today I recognize that there is a war going on inside of me and I yield my desires over to the control and power of God’s Holy Spirit.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire to live for You today under the power and control of Your Holy Spirit. I want the Fruit of the Spirit to be evident in my life today. Produce in me love, joy and peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 25,26,27; Galatians 5

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Friday, March 13, 2015

Come And Listen, All You Who Fear God, And I Will Tell You What He Did For Me.


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Come And Listen,
All You Who Fear God,
And I Will Tell You What He Did For Me.

What has God done for you?

Scripture

Psalm 66

16 Come and listen, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell you what he did for me.

Observation

What has God done for you?

Lets brag on God!

He has done so much for me.

He has given me a wonderful wife and a super family, lots of great friends, and He saved me from certain death and He has given me more time on this earth to enjoy them!

What has He done for you?

Application

I will thank the Lord for being so wonderful to me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being so good to me. I don’t deserve it. You are such an Awesome God. You have showered me with blessings.

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!

    Sing about the glory of his name!
    Tell the world how glorious he is.


Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.


Everything on earth will worship you;
    they will sing your praises,
    shouting your name in glorious songs.” Psalm 66:1-4 Amen


Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 22,23,24; Galatians 4 Psalm 62-67


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Thursday, March 12, 2015

“My Heart Is Confident In You, O God”


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“My Heart Is
Confident In You,
O God”

What or who are you putting your trust and confidence in? Money … People … or God?

Scripture

Psalm 57

7  My heart is confident in you, O God;
    my heart is confident.
    No wonder I can sing your praises!


10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
    Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.


11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
    May your glory shine over all the earth.


Observation

What or who are you putting your trust and confidence in? Money … People … or God?

Here are two very important truths from God’s Word about money and people:

  • Money has wings and can quickly fly away.
 In the blink of an eye, money can disappear, as if it grew wings and flew away like a bird. Proverbs 23:4

  • People will eventually let you down.

Don’t look to men for help; their greatest leaders fail; Psalm 146:3

In contrast here are just a few of the promises God has for us when we put our trust in Him:
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing. Psalm 34:10

God’s unfailing love is as high as the heavens. His faithfulness reaches to the clouds! Psalm 57:10

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. Psalm 118:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6


“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Application

Today I will put my faith in trust in the Lord and in Him alone. I want to soar like an eagle. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, my heart is confident in You, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.  May your glory shine over all the earth.
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 19,20,21; Galatians 3; Psalm 57-61


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