Monday, July 31, 2017

No One Needed To Tell Him About Human Nature, For He Knew What Was In Each Person's Heart

No One Needed To Tell Him
About Human Nature,
For He Knew What Was In Each Person's Heart
Scripture
John 2
25 No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.
Observation

I have been totally wrong about people at times. We have been tricked, snuckered, fooled, betrayed, scammed, and we have been deeply disappointed and painfully hurt by some people in the past. 

Just like you have I'm sure! 

It is impossible for us to really know someone like Jesus knows them.

So we can be and we will be fooled by others sometimes.

But we can't fool Jesus Christ. He knows what is in each one of our hearts. He knows what we do. He knows what we have been thinking about.

There is not one thing that He does not know about me. There is not one thing that He does not know about you!

Yet He still loves us! Amazing love!

1 John 1:9
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 19:14
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Application

I need to keep my sins confessed up. I need to be a person of integrity and an example of Christ likeness to those around me. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I am not perfect. I know that I also let people down at times. Help me to be a person who keeps his word. Help me to focus on the needs of those around me and not on myself. Show me when my heart is not right. Don't let me do stupid sins that mess up my walk and that mess up my relationship up with You and with those around me.

I pray for those who are sick and for those who have loved ones that are sick. I pray for healing and I pray for strength. You are our Mighty God. I pray for those who have just experienced the loss of a loved one. Comfort them and surround them with Your love.

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




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Sunday, July 30, 2017

In The Beginning The Word Already Existed. The Word Was With God, And The Word Was God.

In The Beginning The Word Already Existed.
The Word Was With God,
And The Word Was God.
Scripture
John 1
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Observation
In the beginning Jesus already existed. Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. Jesus existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. Jesus gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. So Jesus became human and made His home among us.
Do you know Him? Do you know Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Him?
Today is Sunday!
Churches all across our country will open their doors today and people will hear about Jesus Christ and their lives will be changed forever!
Get up, get dressed, get moving, and get to church!
Application
I will always encourage men and women to attend church! It was the best decision that I ever made. How about you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to this earth. My life has been forever changed because You did. Thank You for allowing me to hear the Good News about Jesus and thank You for opening up my heart so that I could understand just how much You love me. Do the same thing for any person that may be reading this blog today. Give them the desire to be in church today.
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 60,61,62; John 1



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Saturday, July 29, 2017

You Ought To Live Holy And Godly Lives

You Ought
To Live
Holy And Godly Lives
Scripture
2 Peter 3
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Observation

Here is how I view the future and I know that it is pretty simplistic: our world is going to continue to get worse and more ungodly until the day the Lord returns.
And passages like the one today in 2 Peter 3 is why I hold this view.
But regardless of whether the world around me gets worse or not, I am still supposed to live a holy and godly life and so are you!
What does that mean exactly?
I think it means that you and I are to say no to sin and yes to God and put Him first in our lives everyday!

Application
I will say “yes” to God and “no” to sin today. How about you?
Matthew 6
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You love me so much. You love the person that may be reading this blog so much. Help us to stay away from sin and stay close to You. Don't let us yield to the temptations that come our way today. Help us to be strong. Help us to live holy and godly lives for You today.

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




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Friday, July 28, 2017

He Was Despised And Rejected-- A Man Of Sorrows, Acquainted With Deepest Grief.

He Was Despised And Rejected--
A Man Of Sorrows,
Acquainted With Deepest Grief.
Scripture
Isaiah 53
2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.

Observation

Because Jesus was despised and rejected, beaten, whipped, pierced, crushed, and acquainted with deepest grief I know that He understands what you and I go through when we experience rejection and persecution.

Not everybody is going to like us. And yes, people will intentionally and sometimes unintentionally hurt us.

So what should we do when people hurt us?

Matthew 5

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

Luke 6

35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

1 Corinthians 16
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Application
I will pray for those who choose to do us harm and I will continue to reach out to them in love. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, you know the pain that comes when the people you love reject you. I know that Jesus went through that kind of pain for us. He experienced rejection. Thank You for not giving up on me. Help me not to give up on those who have decided to be our enemies. Remind me to pray for them. Show me how to do good to them. Don't ever let me give up on them. Show me ways to express my love to them.
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 53,54,55,56; 2 Peter 2



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Thursday, July 27, 2017

My Heart Has Heard You Say, “Come And Talk With Me.” And My Heart Responds, “Lord, I Am Coming.”

My Heart Has Heard You Say,
“Come And Talk With Me.”
And My Heart Responds, “Lord, I Am Coming.”
Scripture
Psalm 27
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Psalm 57
7 My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
8 Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Observation

I don't know about you but I need to read the Psalms on a regular basis.
This morning I jumped over to the Psalms after my regular daily Bible reading and look what I found!
God is so good. It was just what I needed!
Thank You Lord.
Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
Application

I will pray these verses back to my God this morning!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, hear me as I pray. Be merciful and answer me!
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 50,51,52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1; Psalm 27, Psalm 57; Proverbs 27



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Wednesday, July 26, 2017

I Have Made You And I Will Carry You; I Will Sustain You And I Will Rescue You.

I Have Made You
And I Will Carry You;
I Will Sustain You And I Will Rescue You.
Scripture
Isaiah 46
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
1 Peter 5:7
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Observation

You don't have to wonder why this verse caught my attention this morning!

The verse starts out with “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you!”

Yes, I am counting on my God to take care of me until the day that He calls me home.

How about you?

Psalm 139
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!
Psalm 23
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
Application
I will trust the Lord to take care of me. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will trust You no matter what. I know that You will take care of me. I know that You are working in the lives of those that I love. I know that You hear me when I pray and I know that You will answer me because You love me. I am Your child. I will depend and trust in You.
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 46,47,48,49; 1 Peter 5



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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Praise God For The Privilege Of Being Called By His Name!

Praise God
For The Privilege
Of Being Called By His Name!
Scripture
1 Peter 4
16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
Observation
I remember when I was in my senior year of high school (Hillsborough High School), I sadly remember making fun of one of my fellow football players because he was a Christian. He wouldn't participate in some of the things that the rest of us were doing.
I can't remember his name, but I will never forget his commitment to Christ.
I am sure that he probably wasn't the only Christian on our team, but he was the most Christ like of all of us!
Two years later, a year after Kathy and I were married I put my faith and my trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior! Jesus Christ became the Lord of my life!
What goes around comes around! Recently Kathy and I both were ridiculed, yes we were made fun of, we were chided, because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, what goes around comes around!
I would love to be able to go back to my high school friend and let him know that his commitment to Christ left a deep impression on my life. I would love to chat with him about all the things that Christ has done in our lives over the past years.
And if his name ever comes back to me that is just what I plan to do!
Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name!
Application
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of being called a Christian! I know that I didn't choose You, but You chose me. And I pray for those who don't know You. Open their spiritual eyes. Give them the opportunity to become “Christians”. Help them to see that You are the only true God and there is no other God like You!

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



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Monday, July 24, 2017

But Those Who Trust In The Lord Will Find New Strength

But Those
Who Trust In The Lord
Will Find New Strength
Scripture
Isaiah 40
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Observation

I got word yesterday that my very good friend, Missionary John Seale, went home to be with Jesus.
After so much suffering my friend John is home!
John and his wife Jeanie never stopped serving the Lord during this entire time of sickness. What a man of God!
Christians across the entire island of Cuba will mourn with us over this loss.
I think of his wife Jeanie, their two daughters, and their grandchildren this morning as I write this blog.
These verses are for them today and for anyone else going through difficult times.
And let me add one more that I know will be in tomorrow's daily Bible reading.
...
It is found in 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.”
…
When we go through suffering and times of loss there is an anchor for our souls – His name is Jesus!
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls” … Hebrews 6:19
Application

I will hold on to the promises of God when I go through times of difficulty. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Jeanie Seale and her family. You are the God of all comfort and all compassion. I pray that You comfort Jeanie and her family today. Give them the strength they need to get through this difficult time. Show them Your love and Your power. May they sense Your presence and I pray that You draw them close and take care of every need that they have. You are God. Nothing is too hard for You!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 40,41,42; 1 Peter 3



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Sunday, July 23, 2017

So Get Rid Of All Evil Behavior. Be Done With All Deceit, Hypocrisy, Jealousy, And All Unkind Speech.

So Get Rid Of All Evil Behavior.
Be Done With All Deceit,
Hypocrisy, Jealousy, And All Unkind Speech.
Scripture
1 Peter 2
2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.
Observation

Get rid of it! Nip it in the bud!

Let me just focus a minute on the last thing that Simon Peter mentions, the “unkind speech”.

Peter is writing to Christians and it does sort of seem strange at first that he has to remind us not to act like unbelievers.

But just a glance at what some of us put on Facebook shows just how important the message of 1 Peter 2:2 still is for us today!

We need to watch how we talk and we need to watch how we act!
Not using all those 4 letter words … you know those words that you don't want your kids using, is a good place to start!

Get rid of it! Nip it in the bud!

Ephesians 5:3-5
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Psalm 19:14
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Application

I will watch what I say and how I say it. How about you?


Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be salt and light to the world around me. I want the people around me to see Jesus. Help me live in a way that is a reflection of my relationship with You. Help me to guard my mouth and my thoughts. Help me to be Your hands and Your feet today. Give me Your heart for those around me!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2




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Saturday, July 22, 2017

God Paid A Ransom To Save You From The Empty Life

God Paid A Ransom
To Save You
From The Empty Life
Scripture
1 Peter 1
13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Observation
Empty, is a good description of what my life was like before I put my faith and my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save me. Yes, I can remember what my life was like.
 How about you? 
Here is the warning to us from God's Word today - “Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.”
With summer, with vacations, with everybody taking a break from their normal schedules, guess what, it is a time when you and I can be tempted to slip back into some of our old ways of living!
Before Christ we didn't know any better, but now we do!
Lets make Him smile by what we say, by what we do and by how we live our lives!
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Colossians 3
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Hebrews 13:21
may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Application
I will guard my heart so I don't slip back into ungodly living. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize that even after all of these years of walking with You and living the Christian life that there is always the pull, always the tug, always the temptation, to be drawn back to involve myself in that old empty way of life. I am a sinner. I know that I am capable of any sin just like anyone else. Help me to live my life in a way that pleases You. I don't want to yield to temptations that would cause me to slip back into that old empty life. I know that I have been bought with the high price of the blood of Jesus Christ! Help me to live like it!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1





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Friday, July 21, 2017

Be Strong And Brave. Don't Be Afraid … There Is A Greater Power With Us Than With Him.

Be Strong And Brave.
Don't Be Afraid …
There Is A Greater Power With Us Than With Him.
Scripture
2 Chronicles 32
7 “Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid or worried because of the king of Assyria or his large army. There is a greater power with us than with him.
8 He only has men, but we have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” The people were encouraged by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
James 5
13 Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises.
14 Anyone who is sick should call the church’s elders. They should pray for and pour oil on the person in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned, the sins will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you.
When a believing person prays, great things happen.
Observation
King Hezekiah didn't have to fight against his enemy. God sent an angel and the angel killed 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night!
Have you ever been intimidated by someone who was not a follower of Jesus Christ? I have!
Here is what you and I need to remember the next time an ungodly person comes against us … “There is a greater power with us than with him.”
1 John 4:4
You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Romans 8:11
11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.
James 5
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.
Application

When I am intimidated by the ungodly I will remember that the really Powerful One resides in me. His name is Jesus! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is easy to be afraid of some people. They are intimidating. Help me to remember that greater is He in me than he that is in the world. Open the eyes of the ungodly so that they can see Jesus and so that they can be transformed. Help me to be more concerned about their spiritual condition rather than being intimidated and afraid of them. Your Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in me. You have my back!


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





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Thursday, July 20, 2017

Do You Think The Scriptures Have No Meaning?

Do You Think
The Scriptures
Have No Meaning?
Scripture
James 4
5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
Observation

Alexa, Siri, Cortana, Google, are all very nice and can help us when we want to get some facts and information on something. The danger for us is that when we get stuff from them and from their sources is that we believe it all to be true! 

The World Wide Web is far from being the source of “truth”. 

 On the other hand, the Word of God is 100% accurate and 100% reliable. It has “0” errors! And unlike Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and Google, the Word of God never changes. It is alive and powerful!

Hebrews 4
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
James 4
7 So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. 8 Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure.

Application

I will trust in the Lord and let His Word guide my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, no new gadget, no new means of communication or travel or anything is a surprise to You. And I know that You will use technology as it emerges to advance the Good News of Jesus Christ. But no new technology will ever replace the reliability of Your Word. The Bible and every verses in it will stand when everything is destroyed. It is 100% reliable to guide my life everyday. I can count on it. And I will not go one day without spending time in Your Word.

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





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