We Can Make Our Plans But The LORD Determines Our Steps

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We Can
Make Our Plans
But The LORD Determines Our Steps




Scripture

Proverbs 16
⁹ We can make our plans,
    but the Lord determines our steps.

Observation

Has your life turned out the way you thought it would? I doubt that it has. I know that mine sure has not.

Kathy and I have had some real detours and have encountered some major surprises. But I do believe and I am firmly convinced that in all of our circumstances the Lord has still determined our steps.

We are not going to whine, gripe or complain. In spite of some big bumps and major potholes along this road called life we are very blessed. How about you?

I am holding on to Romans 8:28 as I bump along. What verse or verses are you holding on to that will get you through the next crisis, the next storm or even the next sinkhole?

In fact, every morning as I read God’s Word I am holding on tighter than ever before to every truth and every promise that I read.

They are my hope! They are my strength! They will get me through!

Are you going through a rough time? Are you experiencing things that you never ever thought about experiencing? Don’t give up! Trust Him! Hold on!

He will walk us through these troubled waters. How do I know? God had told me in His Word.

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.

John 16
³³ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Application

I will hold on. I will never give up.

Romans 8:28

    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.

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I write this blog I am very much aware that some friends and some of my family reading this are experiencing some very difficult things in life. Some are very sick or have loved ones that are very sick. For some the whole world seems to have caved in all around them. I pray for them Lord. Right now I pray for them. Give them strength. Help them to hold on. Help them to remain faithful. Help them to draw close to You. Take care of them Lord. Show them Your Power, Your Love, and show them that they can trust in You!

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 16,17,18; Romans 12

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Opening Your Mouth Can Ruin Everything

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Opening
Your Mouth
Can Ruin Everything



Scripture

Proverbs 13

3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Observation

Oh this is so true! 

If I would just keep my mouth shut … but I don’t … and I end up messing up everything. 

Is this a problem for you too or is it just Eddy? 

For me, controlling my tongue, what I say and how I say it (the tone of my voice) is a 24/7 job! 

You and I can make excuses for this bad behavior, but to be honest, there is no excuse!


Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 15:4
Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 17:27
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Application

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. How about you? (Psalm 19:14)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to keep my mouth shut. When I don’t have something good to say, please help me to keep my mouth shut. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 13,14,15; Romans 11

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Careless Words Stab Like A Sword

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Careless Words
Stab
Like A Sword


 Scripture

Proverbs 12:18
    Careless words stab like a sword,
        but wise words bring healing.

 Observation

“Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a lie right of the pit of Hell! 

Your mean ugly remarks and my mean ugly remarks stab those that love us just like a sword does; those ugly words cut deep and they will destroy our most important relationships. 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like myself after I have hurt Kathy with some stupid unkind idiotic remark. 

Men, lets treat our wives with love and respect. Ladies, lets treat our husbands with love and respect. 

Lets use words of affirmation and praise! Lets use wise words that bring healing that make our wife or your significant other feel loved and valued so they want to be around us. 

You and I are total jerks when we slice and dice people with the words that come out of our mouths.
Put this verse on your refrigerator and memorize it so the next time your significant other rips you apart you can put your fingers in your ears and you can quote Proverbs 12:18 out loud to him or her. Yes, this goes for women too! 

Learn and sincerely use these 3 important phrases often:

1.      I love you.

2.      I am sorry.

3.      Will you forgive me?  And maybe add ... I am such a jerk.

Application

I will be careful with what I say and how I say it. I will treat Kathy with love and respect. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know better than anyone how often my mouth gets me in trouble. Help me to guard what I say and how I say it especially with Kathy who I love the most. Thank You for giving me a wife that will let me know when I am being a jerk without being ugly back to me. Help me to be as nice and kind to her as she is to me.

I pray for anyone reading this blog today that has trouble with his or her mouth. Help them to praise rather than criticize and help them to use wise words that will build their partner up rather than tearing them down. Open up their spiritual eyes so that they can see how destructive their harsh cruel words can be to the one that they love the most!

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 10,11,12; Romans 10

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So Run To Win!

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So Run
To
Win!


Scripture

1 Corinthians 9

²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
 
²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. 

Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Observation

Have you seen the movie “Chariots of Fire”? It is an amazing story about Eric Liddell, runner and later missionary to China. Eric won a gold medal in the Olympic games, but that is the small part of Eric’s story. 

Take a minute to “Google” Eric Liddell and let his life challenge you. 

Eric Liddell made this statement, “And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.” 

This life of faith that we are living is a race and the Power to win it comes from within!

2 Timothy 4:7

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Philippians 2:16

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Hebrews 12:1

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.

Application

I don’t know about you but I want to run it to win it! How about you? Are you in it to win it?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am amazed when I read about Eric Liddell and his commitment to serve and die for you in China. You made him fast, but more important You gave him a heart for the people of China. Show me how to run this race of faith all the way to the finish line. I am in it to win it. Help me to finish well! 

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 7,8,9; Romans 9; Proverbs 28, Psalm 28, Psalm 128; Romans 9

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And We Believers Also Groan, For We Long For Our Bodies To Be Released From Sin And Suffering

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And We Believers Also Groan,
For We Long For Our Bodies
To Be Released From Sin And Suffering



Scripture

Romans 8

18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

28 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.

Observation

What a powerful chapter, one of the most powerful, one of the most wonderful chapters in the Bible – Romans 8! 

I hope you make time to dig into it this morning. Read it slowly and then reread it. Read it in a modern translation of the Bible, maybe even read it in a couple of different translations. 

I picked verse 23 to write about this morning probably because of aches and pains! 

Everyday it seems like a new ache or pain pops up somewhere making me appreciate God’s promise to us that we will be getting a brand new body, an upgraded model that will be pain free and that will never wear out!

But Romans 8 is loaded with so much more … take time to read it for yourself!

…

Romans 8

³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Application

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate me from God’s love. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that my body is wearing out. It reminds me of that every single day. I will be glad to get my new body, one that will never wear out. No more doctors, no more hospitals, no more aches and pains, a perfect body is something to look forward to. I know that all of us are terminal. But I also know that You created me to live forever with You. I know that You are for me. You are on my side. I know that nothing ever touches my life that does not first come through You.  You are my God. You are my Heavenly Father.

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 4,5,6; Romans 8



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The Trouble Is With Me

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The Trouble
Is With
Me





Scripture

Romans 7

¹⁴ So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

Observation

Who have you blamed this week for something that went wrong?

 Blame shifting is so easy and it might make us feel better for a moment, but the problem is not with them, the problem is with “me, myself, and I”.

You and I have a problem and it is us! We are sinners!

The problem lies deep within each one of us! It is a sin problem. What is the answer for this problem? His name is Jesus!

You can pick up on the Apostle Paul’s frustration with his self in chapter 7; you and I share the same frustration. We are sinners.

Can’t wait until tomorrow when I get to read Romans 8!

 Application

I will let God’s Holy Spirit control my mind and my heart. How about you?

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.  Romans 8:6

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Help me to admit that the biggest problem that I face everyday is with myself. My old sinful nature wants to take control and take me where I don’t want to go. Help me and give me the strength to let Your Holy Spirit control my mind and control the direction of my heart. Don’t let me try to blame anyone for anything. Show me what I need to do and help me not worry about what other people need or should be doing. I serve an Audience of One and that One Person is You!

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 1,2,3; Romans 7

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Do Not Let Sin Control The Way You Live

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Do Not Let Sin
Control
The Way You Live


Scripture

1 Kings 10

³ Solomon had answers for all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. ⁴ When the queen of Sheba realized how very wise Solomon was, and when she saw the palace he had built, ⁵ she was overwhelmed.

1 Kings 11

11 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites.
 
² The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.
 
³ He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.

⁴ In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. ⁵ Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.
 
⁶ In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.

⁹ The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. ¹⁰ He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command.
 
¹¹ So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.


Romans 6

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

Observation

King Solomon was the wisest person probably to ever to live on planet earth with the exception of Jesus Christ. Yet, he was so stupid!

God had personally warned Solomon not to worship other gods, but because of his love for his 700 wives and his 300 concubines, they influenced him and he began to worship their gods.

But as amazing as that seems I see men and women doing the same thing today. And if I am not careful I could do the same thing and so could you.

Do not let sin control the way you live … is not a suggestion!

The sin of King David and the sin of King Solomon had terrible consequences and our sins will too  … so let’s not give in to sinful desires!

 Application

I want to finish well. At the end of my life I want the Lord to be able to say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, keep me away from stupid sins, sins that will destroy my life, my witness, and negatively impact those around me. Help me to be wiser than Solomon when it comes to sin. Don’t let me give in to sinful desires that come across my path.

I pray for anyone reading this blog that has allowed him or her to become involved in sin. Set them free Lord. Help them to confess it as sin and turn away from the sin and help them to turn to You. Help them to repent of the sin and turn back to You.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6

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We Can Rejoice, Too, When We Run Into Problems And Trials, For We Know That They Help Us Develop Endurance.

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We Can Rejoice, Too,
When We Run Into Problems And Trials,
For We Know That They Help Us Develop Endurance.


Scripture

Romans 5

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
 
⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
 
⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Observation

Trouble – Trouble – Trouble!

Maybe you have been running into problems and trials lately. Maybe you are overwhelmed at the moment because of all that you are facing or with all that is going on in this crazy world!

Read Romans 5:1-5 and let it sink in. The One who created this Universe and everything in it will one day let me share in His glory because of what Jesus Christ has done for me.

Because of my faith, Christ has brought me into this place of undeserved privilege. And He did that very same thing for you too!

Rejoice; all of these problems are part of the process of making us more and more like Jesus!

 Application

I will rejoice today with the troubles that I have because of my undeserved privilege of having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and what He did for me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the right perspective about life. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. I know that you are teaching me more and more everyday through the trials and troubles that come into my life. I know that You care about every detail of my life and I know that You are on my side.

Bless anyone that reads this blog this morning or today. Give them the strength and faith to endure everything coming at them today. And help them to grow closer to You.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalms 136; Romans 5

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Abraham Believed In The God Who Brings The Dead Back To Life And Who Creates New Things Out Of Nothing

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Abraham Believed In The God
Who Brings The Dead Back To Life
And Who Creates New Things Out Of Nothing



Scripture

Romans 4

17 …Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

¹⁸ Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”

¹⁹ 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.

²⁰ Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
 
²¹ He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Observation

I have put my faith in the God of Abraham, the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. I, like father Abraham, am fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. 

How about you? Have you placed your faith and trust in the God that brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing? If not? Why not? 

This story is in our Bibles to show us just how important having faith and trusting in God is for us.
Abraham’s faith was not just for his benefit. His story is in the Bible for our benefit:

²³ And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded ²⁴ for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:23-25

Application

I am fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I must have faith. I know that when I cannot see Your hand in what is happening around me I must trust Your heart. I know from Hebrews 11:6 “… it is impossible to please You without faith …” Help me to be a man of faith. Give me faith like Abraham’s. Help me even when there is no reason for hope, to keep hoping.

   

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Chronicles 6,7; Psalms 135; Romans 4

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We Are Made Right With God By Placing Our Faith In Jesus Christ

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We Are Made Right
With God
By Placing Our Faith In Jesus Christ


Scripture

Romans 3

²² We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Observation

My friend, what if the Bible is the very Word of God and every word in it is true. Why do you refuse to read and investigate what millions of people, including me have discovered to be true?

Inside the Bible you will find answers to all of your struggles. God didn’t intend for you and I to live life without a relationship with Him. He wants us to depend on and trust in Him. We find out how to have a relationship with Him by reading, hearing, and digging into the Word of God.

Unless you and I place our faith in Jesus Christ, faith in what He did for us on the cross we cannot be saved from the penalty of our sins. The next verse Romans 3:23 tells us that we are all sinners and there is a gap between God and us. And it is a gap that only faith in Jesus Christ can fill.

Only Jesus can take care of that gap!

No matter how good you and I, no matter how hard we try to live perfect lives (which is impossible) there will always be a gap.

We will always fall short of God’s standard. God standard is perfection and only Jesus Christ met that standard.

Jesus wants to take our sinful lives and exchange them for His perfect sinless life and that is why He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross.

Have you been made right with God?

If you aren’t sure where you would spend Eternity when you die why not make it a sure thing right now and surrender your life to Him. You could pray something like this:

Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I know that my sins have separated me from God. I know that there is a gap that only You can fill. Forgive me of all of my sins. I put my faith and my trust in You. Come into my life and be my Lord and my Savior. Thank You for giving me Eternal Life. Amen.

Have you ever prayed a prayer like that? I would love to hear your story! If you haven’t then today is a perfect day to make this life changing decision.

It is the biggest decision of your life! There will never be a decision more important than this one. Don’t put off surrendering another day!

 Application

I will walk by faith this week, trusting in God to take care of me and guide me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that Your Word is 100% reliable and true. I am so grateful that You brought people into my life that challenged me and explained to me the Word of God. 

I pray that You do that very same thing for each and every person that may read this blog. Open up their hearts. Give them courage to investigate the Bible. Put a desire in their hearts to seek out the truth that can only be found in the Bible. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalms 99; Romans 3

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When Did We Ever See You Sick Or In Prison And Visit You?

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When Did We
Ever See You Sick Or In Prison
And Visit You? 

Scripture

Matthew 25

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
 
³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?
 
³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

Observation

Kathy and I are very grateful to the several hundred people who let us know via Facebook that they were praying for us while I was in the hospital dealing with that painful kidney stone. Nothing is more important than taking time to pray for someone! 

It was during my 3 day stay in the hospital that I was reminded by my younger brother Rick how special it is to have someone come see you while you are in the hospital. I told him not to come, after all a kidney stone is not life threatening, but he was going to come by to see me no matter what. 

I think He made Jesus smile!

We do live in a social media world where our relationships are made and lived out via cell phones, text messages and the internet. 

Rick’s visit reminded me once again of the importance of taking time with people face to face. 

I don’t know about you but it is a lesson that I need to be continually reminded of, that we are Jesus’ hands and His feet and when we minister and touch people’s lives and meet people’s needs Jesus says that we are doing it to Him!

Application

I will make the effort to take time with people in need. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me a more sensitive heart with the people around me. Help me to be Your hands and Your feet. Show me needs that I can meet with the people in my circles of influence. Help me to be a good neighbor to the folks in my neighborhood. Open up doors of opportunity for me to help someone in need. Thank You for everyone who prayed for us while I was in the hospital. Bless them Lord. May Your face shine on them with favor!

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2; Matthew 25


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

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


Scripture

Psalm 20

¹ In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
    May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.

Psalm 121

¹ I took my troubles to the Lord;
    I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

Observation

Wednesday afternoon just after I had gotten back home from a prayer/accountability lunch meeting with a group of pastors that I meet with every Wednesday at noon, I started having pain in my left lower abdomen.

I tried to wait to see if it would go away, but before long I was doubled over in pain and told Kathy that I had to go to the ER.

I would put the pain of a kidney stone right up there with the pain of my massive heart attack, only with my heart attack I went unconscious and didn’t have to deal with the pain for very long.

But I am home finally.

Not sure why Kathy and I had to go through this experience, but I can tell you that I did cry out to the Lord and He did answer my prayers.

Thanks to all of you who prayed for me. God is good. All the time!

We had the opportunity to get to know some great nurses while we were at St. Joseph Hospital. Hopefully one of them will visit our church soon!

 Application

In times of trouble I will cry out to the Lord. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing our prayers. I know that my kidney stone didn’t catch You by surprise. Thank You for taking such good care of me. You are good. All the time. You are worthy of praise. Thank You for the caregivers at the hospital. Thank You for the good doctors and good nurses. Bless them Lord. Help them as they serve.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalms 97; Romans 1; Psalm 20, Psalm 21

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So We Keep On Praying For You, Asking Our God To Enable You To Live A Life Worthy Of His Call

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So We Keep On Praying For You,
Asking Our God
To Enable You To Live A Life Worthy Of His Call


Scripture

2 Thessalonians 1

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Observation

Here are two prayer requests that I have for you and they are wrapped up in this one verse: First  … that God would enable “you” to live a life worthy of His call. 

And second … that He would give “you” the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts “you” to do.

I want to see you live a life worthy of His call. I want that for my life too. And I want you to be empowered to accomplish all of the good things that the Lord puts on your heart to do!

You can pray those two things for me too! 

 Application

2 Thessalonians 1:11 will be my prayer for everyone that the Lord puts on my heart today and for everyone that reads this blog:

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am praying for anyone that reads this blog today. Help them to live their life worthy of Your call and give them the power to accomplish all the good things his or her faith prompts them to do.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalms 95; 2 Thessalonians 1

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So Encourage Each Other And Build Each Other Up

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So Encourage Each Other
And
Build Each Other Up


Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Observation

It is so easy to become discouraged. 

Sometimes it seems like the least little thing, one tiny little word or comment, or one unexpected bill, or a broken down car can discourage us. 

Life and everything that comes with it can be brutal. All of us need people around us that can build us up and encourage us! 

That’s why being a part of a small community group at your church is so very important. 

You and I need friends. We need good friends that care about us, friends that encourage us and build us up! 

We were not designed by our Creator God to go through life without godly friends. 

So get to church and join a small group and make lots of friends!

And take time to write or call a friend today and let them know how much you appreciate their friendship – build them up!


 Application

I will look for someone to encourage and build up today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me today to look for someone who needs to be encouraged. Show me today how I can encourage someone else. And help me to live out these verses …  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalms 91; 1 Thessalonians 5




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We Urge You In The Name Of The Lord Jesus To Live In A Way That Pleases God

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We Urge You In The Name Of The Lord Jesus
To Live
In A Way That Pleases God

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. 

You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. ² For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. ⁴ Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— ⁵ not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.

Observation

You and I have a choice as we start out this new week. Our choice is to live out this week in a way that pleases God or we can choose to yield to the temptation to sin.

This warning by the Apostle Paul is a warning for us this week – stay away from all sexual sin. God’s will for us is for us to live out this week in a way that will make Him Smile!

So lets stop, quit, and stay away from anything that would cause us to indulge in sinful, momentary, pleasurable stupid sins that always bring with them huge destructive consequences that will negatively impact not only us but also all of those around us.

 Application

I will do my best to live out this week in a way that pleases God. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that this message if for me this morning as I think about this new week. Help me to live out this week in a way that makes You Smile. I want to please You with the decisions that I make. Keep me away from stupid sins, sins that will destroy my life and hurt those around me. Guide and direct me this week. Give me the wisdom I need to make good choices. Help me to be a servant this week to those around me. 

I pray for those who are sick. I pray for healing. Help them to feel Your presence and Your strength and give them the supernatural peace that can only come from You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Chronicles 25,26,27; 1 Thessalonians 4

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May The Master Pour On The Love So It Fills Your Lives And Splashes Over On Everyone Around You

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May The Master
Pour On The Love So It Fills Your Lives
And Splashes Over On Everyone Around You

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 3

12 And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. 

13 May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

Observation

When you and I are full of God’s love it can’t help but slosh and splash over on to everyone around us! How in the world can we get ourselves that full of God’s love?

We must get rid of all of our selfishness and self-centeredness and allow God control of every part of our lives.

No little pet sins. No little secret compartment of our lives that we refuse to let go of and maybe it is hidden (or at least we think it is hidden) from everyone but God.

If you and I want to splash God’s love around then we have to clean house and we must do it on a daily basis! What needs to go?

--- 

May God’s love splash on all of you Mom’s today on Mother’s Day! 

 Application

I want to be so filled with God’s love that it splashes and sloshes over on to everyone around me. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the best wife in the world. She is the best Mom, Grandma, and wife on the planet. Help me to be so full of Your love that the people around me get splashed with it. I know to be able to do that I need to become less and less and You need to become more and more. Show me how to do that and remind me often. You are an awesome God. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Chronicles 22,23,24; 1 Thessalonians 3

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So Run To Win

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So
Run
To Win

 Scripture

1 Corinthians 9

²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
 
²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
 
²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
 
²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Observation

I watch (that’s right I just watch) athletes as they train for 5k, 8k, half marathons and marathons. They are disciplined in their training. I admire those in my own family that have become disciplined runners and aggressively participate in all of these running/walking events.

My oldest daughter Jenny is now in training to run her first marathon! Yes, You heard that right! I can’t imagine what it takes to run in and finish a marathon!

But you and I if we are followers of Jesus Christ are also in a race and it is a race that is a million times more rewarding and a million times more important than any other race that we will ever run. This is the ultimate race!

So lets run it to win it!

“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. Hebrews 12:1-2

What bad habit(s) or what sin(s) keep us from running this race that God has set before us? 

Lets get rid of all those things that have us weighted down – and lets run this race to win it! 

Application

I will not let any sin slow me down – I am going to run this race to win it! How about you? Going to church in the morning is a great way to start!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to finish this race well. Thank You for helping me to stay in the race. Help me keep my eyes on Jesus. He has already run the race and He finished well.

I pray for those reading this blog this morning. Help them to see how important it is to put You first in their lives. Other things are important sure but nothing is more important than growing in our relationship with You. May this race that You have invited us to be involved in become more important to us than anything else! Help us to let go of anything that is slowing us down. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalms 30; 1 Thessalonians 2; I Corinthians 9

 

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We Always Thank God For All Of You And Pray For You Constantly

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We Always
Thank God For All Of You
And Pray For You Constantly

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 1

² We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. ³ As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation

In just a few minutes after I get through writing this simple blog I will pray for all of you who clicked “like” or wrote a comment about what I shared yesterday.

This is a ministry that God gave to me after my heart attack and it is definitely the most important thing that I do everyday.

I know that I probably drive you crazy with the messages that you receive from me, but just before I click “send” I take time to lift you and your family up in prayer.

I am asking God to do some big things in your life!

 Application

I will keep praying for you. I hope that you will pray for us too! Nothing is more important!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You bless every person that takes time to read this simple blog. Smile on them with Your favor. Show them that they can commit their lives to You. Show them that they can trust You with every detail of their life!

I do pray for those who are sick. I pray for healing. Touch their lives with Your healing power! Nothing is too hard for You!

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 21,22,23; 1 Thessalonians 1

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