For You Have Seen My Troubles, And You Care About The Anguish Of My Soul.

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For You Have Seen My Troubles,
And You Care
About The Anguish Of My Soul. 


Scripture

Psalm 31

7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love,
    for you have seen my troubles,
    and you care about the anguish of my soul.

Observation

Don’t expect your spouse to understand exactly what you are going through and are experiencing. 

There are times when your husband or your wife just isn’t able to grasp what is going on. 

And what we usually do is try to fix the problem or we get totally frustrated with our spouse because we can’t understand what is going on with them. 

Our Heavenly Father never has that problem. He understands and He cares about the anguish of our soul. He knows the trouble that we are going through and He cares.

^“ How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence,” Psalm 31:19-20a

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalm 31:24

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

“And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” Matthew 6:30

Application

The Lord always understands what is going on in my life and He cares about me and He cares about you too!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will pray these verses back to You this morning from Psalm 31:

¹⁴ Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God! Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,

^19-22 What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting all who run to you to escape an unkind world.

²³ Love God, all you saints; God takes care of all who stay close to him, But he pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone.

²⁴ Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. 

Expect God to get here soon.  {MESSAGE}

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 12,13,14; Revelation 5; Psalm 31, Psalm 131; Proverbs 31

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I Am Counting On The LORD: Yes, I Am Counting On Him. I Have Put My Hope In His Word.

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I Am Counting On The LORD:
Yes, I Am Counting On Him.
I Have Put My Hope In His Word. 

If you and I put all of our trust in people they will eventually let us down. Only God can always be counted on to keep His Word. He is the only One that we can always count. As soon as I got up this morning He was ready to listen to me. In fact, before I got out of bed He was already listening to my prayers.  You and I can count on Him 24/7. He never gets tired. He never gets weary. He always keeps His promises. Why not pray Psalm 130:5-6 back to the Lord today/

Scripture

Psalm 130

⁵ I am counting on the Lord;
    yes, I am counting on him.
    I have put my hope in his word.
⁶ I long for the Lord
    more than sentries long for the dawn,
    yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

Observation

If you and I put all of our trust in people they will eventually let us down. 

Only God can always be counted on to keep His Word. He is the only One that we can always count. 

As soon as I got up this morning He was ready to listen to me. In fact, before I got out of bed He was already listening to my prayers.  

You and I can count on Him 24/7. He never gets tired. He never gets weary. 

He always keeps His promises. We can put our hope and confidence in His Word. 

Will you trust Him today? 

Will you talk to Him about your problems? Why not pray Psalm 130:5-6 back to the Lord today/ 

Application

I will pray Psalm 130:5-6 and Revelation 4:11 back to the Lord today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am counting on You; yes, Lord, I am counting on You. I have put my hope in Your Word. I long for You Lord more than a night watchman longs for the dawn, yes, more than guards that guard at night long for the dawn. You are worthy, O Lord my God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased. Psalm 130:5-6; Revelation 4:11 {Personalized}
 


Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 8,9,10,11; Revelation 4; Psalm 30, Psalm 130: Proverbs 30 

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Look! I Stand At The Door And Knock. If You Hear My Voice And Open The Door. I Will Come In

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Look! I Stand At The Door And Knock.
If You Hear My Voice And Open The Door.
I Will Come In

Scripture

Revelation 3:20

²⁰ “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Observation

God wants an intimate relationship with us. He is knocking at the door of our hearts. He wants to come in.

This verse is not talking about salvation even though we could think of this verse in that way, but what this verse is really talking about is intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Anything that keeps Jesus Christ from having the Number One place in our hearts is an idol or a small god. This could be anything.

Kathy said to me recently, “Anything that we do and are unable to stop has become an “idol”.” It is taking God’s rightful place on the throne of our hearts.

He wants to be Number One in our life.

What is it in my life and in your life that we desire to keep on doing and can’t seem to stop?

Lets ask God to give us strength to let it go. Lets ask Jesus to come into our hearts and take control of every detail of our lives so we can have fellowship with Him.

Application

I will ask the Lord to show me anything that is replacing Him in the Number One spot of my life. How about you? Who or what is Number One in your life? What needs to change?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love You. Don’t let anything come into my life that takes Your place as Number One. Show me and give me strength to let go of anything that is not bringing You glory and honor. I want to be right in my relationship with You. I don’t want to be lukewarm. I want to be on fire for You. I pray for others that may be reading this blog that are struggling with addictions and who are tempted with Satan’s lies that those little sins won’t hurt them. Give them the strength to let them go. Help them to surrender their lives 100% to You holding nothing back!

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 4,5,6,7; Revelation 3




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I Pray To You, O LORD, My Rock, … For If You Are Silent, I Might As Well Give Up And Die.

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I Pray To You, O LORD, My Rock, …
For If You Are Silent,
I Might As Well Give Up And Die. 


Scripture

Psalm 28

¹ I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
    Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
    I might as well give up and die.

Observation

You and I could learn a lot about prayer just by reading what King David shared when he wrote the Psalms. 

Most of the Psalms are his prayers to God. 

And most of the time he was caught in desperate life and death situations! 

Just listen to the confidence that he has in his God a few verses later when he writes, 

“Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. 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. The Lord gives his people strength.” (vv 6-8) 


 Maybe you and I just need to camp in the Psalms for a few days and pray them back to the Lord.

Application

I will pray parts of Psalm 28 back to the Lord this morning. How about you?

Prayer

I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.  Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. I will praise You Lord! For You have heard my cry for mercy. You are my strength and shield. I will trust You with all my heart. You help me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives me strength. 

Psalm 28:1-2, 6-8 Personalized

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 1,2,3; Revelation 2, Psalm 28, Psalm 128; Proverbs 28

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Wait For The Lord; Be Strong And Courageous. Wait For The Lord.

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Wait For The Lord;
Be Strong And Courageous.
Wait For The Lord.


Scripture

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.

Observation

Going through a rough time? Is your life is taking a beating? 

Then dive into the book of Psalms and learn the secret of King David’s life. His life, a good majority of it was spent hiding in caves and in the wilderness. 

Never knowing when his enemies would find him and kill him. Through a life of adversity he learned to trust in the Lord. He was strong and courageous. 

He learned to wait on the Lord. 

So if we have physical pain, a devastating disease, facing a legal mess, experiencing a financial crisis, in the middle of a broken relationship, or if we are dealing with enemies in the place where we work King David has a word for us, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.”

 Application

Jesus says that we are to pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1)

I am going to continue to pray and I will wait for the Lord. I will be strong and courageous. I will wait for the Lord. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. Every promise in Your Word is for us. And You keep every one of them. Over and over and over again in Your Word you tell me to trust in You. You tell me over and over and over again to be strong and courageous. So I will take You at Your Word. I pray for those close to me who are going through very difficult times. Help them to draw close to You. Help them trust You. Help them to grow closer to You during this time of adversity. Show them Your Mighty Power and Your Strength.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalms 143,144, 27, 127; Proverbs 27

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Dear Friend, Don’t Let This Bad Example Influence You.

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Dear Friend,
Don’t Let This
Bad Example Influence You.

Scripture

3 John

11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

Observation

Diotrephes was bad! He was a terrible influence. He was bad to the core! The Apostle John warned people not to be influenced by him. 

The Apostle Paul warned us about being influenced by the wrong people when he said, “bad company corrupts good character.” 

At our church, Christ Fellowship, the leadership team is working hard to get everyone into “community groups” so they can be surrounded by godly influences and grow in Christ. 

It is the 2 Timothy 2:2 principle, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 

Here is both a warning and some advice: Stay away from negative, angry, divisive people. Instead hang with people that love the Lord and with people that can help you be more like Jesus!

Application

I will spend time with people that can help me grow in Christ and with people that need my encouragement. I will stay away from negative, angry, divisive people! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us influence others to live godly lives and don’t let us be influenced by ungodliness. Help me to be strong in the Lord. I want for people to see Jesus in me. Don’t let me do stupid sins. I pray for all of our community group leaders. I pray for our leadership team. Help all of us to live in a way that honors You and brings You glory. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 50,51; 3 John

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O LORD, I Give My Life To You.

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O LORD,
I
Give My Life To You.

Scripture

Psalm 25

¹ O Lord, I give my life to you. ²  I trust in you, my God! …

Observation

I surrender. LORD, I give my life to you.

Have you ever stopped, humbled yourself, and prayed those words to the Lord?

I was 19 years old when someone shared with me that God loved me and God had a wonderful plan for my life. He also shared with me that all of us are sinners and our sin has separated us from a relationship with God, who wants to be our Heavenly Father.

This friend also went on to share with me that God loved me so much that He left Heaven and came down to earth to save me. Jesus Christ, God Himself died on a cross to pay the penalty of my sins and He died to pay the penalty for your sins too.

When I heard all about God’s plan for my life it made sense to me and I prayed and I gave my life to the LORD.

I surrendered my life to Him. I asked Him to forgive me of my sins. I asked Him to be my Lord and my Savior.

At 19 years old I became a follower of Jesus Christ. He is my Lord. He is my Savior.

How about you? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? Have you given Him your life?

Yes or No. There is no middle ground!

 Application

I yield my life to You today Lord not for my salvation but I yield to allow You your rightful place to the throne of my life, putting You first before everything else. 

Matthew 6:33

    But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray today for any person that may read this blog that has not yet surrendered his or her life to You. Open up their spiritual eyes and help them to understand the Good News that You want to have a personal relationship with them. Help me to keep You first in my life. Don’t let me let other things take Your place in my life.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 37,38,39; Psalms 79; 2 John; Psalm 25, Psalm 125; Proverbs 25



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Every Child God Defeats This Evil World

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Every Child God
Defeats
This Evil World


Scripture

1 John 5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
 
² We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.
 
³ Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.
 
⁴ For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
 
⁵ And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Observation

Packed! 

This chapter is packed with great stuff for you and me – we have to take time to read and re-read 1 John 5 today. 

It will only take a couple of minutes, but lets give ourselves time to think about what we are reading and reread it a couple of times! 

Read it in a translation that you can easily understand! 

I just read it I am still thinking about it! 

This world is evil and corrupt to the core. Who is the only person that can have victory in this evil world? 

Only a child of God – only those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God! 

We are the only ones that have victory in this “dog eat dog” evil world! And we achieve this victory through our faith!

This great verse was also in today’s Bible reading! 

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3   HCSB 

 Application

Everyday I am engaged in spiritual warfare. Every day is a battle. I have victory through my faith in Jesus Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we have already won the victory because You live in us and You are greater than the one who is in the world. Help me to walk in that victory today. Keep me away from anything that might take Your place in my heart. I pray for those that are sick today and are going through difficult treatments. Give each one of them strength and bring them healing and relief.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5

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I Am The Lord, The God Of All The Peoples Of The World. Is Anything Too Hard For Me?

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I Am The Lord,
The God Of All The Peoples Of The World.
Is Anything Too Hard For Me? 


Scripture

Jeremiah 32

²⁶ Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ²⁷ “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

Observation

It is Tuesday and some of us are already overwhelmed and bummed out!

I know because life has a way of doing that!

If that is the case then this verse is for us!

Nothing is too hard for our God! Nothing!

Broken relationships, a serious life threatening disease or sickness, a death of a loved one, our lack of finances, problems at work, maybe lack of work, and even troubled kids or grandkids – Nothing is too hard for our God! NOTHING!

Pray right now and turn everything over to Him. Surrendering first your life to Him, asking Jesus to be your Lord and your Savior, and then as one of God’s children turn everything else that overwhelms us over to Him.

Got it … then do it … and … do it right now

Application

I will trust in my All-Powerful God to take care of every detail of my life. How about You?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I agree with Jeremiah when he prayed,  “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” So many things going on in the lives of so many people that I care about and I cannot do anything to fix their problems. I can’t fix them, but Lord I can give them to You in prayer. I can pray for each one of them. And I can put them in Your hands and in Your care because there is not anything too hard for You. So I will pray with confidence knowing that You hear me and I know that You will give me what I ask for. 

You have given me that promise:

    And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. [15] And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 31,32; 1 John 4

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You Will Always Have Everything You Need And Plenty Left Over To Share With Others.

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You Will Always
Have Everything You Need
And Plenty Left Over To Share With Others.



Scripture

2 Corinthians 9

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Observation

Generosity! “God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give--large or small--will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38

You and I are most like God when we are generous with our money that God has loaned to us!

Everything we have is His and He did not loan it to us for us to hoard it on ourselves!

This week – will we be stingy or generous – will we plant a few seeds or will we plant generously?

 Application

I am going to get Kathy to give me a $10 dollar bill and I am going to look for a way to bless someone with it! Maybe I will get 2 $5 Starbuck gift cards to give away! How about you? Stingy or Generous this week?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, show me ways to be generous this week. Help me to be a cheerful giver. Help me to be more concerned for the person that You place in my path than anything else this week. Help me to live out John 3:30 “He must increase but I must decrease”. Help me to be more generous with what You have allowed us to be stewards over. I want to be a cheerful giver!

   

 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 28,29,30; 1 John 3; Psalm 22, Psalm 122, Proverbs 22; 2 Corinthians 9

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Those Who Say They Live In God Should Live Their Lives As Jesus Did.

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Those Who Say
They Live In God
Should Live Their Lives As Jesus Did.





Scripture

1 John 2

6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Observation

Hypocrites!

Yes, those rascals kept my father-in-law from church for most of his life. Kathy’s Dad, Clayton Bearden saw men from the church doing things that were morally and ethically wrong and yet on Sundays these men acted “Holy” and “Dignified”.

But wait a minute … you and I are sometimes “Hypocrites” too. And when is that you may ask? When we live a life on Sunday that doesn’t match our conduct Monday through Saturday!

It is true. When our lives don’t match the life of the Master, we cause people to stumble.

Our children look up to us. Our grandchildren need to see Jesus in us. Our coworkers and our neighbors don’t need to see a contradiction in our lives. No what they need to see in us is Jesus!

You and I need to live our lives as Jesus did. Here is the test: Is what I am doing something that would please Jesus? Will it bring Him glory?

If the answer is “no” then don’t do it!

 Application

I want to live my life as Jesus did. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are Holy and You have called me to be holy too. I know that You want me to live my life as Jesus did. Help me to do just that. Keep me away from stupid sins. Help me to confess my sins as soon as I commit them. Don’t let me be a stumbling block to my children, my grandchildren, or anyone else. I pray for those who are sick. Give them strength today. Heal their bodies. Show them Your Power. Help them to trust in You through the storm in their life. Nothing is too hard for You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 21,24,27; Psalms 118; 1 John 2

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May God Be Merciful And Bless Us. May His Face Smile With Favor On Us.

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May God Be
Merciful And Bless Us.
May His Face Smile With Favor On Us.


Scripture

Psalm 67

1 May God be merciful and bless us.
    May his face smile with favor on us.

Observation

Many times when I don’t know specifically how to pray for you I ask God to bless you. I ask God to smile on you with His favor.

You see I know from God’s stories in His Word that when His children pray a blessing on someone we know that God loves to respond.

If you want to pray for me and Kathy and you don’t know any specific need that we may have then please pray for God’s face to smile with favor on us.

That is plenty good enough for me! How about you? 

 Application

When I pray for those that read this blog I will pray Psalm 67:1 over them. How about you? Will you ask God to bless someone today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Every morning as I read Your Word You speak to me. Thank You for giving me the privilege of praying for others. Thank You that I can ask You to bless people and smile with Your favor on them and You are happy to answer my prayer. I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog be merciful and bless them. May Your face smile with Your favor on each one of them. You are so good to us. We do not deserve Your kindness. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 48,49; Psalms 67; 1 John 1

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As For You, Follow Me

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As For
You,
Follow Me

Scripture

John 21

²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

²² Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” ²³ So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Observation

Why do we always want to worry about what someone else gets to do, is doing, or are not doing?

I don’t know the answer but Simon Peter had the same problem!

It is easy for me to look at others and what they are doing and think to myself and say to the Lord, “Well what about them Lord?”

His reply to me comes in verse 22 when Jesus says to Peter, “What is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

God’s calling on my life and His calling on your life is unique. His plan for my life is not the same as it is for yours. His orders are: Follow me! Keep your eyes on me!

Don’t be envious of what others are getting to do! In fact, rejoice that they are getting to do it!

Application

I will try hard to keep my eyes on Jesus and not on stuff that doesn’t matter. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have to admit that it is easy for me to look around and think that I am missing out on some things. The truth is that I am very blessed. I have had the opportunity to experience more than most people will ever get to experience! You have been so good to me. I am blessed. Help me not to whine or feel sorry for myself or be concerned with how You are blessing those around me. Help me to rejoice with others when they have something to rejoice about. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 45,46,47; Psalms 105; John 21

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“Put Your Finger Here, And Look At My Hands. Put Your Hand Into The Wound In My Side. Don’t Be Faithless Any Longer. Believe!”

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“Put Your Finger Here, And Look At My Hands.
Put Your Hand Into The Wound In My Side.
Don’t Be Faithless Any Longer. Believe!”



Scripture

John 20

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Observation

What will it take for you to believe? 

Not every person that takes time to read this blog is a believer in Jesus Christ. Maybe you are a skeptic, a doubter, like Thomas! 

Thomas had made the statement earlier that he wasn’t going to believe that Jesus had come back to life unless, “I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 

A week later after Thomas had made that statement Jesus suddenly appeared and said to him, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

 What will it take for you to believe? 

God is doing so many wonderful things in the lives of the people that I have been praying for. 

Maybe you are one of those people! 

Proverbs 3:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. 

Romans 10:9-10 

    That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

Application

I will continue to pray for people asking God to transform their lives. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are doing so much. So many people are responding to You and to Your calling on their lives. Thank you for working so powerfully in their lives. I am so grateful. Don’t let me miss what You are doing. I want to be able to thank You. I pray for healing for those close to me that are struggling with health issues. Show them that they can trust in You. I pray for any skeptics, any doubters that may be reading this blog. Open up their spiritual eyes so they can see Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 26,35,36; John 20

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Grandchildren Are The Reward Of Old People

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Grandchildren
Are The Reward
Of Old People


Scripture

Proverbs 17

6 Grandchildren are the reward of old people. And children are proud of their parents.

Observation

Kathy and I had a good chuckle this morning when I read this verse to her in several different translations.

I liked this translation because it called us “old people”! For us “old people” our grandchildren do make our day!

We have 10 grandchildren and we don’t get to see them nearly as much as we would like. But we have the best grandchildren in the world and we love it when we do get to see them.

We took Amelie (our youngest granddaughter who is almost 3) to the library yesterday and we laughed when she decided that the place was way too quiet and she to let out a few shouts/screams of joy!

She couldn’t understand and got her feelings hurt when Grandpa got on to her and told her Shhhhh!

Grandchildren are definitely the reward for us “old people”!

The second part of the verse is our desire and our hope! Kathy and I want to live out our lives in a way that makes our children proud of us. Hope that is your goal too!

Application

I will enjoy my grandkids when we get to see them. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for our grandchildren Lyric, Hayley, Chloe, Liliana, Bub, Sierra, Louie, Alyssa, Tori, and Amelie. And I pray for their parents too! Don’t let us miss any opportunities to enjoy time with them. I pray that all of them will be drawn to a close relationship with You. Work in their hearts and help them to put their trust in You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 23,24,25; John 19, Psalm 17, Psalm 117, Proverbs 17

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As Jesus Said “I AM He,” They All Drew Back And Fell To The Ground!

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As Jesus Said
“I AM He,”
They All Drew Back And Fell To The Ground!

Scripture

John 18

⁴ Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
⁵ “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) ⁶ As Jesus said, “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!

Observation

What is your favorite picture of Jesus? 

This is one of my most favorites found in John 18! 

When I see pictures of Jesus that people have painted with Him looking weak and slightly feminine I think about how unlike those pictures reflect the Jesus pictured in John 18! 

Read John 18 and you will see just what I am talking about! It seemed like everyone else was in charge of the situation that night of His arrest. 

Judas, the Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers, even Simon Peter as he whacked off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. Everybody thought they were in charge! 

But all Jesus had to do was say these three words and everyone fell to the ground in fear, He said, “I AM he!” A cohort of soldiers, around 500 men with swords and spears all fell backwards to the ground when Jesus said, “I AM he.” 

The situation looked bleak. It looked desperate. It didn’t look good at all for Jesus. But Jesus was totally in charge. He voluntarily allowed them to arrest Him. He could have called down 12 legions of Angels to rescue Him. 

Your situation and my situation may not look good at the moment. 

The circumstances that we find ourselves in may not be good at all, but if we are followers of Jesus Christ, we can rest assured that He is in control of what happens in our lives! He is in control!

Application

Jesus is totally in charge of every detail of my life. How about your life? Who is in control?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ died for me. He came to this earth to live a sinless life and then die as a Perfect Sacrifice for my sins. I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog today that has not yet trusted in Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior. Help them to believe. Help them to put all of their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I pray for those who are going through difficult times. Show them that they can trust in You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalms 112; John 18

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As The Clay Is In The Potter’s Hand, So Are You In My Hand.

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As The Clay
Is In The Potter’s Hand,
So Are You In My Hand.

Scripture

Jeremiah 18

6 … As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Isaiah 64:8

And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. 

Isaiah 29:16

16 How foolish can you be?
    He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!
Should the created thing say of the one who made it,
    “He didn’t make me”?
Does a jar ever say,
    “The potter who made me is stupid”? 

Observation

Who do we think we are?

Don’t we realize, don’t we know, that we are not Creators but you and I are the ones that have been “created”?

Just look at a new born baby – I saw a new born at church today and her beautiful delicate life shouts out to everyone what a Wonderful Creator God we serve!

God created us and we are His masterpiece!

He is the Potter and we are the clay. Hear this – God wants to use you and He wants to use me to change our world! I am in 100%! How about you?

Application

You are the Potter Lord and I am the clay. I want you to use me Lord to change my world. How about you? Will you surrender your life to Him and let God use you?

And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. John 17:3

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I recognize that You are the Potter and I am just clay. Mold me and make me into someone that You can use to further Your kingdom. Don’t let me do stupid things, stupid sins that mess me up and cause me to make You sad. 

I thank You for the men at our church who are making changes in their lives so that they can bring You honor and glory. Thank You for the men that are sacrificing to be in church on Sundays with their family. Don’t let anything keep them from putting You first in their lives. Bless them Lord. Show them that they can put You first and You will meet every need in their life. Show them just what a Great God they serve!

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 18,19,20; Psalms 93; John 17

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Blessed Are Those Who Trust In The LORD And Have Made The LORD Their Hope And Confidence.

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Blessed Are Those
Who Trust In The LORD
And Have Made The LORD Their Hope And Confidence.

Scripture

Jeremiah 17

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
⁸ They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.

Observation

Blessed and highly favored are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence!

What are they like?

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.

What else would you and I put our trust in - our government, our bank account, our health, and our investments? I say “no way”.

I want to be like a tree planted along a riverbank. How about you? 

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God.  But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

Application

I will put my trust in the LORD! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be like a tree planted along a riverbank. I want to be productive. I want the things that I do to prosper. My trust, my faith, my confidence, and my hope are all in You! 


Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 16,17; Psalms 96; John 16


> If you are reading this simple blog this morning you are an encouragement to me!

> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.

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For Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing

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For Apart
From Me
You Can Do Nothing

Scripture

John 15

⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

Observation

Let’s look back on our lives and think about this passage! What have we really accomplished that matters?

Jesus compares our lives to that of a branch in a vineyard. If we stay connected to the Vine then we will bear much fruit. If we are not connected to the Vine (Jesus) we can do “nothing”.

Jesus is the Vine. Are you and I connected?

If we are connected to Jesus Christ by faith and we walk in a close relationship to Him by obeying what He says in His Word then John 15:7 is a promise we can count on!

“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” John 15:7

I think knowing this one verse should be motivation enough for us to repent of any known sin and live our lives in a way that pleases Jesus!

¹⁰ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ¹³ There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command.  John 15:10-14

Application

I choose to live for Jesus Christ today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire today to live in close relationship to You. Don’t let any sin mess that up. Show me anything that does not please You so I can confess it. I want to be able to count on what You say in John 15:7.  I want to be able to ask for anything in Jesus’ name and know that You are going to say, “Yes” to my requests. You are my Father. I can come to You with complete trust and I know that You are watching out for me. Help those that may be reading this blog today to trust You with all of their hearts. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 13,14,15; John 15



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