LORD, If You Kept A Record Of Our Sins, Who, O Lord, Could Ever Survive?

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LORD, If You Kept A Record Of Our Sins,
Who, O Lord,
Could Ever Survive? 


 Scripture

Psalm 130

¹ From the depths of despair, O Lord,
    I call for your help.
² Hear my cry, O Lord.
    Pay attention to my prayer.
³ Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
    who, O Lord, could ever survive?
⁴ But you offer forgiveness,
    that we might learn to fear you.

Observation

You and I are sinners! God offers us forgiveness through the death of His One and only Son Jesus Christ on the cross. 

You and I must turn from sin and self and turn to God (repent) and we must receive the forgiveness that Jesus paid for with His death on the cross. 

If you have never asked Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of your life then you have never received God’s offer of forgiveness. 

Jesus said in Luke 13:5, “… and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”
When you and I place our faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us we receive Eternal Life and God’s gift of forgiveness! 

At nineteen I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and I asked Him to come into my life and save me. He did. 

My life has never been the same since that day. I am still a sinner, but I have been forgiven!

What is holding you back? Talk to Him right now and ask Him to save you. Cry out to the Lord. He will hear your prayer. 

 Application

I will share the Good News that Jesus saves to everyone that will listen! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will pray Psalm 30 back to You this morning:

¹ I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
    You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
² O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you restored my health.
³ You brought me up from the grave, O Lord.
    You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
⁴ Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
    Praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

Daily Bible Reading:  Zechariah 7,8,9; Luke 13, Psalm 30, Psalm 130; Proverbs 30



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Life Is Not Measured By How Much You Own

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Life
Is Not Measured
By How Much You Own

Scripture

Luke 12

15 …”Life is not measured by how much you own.”

¹⁶ Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. ¹⁷ He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

²¹ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

²² Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. ²⁴ Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! ²⁵ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁶ And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
 
³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Observation

Let’s not be a fool! Life is not measured by how much stuff you and I own!

This rich fool stored up all of his riches in barns for himself and thought he could just sit back and eat, drink, and be merry!

What a fool!

Jesus tells us in verse twenty-one how we should measure whether we are successful or not – do we have a rich relationship with God?

Let’s not be fools! Wherever our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

So whether you are trusting in hundreds of billions of dollars, hundreds of millions, hundreds of thousands, or just hundreds – you my friend are a fool!

Application

I will seek the Kingdom of God above all else. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t know how long I have on this planet. I do know that I have fewer days or fewer hours than I did yesterday. Help me make the best use of my time. Don’t let me be a fool. Help those reading this blog have a rich relationship with You. It is what I desire. You know my heart. I want to grow closer everyday to You. Keep me away from stupid sins that mess my relationship up with You. Remind me all the time what is important in life and what is not. Don’t let me get sidetracked and distracted with things that are not important to You. 

Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 4,5,6; Luke 12

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Keep On Asking, Keep On Seeking, Keep On Knocking!

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Keep On Asking,
Keep On Seeking,
Keep On Knocking!


Scripture

Luke 11

⁹ “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹ “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? ¹² Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! ¹³ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Observation

We have a Heavenly Father that sacrificed His One and only Son on a cross for us. He cares that much for us. We can go to Him in prayer knowing that He will answer us. He has our back. Jesus told us that we should pray and never give up. 

We should be persistent in prayer with confidence! Think about this, if God answered us immediately every time we asked Him for something that would require little or no faith on our part. 

“ Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. … And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise.” Romans 4:18-20

Our Heavenly Father knows best and He knows exactly when and how to answer our prayers.
“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16

Application

I will keep on asking, seeking, knocking in prayer and I will not give up! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am holding on to Your Promises. I refuse to give up. Give me the faith of Abraham. May my faith grow stronger and stronger just like it did Abraham’s life. I am blessed. I have a personal relationship with You, the Creator of the Universe. You know everything that I need. And I know that You want to answer my prayers. Help me to keep my prayers focused on the needs of those around me. I know that You heal and that You give Eternal Life in response to my prayers and the prayers of others. You answer our prayers because it brings You Glory and Honor. You are All-Powerful! Nothing is too hard for You. You are Faithful. You always keep Your Promises. 



Daily Bible Reading:  Zechariah 1,2,3; Luke 11



> 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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So Pray To The Lord Who Is In Charge Of The Harvest

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So Pray
To The Lord
Who Is In Charge Of The Harvest

Scripture

Luke 10

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. ² These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.

Observation

Are you on someone’s “Impossible list”? You could very well be!

You see if you are not attending church and not growing closer in your relationship with God you could very well be on someone’s “Impossible List”!

Somebody could be praying for you!

Someone could be asking the Lord to send people into your life that will help you move you closer to Him.

Maybe just maybe you are on my “Impossible List”!

Here is a very important truth that I don’t want us to miss, “There is nothing wrong with the harvest – it is great and it is plentiful – the problem is not with the harvest, the problem is having enough workers to bring in the harvest.

The solution is PRAYER! Yes! Praying to the Lord … who is in charge of the harvest!

Be ready for a change in your life because I am praying for you! 

 Application

I will keep praying for those on my “Impossible List”. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You are constantly at work in the lives of those that I am praying for. And I know that You have told me in Your Word that I should never stop praying for those that You bring into my life.

I pray for anyone reading this blog that may still be struggling with surrendering his or her life to You. Show them that they can trust and put their faith in You. Open up his or her spiritually eyes. Open up their hearts. Help them to turn from sin and selfish living and turn to You. I pray for their salvation right now. Give them boldness and the courage to say, “yes” to You.

I pray today for my son Tim on his birthday. Bless Him Lord. Show Him how to live a victorious Christian life. Guide his steps. Give him the desires of his heart. Answer all of his prayers and make all of his plans successful!

Daily Bible Reading:  Haggai 1,2; Psalms 129; Luke 10



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If Any Of You Wants To Be My Follower, You Must Give Up Your Own Way, Take Up Your Cross Daily, And Follow Me.

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If Any Of You Wants To Be My Follower,
You Must Give Up Your Own Way,
Take Up Your Cross Daily, And Follow Me. 


Scripture

Luke 9

23 … “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁵ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

Observation

What Jesus is telling us is that we need to put to death our own plans and desires, and then turn our lives over to Him and do His will every day. 

If we are unwilling and if we are still trying to justify questionable behavior or if we have friends and family pointing out harmful habits, but we refuse to change … then we are refusing to take up our cross! 

As Dr. Waylon B. Moore reminded us in a sermon two Sunday’s ago – “our cross is portable - we can pick it up and we can lay it down.”

Is Christ the master of my life? Have I put to death my own plans and committed myself to His will for my life? 

Don’t be satisfied with anything less, for there is no greater joy in life than following Christ every day.

Application

I will take up my cross and I will follow Jesus. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart. I want to live for You. I want to bring You glory by the way I live. Show me how to take up my cross. Guide and direct my life. Show me what Your will for my life is this week. Show me Your will for today. I want to follow You.

I pray for men that are at a cross road in their life. You are calling them to take up their cross. They are struggling with the old life, with old habits and addictions. Give them the power and strength to let those old habits go. Give them the ability to follow You with all of their heart and all of their might. I want to see their lives changed Lord. Change them. Empower them to walk in victory. Empower them to put You first!

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezra 4; Psalms 113; Psalms 127; Luke 9

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My Problems Go From Bad To Worse. Oh, Save Me From Them All!

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My Problems
Go From Bad To Worse.
Oh, Save Me From Them All!

Scripture

Psalm 25

¹⁷ My problems go from bad to worse.
    Oh, save me from them all!
¹⁸ Feel my pain and see my trouble.
    Forgive all my sins.

Observation

King David, even though we tend to think of him only as the victorious giant slayer, experienced one problem right after another.

Some of course were his fault but most of them were not.

Life for you and me is not problem free either and on some days those problems just go from bad to worse!

David did what you and I need to do when we are overwhelmed with life and everything that it throws at us, he prayed! He confidently asked God for help! David prayed, “Feel my pain Lord and see my trouble and forgive all my sins.”

That my friend is a very good prayer for you and me to pray when life is about to take us under!

Application

I will take all of my problems to the Lord. He will save me from them all.

Prayer

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-7

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezra 2,3; Luke 8; Psalm 25, Psalm 125; Proverbs 25

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“Your Sins Are Forgiven”

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“Your
Sins
Are Forgiven”

Scripture

Luke 7

⁴¹ Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. ⁴² But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

“That’s right,” Jesus said.  

⁴⁴ Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

⁴⁷ “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” ⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Observation

Anger… Rage… Hate… Violence…It is all we read about and all we hear about when we read the newspaper or turn on the television. Brokenness … Humility …  Peace .. and Forgiveness … and Love is what I hear about when I go to church, and everyday when I read my Bible! 

I can’t imagine what my life would be like without the latter two! I know that I could do without the newspaper and the television! Forgiveness is a gift. Have you received God’s gift of forgiveness?

The woman that was kneeling at Jesus’ feet was a sinner. In brokenness she humbled herself wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair and with the tears of a repentant heart, then she anointed his feet with expensive perfume. Nothing was going to stop her from showing her great love for Christ!

Our love relationship with Jesus Christ – Is it hot or cold? – Is it lukewarm?  – Are we just going through the motions? Maybe even playing church? … Or do we really love our Lord? How are we showing it? What are we doing (because in doing it we bring glory and honor to Christ) or what have we decided not to do (because by doing it we bring dishonor or by doing it we bring no glory to Christ)!

I used to drink alcohol when I first became a Christian and I used to chew 2 packs of chewing tobacco (Red Man) a day. Neither of those 2 things brought any honor or glory to the Lord and the Holy Spirit let me know it. It has been over 45 years ago since I let those 2 things go and you know I have done just fine without them.

“But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”  

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

 Application

I will try my best to show my love for Jesus by the way I live my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for gifting me forgiveness and giving me Eternal Life. I am a sinner. I don’t deserve Your love. Thank You for loving me. Thank You Lord for allowing me to experience the abundant life that You promised Your followers in John 10:10.

I pray for those that do not know what they are missing. Those who are close to me that just struggle and struggle with life when all they need to do is humble themselves and seek Your forgiveness.

I pray that their spiritual eyes would be open so they can enjoy life like I have been able to enjoy it. Help them to humble themselves and turn to You. Whatever it takes Lord for them to have a relationship with You I pray … whatever it takes!

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezra 1; Psalms 84,85; Luke 7

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What You Say Flows From What Is In Your Heart

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What You Say
Flows
From What Is In Your Heart

Scripture

Luke 6

⁴⁵ A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Observation

Have you ever had someone say to you, “Oh, I know they said that but they didn’t really mean it”? Or maybe someone has said to you, “I know they said that but they are not really like that.” 

Baloney! 

What is in your heart and what is in my heart comes out through our mouths! 

That is why we need to learn to say these 3 phrases: I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me? 

Put this verse on your refrigerator, “Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

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

“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12

“Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.” Psalm 51:10

Application

I will guard my heart. I will ask for forgiveness when ugly, hurtful things come out of my mouth because of my sinful heart. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart. Help me to be careful with the words that come out of my mouth. Create in me a new clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.    May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Proverbs 12:18 Psalm 51:10, Psalm 19:14 (Personalized)

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Daniel 11,12; Luke 6

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But If You Say So

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But
If
You Say So

Scripture

Luke 5

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”  

⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

Observation

I love this story!

Take a minute and read Luke 5 maybe it will become one of your favorites too!

Obedience is the key to living a victorious Christian life.

This was a test for Jesus’ followers. Would they be obedient to His Word?

They were the fishermen and He was a carpenter. … But He would show them that He was more than a carpenter – He would show them that He is God!

Last night some of the guys in our men’s small group came straight from work. They were probably tired and hungry. They didn’t have time to change out of their work clothes.

They didn’t have time to go home and get a shower and clean up. One of them has to fight traffic from his work place in St. Pete and yet he never misses a Wednesday!

These guys are modeling what Jesus wants all of us to learn! Obedience – whether we feel like it or not! It is the key to living a victorious Christian life!

What step of obedience is Jesus asking you and me to take? 

 “…Blessed are those who hear God’s word and obey it.”  Luke 11:28

Application

I will strive to be obedient to what I know God has asked me to do. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You more than anyone else know how selfish I am. You know how easy it is for me to do what I want to do rather than seek Your guidance. Help me to pray first. Help me to be obedient. Help me make You smile!

I pray for the guys that are coming to our men’s group. Help these men live godly lives. Help them make good choices this week. Give them a desire to be in Your Word. Help them to be the best husbands, the best fathers, and I pray that people will see Jesus in them.

Daily Bible Reading:  Daniel 9,10; Psalms 123; Luke 5

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Jesus Was Tempted By The Devil For Forty Days.

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Jesus
Was Tempted
By The Devil For Forty Days. 



Scripture

Luke 4

4 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.

³ Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’

⁵ Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. ⁷ I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”

⁸ Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’

⁹ Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! ¹⁰ For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.

¹¹ And they will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’

¹² Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’

Observation

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan for 40 days and probably most days after that!

Don’t kid yourself if you think Satan and his demons are going to leave us alone. You and I are going to be tempted to compromise our faith.

When you and I are tempted and when we yield to that temptation and sin, sadly, we then often times try to justify our action by saying to ourselves and even to others “this is not a problem for me.” I can handle it!

What a lie straight out of the pit of Hell!

Jesus used scripture to respond back to each temptation that Satan put before Him and we had better do the same thing.

Let’s quit trying to justify and/or hide our sin. Let’s memorize scripture that will help us withstand the fiery darts of the devil.

He is coming to mess you up. He wants to destroy you and your family.

Let’s arm ourselves with the Word of God!

 Are you struggling with a temptation and it is constantly on your mind? Check these verses out:

1 Peter 5:6-9

⁶ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
 
⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.

Application

I will fight the devil’s temptations with the Word of God. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that greater is He that lives in me than he that is in this world. Even knowing that fact I am still tempted to sin. Give me strength not to yield to the temptations around me. Don’t let me compromise my faith. Help me to stand firm and help me to be strong in my faith!

I pray for others who are struggling with temptation and are trying to justify yielding to the temptation. Open their eyes so that they can clearly see the destruction that yielding and sinning will bring. Open their eyes Lord. Open their eyes and give them strength. Help them to stand firm and to be strong in their faith.

Daily Bible Reading:  Daniel 7,8; Psalms 137; Luke 4

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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. 




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

Totally helpless! Have you ever felt like that?

I don’t know about you, but there are times, lots of them, when I feel this way as I try to help people. I feel totally helpless.

And maybe you have felt this same way too!

God knew that we would feel this way. He has the solution for us and it is called “intercession”.

God doesn’t expect us to fix everyone’s problems, but He does expect us to pray for them. He has given me and He has given you if you are a Christ-Follower the ministry of intercession.

He wants us to rely on Him and He wants us to pray for those that He brings into our lives.

During the night last night I was constantly praying for a couple who desperately need God’s help. I can’t fix them, but I can lift them up to my God who can.

I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His Word. I long for the LORD …

You and I are not helpless. We have direct access to the King of Kings! Nothing is too hard for Him! 

 Romans 8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. …”

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. 1 Timothy 2:1 (MESSAGE)

“And you are helping us by praying for us. …” 2 Corinthians 1:11a

Application

I will not give up praying for those that God places on my heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when things look really gloomy for those around me I know that I can lift them up to You in prayer. I know that You hear me. I know that nothing is too hard for You. I can’t do it. I can’t fix people, but I know that You can. Please do what I can’t do. Bring healing into broken relationships. Bring people back to a right relationship with You and with each other. Don’t let Satan get the victory in their lives. Transform them Lord. Transform them. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Daniel 5,6; Psalms 130; Luke 3



> 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.

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

I Bring You Good News That Will Bring Great Joy To All People.

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I Bring You Good News
That Will
Bring Great Joy To All People.


Scripture

Luke 2

⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

 ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Observation

Good News! You will not find much Good News these days watching TV or reading the Newspaper! 

No, the News, the Headlines are all filled with news of terror bombings, murders, storms, or idiotic statements from our so-called leaders running for president. (Was that too harsh?) 

Do you want some really good news this Monday morning? “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11) 

The Bible is full of Good News! It is full of hope! 

You and I just need to read it. 

We need to hold on to every promise that God has placed in His Word for us. 

Let’s take time today to read some of God’s Good News! 

Let’s let it change our lives!

Application

I will focus on the Good News I find in God’s Word. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I never get tired of the Christmas story. It is filled with awe and wonder. It is amazing to think that You would leave Heaven and come down to live as a Human being and die a sinner’s death on a cross for someone like me. It is amazing. Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to hear the Good News about Jesus and for allowing me to become one of Your children. I don’t deserve Your love. I don’t deserve Your forgiveness. You are a God of mercy and grace to save someone like me!

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 47,48; Luke 2; Psalm 20, Psalm 120; Proverbs 20



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How Can I Know All The Sins Lurking In My Heart?

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How Can
I Know
All The Sins Lurking In My Heart? 

Scripture

Psalm 19

¹² How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

¹³ Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.

Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.

Observation

Sin!

That one word will probably keep you from reading anything else that I write in this blog!

Our Sunday School lesson this morning is titled, “One Great Problem” and the main point of the lesson is “Without Christ we are condemned forever.”

God has a purpose for you and for me. It is to bring Him glory and grow in our relationship with Him. Sin is what keeps messing us up!

You and I are sinners!

But what caught my attention as I was reading this chapter was the word “lurking” and that is what I want us to think about this morning.

I Googled the word “lurking” and here is what I found, “remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something”.

Lurking in our hearts, hidden waiting to ambush us and destroy us is sin!

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11

Because “Sin” likes to hide in our hearts we should intentionally hide God’s word in our hearts so sin doesn’t have any room in our hearts to hide! 

Ephesians 1:7

    He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven.

Application

I will guard my heart and I will confess my sins and not continue in them. 

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

    “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” 1 John 1:9

Prayer

Heavenly Father, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Don’t let me hold on to sin in my heart. Show me when I sin and help me to confess it. I don’t want it lurking in my heart where it can destroy me. Don’t let me do stupid sins that mess up my relationship with You and my relationship with those around me. 

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 45,46; Luke 1; Psalm 19, Psalm 119, Proverbs 19



> 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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The Lord Protects Those Of Childlike Faith

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The Lord
Protects
Those Of Childlike Faith


Scripture

Psalm 116

⁶ The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
    I was facing death, and he saved me.

Observation

What kind of faith do you have? Are you a skeptic? 

It is easy, as we grow older to become more and more skeptical! Most people that trust in Christ as their Savior began to trust Him when they were young. 

The older a person gets the more he or she seems to harden their hearts against believing and trusting in Jesus Christ for their salvation. 

But thank goodness there are exceptions! 

Maybe you are one of the exceptions, or maybe just maybe God is speaking to your heart right now and you are ready to exercise “childlike faith”. 

Here is the truth: 

God loves you. He has a wonderful plan for your life. Jesus Christ did die on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and my sins. 

It is the truth. 

If you will trust in Christ and accept what He did on the cross for you and repent (turn from your sins and turn to God) you will have Eternal Life and you will have an abundant life here on planet Earth! It takes “childlike faith”. 

“… For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:116-17

 “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

Application

I will not stop praying for those who still need to place their faith and their trust in Jesus Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You are at work in the lives of every person reading this simple blog. Some of them need the “childlike faith” to trust in You. I pray that You soften their hearts so they can see and understand Your plan for their lives. I pray for their salvation. Give them the boldness, the courage, and the childlike faith to declare Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives. Please don’t let them die in unbelief.

I pray for my daughter Jenny today on her birthday. I pray for her family. Bless them Lord. May Jenny trust You with all of her heart and depend on You for every detail of her life. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 40,41; Psalms 128; Revelation 21; Psalm 16, Psalm 116; Proverbs 16

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The LORD Always Keeps His Promises

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The LORD
Always
Keeps His Promises


Scripture

Psalms 145

¹³ For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
    You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
    he is gracious in all he does.

Observation

 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. {2 Corinthians 1:20} 

I heard someone say that there are over 3,000 promises in God’s Word. How many of them do we know? 

What are some of your favorites? 

It is so important to be in God’s Word everyday. We need to cling to His promises. 

Why? Because unlike you and me God keeps every promise He makes! Take a minute and share one of your favorite promises with us in the comment section!

Here is one of my favorites, 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Application

I will strive to be a person of integrity and do what I promise. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for every promise in Your Word. Thank You for keeping every one of them. Help me to be a person of integrity. Help me be someone that people can trust. Don’t let me make excuses when I mess up. Help me to be transparent to those around me. I pray for those that are going through difficult times right now. Show them that they can trust You and that they can hold on to all of Your promises during this tough time. Give them strength. Give them faith. Help them to believe and count on everything that You have said in Your Word.

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 38,39; Psalms 145; Revelation 20

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Son Of Man, Can These Bones Become Living People Again?

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Son Of Man,
Can These Bones
Become Living People Again? 


Scripture

Ezekiel 37 

The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. ² He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. ³ Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”

“O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”

⁴ Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! ⁵ This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! ⁶ I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

⁷ So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. ⁸ Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.

⁹ Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”

¹⁰ So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.

Observation

Hope! 

When I pray for some of you and what you are going through I pray with the confidence found in passages like this one in Ezekiel 37 or the description of Jesus Christ found in Revelation 19!
My God is All-Powerful! Nothing is too hard for Him to do! 

I was reminded of Romans 8:11 when I read this passage. 

God is so powerful!  

“The Spirit of the God who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies. He will do this because of his Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11

What are you going through? 

If you and I are Christ followers, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, if our names are written in the Lambs book of life, then the Spirit of God that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, that same Holy Spirit that gave life to these “dry bones” will take care of you and He will take care of me. 

Be encouraged this morning with these verses found in Romans 8, 

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.  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 8:26-28

Application

I will pray boldly and I will pray with confidence knowing that my God hears me and He wants to give me the desires of my heart. How about you? How will you pray?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You can take “dry bones” and breathe life back into them. You are All-Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You. Nothing is impossible for You. I pray for those facing things that are “impossible” today. Give them strength. Help them to trust You in spite of what they are facing. Do a supernatural work in their lives. Don’t let them lose hope. Increase their faith today! I pray that You become the most important Person in their life, more important than anything or anyone else!

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 36,37; Psalms 110; Revelation 19

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