Give Thanks To The LORD, For He Is Good!

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Give Thanks
To The LORD,
For He Is Good!

Give your spouse the time that he or she needs. Give them some extra attention today. Take time to thank God for them. And TGIF!

Scripture

Psalm 107

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Observation

Thank God it is Friday! TGIF!

 I love Fridays! And even though I have not been able to get out and work like all of you get to do, 

I still love Fridays. Fridays have always been special for Kathy and I. 

Take time to enjoy this Friday. 

Give your spouse the time that he or she needs. Give them some extra attention today. 

Take time to thank God for them. 

Take time to give God thanks!

The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” 2 Chronicles 5:13

Application

I will enjoy time with Kathy today and I will give thanks to my God for His goodness! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, all of our worries and concerns over the details of life crowd out and rob us of experiencing the joy of the moment. This is the day that You have made I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 Help me to enjoy this day and every person that becomes a part of it. Thank You for my family. Thank You for my friends. But especially thank You for Kathy. Help me to enjoy time with her today!

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 63,64; Psalms 107; John 2

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The Son Of Man The One Who Is The Stairway Between Heaven And Earth

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The Son Of Man
The One
Who Is The Stairway Between Heaven And Earth

When I talk to people week after week at Mission Tampa and I ask them this question, “If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into my Heaven?” I listen to their response hoping that they will respond with this answer – Jesus!

Scripture

John 1

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.

¹⁴ So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

⁵¹ Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

Observation

Jesus Christ came down to this earth to be the stairway between heaven and earth!

When I talk to people week after week at Mission Tampa and I ask them this question, “If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into my Heaven?” I listen to their response hoping that they will respond with this answer – Jesus!

How would you answer that question? “I think that I have been good enough to get in, or like a few have told me recently, “I deserve to get in!” How would you answer that question? Do you know what you would say?

For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!” Acts 4:12

I am so grateful that someone told me about the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ and at 19 years of age I became a Christ follower. He saved me. I know that I am going to Heaven not because I am a good person; I know that I am going to Heaven because Jesus paid my way with His very Life!

How about you? Do you know Him?

If you were to die today do you know where you would spend Eternity? If you don’t know or if you have some doubts send me a private message and let’s talk.

Application

I will share my faith every chance I get. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for those reading this who may still have doubts about his or her salvation. Help them to understand that salvation comes only through a relationship with Your Son Jesus Christ.

I pray for Thomas Crothers today as he goes through hip surgery. Give his wife Michelle Your peace. Guide the surgeon’s hands. I pray for healing.


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 60,61,62; John 1

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May I Never Forget The Good Things He Does For Me

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May I Never
Forget
The Good Things He Does For Me

Thanking God and having a grateful heart is key to living a life filled with joy! Our Heavenly Father loves to hear us say, “Thank You”!

Scripture

Psalms 103

¹ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

² Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.

³ He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.

⁴ He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

⁵ He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Observation

Kathy has been reading a book called, “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp and attending a life group over at Laurel Barden’s house to discuss the book. One of the things that she has started doing because of this study was writing in a “Gratitude Journal” each day writing down things that she is thankful for. The intention of the book (I am reading the back cover) is to cause you to intentionally embrace a lifestyle of radical gratitude and to slow down and catch God in the moment.

You go girl! Can you tell that I am very proud of the woman that the Lord has given to me?

Thanking God and having a grateful heart is key to living a life filled with joy! Our Heavenly Father loves to hear us say, “Thank You”!

Stop what you are doing and take a minute to thank God. Think about all that has happened to you recently and take time to thank God for all that He had done.

I had a procedure on my heart on May 19 that could have completely fixed my arrhythmia problem and I would have been able to continue driving. Plus I wouldn’t have these episodes of going unconscious from Ventricular Fibrillation and having to be jump started back to life by my built in defibrillator. The doctor spent 5 hours trying to fix my problem, but in the end all his efforts failed. We were both disappointed. He didn’t want to have to tell me that I wouldn’t be driving anymore and I didn’t want to hear that news either.

But here is the good news for which I am so thankful. Ever since I had that procedure done I have been feeling very good. I have not had the chest pain like I have had previously. Whether it was something that he accidentally did while he was in there, whether it was a slight medicine change that I made, is not really important. God intervened!

I know Who is responsible and I give Him thanks! Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

What do you have to be thankful for this morning? A grateful heart is a happy heart!

Application

I will continue to thank my God all day today for His goodness! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place our hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
 
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139: 1-6, 14, 18-19

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 57,58,59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

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For You Are A Slave To Whatever Controls You

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For You
Are A Slave
To Whatever Controls You

Don’t look down on someone else just because they have become slaves to a certain sin because my friend it could very easily happen to you. You and I are always just a choice away from allowing sin to take God’s place on the throne of our hearts. But don’t you condone his or her sinful living. Don’t you dare make excuses for that person’s sinful lifestyle.

Scripture

2 Peter 2

19b … For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

Observation

We are all slaves to something. Either you and I allow ourselves to be slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ or we will be slaves to whatever we have allowed to control us. The Apostle Peter was describing false teachers who had crept into the fellowship of believers and were leading people astray with a perverted way of living.

Constantly we are bombarded with things that want to control us. And once we are under that particular sin’s control we become a slave to it. It owns us.

All types of sexual immorality, greed, power, drugs, alcohol, over eating, all of these and so many more things can easily become our master and immediately we begin to rationalize our sinful lifestyle and we blame everyone around us for our bad situation and our bad behavior.

But be careful … because … it can happen to any of us.

Don’t look down on someone else just because they have become slaves to a certain sin because my friend it could very easily happen to you. You and I are always just a choice away from allowing sin to take God’s place on the throne of our hearts.

But don’t you dare condone it. Don’t make excuses for that person’s lifestyle either.

Pray for them. And if and when you have the opportunity speak God’s truth into his or her life hopefully they will listen and they will turn from their life of sin and turn back to Christ.

I am praying for some people right now that I believe have allowed sin to become their master. I am praying for the right opportunity to be able to speak to them about the direction of their lives. Until God shows or gives me that opportunity I am going to continue to pray for them.

There is nothing more important for me to do for them than to cry out to God on their behalf.

When I do get to finally speak to them I realize that I could mess up. I could say the wrong thing. I could speak to them when I had the wrong heart attitude. I could speak to them when my motives were not pure. So I will continue to pray for them until the Lord opens up the opportunity for me to talk to them.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

Application

I will continue to pray for those who need to return to a right relationship with Jesus. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to keep my focus off of myself and give me a heart of compassion for those around me. Give me Your eyes and Your heart for the people that You bring into my life. Give me the ability to love them like You love them. I know that it is easy for me to see the splinter in someone else’s eye and not pay attention to the beam that is in mine. 

Give me strength today to say “no” to sin and “yes” to You. I want You to be in control of my life today. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 53,54,55,56; 2 Peter 2

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God Has Given Us Everything We Need For Living A Godly Life

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God
Has Given Us Everything We Need
For Living A Godly Life

You and I have no one else to blame but ourselves if we choose to live in a way that dishonors the Lord Jesus Christ. By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

Scripture

2 Peter 1

³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Observation

As we start out this week here is a reminder to all of us that we can live this week in a way that brings honor and glory to God.

He has provided all that we need to live a godly life. No excuse, no blaming everyone else for our shortcomings, no blame shifting, we can do this! We can live a godly life.

He has given us great and precious promises so that we can live in victory!

All we have to do is to open up His word and take in all of those great and precious promises! We can do this!

Who are you blaming right now for the way you are living?

You and I have no one else to blame but ourselves if we choose to live in a way that dishonors the Lord Jesus Christ. By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

We have no excuse.

Application

I will live out this week reading and relying on God’s great and precious promises and they will empower me to live a godly life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I believe what You say in 2 Peter 1:3 and I believe that You have given me all that I need to live a godly life. Help me to rely, trust, and lean on all of your great and precious promises this week. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 50,51,52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

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Lead Them By Your Own Good Example

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Lead Them
By
Your Own Good Example

Pastor Bruce Moore, Pastor Larry Chadwell, Pastor Waylon Moore and myself have the assignment of taking care of God’s flock at Christ Fellowship. Along with us there is a small army of leaders that also share in that responsibility of keeping up with and caring for the sheep.

Scripture

1 Peter 5

² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. ⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Observation

Have you ever read the book, “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by Phillip Keller? It is a classic that everyone should take time to read.

In the book we get a good look at the Shepherd and how He (Jesus) takes care of His sheep. The author gives a great description of “sheep and their behavior” and their absolute dependence on the shepherd.

Pastor Bruce Moore, Pastor Larry Chadwell, Pastor Waylon Moore and myself have the assignment of taking care of God’s flock at Christ Fellowship. Along with us there is a small army of leaders that also share in that responsibility of keeping up with and caring for the sheep.

The Apostle Peter is reminding me and everyone else who serves in a leadership role in our church that we are to lead by our own example. It is a huge responsibility! But one day, when the Great Shepherd appears, we will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. Think about that …

Are you and I leading by our own example? Dads ... Husbands ... What needs to change?

 Application

I will think of all of the sheep that were missing today and try to contact them to make sure they are okay. How about you? Who do you need to check on?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to lead by setting a good example. Help me set a good example for my grown children and for my grandchildren. Help me lead our people by living in a close relationship with you. Help me say no to sin. Guide my steps. Don’t let me do stupid stuff this week that would cause You or those around me to be disappointed in me. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 46,47,48,49; 1 Peter 5

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When You Go Through Rivers Of Difficulty You Will Not Drown

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When You
Go Through Rivers Of Difficulty
You Will Not Drown

Yesterday I could have shared several of my favorites scriptures that were part of my daily Bible reading, but I chose to write about the one on marriage. But yesterday I did read some other great promises that might encourage you today. Take a minute and let them soak into your soul and let them encourage you on this rainy Saturday!

Scripture

Isaiah 43

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.

² When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.

³ For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Observation

The word that jumps out at me, the word that you and I should not miss, is the word, “when”. God does not say “if” no, He says “when”.

Trouble is coming our way. It has already come in the past and what we have to look forward to is more “trouble” in the future! It is coming.

You may say, “Oh Eddy why are you being so pessimistic?” But to anyone that would say that I am pessimistic I would say that I am not being pessimistic I am just stating the truth.

    "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

As Christ followers we have a Heavenly Father Who has given us promise after promise telling us not to be afraid. Promise after promise telling us not to worry or fret.

Yesterday I could have shared several of my favorites scriptures that were part of my daily Bible reading, but I chose to write about the one on marriage. But yesterday I read some other great promises that might encourage you today.

Isaiah 40:31

    But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10

    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.

¹² The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers…. 1 Peter 3:12a

I don’t know what kind of trouble you find yourself in but I do know this that God is ready and willing to help you as you go through this time of difficulty.

    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

    Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. 1 Peter 5:7 

    Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 

    And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28  

Application

I will hold to God’s promises as I face today’s problems. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have given me so many great promises in Your word for me to hold on to when things get difficult. 

“ I live in the shelter of the Most High so I find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about You, Lord: You alone are my refuge, my place of safety; You are my God, and I trust in You. For You will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly disease. You will cover me with Your feathers. You will shelter me with Your wings. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection.” Psalm 91:1-4 personalized

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 43,44,45; 1 Peter 4

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You Husbands Must Give Honor To Your Wives

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You Husbands
Must Give Honor
To Your Wives

Get on your hands and knees and crawl back to her. Do whatever it takes to win her back. Do whatever it takes to show her that you love her. Honor her and treat her with understanding.

Scripture

1 Peter 3

⁷ In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her, as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

Observation

I heard a young wife say recently, “He doesn’t care about me.” This Christian young man thinks that he can live his life just fine without loving and honoring his wife. 

How sad!

“Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” 

    If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.  Psalm 66:18 

She (your wife) is your number one priority, not your job, not your kids, and not your ministry. 

Husbands you must give honor to your wives.

Get on your hands and knees and crawl back to her. Do whatever it takes to win her back. Do whatever it takes to show her that you love her. Honor her and treat her with understanding. 

Treat her, as you should.

I want my children, my grandchildren, my extended my family, my friends, my neighbors, and everyone to know that Kathy Williams is the love of my life. Nothing she could do, might do, would do will ever change my love for her. 

What is wrong with men today? Man up! 

Can I take you back to the commitment that you made to God and to her when you first got married? 

 I, _____________, in the presence of God, our family and friends, take you _______________, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity. 

No blame shifting – just get your relationship back like it should be with your wife.  

Start dating her. Start treating her with understanding. Honor her. Enjoy her. So your prayers with not be hindered. 

Application

I will enjoy time today with the love of my life. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to accept the blame for our relationships that have deteriorated. It is so easy for me to blame Kathy when things are not going right in our relationship. My selfishness is my big problem. It always has been and I am sure that it always will be my number one battle. It is easy for me to blame Kathy, but You have placed me as the head of my family. And I know that one day I will answer to You for how I have loved or hated her, for how I have treated or mistreated her, and for how I honored or dishonored her. Don’t let me mess up. Don’t let me make excuses. Help me to be the man that I need to be for Kathy and help me to be the man that I need to be for my entire family. Help other men to do the same. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 40,41,42; 1 Peter 3

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Like Newborn Babies, You Must Crave Pure Spiritual Milk So That You Will Grow Into A Full Experience Of Salvation

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Like Newborn Babies,
You Must Crave Pure Spiritual Milk
So That You Will Grow Into A Full Experience Of Salvation

Have you been around a hungry newborn baby lately? Buddy, when they are hungry, when they are craving milk, they cry out for nourishment. You and I need to cry out. You and I need to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Scripture

1 Peter 2

² Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, ³ now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Observation

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Jeremiah 15:16

How can you and I find the strength to say no to sin?  I know what gives me strength. It is reading God’s word everyday. 

Have you been around a hungry newborn baby lately? Buddy, when they are hungry, when they are craving milk, they cry out for nourishment. 

You and I need to cry out. You and I need to taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Lets make a commitment to the Lord to read and devour His word everyday.  

Application

I will read God’s word everyday. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me go through a day without reading Your word. Remind me to read Your word even if I am in bed and about to go to sleep so I can get up and read. I want to live a pure life. I don’t want to yield to sin. I know that Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2

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Don’t Slip Back Into Your Old Ways Of Living To Satisfy Your Own Desires

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Don’t Slip Back
Into Your Old Ways Of Living
To Satisfy Your Own Desires

In my own life I can remember back when I lived to enjoy the pleasures of sin. I can remember when Kathy and I were first married that drinking (yes … booze) was an important part of my life. I can remember how excited I was about making the second bedroom in our little mobile home a bar. I remember how the family that one Christmas bought me all kinds of accessories to make that bar something really special. … Please keep reading to get the “rest of the story”

Scripture

1 Peter 1

¹⁴ So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. ¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Observation

I have just started reading the book, “Pleasures Evermore” by Sam Storms. In this book the author makes this statement, “The power that the pleasures of sin exert on the human soul will ultimately be overcome only by the superior power of the pleasure of knowing and being known, loving and being loved by God in Christ.”

Sam Storms goes on to point out that it is not enough to get someone to do what is right by telling him or her, “Don’t do what is wrong.” He says that the answer is to give him or her a taste of the superior sweetness of God, of the surpassing peace of Christ, of the satisfying pleasure of intimacy with the Holy Spirit. 

What he says is so true or at least what he says is so true to me!

In my own life I can remember back when I lived to enjoy the pleasures of sin. I can remember when Kathy and I were first married that drinking (yes … booze) was an important part of my life. I can remember how excited I was about making the second bedroom in our little mobile home a bar. I remember how the family that one Christmas bought me all kinds of accessories to make that bar something really special. 

It was right after that Christmas that something happened in my life. Jesus Christ became real to me and the joy and pleasure of knowing Him took away all of the sparkle, all the attraction, and even the idea of having my own little “bar” in our little house trailer. 

I don’t think anyone ever told me not to drink. I am sure that no one told me not to have a bar in my house. Nobody had to tell me. The joy and pleasure of living for Jesus Christ and being loved by Him was enough. Other not so good habits in my life slowly lost their charm too, but I am not going to waste your time listing them. I know that I am a sinner and I know that sin is always calling, always tempting me with its lure of pleasure. 

Am I still tempted to slip back into my old ways of living … you bet I am. And so are you! 

Lets just remember that it was an empty life that we were rescued from and lets not forget that sin is pleasurable, but with the momentary pleasure comes with it pain, hurt, destruction, separation, and death. 

You and I were created for pleasure, but only the pleasure of knowing and being known by God will bring us true joy! 

Does this make sense?

Application

I will enjoy my relationship with my Heavenly Father today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know who is on my heart. You know whom I am concerned about. I can’t just tell them what they are doing is wrong. They know it is wrong. I pray for them. I pray that You will change their hearts. Help them to be so in love with You that sin loses its power over their lives. Show them what they are missing. Take the blinders off of their spiritual eyes and open up their hearts to spiritual things. Help them to be able to say with me, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” Philippians 3:8 

May this verse find its way into their heart and into their mind today, “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Revelation 2:4

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1

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The Prayer Of A Godly Person Is Powerful. Things Happen Because Of It.

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The Prayer Of A Godly Person
Is Powerful.
Things Happen Because Of It.
 
The prayer of a godly person is powerful! There are people who tell us that they pray for Kathy and I everyday.  We are so grateful to hear that these godly people are praying for us.

Scripture

James 5:16

¹⁶ So confess your sins to one another. Pray for one another so that you might be healed. The prayer of a godly person is powerful. Things happen because of it. (NIRV)

¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ¹⁷ Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! ¹⁸ Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. (NLT)

Observation

The prayer of a godly person is powerful! There are people who tell us that they pray for Kathy and I everyday.  We are so grateful to hear that these godly people are praying for us.
A godly person is not someone who is perfect. No, it is a person who knows that he or she is a sinner and in humility walks in a close relationship with God. 

An ungodly person is someone who lets sin reign in his or her life. Allowing some sin or sins to take Christ’s place on the throne of his or her heart. 

It is the prayers of the godly that are powerful and it is their prayers that produce wonderful results.

A movie comes to theaters in a few days called “War Room”! If you are a Christ follower then this is a must see movie for you! Our entire church needs to see this movie! Every church in America needs to see this movie! Kathy and I got to go to a free pre-screening of the movie and we loved it. Don’t miss it!

Application

I will keep my sins confessed and my relationship to God close so my prayers are effective. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray as King Hezekiah prayed 2 Kings 19:15-16, “O Lord, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open your eyes, O Lord, and see!”

 Thank You for hearing the prayers of the godly. Help me stay close to You. You are the Lord my God and nothing is too hard for You. Encourage those who are down today. Show them Your power and might. Answer their prayers. Make their plans successful. Give them the desires of their hearts.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 18,19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5

War Room Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXgC_HLLcCQ

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It Is Sin To Know What You Ought To Do And Then Not Do It.

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It Is Sin
To Know What You Ought To Do
And Then Not Do It. 

Should’ve … Would’ve … And Could’ve! The biggest area of sin in my life is not doing what I know I should have done. It is Monday and to start the week off talking about sin is sort of a bummer, but maybe it will help us do what the Lord has laid on our hearts to do!

Scripture

James 4

¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Observation

Should’ve … Would’ve … And Could’ve!

The biggest area of sin in my life is not doing what I know I should have done. 

It is Monday and to start the week off talking about sin is sort of a bummer, but maybe it will help us do what the Lord has laid on our hearts to do! 

Make that phone call, write that note, do something for the neighbor, make that visit, begin to take steps to stop that habit, or a million other things, what comes to your mind and what has God been telling me to do that I have been intentionally ignoring? 

Maybe you and I are not chain saw murderers, but we are sinners. And the biggest sin that you and I may commit this week is not doing what we know we ought to do.  

Application

I will ask God to show me anything in my life that is an area of disobedience, anything that I should’ve, and could’ve done for Him, that I have intentionally not done. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:1-3,23-24

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Chronicles 29,30,31; James 4

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God Is Our Refuge And Strength Always Ready To Help In Times Of Trouble

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God Is Our Refuge And Strength
Always
Ready To Help In Times Of Trouble

This week I was trying to help a friend by fixing his computer. He left it at my house for me to look at. I am no computer whiz but I thought that I could probably fix the problem without a whole thought of trouble. Two days later I find myself still trying to correct the problem and I have totally run out of things to try. It was then when I turned to the Lord and asked Him for His help! Dummy me!

Scripture

Psalm 46

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.”

Observation

God is always ready to help in times of trouble in the big things and in the little things that come our way. 

This week I was trying to help a friend fix his computer. He left it at my house for me to look at. I am no computer whiz but I thought that I could probably fix the problem without a whole thought of trouble. Two days later I find myself still trying to correct the problem and I have totally run out of things to try. It was then when I turned to the Lord and asked Him for His help! Dummy me! 

Why didn’t I pray and ask God for His help the moment I started working on the computer! 

Be honest you are no different! 

God does not want us to call on Him as the last resort like I did with fixing the computer. 

What kind of trouble has come your way: financial, your personal health or the illness of a loved one, a relationship at work, a son or daughter that is heading in the wrong direction, a marriage that has grown cold, a boss who doesn’t like you, or maybe not even being able to get a job, or something similar to what I have listed above? 

Here is the verse for us today: 

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

 Application

I will try hard to remember that God wants to help me with all my problems no matter how big or how small.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am so hard headed. After all of these years of You taking care of my problems and me you would think that I would have learned by now to talk to you about everything. Thank You for fixing the computer. I still don’t know what You did to make it start working, but I am sure glad that You did. Help me to call on You with both the big problems and even the small ones that I seem to try to fix on my own.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. 1 Peter 5:7   

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

   

   

   

   

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalms 46; James 3

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It Is Good To Give Thanks To The LORD, To Sing Praises To The Most High

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It Is Good To Give Thanks To The LORD,
To Sing Praises
To The Most High

I want to take time to thank our worship team for the great job that they do every week. I know and appreciate how hard they to make each Sunday special. I love to watch our musicians and singers as they lead us in worship to the Most High!

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,

Observation

Last Sunday while Kathy and I were out at the beach we went to a church for worship and though we enjoyed the service I can tell you that it was nothing like what we experience at Christ Fellowship every Sunday!

I am looking forward to our very special 11 am worship service in the morning!

I want to take time to thank our worship team for the great job that they do every week. I know and appreciate how hard they to make each Sunday special. I love to watch our musicians and singers as they lead us in worship to the Most High!

So thanks team! Everything you do behind the scenes … like practice, practice, practice, work, work, work … makes it special for music illiterates like me!

I agree with the Psalmist this morning, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High!”

Application

I look forward to worshiping in the morning with my brothers and my sisters in Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the people that volunteer at our church. I especially want to give You thanks for everyone involved in the worship ministry at our church. Help them to see how important their role as worship leaders is to the life of our church. May they serve You and us with humility with their hearts prepared for worship.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 32,33,34,35; James 2;  Psalms 88-92

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Give Honor To Marriage, And Remain Faithful To One Another In Marriage

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Give Honor To Marriage,
And Remain Faithful
To One Another In Marriage

The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. Why do we believe Satan’s lies? Do you think divorce is the answer for your troubled marriage? It’s not. There is just more miseries on the other side of the fence so don’t jump!

Scripture

Hebrews 13

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

Observation

The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. Why do we believe Satan’s lies?

Do you think divorce is the answer for your troubled marriage? It’s not.

What does the Bible say about marriage? Forget what society and our culture and maybe even some of your friends say about bailing out on your marriage. Do what God says … stick it out. Get help. Make it work.

There is just more miseries on the other side of the fence so don’t jump!

I am so happy for the couples that recognize that their marriage is worth fighting for and make the commitment to go to counseling and get help.

I guess it is pride that keeps us from getting help. How dumb is that!

I can still remember when Kathy and I had to go and get the help of a godly counselor because of a situation in the life of one of those close to us that was putting stress on our marriage relationship. 

I can remember that counselor showing me some things that I needed to change that would make the situation better. I couldn’t see those things until someone pointed them out to me.

You and I are not perfect. We are sinners. In humility and brokenness lets do everything possible to make our marriages great.

Application

I will continue to strongly encourage couples to work hard on their marriage.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, marriage is Your idea. You hate divorce. So I pray to You and I ask You to do a mighty work in the lives of those couples that want to just give up on their marriage commitment. Don’t let them give up. Open up their eyes to Your truth. Show them that the direction that they are heading is wrong. Don’t let them give in to Satan’s lies.

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 25,26,27,28; Hebrews 13

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Let Us Strip Off Every Weight That Slows Us Down, Especially The Sin That So Easily Trips Us Up

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Let Us Strip Off Every Weight
That Slows Us Down,
Especially The Sin That So Easily Trips Us Up

Summer can be a time when this race of faith turns into a slow crawl. During these “dog days” of summer we can become weighed down with sin. Lets not let happen! Call a friend. Meet with them and let them hold you accountable during the few weeks left of summer. Lets get back in the race.

Scripture

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Observation

We start out good! We have dreams! We are living the life of faith. Things are good!

We are heading in the right direction!

And then sin trips us up!

All of a sudden we are heading in the wrong direction and life stinks!

God says that this life of faith is a race of endurance. We must keep our eyes on the finish line. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the Champion of our faith.

Summer can be a time when this race of faith turns into a slow crawl. During these “dog days” of summer we can become weighed down with sin.

Lets not let happen! Call a friend. Meet with them and let them hold you accountable during the few weeks left of summer. Lets get back in the race.

Fall is coming! Lets get in spiritual shape now for what lies ahead!

Application

I will meet with men this week and let them hold me accountable. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me run this life of faith in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me mess up and get bogged down with stupid sins, stupid sins that weigh me down. Help me finish well.

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 22,23,24; Hebrews 12

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Faith Is The Confidence That What We Hope For Will Actually Happen

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Faith Is The Confidence 
That What We Hope For 
Will Actually Happen

 This morning I prayed for a special friend who just found out that she has stage 4 Colon Cancer. I prayed for a husband and wife who have come to sadly believe that there is no hope for their marriage.

Scripture

Hebrews 11

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Observation

Have you reached the end of the rope? Do you think that you have you come to the point of “no return” in a relationship? If that describes you this morning I want to encourage you to read Hebrews 11.

This morning I prayed for a special friend who just found out that she has stage 4 Colon Cancer. I prayed for a husband and wife who have come to sadly believe that there is no hope for their marriage.

I prayed for all of them this morning in faith knowing that I was praying to my God who loves them and cares about them.

I am reminded this morning of 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

To all of us who need to be encouraged this morning not to give up I give you this verse:

Hebrews 11:6

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Application

I will continue to pray for my friends knowing that God hears me and that He loves to answer my requests.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends this morning that are dealing with sickness. I pray that You show Yourself powerful in their lives. Help them to walk by faith through this difficult time. I pray for couples that have lost hope and don’t believe that their marriage can be saved and restored. They believe the Devil’s lies. Help them to hear Your voice this morning. Open their eyes of faith this morning and help them hear Your voice. Don’t let Satan gain a victory in their lives. Give them hope this morning.

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 19,20,21; Hebrews 11

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