Teach The Older Men To Exercise Self-Control, To Be Worthy Of Respect, And To Live Wisely

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

Teach The Older Men To Exercise Self-Control,
To Be Worthy Of Respect,
And To Live Wisely 

We can learn from younger men. You and I have blind spots, things in our lives that need to be corrected and we need godly young men to challenge us and point them out!

Scripture

Titus 2

² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Observation

You would think that us older men would not have to be taught. You would think that we should be the ones that know it all and have everything under control, but we don’t. 

You and I no matter how old we are should always be teachable. 

Self-control – how are you and I doing in that area? 

Are we living lives worthy of respect? 

Are we living life wisely? Or are we still doing stupid stuff? 

We can learn from younger men. You and I have blind spots, things in our lives that need to be corrected and we need godly young men to challenge us and point them out!

Pride could keep you and pride could keep me from being all that God wants us to be! 

Let’s watch the young godly men that God has placed in our lives and let’s learn from them!

Let’s finish well!

 Application

I will be teachable. I can learn from the younger men that God has placed in my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to have the same kind of passion that the Apostle Paul had when he wrote to the church in Philippi:

¹² I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.
¹³ No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. Philippians 3:12-14

Help me Lord to finish well!

Daily Bible Reading:  Amos 7,8,9; Psalms 104; Titus 2

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

Grant Me Purity Of Heart

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

Grant
Me
Purity Of Heart

I am sure that these verses jumped out at me this morning for a reason. Maybe that is why you are reading this blog this morning ,,, maybe just maybe we both have hearts that need God’s help!

Scripture

Psalm 86

¹¹ Teach me your ways, O Lord,
    that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,
    so that I may honor you.

¹² With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
    I will give glory to your name forever,

¹³ for your love for me is very great.
    You have rescued me from the depths of death.

Observation

Heart trouble! We all have it! Even before my heart attack I was having trouble with my heart.

Oh not with that heart, I never knew that I had a problem with my physical heart until Monday night at 10 pm on October 24^th of 2011.

My spiritual heart that is what I want to talk about because that is what God is most interested in.

You and I if we are honest have serious heart trouble.

I am sure that these verses jumped out at me this morning for a reason.

Maybe that is why you are reading this blog this morning maybe just maybe we both have hearts that need God’s help!

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9
God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Psalm 51:10

Application

These verses will be my prayer to start out this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, teach me your ways that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Psalm 86:11-13

Daily Bible Reading:  Amos 4,5,6; Psalms 86,87; Titus 1; Psalm 141-144

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

All Scripture Is Inspired By God And It Is Useful To Teach Us What Is True And To Make Us Realize What Is Wrong In Our Lives.

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

All Scripture Is Inspired By God
And It Is Useful To Teach Us What Is True
And To Make Us Realize What Is Wrong In Our Lives. 

“All Scripture” means that we don’t get to pick and choose only what we want or what we like. “All Scripture” means that we can’t ignore or discard those passages that make us or others feel uncomfortable about our pet sins or an ungodly lifestyle.

                       

Scripture

2 Timothy 3

¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
 
¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Observation

I remember a quote from Pastor Rapley Armstrong about the Bible, “This Book will keep you away from sin and sin will keep you away from this Book.”

“All Scripture” means that we don’t get to pick and choose only what we want or what we like. “All Scripture” means that we can’t ignore or discard those passages that make us or others feel uncomfortable about pet sins or an ungodly lifestyle.

When we are in God’s Word everyday It will help us realize what is wrong in our lives. God’s Word will correct us when we are wrong and will teach us to do right. 

 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25


You and I are sinners. We need to be in God’s Word everyday. We need to let God use It to show us what is wrong in our lives. Trust me we both need God’s help!

We can continue to blame everyone else for everything that is wrong in our lives or we can accept the blame, acknowledge our sin, repent, and allow God to be number One in our life again. 

Then and only then will God bless us! 

Tomorrow is Sunday. Why don’t you make the decision right now to be in church tomorrow? Why not right now put God first? It’s time to do the right thing! It is time to let God have His way in our lives!

Application

I will look forward to being in God’s house tomorrow with God’s people! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me as I look at Your Word to change the things in my life that You show me are wrong. It is so easy for me to blame others for the ugliness of my own life. Help me to guard Your Word in my heart so I don’t sin against You.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3

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

Jonah Was Inside The Fish For Three Days And Three Nights Then Jonah Prayed To The LORD His God From Inside The Fish

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

Jonah Was
Inside The Fish For Three Days And Three Nights
Then Jonah Prayed To The LORD His God From Inside The Fish

If you and I are living in disobedience, if we are intentionally and willfully sinning then we can count on God arranging something big to get our attention. It could be the loss of our health, loss of a job, loss of a business, time in a jail cell, or a million other things, or a combination of all of the above, but God will arrange it.

Scripture

Jonah 1
¹⁷ Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Jonah 2
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.
 

Observation

Don’t think that this story is just about a man named Jonah. Oh no, this is a story about you and this is a story about me!

Jonah was inside the great fish for three days and three nights and then the Bible says that Jonah finally prayed to His God.

Boy, talk about being hard headed, this Jonah was one stubborn guy! And you and I can be just as hard headed!

God arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. God wanted to get Jonah’s attention and He got it!

God will arrange for things to swallow us when we choose to live in disobedience. God will get our attention!

I know that you have heard this saying, “God loves you just like you are but He loves you way too much to let you stay that way!”

If you and I are living in disobedience, if we are intentionally and willfully sinning then we can count on God arranging something big to get our attention!

It could be the loss of our health, loss of a job, loss of a business, time in a jail cell, or a million other things, or a combination of all of the above, but God will arrange it.

You and I are complete fools if we think that we can get away with sin.

Jonah tried to run from God …tried to be disobedient … spent three days and three nights in the belly of a fish …

²³ “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

It is time to repent and cry out to our God for help!

Application

I will ask the Lord to show me any area of my life where I am being disobedient. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that there are so many great truths that I can learn from by how You treated Jonah. Don’t let me be so hard headed that You have to arrange a great fish to swallow me. Help me to hear Your voice and help me to walk in obedience. I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog today who is holding on to sin and refusing to repent. I pray that today that they will turn from sin and self and turn to You. Set them free!

Daily Bible Reading:  Jonah 1,2,3,4; 2 Timothy 2

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

For God Saved Us And Called Us To Live A Holy Life.

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

For God Saved Us
And
Called Us To Live A Holy Life.

There should be a huge difference in our lives now if we are in Christ compared to the way we lived before we surrendered our lives to Christ? Is there? Let’s put on the shining armor of right living and turn away from anything that was a part of our former way of life.  

Scripture

2 Timothy 1

⁹ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

Observation

You and I were saved for a purpose. You and I were saved for a reason. We were not saved because we deserved it.

God has called us to live holy lives. Just what that mean to you and to me?

It means to me that my life now should be totally different than what my life was before I met Jesus Christ.

My life now should be Christ-centered and not Eddy-centered. My life should match what I say. My walk should match my talk.

There are lots of verses in the Bible that explain this better than I can.

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Romans 13:12

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, Galatians 5:19

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Ephesians 4:22



There should be a huge difference in our lives now if we are in Christ compared to the way we lived before we surrendered our lives to Christ? 

Is there? 

Let’s put on the shining armor of right living and turn away from anything that was a part of our former way of life.  

Application

I will ask God to help me to live my life in a way that pleases Him. I will stop doing anything that He shows me that doesn’t reflect my new life that I have in Christ.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I have been saved by grace and I know that I don’t deserve it. Help me to walk in a way that pleases You. Don’t let my life be a contradiction. Don’t let me be a stumbling block to those around me. I pray for those close to me who need to turn from the old life and put on the shining armor of right living. Give them the strength to turn from sin and self and totally commit their lives to You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Joel 1,2,3; 2 Timothy 1

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

Yet True Godliness With Contentment Is Itself Great Wealth

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

Yet True Godliness
With Contentment
Is Itself Great Wealth

Don’t trust in our money. Why not? Because God says that money is so totally unreliable. It will sprout wings and fly away!

Scripture

1 Timothy 6

⁶ Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
 
⁷ After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
 
⁸ So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

¹⁷ Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
 
¹⁸ Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
 
¹⁹ By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Observation

Don’t trust in our money. Why not? Because God says that money is so totally unreliable.

In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Proverbs 23:5

Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. Proverbs 10:2

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. Proverbs 11:24

Just in case you think these verses are for someone else let me remind you that we that live in the United States are the richest people in the world. No matter how poor you think you are you are still “rich” compared with the rest of the world. 

Your contentment and my contentment must come from godly living. 

Being generous with what we have and being ready to share with others should be our focus and not spending what we have on ourselves. 

Application

I will look for a way to be generous to someone that needs my help! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how I struggle in this area. Give me a generous heart. Show me that I can totally trust You for each and every need that we have. Help me trust in Your word that says to me,

    “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Don’t let me trust in money that can be here today and gone tomorrow. Help me trust in You.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 11,12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6

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

The LORD Is For Me, So I Will Have No Fear. Yes, The LORD Is For Me; He Will Help Me

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

The LORD Is For Me,
So I Will Have No Fear.
Yes, The LORD Is For Me; He Will Help Me

Here is the big take away for me this morning from Psalm 118 and maybe it will help you today too!

Scripture

Psalm 118

⁶ The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?
 
⁷ Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. …

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

Observation

I am sure that you already knew that the shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117 and the longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, but did you know that the center of your Bible is found in Psalm 118:8?

(If you Google this you are going to find arguments about where the exact middle of the Bible is located and that shouldn’t surprise any of us!)

This just illustrates to me the importance of verse 8, which says that it is better to take refuge in LORD than to trust people! Okay, enough trivia!

 But here is the big take away for me this morning from Psalm 118 and maybe it will help you today.

Here it is!

The Lord is for us. He has our backs, so we will have no fear!

Yes, the Lord is for us; He will help us! What can mere people do to us?

Application

I will take refuge in the Lord. I will hold on to His promise in verse 6, which says that He is for me! How about you?

Prayer

You are my God, and I will praise You! You are my God, and I will exalt You! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22,23; 1 Timothy 5; Psalm 113-118

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

Be An Example To All Believers In What You Say, In The Way You Live, In Your Love, Your Faith, And Your Purity.

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

Be An Example To All Believers
In What You Say,
In The Way You Live, In Your Love, Your Faith, And Your Purity.

Okay, maybe you and I are not all that young, but more important are we examples to all believers in what we say, the way we live, in our love, our faith, and our purity? Does verse 12 describe us? What needs to change?

Scripture

1 Timothy 4

⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

¹² Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Observation

Does verse 12 describe us?

Okay, maybe you and I are not all that young, but more important are we examples to all believers in what we say, the way we live, in our love, our faith, and our purity?

Today is Monday. We have a new week ahead of us.

So let us be examples to all believers in what we say. Lets be examples to all believers in the way we live. Lets really love people with God’s Agape sacrificial love. Lets be an example to all believers by our faith, trusting God for some really big things!

And lets clean up our lives so that we can be examples to all believers. Let us be men and women of integrity!

I like how the Living Bible states this verse, ¹² Don’t let anyone think little of you because you are young. Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts.

“Be their ideal” That is our assignment … now what do we need to change to make that happen?

Application

I want God to show me anything in my life that I need to change so that I can live out 1 Timothy 4:12. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want You to help me change anything in my life that does not bring You honor and glory. Show me what needs to change in my life so that I can be the example that You want me to be. 

I give You permission to “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24a

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 8,9; 2 Chronicles 21; 1 Timothy 4

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

We Do Not Know What To Do, But We Are Looking To You For Help

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

We Do Not Know
What To Do,
But We Are Looking To You For Help

What battle is facing us today? Why not humble ourselves and why not cry out to God and let Him fight this battle for us? Take time to read this powerful story …

Scripture

2 Chronicles 20

⁶ Jehoshaphat prayed,

“O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!

We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

15 This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

²¹ After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: 

“Give thanks to the Lord;
    his faithful love endures forever!”

²² At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

Observation

What a great story for us to remember!

When we are overwhelmed and when things seem totally impossible you and I should do exactly what King Jehoshaphat did. We should humble ourselves and pray!

When we humble ourselves and seek God’s face and totally depend on Him then this promise given to King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah in verse 15 will also be ours: 

“This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

What battle is facing us today? Why not humble ourselves and why not cry out to God and let Him fight this battle for us?

 Application

I will try my best to remember this story and its truth as I come up against my next battle. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me remember how You rescued King Jehoshaphat when he called on You for help. Help me to remember that You want to fight my battles. Help me not to be afraid. Help me not to be discouraged. Help me to remember that the battle is not mine, but that it is Yours!

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 6,7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3

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

Pray For All People Ask God To Help Them; Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them

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

Pray For All People
Ask God To Help Them;
Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them

Are you and I concerned for someone? How much have we prayed for them?

Scripture

1 Timothy 2

1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Observation

Here is our homework! Here is our most important work! Prayer!

Tell me whom have we been praying for? Who do we pray for when we wake up during the night?

We are to ask God to help them. We are to intercede on their behalf and we are to thank God for them.

Prayer- less -ness is probably our biggest sin!

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 1 Samuel 12:23

Are you and I concerned for someone? How much have we prayed for them? 

   “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1

Application

I will continue to pray for those that I am very concerned about and I will never give up.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I hold on to Your promise that You hear me when I pray. You have told me to pray, to talk to You on behalf of other people. So I am doing just that. I believe that You will work in their hearts and lives. I pray for those close to me who have let their marriages slide into a mess. 

I pray for those who are not walking close to You. I pray with confidence of knowing that You are constantly at work in their lives and You will answer my prayers. You know whom I have been praying for and You have heard my requests on their behalf. Thank You for each one of them. I know that many people pray for Kathy and I and I am so grateful for their prayers.

Daily Bible Reading: 

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

How Patient He Is With Even The Worst Sinners, So That Others Will Realize That They, Too, Can Have Everlasting Life.

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

How Patient He Is With Even The Worst Sinners,
So That Others
Will Realize That They, Too, Can Have Everlasting Life.

God did not save us just so that we could have everlasting life. He saved us so that others will realize that if God saved rotten sinful folks like us then they too can have everlasting life!

Scripture

1 Timothy 1

16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as an example to show everyone how patient he is with even the worst sinners, so that others will realize that they, too, can have everlasting life.

Observation

If you and I are fortunate enough to be Christ followers then the truth is that God saved us so that He could use us as examples to show everybody else how patient He is even with the worst sinners. 

God did not save us just so that we could have everlasting life. He saved us so that others will realize that if God saved rotten sinful folks like us then they too can have everlasting life!

“How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for choosing me as one of his messengers, and giving me the strength to be faithful to him,” I Timothy 1:12

“Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish!  We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing!” Ephesians 2:8-9 

Application

I will share my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ with everyone that I can.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for those around me who have not yet trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation. Help them see Jesus in me. Help them to realize that if You can save me then You can surely save them. Open their spiritual eyes and their spiritual hearts so they can understand that You want to save them too. 

 Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the King of the ages, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God, and full of wisdom. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

Who is the King of glory?  The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:10

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 1,2,3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1

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

You Thrill Me, LORD, With All You Have Done For Me!

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

You Thrill Me,
LORD,
With All You Have Done For Me!

So if you find yourself down in the dumps today why don’t you just look around and start thanking your Heavenly Father for everything that He has done in your life. 

Scripture

Psalm 92

¹ It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to the Most High.
² It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
    your faithfulness in the evening,
³ accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp,
    and the melody of a lyre.
⁴ You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!

Observation

Thank You. I love You. I am sorry. Will You forgive me?

These phrases are the key to a great relationship with your spouse, but they are also crucial in our relationship with our Heavenly Father!

You and I have so much to thank God for don’t we!

Kathy always says to her preschoolers at church, “A happy heart is a grateful heart!”

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7, NLT

 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30, ESV
So if you find yourself down in the dumps today why don’t you just look around and start thanking your Heavenly Father for everything that He has done in your life. 

“A happy heart is a thankful heart!”

Application

I will thank my God for being so good to me! How about you?

Prayer

You thrill me, Lord, with all that You have done for me. I am so blessed. Thank You for my family, my friends, my church, my health, and for everything else that You have provided for me. I am thrilled with all that You have done for me!

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4; Psalm 88-92

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

Because Of These Sins, The Anger Of God Is Coming.

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

Because Of These Sins,
The Anger Of God
Is Coming.

Colossians 3 is loaded with so many good things that I could have picked everything in the chapter to write about this morning. Take a minute and read this chapter and you will see what I mean. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATHY WILLIAMS! 

Scripture

Colossians 3

⁴ And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

⁵ So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. 

Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
 
⁶ Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.


⁷ You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
 
⁸ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

Observation

Colossians 3 is loaded with so many good things that I could have picked everything in the chapter to write about this morning. 

Take a minute and read this chapter and you will see what I mean. 

Verse 6 jumped out at me this morning!

The Apostle Paul gives us the reason why we shouldn’t live like the rest of the world.
 Paul says, “that when Christ, who is our life, is revealed to the whole world, we will share in His glory.”

Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. 

Because of these sins the anger of God is coming. 

Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

Application

I will strive today to think about the things of Heaven and not the things of earth. How about you?

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to think more about the things of Heaven than the things down here on earth. Guide my thoughts today and help them to stay on the things that please You. Thank You for the promise of Colossians 3:1 that says that I will share in Christ’s glory when He is revealed to the world.

I pray for Kathy today on her birthday. Bless her today! May Your face shine on her. Fill her with Your joy! Thank You for bringing her into my life! She is wonderful!

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 20,21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

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

After The Fire There Was The Sound Of A Gentle Whisper When Elijah Heard It, He wrapped His Face In His Cloak And Went Out

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

After The Fire There Was The Sound Of A Gentle Whisper
When Elijah Heard It, He wrapped His Face In His Cloak
And Went Out

When we are too busy, when we don’t slow down, when we don’t take time for God then we aren’t able to hear His still small voice.

Scripture

1 Kings 19

¹¹ “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. 

It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
 
¹² And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
 
¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Observation

God may get our attention with some tumultuous event like mighty windstorms, earthquakes, or even a fire, but He speaks to us in a still small voice.

He speaks to us in a gentle whisper.

When we are too busy, when we don’t slow down, when we don’t take time for God then we aren’t able to hear His still small voice.

Elijah had a good case of the “Oh Me’s”.

He told the Lord that he had worked hard for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, but the people had not done their part. In fact, he said that they had killed all the prophets and he was the only one left.

God then proceeded to set Elijah straight and informed Elijah that He still had 7,000 men who had not bowed down to Baal.

Here is the take away for me from this story.

God is always at work in our lives and He is constantly at work all around us. We are not alone. God is in control. God wants us to take time for Him so that we can hear His voice.

Application

I will listen for His still small voice. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You do speak to me when I take time to listen. Don’t let me get too busy or too distracted to hear Your voice. I want to spend time with You everyday. Don’t let me go a day without spending time in Your Word.

Here is my prayer for you:

 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17,18,19; Colossians 2;  Psalm 78-82

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

Even With The Severity Of His Disease, He Did Not Seek The LORD’s Help But He Turned Only To His Physicians. So He Died …

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

Even With The Severity Of His Disease,
He Did Not Seek The LORD’s Help
But He Turned Only To His Physicians. So He Died …

This passage has a clear message for me and this message is for you too. 

Scripture

2 Chronicles 16

¹² In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord’s help but turned only to his physicians. ¹³ So he died in the forty-first year of his reign.

Observation

King Asa was hard headed. He was a knucklehead.

You and I can be just as hard headed. King Asa’s spent 35 of his 39 years of his reign as king following the Lord with all of his heart, but he spent the last 4 years living like God did not even exist.

How stupid was that! What a fool!

But you and I can do the same thing! We can be poor finishers just like King Asa if we don’t watch out!

This passage has a clear message for me and this message is for you too. God wants us to talk to Him about everything. He wants us to rely on Him first.

He doesn’t want to be consulted last or worse as in King Asa’s case not consulted at all.

2 Chronicles 16

⁹ The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been!

Application

I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart. I will not depend on my own understanding. I will seek Him in all I do, and He will direct my path.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (personalized)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not be a knucklehead this week. Help me to live out Proverbs 3:5-6. Thank You for showing me this morning as I read about King Asa how stupid it is to depend on our own resources when You want us to depend on You. I pray for Kid’s Camp this week. I pray that it will be a life-changing week for the kids that attend and for the leaders too. Thank You for all of our young leaders that preached yesterday at our church. Bless them and bless their families.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

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

Don’t Worry About Anything; Instead, Pray About Everything. Tell God What You Need And Thank Him For All He Has Done. Then You Will Experience God’s Peace,

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

Don’t Worry About Anything; Instead, Pray About Everything.
Tell God What You Need And
Thank Him For All He Has Done. Then You Will Experience God’s Peace,


Heavenly Father, I have to admit that I worry more for my children than anything else. Help me to trust You with them. I pray for them. I ask You to do a mighty work in their lives.

Scripture

Philippians 4

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Observation

We tend to worry about everything and pray very little!

Why don’t we have God’s peace, that peace that exceeds anything we can understand?

Because we do not trust in Jesus that is why we are not experiencing His peace!

Like a popular bumper sticker says, “No Jesus No Peace – Know Jesus Know Peace!”

Worry is fear! Fear is a lack of trust!

Why not try to put into practice Philippians 4:6-7 this week and lets see what happens?

Application

I will pray and I will thank God for all that He has done. I will give Him my concerns and I will let Him handle them. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have to admit that I worry more for my children than anything else. Help me to trust You with them. I pray for them. I ask You to do a mighty work in their lives. Help them to be able to trust in You and follow You with all of their hearts. I want them to experience an abundant life and I know they will only experience that kind of life by walking in a close relationship with You. Work in their lives just as You did in my life and in Kathy’s life. Thank You for all that You have done for us. We are so blessed. You are so good.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

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

Pattern Your Lives After Mine, And Learn From Those Who Follow Our Example.

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

Pattern Your Lives After Mine,
And
Learn From Those Who Follow Our Example.

How much damage we as Christ Followers can cause when we do things that are not consistent with our life in Christ!

Scripture

Philippians 3

¹⁷ Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
 
¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
 
¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
 
²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
 
²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Observation

Someone told me not too long ago, “Pastor Eddy we went over to be with some friends from church and they were drinking and they were drunk.”

How much damage we as Christ Followers can cause when we do things that are not consistent with our life in Christ!

What do you and I need to change in our lives so that we can say like the Apostle Paul, “Pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.”

Tony Hoffman, a leader from the Florida Baptist Convention, taught a seminar at our church this week on the importance of Disciple Making and Discipleship! He said, “Millions who say they are followers of Christ, but their lives look nothing like His.”

Tony told the story of a young man that grew up during the time that farmers still used mules to pull plows during planting season. The father of this young lad would lend his son to other farmers during plowing season and the son would make a little extra money to help out his family.

One super hot day this young man was plowing a field of one of the old farmers and he became very thirsty. He asked the old farmer if there was any water that he could drink. The old farmer said yes and pointed to an old jug under the shade of a nearby tree.

The young man picked up the old water jug. It had green slimy stuff growing inside around the sides of the jug. And then he remembered the chewing tobacco running down the old farmers chin. As he looked at the crud and slime in the jug he suddenly decided that he was not that thirsty.

Tony said that sometimes when seekers look at the lives of Christians in our churches and see that our lives are just as messed up as their lives (with all the crud and slime) they say, I am thirsty, but I am not that thirsty.”

We must become Ephesians 4:13 Christians. Christians that help other Christians grow in unity and maturity. Christians that can say, “Pattern your lives after ours, and learn from our example.”

Application

I will strive to live in a way that others can see Jesus in me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I know that You have forgiven me. Help me live out my life in Christ in a way that brings You honor and glory and in a way that does not cause anyone to stumble.

I pray for my son Eddie on his birthday today. I pray that You bless him. Help him to realize how You want to use him to further Your kingdom. I pray that you give him the desires of his heart. I pray that You make his plans successful and that You answer all of his prayers.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

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