Tuesday, February 27, 2018

It Is What Comes From Inside That Defiles You


It Is What
Comes From Inside
That Defiles You
Scripture
Mark 7
20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 
21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 
22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 
23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
Observation
We are our biggest problem! Don't blame your problems on someone else!
My biggest problem is me, myself, and I.
And you are your biggest problem too!
Kathy's Dad used to say, “when you point your finger at someone you have 3 fingers pointing back at you.” Lets not try to blame our sin on someone else.
Garbage in … garbage out. You and I are broken. We are sinners in need of a Savior.
Lets guard our hearts because whatever we let into our hearts will come out. Just look at the list of evil stuff that can come out of our hearts ... Mark 7:21-22!
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
Jeremiah 17:9
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is?
Application
I will guard my heart. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is easy to try to make excuses for my sin and it is easy for me to try to blame someone else. Help me to own up to my sin and confess them as I commit them. Don't ever let me continue to live in sin. You are my Savior. I have been bought with a high price. Help me to live in a way that pleases You.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 21,22,23; Mark 6,7


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Monday, February 26, 2018

Jesus Overheard Them And Said … “Don't Be Afraid. Just Have Faith.”

Jesus Overheard Them And Said …
“Don't Be Afraid.
Just Have Faith.”
Scripture
Mark 5
22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
24 Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. 
35 While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
41 Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.

Observation

These words of Jesus were said to a father whose young daughter was dying and in fact, by the time he and Jesus reached her she had already died.
The situation would have been hopeless, but it wasn't … because Jesus was there.
When things in our lives are seemingly hopeless, that is when you and I need to realize that we have Jesus, so they aren't hopeless.
After my heart attack six years ago and after the 14 hours of surgery that followed, the young heart surgeon told Kathy that I had less than a 5% chance of surviving the trip from the operating room up to intensive care – up to CCU.
Those are not very good odds at all, especially when it is the life of a loved one that the doctor is talking about!
From a human perspective I know that to Kathy, my kids, and to everyone else, that it must have seemed very very hopeless … even my surgeon after the 14 hour surgery did not think that I would survive (He didn't tell us that, but he did tell his nurse practitioner who later told me).
Kathy and all of those praying for me held on to Jesus' words, “Don't be afraid. Just have faith.”
Later on, after I had gotten out of the hospital I went to see my lung doctor on a follow up visit and I can still remember him staring at me and saying, “You know that you shouldn't have survived … you really are a miracle!”
What are you going through? How is your faith being tested today? “Don't be afraid. Just have faith.”
Ephesians 3:20
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
Application
I will encourage those going through impossible situations to look to Jesus and I will encourage them to hold on to His promises. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, the journey of faith always takes us to situations that are seemingly impossible because without You and Your help they are impossible. But for You all things are possible. Nothing is too hard for You. Help us to walk by faith today and not by sight. Show us that we can always trust in You when we run into impossible situations!
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 19,20; Psalms 28; Mark 5



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Sunday, February 25, 2018

My Problems Go From Bad To Worse. ... Feel My Pain And See My Trouble.

My Problems Go From Bad
To Worse. ...
Feel My Pain And See My Trouble.
Scripture
Psalm 25
17 My problems go from bad to worse.
    Oh, save me from them all!
18 Feel my pain and see my trouble.
    Forgive all my sins.
Psalm 55
22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Observation

You and I do not live in a problem free or pain free world. No one since Adam and Eve ever has.
Here is the very good news. We have a Savior!
He is our rescuer!
Think about it, if we never had problems, if our lives were pain free and if we never sinned then there wouldn't be a need for a Savior!
God wants to have a relationship with us. Problems and pain help us to look up. They move us to talk to our Heavenly Father. He wants us to be dependent on Him.
So give your burdens to the Lord and He will take care of you! Talk to Him right now!
1 Peter 5:7
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
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.
Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
Psalm 6:9
The Lord has heard my cry for help; the Lord will answer my prayer.
Psalm 34:6
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
Application
I will give all of my worries and cares to God because He cares about me. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You tell me not to be anxious and not to worry. You tell me that if I will call on You that You will hear me and You will answer my prayers. Help me not to worry about anything. Help me to pray about everything! And give me Your peace that exceeds which exceeds anything that I can understand. Help anyone that may be reading this blog today to do the same!
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 17,18; Psalms 29; Mark 4; Psalm 25, Psalm 55, Proverbs 25



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Saturday, February 24, 2018

He Who Guards Your Soul Knows You Knew.

He Who Guards Your Soul
Knows
You Knew.
Scripture
Proverbs 24
12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
    For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
    He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
Observation

One of our prayers for our children as they were growing up was, “Lord if they are doing something wrong help them to get caught.”

We knew that if they got caught when they first started doing something wrong it could keep them from getting deeper and deeper into trouble. God heard us and He let them get caught!

You and I have no excuse. We can't say, “Look, we didn't know.”
God understands our hearts and He sees us. He who guards your soul knows you knew!

One of the toughest jobs we have as Christians is reaching out and trying to help another brother or sister in Christ get back on track once they have slid back, once they have wandered away and are living in sin.
James 5
19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back,  20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Application
I know that the One who guards my soul is watching me today! I plan to live today in a way that makes Him smile. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.  I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:2,4,7-10, 23-24 Personalized
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 14,15,16; Mark 3; I added Psalm 24, Psalm 54; Proverbs 24



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Friday, February 23, 2018

Seventy Years Are Given To Us! Some Even Live To Eighty. ... Teach Us To Realize The Brevity Of Life.

Seventy Years Are Given To Us!
Some Even Live To Eighty. ...
Teach Us To Realize The Brevity Of Life.
Scripture
Psalm 90
10 Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away.
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.
Observation
Moses is said to have written Psalm 90. Now Moses lived way beyond the 70 and 80 years mentioned in his Psalm, but what he said is very true for us today.
Life is so short.
Very few of us will live into our 80's and 90's and if we do even the best of those years will be filled with pain and trouble for most of us.
I had lunch yesterday with Pastor Rapley Armstrong. Pastor Rapley is 91 years young! And even though he pushes a walker to keep his balance Rapley's mind is sharp as a tack!
As we talked yesterday he remembered that my best friend in high school was killed in Vietnam. How could he remember that! Amazing!
Pastor Rapley and Pastor Waylon B. Moore are both 91 and are both men of God to be admired.
You and I are probably not going to live to be 91 years of age … and even if we do our lives will still be very short in light of Eternity!
Lets make the most of today … there is no guarantee about tomorrow!
Application
I will make the most of today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the men of God that You have brought into my life. Thank You for surrounding me with godly people. Help me to take advantage of today. Don't let me waste it. Show me what You would have me to do today. Guide and direct me. Help me to live out this day in a way that makes You smile.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 12,13; Psalms 90; Mark 2



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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Wait Patiently For The Lord. Be Brave And Courageous. Yes, Wait Patiently For The Lord.

Wait Patiently For The Lord.
Be Brave And Courageous.
Yes, Wait Patiently For The Lord.
Scripture
Psalm 27
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Observation

As I read my Bible and came across this verse my thoughts went to a couple waiting to hear back on medical test results and to yet another person whose test results picked up something and now she has to have more tests.
No matter whether it is waiting for test results about your health, the health of a loved one, or waiting to hear back about a possible job, a job interview, or even a possible lay off at your job, it is never easy to wait patiently for the Lord!
So if you find yourself waiting today, maybe Psalm 27:14 will help you to be brave and courageous while you wait!
Earlier this morning I was encouraged by the Lord with this passage that He brought to my mind:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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. Philippians 4:6-7
Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Application
I will hold on to all of God's promises and I will wait patiently for the Lord. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know me. I am Chief hurry-up and wait! Help me to wait patiently on You today. Help me to be brave and courageous. I pray for those waiting on You. I pray for those waiting on test results. Help them to be brave and courageous. I pray for those looking for work. Open up doors for them. I pray for those who are anxious, stressed out, and worried. I pray that they would cast all of their cares on You because You care for them. (1 Peter 5:7 personalized)
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 10,11; Psalms 27; Mark 1



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Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Watch Your Tongue And Keep Your Mouth Shut, And You Will Stay Out Of Trouble.

Watch Your Tongue
And Keep Your Mouth Shut,
And You Will Stay Out Of Trouble.
Scripture
Proverbs 21
23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
    and you will stay out of trouble.
Observation
A zipper … that is what is missing … if I just had a zipper on my mouth... it would keep me out of so much trouble.
Don't laugh … I bet you have the same problem too!
Sometimes it is not what I say that gets me into trouble but it is the way I say it!
It is a good thing that I have memorized these 3 phrases and that I have learned over our 48 years of marriage to use them when the words of mouth hurt the one that I love the most:
I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?
Do you shock yourself at some of the ugly, mean things that come out of your mouth? I know I do!
The Bible has a whole lot to say about our “tongue” and most of the verses are warnings about how deadly it is!
So lets use our words to build up our spouse and our children and not to tear them down. When you and I are out in public lets always make sure that we brag on our spouse and not put them down … don't ever, no not ever, throw them under the bus.
Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Proverbs 12:18
Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 13:3
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Application
I will watch what I say and how I say it when I talk to Kathy. How about you?
Proverbs 17:27
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

James 3:6,8
And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. … but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know me better than anyone else. You know how many times my mouth and the tone of my voice has gotten me into trouble. You know how insensitive that I can be. I need Your help. Help me guard what I say and how I say it especially with Kathy, the one who I love the most. I pray for any one reading this blog who has used his or her words to hurt their spouse. Help them to please You with the words of their mouth and the meditation of their heart. Don't let us mess up!
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 8,9; Acts 28; … I added Psalm 21, Psalm 51; Proverbs 21



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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Because The Lord Is My Shepherd I Have All That I Need.

Because The Lord
Is My Shepherd
I Have All That I Need.
Scripture
Psalm 23
1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd,
I have everything I need!
Observation

We will never have all that we need until God is enough!
Even as great of a husband as I am to Kathy (I am joking) I will never be enough to meet all of her needs. And even as great of a wife as Kathy is to me (and she really is the best …) she will never be enough to meet all of my needs.
Only God can take care of all of our needs.
New car … new house … new girl friend/boy friend … or new spouse … none of those things or anything else is ever going to take care of what is missing in our life.
No “one” or “no thing” will ever be enough for us, until God is enough.
Application
The Lord is my Shepherd. I have all that I need. He is enough. How about you … Is God enough?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are enough. Because You are my Shepherd I have everything that I need. I know that I cannot look to Kathy and expect her to meet needs that only You can meet in my life. Help me to trust in You with all of my heart and to not lean on my own understanding. Help me to be content. Thank You for being so good to me. I am so blessed.
I pray for those going through rough times. Help them to see that they can count on You. Show them that no matter what they are going through that if they will trust You, You will be enough.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27



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Monday, February 19, 2018

May The Lord Bless You And Protect You. May The Lord Smile On You And Be Gracious To You. May The Lord Show His Favor And Give You His Peace.

May The Lord Bless You And Protect You.
May The Lord Smile On You And Be Gracious To You.
May The Lord Show His Favor And Give You His Peace.
Scripture
Numbers 6
24 ‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’
Observation
Read the Bible and you will discover that when a blessing is prayed for someone God hears and responds every time. It is so important that we pray blessings over our spouse and over our children. And it is so easy to do! “Bless them Lord. Protect them Lord. Smile on them Lord. Be gracious to them Lord. Show Your favor on them Lord and give them peace.” God wants to bless them. He wants us to ask Him to bless them. Why not pray a blessing over your spouse and over your children before they start their day! Doesn't need to be a long prayer, in fact, it is probably better to keep it short and sweet. But pray the blessing out loud so that they can hear it. Guys, your wife and your kids need to hear you pray!
Application
I will pray this prayer of blessing for everyone that happens to read my blog today and I will pray this blessing for my wife and for my children and grandchildren. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You hear me when I pray. This morning I want to pray this blessing for anyone that may be reading this blog. And I pray this blessing for my wife, my children, and my grandchildren: “Lord, bless them and protect them. Lord, smile on them and be gracious to them. Show them Your favor and give them Your peace.”

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 5,6; Psalms 22; Acts 26



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Sunday, February 18, 2018

I Love You, Lord; You Are My Strength

I Love You,
Lord;
You Are My Strength
Scripture
1 I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
Observation
As I pray for some of you, one of the things that I pray for is that God would be your strength.
I know that for many of us these days are difficult. I can't imagine going through what some of you are going through and dealing with what some of you are having to deal with, and yet I know that all of us face things in our lives that leave us with no strength.
The struggles of life have a way of depleting our strength!
Life here on earth was never meant to be lived out on our own and in our own strength. God created us.
He has designed us to be dependent on Him, yes, dependent on His strength, dependent on mighty power, His energy and on His unlimited resources.
Weak. Depleted. Defeated. … then Psalm 18 is just the Psalm for you!
Isaiah 49:29
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Psalm 18:29
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:13
Christ gives me the strength to face anything.
Application
As I pray for those going through rough times I will pray that God will be their strength. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who are facing difficult circumstances. Some of them are struggling with health problems or facing the failing health of a loved one. I pray for them right now. Lord, give them strength. I pray for those who are dealing with problems in their marriage. Help them Lord. Give them strength. Show them that You are enough! Show them that they can rely on You.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 3,4; Acts 25; I added ... Psalm 18, Psalm 48; Proverbs 18



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Saturday, February 17, 2018

Come Everyone! Clap Your Hands! Shout To God With Joyful Praise! For The Lord Most High Is Awesome.

Come Everyone! Clap Your Hands!
Shout To God With Joyful Praise!
For The Lord Most High Is Awesome.
Scripture
Psalm 47
1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
    Shout to God with joyful praise!
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome.
    He is the great King of all the earth.
Observation
Tomorrow is Sunday! Get ready now for church tomorrow. Get your clothes out and go to bed early! Lets get ready to celebrate!
Reading Psalm 47 can get us ready for worship!
But if Psalm 47 doesn't get your heart pumping then how about Psalm 150:
“Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship, praise him under the open skies; Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute; Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!”
… Haven't been to church in a long time – then tomorrow is a great day to start back! If you live in Tampa why don't you come and join Kathy and I and sit with us at the 10 am worship service at Christ Fellowship!
Application
I will look up and read scripture passages on praise and worship!
2 Samuel 22:47
“The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!
Psalm 30:4
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
Psalm 34:1
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
Psalm 35:10
With every bone in my body I will praise him: “Lord, who can compare with you?
Psalm 43:5
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You and You alone are worthy of praise! Help me to worship You with all of my heart, with all of my might, and with all of my soul! With every bone in my body I will praise You. No one compares with You. You are my Rock and my Salvation! You are to be exalted! I will put my hope in You. You are my Savior and my God!
I pray for anyone that may read this blog. Give the courage and the boldness to attend church tomorrow. Don't let anything stop them from going. Bless them Lord as they put You first!
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 1,2; Acts 24 … I added Psalm 17, Psalm 47, Psalm 150; Proverbs 17



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Friday, February 16, 2018

Better To Be Patient Than Powerful; Better To Have Self-Control Than To Conquer A City.

Better To Be Patient Than Powerful;
Better
To Have Self-Control Than To Conquer A City.
Scripture
Proverbs 16
32 Better to be patient than powerful;
    better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Observation

As I read this morning this verse jumped out at me … probably because I need work in both of these areas: Patience and Self-control!

Proverbs 16:32 tells us just how important it is for us to have both. As I was reading and looking up verses on patience and self-control I discovered Titus 2:2 and it says that self-control or at least putting self-control into practice is something that can be learned.

So there is hope for all of us!

Have you realized that there are some things that you just cannot fix?

There are things that are beyond our control. I have some relationships in my life right now that are in desperate need of being mended, but at the moment I can't fix them.

I have to be patient. I have to practice self-control and I have to wait for God to work.

For you maybe it is not a relationship problem, maybe it is your health or maybe it is the health of a loved one. You can't fix it.

You too have to be patient and wait for God to work.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Proverbs 25:28
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
Titus 2:2
Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Application
I will practice patience. I will practice self-control in the areas of my life that are beyond my ability to fix! How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know me better than anyone else knows me. You know where I need to trust You more. You know all about the relationships that I want mended and You know that I am trying to be patient. You know that I am trying to wait on You to work. Help me to have the self-control I need to be able to please You. I know that both patience and self-control are the Fruit of Your Holy Spirit that should be on display in my life.
I pray for anyone that may read this blog today that is out of patience and who is losing self-control because of a relationship that has gone south or their health or the health of a loved one is not good! Show them that they can depend on You. Show them that they just need to be patient. Give them self-control!
Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 26,27; Acts 23; Psalm 16, Psalm 46; Proverbs 16



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