He Gave His Life To Free Us From Every Kind Of Sin

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He Gave His Life

To Free Us

From Every Kind Of Sin

Scripture

Titus 2

14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Observation

One of the things that kept Kathy's Dad from coming to church, and giving his life to Jesus at an earlier age (he was saved at 67) was the inconsistent life style of some Christians.

Some of those were even so called “leaders” in the church, yet he saw what they were doing during the week and their hypocrisy pushed him away from Christ.

Are we drawing people to Jesus by the way we live or are we pushing people away because of our sinful lifestyles?

Jesus gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people.

Let's not be a stumbling block to those around us. People are watching! They are watching to see if we are for real! Let's not disappoint them!

Don't kid yourself! It is not a secret what we do during the week between Sundays! 

Word gets around! People talk!

1 Corinthians 8

9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

Ephesians 5

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

1 Peter 2:12

12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Application

I will be careful how I live! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I read this passage I immediately thought of some men who tried and some who are still trying to live with one foot in the world and one foot half way committed to You. I pray that they will stop living like fools and I pray that they will totally commit their lives to Jesus Christ. Don't let them be stumbling blocks for the people around them. Help them to be 100% committed to You.

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

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I Will Call To You Whenever I'm In Trouble, And You Will Answer Me.

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I Will Call To You Whenever I'm In Trouble,

And

You Will Answer Me.

Scripture

Psalm 86

7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.

Psalm 4

3 You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
The Lord will answer when I call to him.

Psalm 34

17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.

Psalm 50

15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

Psalm 91

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.

Observation

Trouble, Trouble, Trouble … it seems like we are always faced with one kind of trouble or another! Health troubles, financial troubles, relationship troubles … one trouble right after another … well if that sounds like it describes your life then you are not alone! Welcome to the human race!

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

Isaiah 43

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.

Trouble … not if we will have trouble, but when we have trouble ... where are we going to turn?

Application

When trouble comes, no matter in what form it comes, I will call on the Lord and He will answer me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for promising to take care of me. Over and over and over again You tell me in Your Word that when I am in trouble You will help me if I will call on You. Remind me to call and depend on You rather than depending on myself when problems come my way.

Daily Bible Reading: Amos 4,5,6; Psalms 86,87; Titus 1

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I Have Fought The Good Fight, I Have Finished The Race, And I Have Remained Faithful

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I Have Fought The Good Fight,

I Have Finished The Race,

And I Have Remained Faithful

Scripture

2 Timothy 4

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

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

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Observation

The Apostle Paul is looking back on his life. He knows that he is close to the end of his life and he is looking forward to what lies ahead! How about you? Are you afraid to die? Here is what I am afraid of and it is not dying; it is not being able to say, “I fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

I don't know about you, but I want to finish well!

Application

I look forward to the prize that awaits me – the crown of righteousness! How about you? Lets finish well!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know that I am not afraid to die. I have been there and done that. I am afraid of not finishing well. I want You to be able to say to me, “well done my good and faithful servant.” So help me to live my life in a way that makes You smile. I pray for those who are sick. Give them strength. Give them courage. I pray that You heal them. Show them that they can trust in You.

Daily Bible Reading: Amos 1,2,3; Psalms 80; 2 Timothy 4

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God Will Overthrow You, For He Has The Power To Help You Or To Trip You Up.

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God Will Overthrow You,

For He Has

The Power To Help You Or To Trip You Up.

Scripture

2 Chronicles 25

7 But a man of God came to him and said, “Your Majesty, do not hire troops from Israel, for the Lord is not with Israel. He will not help those people of Ephraim! 8 If you let them go with your troops into battle, you will be defeated by the enemy no matter how well you fight. God will overthrow you, for he has the power to help you or to trip you up.”

9 Amaziah asked the man of God, “But what about all that silver I paid to hire the army of Israel?”

The man of God replied, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this!” 10 So Amaziah discharged the hired troops and sent them back to Ephraim. This made them very angry with Judah, and they returned home in a great rage.

Observation

Two Biblical truths jumped out at me as I read this passage in 2 Chronicles 25: 1. If there is One true God (and there is) then He has the power to help you and me or trip us up! 2. The Lord is able to give us much more than we could even imagine!

King Amaziah listened to the man of God and dismissed the hired troops and God gave him the victory. King Amaziah was worried about all of the silver that he had spent on hiring those troops, but the man of God assured him that God was able to give him back much more than what he had already spent.

When we totally trust in the Lord to take care of us then He will fight our battles for us and He will generously provide all that we need. And if we ignore God, of course He has the power to trip us up! It is both a promise and a warning!

Application

I will trust in the Lord and not rely on my own strength. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I read these stories in Your Word I realize that they are there for me to see Your heart. I know that they are written so that I can understand and know You better. Thank You for taking such good care of us. You have taken care of every one of our needs. We are blessed. Help me to be generous with what You have provided us. Thank You for all of those who have been so generous to us. You are my Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for you!

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

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But Jonah Got Up And Went In The Opposite Direction To Get Away From The Lord.

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But Jonah Got Up

And Went In The Opposite Direction

To Get Away From The Lord.

Scripture

Jonah 1

3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

Jonah 2

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

Jonah 3

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” 3 This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh,

Observation

Jonah's story is fascinating! Maybe it is your story! It has so many lessons for me and lessons for you too. You might joke about heading to Tarshish, but if that is where you think you are heading God has some surprises for you! 

He loves you way too much to let you keep running. Just think about the story of Jonah! The same God that loved Jonah and who loved the people of Nineveh is the same God that loves you!

Jonah spent 3 days inside the belly of that great fish and then He prayed to his God. God heard his prayer, had the fish spit Jonah out on dry land, then God told Jonah again to go to Nineveh. Jonah obeyed the Lord's command and went.

It's time for all of us to say “Yes” to the Lord. It is time for all of us to head where God wants to go!

Simple obedience = is the mark of a mature disciple! (pastor Bruce Moore June 25, 2017)

Application

I will obey the Lord when He ask me to do something. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love to hear stories about people who gave up running and made the decision to change the direction of their life and turned back to You. It gives me hope for those in my life who are continuing to head toward Tarshish. I pray for them Lord. Give them a big fish experience! Do whatever it takes to change the direction of their lives. I want each one of them to love You with all of their heart, mind, and soul!

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

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God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear And Timidity, But Of Power, Love, And Self-Discipline.

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God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear And Timidity,

But Of Power,

Love, And Self-Discipline.

Scripture

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Observation

Man up! 

God did not save us for us to be a bunch of wimps! He has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity! He has given us a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline! 

Don't tell me you can't quit that old habit! Don't tell me that you can't tell someone about Jesus! Don't tell me that you can't love him or her anymore! 

Yes you can – we have been empowered by God's Holy Spirit – so lets live like it! 

Lets man up!

2 Peter 1:3

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Philippians 4:13

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Application

I have God's Holy Spirit living inside of me. I am empowered with everything that I need to live a godly life. I have no excuse. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me try to make excuses for why I sin. Why I don't share the Gospel. Why I don't love people the way I should. I have no excuse. You have given me Your Holy Spirit. I have everything that I need to live a godly life.

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

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But If We Have Food And Clothing, We Will Be Content With That.

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But If We Have Food

And Clothing,

We Will Be Content With That.

Scripture

1 Timothy 6

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Observation

Are you there yet? I am not.

Are you content in life with just food and clothing?

I read what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:6 and I have to admit that I am not spiritually there yet. I consider a roof over my head still a necessity, and a car still a necessity, and air conditioning in my house and in my car, yes, for me still a necessity, but the truth is that the simpler you and I make our lives the more content we will be.

You have to admit that the more stuff we have to worry about the more discontented we are and the more stressed out we become!

Great gain is not having more stuff … great gain is godliness with contentment.

Let's continue to simplify!

2 Corinthians 6

10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

Application

I will continue to look for ways to simplify my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how stressful it is for me when our old car starts showing its age like it did yesterday. Help me to be content with just food and clothing. Help us simplify our lives more and more everyday so that what is important to You will be the most important to us. Help me trust You completely 100%!

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

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In The Same Way Good Deeds Are Obvious

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In The Same

Way

Good Deeds Are Obvious

Scripture

25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Observation

I want to give a big shout out to Jack Roush for all of his help on the remodeling of the ladies restroom in our church's Sanctuary! Jack doesn't get on Facebook so I know that he won't see this post. He is like several other people in our church who volunteer countless hours making improvements and most people in our church never realize who is doing these good deeds. Not that he needs recognition because he doesn't but I thought that I would share it so you could thank him the next time you see him!

By the way the ladies restroom is not complete. It is still a work in progress, but it is getting there!

Application

I appreciate the people that volunteer at our church and I am going to let them know it. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing guys like Jack into my life. He has a servant's heart. Thank you for guys like Wayne, Justin, and Jim who do so much around our church. Thank you also for the ladies that volunteer so much too! It doesn't go by unnoticed by me and I know that what they do makes You smile!

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22,23; 1 Timothy 5

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

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


Scripture

1 Timothy 4

⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
 
⁹ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. ¹⁰ This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

¹¹ Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. ¹² Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. 

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. ¹³ Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Observation

The Apostle Paul’s instruction to young Timothy is for you and me too! Let me rephrase them a little bit:

Be an example in what we say! Words are important and the way we say them speaks volumes about our relationship with Jesus!

Be an example in the way we live – lets cut out the contradictions that keep people from seeing Jesus in us!

Be an example in our love – lets be extravagant with our love for our family and friends today!

Be an example in our faith – lets trust God 24/7 and especially when things get tough.

Lets be an example in our purity – and say no to sexual temptations!

1 Timothy 4

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

I will follow Paul’s advice to Timothy. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be an example to all believers in what I say, in the way I live, in my love, my faith, and my purity. Help anyone that may be reading this blog to do the same!

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

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The Battle Is Not Your Battle. It Is God’s Battle. Have Faith In The Lord Your God. Then You Will Stand Strong.

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The Battle Is Not Your Battle.
It Is God’s Battle.
Have Faith In The Lord Your God. Then You Will Stand Strong.



Scripture

2 Chronicles 20

¹⁵ And he said: “Listen to me, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people living in Judah and Jerusalem! The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle. It is God’s battle.

¹⁷ You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places. You will see the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. The Lord is with you.

²⁰ Jehoshaphat’s army went out into the Desert of Tekoa early in the morning. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, people of Judah and Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God. Then you will stand strong. Have faith in the Lord’s prophets. Then you will succeed.”

²⁹ All the kingdoms of the lands around them heard how the Lord had fought Israel’s enemies. So they feared the Lord.

Observation

No matter what battle you and I are facing today or what we will face tomorrow this truth is very clear: If we are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the battle is never our battle. It is always God’s battle. So let’s let Him do the fighting for us.

 How do we do that? We have faith in the Lord our God. We stand strong. And we will succeed.

I love what King Jehoshaphat did as he went out to fight the enemy that had come against him. He placed singers in front of his army and they sang praises to God as they went out to face their enemy.

²¹ Jehoshaphat listened to the people’s advice. Then he chose men to be singers to the Lord. They were to praise the Lord because he is holy and wonderful. They marched in front of the army. They said,

“Thank the Lord.
    His love continues forever.”

²² As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes.
Are we facing some enemies this morning? Then it is time to sing His praises!

Application

I will let God fight my battles. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t ever let me fight my own battles. Always remind me to trust You to do the fighting for me. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! When You are on my side who can stand against me! You are All-Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You! I praise You this morning! You are worthy of Praise!

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



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I Also Want Women To Wear Clothes That Are Right For Them. They Should Dress With Respect And Right Thinking.

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I Also Want Women To Wear
Clothes That Are Right For Them.
They Should Dress With Respect And Right Thinking. 



Scripture

1 Timothy 2

9 I also want women to wear clothes that are right for them. They should dress with respect and right thinking. They should not use fancy braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes to make themselves beautiful.

1 Peter 3

³ Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. ⁴ You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. ⁵ This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful.

Observation

I didn’t make the above comment, the Apostle Paul did, but I will give it a hearty Amen! Honestly, I am shocked at what I see some women wearing on Sundays when they attend church. 

Ladies, do us men a favor and dress in a way that helps us look at the beauty that is in your eyes and in your face. Don’t dress in a way that draws our attention to the way that God has made all the other parts of your body! Think about what you are doing! Dress with respect and right thinking!

Now I am not talking about those who are new to church. I am not talking about those who are seekers or unbelievers, or even brand new baby Christians who don’t know any better, no I am talking about women who profess a mature relationship with Jesus Christ, but that don’t wear clothes that are right for them. 

1 Peter 3


4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

 Application

I will keep my eyes focused where they are supposed to be focused. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live in a way that brings You honor and glory. Help me to gently encourage others when I see them going in the wrong direction or doing something that is not helpful for them or doing something that is not beneficial for Your kingdom.  And help others do the same thing for me.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 4,5; Psalms 83; 1 Timothy 2

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Christ Jesus Came Into This World To Save Sinners. And I Am The Worst Of Those Sinners.

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Christ Jesus Came Into This World
To Save Sinners.
And I Am The Worst Of Those Sinners.

“I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that He has patience without limit” and if you are a follower of Christ the same that was true about the Apostle Paul is surely true about you and me! 

Scripture

1 Timothy 1

¹⁵ What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the worst of those sinners. 

¹⁶ But I was given mercy. I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. And he showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. Christ wanted me to be an example for those who would believe in him and have life forever. 

¹⁷ Honor and glory to the King that rules forever! He cannot be destroyed and cannot be seen. Honor and glory forever and ever to the only God. Amen.

Observation

“I was given mercy so that in me Christ Jesus could show that He has patience without limit” and if you are a follower of Christ the same that was true about the Apostle Paul is surely true about you and me! 

I look back over my life and I can see how patient the Lord has been with me. He showed his patience with me, the worst of all sinners. I am so grateful that the Lord allowed me to know Him and allowed me to become one of His children. I don’t deserve it. 

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Have you ask Him to be your Lord and your Savior? 

You and I … we are both the worst of sinners. I have been forgiven of my sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. How about you? 

It is not good people that go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell. It is forgiven people that go to Heaven. Have you been forgiven? 

Is Jesus Christ Lord of your life? 

Application

I will share the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone else this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize like the Apostle Paul realized, that I am the worst of sinners. There is no way that I could ever get into Heaven without Your mercy and Your grace. I don’t deserve Heaven. I deserve Hell. Thank You that You are giving me what I don’t deserve. 

Open the spiritual eyes of anyone reading this blog so that they can realize that they are sinners too in need of a Savior. Help them to trust in what You have done for them with the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. 


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

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Devote Yourselves To Prayer With An Alert Mind And A Thankful Heart.

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Devote Yourselves To Prayer
With An Alert Mind
And A Thankful Heart.


Scripture

Colossians 4

² Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. ³ Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. ⁴ Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Observation

Attitude is everything! How is your attitude today? 

Have you spent time with God in prayer and have you done it with a thankful heart? The Apostle Paul in prison, in chains, is encouraging us to not only pray but to pray with a heart filled with gratitude towards God.  

How often do you pray? When I ask that question of people I am surprised with the answers that I hear. 

So let me ask you, “How often do you pray? Have you stopped and taken time to pray today? And when you pray do you pray with a thankful heart?”
 
Philippians 4:6-7

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

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
 
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

Colossians 3:16

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Hebrews 12:28

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Application

As I talk to God today I will pray with a grateful, thankful heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Thank You for loving me just for who I am. You know everything about me and You still love me. Thank You for being so kind and generous to me. I am blessed.

I pray for anyone that may read this blog today. Help him or her to have a heart filled with gratitude toward You today. Show them just what a wonderful God You are. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4

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The LORD Was With Jehoshaphat Because He Followed The Example Of His Father’s Early Years … He Sought His Father’s God

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The LORD Was With
Jehoshaphat Because He Followed The Example Of His Father’s
Early Years … He Sought His Father’s God


Scripture

2 Chronicles 17

³ The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal. ⁴ He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.

Observation

I have been thinking a lot about what it takes to be a Great Dad! Tomorrow is Father’s Day and I have been given the opportunity to preach at West Broad Baptist church! I want to challenge the men of the church to be godly Dads and godly Granddads. King Asa’s story will be part of my message! 

When King Asa started out as King of Judah he was totally committed 100% to the Lord and his example obviously had a huge impact on his son Jehoshaphat. As King, Jehoshaphat continued in his father’s footsteps and he moved the nation back to a closer relationship with God. 

One of my biggest regrets as the earthly father of my children was that I was not able to reveal God to them as a loving Heavenly Father where they would want to follow my example and be totally committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Too harsh, too stern, too legalistic, whatever it was, whatever I did, it kept them from seeing and experiencing the love that my Heavenly Father has for them. 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, people need to see the love of Jesus in me! I need to shine for Him!

Even though I was obviously not the best example of a godly Dad to my children when they were growing up, this one thing I know for sure, “God is not finished with me yet!” 

And I have some great kids and wonderful grandkids. I am proud of each and every one of them. Like me they are not perfect, and like me they are also a work in progress and God is not finished with them yet either!

In fact, God is not finished with any of us yet! All of us have the opportunity to turn to God and be totally committed to Him! 

Application

I intend to be the best Dad and the best Grandpa to my children and my grandchildren until the Lord takes me home. I want to love them in a way that they can see and experience God’s love through me. I pray for them everyday!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how much I love the children that You have given me and how much I love my grandchildren. Help me to live in a way that they can see Jesus in me. I want them to fall in love with You. I want them to be totally committed to You. Bless them. Show them how much You love them. Help them to live in a way that makes You smile!

I pray for Kathy today on her birthday. She is the best gift that You have ever given me. She is the best Mom, Grandma, and wife in the world. Bless her today. Give her many more years to serve You. I thank You for bringing her into my life 48 years ago. You are such a good good God!

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

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Don’t Let Anyone Capture You With Empty Philosophies And High Sounding Nonsense

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Don’t Let Anyone Capture
You With Empty Philosophies
And High Sounding Nonsense 


Scripture

Colossians 2

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

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Observation

Have you been captured by some philosophy, some way of thinking that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Because of the Internet and the World Wide Web it has never been easier to be influenced, captured, and carried away by philosophies and ideas that come from human thinking and from spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

It might sound good to you, but it is high-sounding nonsense if it goes against the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and what we read in God’s Word, the Bible.

Do you want me to listen to you and what you are espousing? How well does it line up with the heart of God and what He shares with us in His Word? If it doesn’t line up, and if it is not consistent with the heart of God, as revealed to us in His Word then don’t expect me to be in agreement with you!

All of us are sinners and we are all in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ came to this earth to die in our place so that we could have our sins forgiven and so that we could have a relationship with God the Father forever! 

The Bible is God’s manual for how we are to live out our lives here on planet Earth. There is no other guide. There is no other manual!

Application

I will live my life guided by the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. How about you?

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to guide us. It is a lamp to our feet and it lights up our path. I pray for those who are trying to live life without putting You first in his or her life. Show them how futile it is to live life without a relationship with You. I pray for those who have been confused by philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and spiritual powers of this world. Open up their eyes so that they can see things from Your perspective.


Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17,18,19; Colossians 2

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We Pray That You Will Be Strengthened From God’s Boundless Resources, So That You Will Find Yourselves Able To Pass Through Any Experience And Endure It With Courage.

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We Pray That You Will Be Strengthened From God’s
Boundless Resources, So That You Will Find Yourselves Able
To Pass Through Any Experience And Endure It With Courage. 


Scripture

Colossians 1

11-14 As you live this new life, we pray that you will be strengthened from God’s boundless resources, so that you will find yourselves able to pass through any experience and endure it with courage. 

You will even be able to thank God in the midst of pain and distress because you are privileged to share the lot of those who are living in the light. 

For we must never forget that he rescued us from the power of darkness, and re-established us in the kingdom of his beloved Son, that is, in the kingdom of light. 

For it is by his Son alone that we have been redeemed and have had our sins forgiven. (Phillips)

Observation

God’s boundless resources are available to you and to me when we surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. The moment we repent of our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, receiving forgiveness of all of our sins through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, in that very moment we are immediately transferred into His glorious kingdom, the kingdom of light. 

God’s boundless resources/ His glorious power will strengthen us (because we are His children) so that we can pass through any experience and endure it with courage. 

And we will be able to thank God in the midst of pain and distress because of all we have as children of the King of Kings!

Philippians 4:13 

I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.

 Application

I will pray the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1 for you today!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this is my prayer today for any person that may read this blog.

 I ask that You strengthen them with Your glorious power so that they will have all the endurance and patience that they need. Fill them with Your joy so that they can give You thanks! Give them complete knowledge of Your will and give them spiritual wisdom and understanding! (Colossians 1:9&11 personalized)

I pray for Millie Roberts today on her birthday. I pray that You use Millie and her husband Hugh and their mission team in a powerful way in the country of Uganda. Keep them safe. Speak through them using the very same Power that raised Jesus from the dead. 


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

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