Tuesday, April 30, 2019

So God Down To The Lake And Throw In A Line. Open The Mouth Of The First Fish You Catch, And You Will Find A Large Silver Coin.


So God Down To The Lake And Throw In A Line.
Open The Mouth Of The First Fish You Catch,
And You Will Find A Large Silver Coin.
Scripture
Matthew 17
24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax[came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.
But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”
26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! 27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
Observation
Reading this passage makes me think about the last time I went fishing. It has been so long that I can't remember where I went or who I went with, but I know that I didn't catch any fish!
They tell me that is why it is called fishing and not catching.
Jesus sent Peter to catch and not just to fish!
In fact, that day the only important fish was that first fish that Peter caught. He was to go fishing and look into the mouth of the first fish that he caught. Jesus told Peter that the first fish that he caught would have a large silver coin in its mouth.
Enough to pay the taxes for both Peter and for Jesus.
So what is the lesson for Eddy today? What might be the lesson for you? I think for me it is this. If I put God first in my life then God has a zillion ways to take care of my needs. The possibilities are limitless!
The key is to make sure that God has the Number One place in my life!
Matthew 6:33
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Application

I will start out each day with God and I will spend time each day in his Word.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me walk in Your path. Help me keep You Number One in my life! Don't let me settle for anything less.
I pray for any person reading this blog today. Help them walk close to You today. Help them to put You first in his or her life. Smile on them today, Lord!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17



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Monday, April 29, 2019

Thank You For Making Me So Wonderfully Complex! Your Workmanship Is Marvelous – How Well I Know It.


Thank You For Making Me So Wonderfully Complex!
Your Workmanship Is Marvelous –
How Well I Know It.
Scripture
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.

5 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!

8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave,  you are there.

9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.

11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
    and the light around me to become night—

12     but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16 You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.

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! ...

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.

Observation
I love Psalm 139! Don't you! I included most of the Psalm in this blog. It is so good! You might have got up this morning feeling unloved. You might be draggin, saggin, and baggin this morning! Maybe life has been rough on you. Maybe you need some encouragement as you start out this week. Read Psalm 139.
If you think your life is bad (and I am not saying that it is not) you should walk with me around the hospital and visit with patients and their families like I had the opportunity to do yesterday. To many of the patients that I visited yesterday I had to say, “We can't understand why these things happen to us, but we can be sure of this, we have a Heavenly Father who is good and He loves us. We must trust Him.
Psalm 139 is perfect for you today.
Application
When I can't see God's Hand in what is going on I will trust His heart.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are the God of all comfort and compassion. I pray that You help those families that I talked to yesterday who are going through such difficult times. I pray for healing. You are the Great Physician! Nothing is too hard for You. Nothing is impossible for You!
I pray for anyone who might be reading this blog that is discouraged today. I pray that You will lift them up. Show them Your mighty power. Fill them with Your Spirit.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16



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Sunday, April 28, 2019

But The Words You Speak Come From The Heart – That's What Defiles You.


But
The Words You Speak Come From The Heart –
That's What Defiles You.
Scripture
Matthew 15
17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 
18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 
20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
Observation
Listen to a person and how they talk – their words are a reflection of the condition of their heart! “Oh, he didn't mean it” – “Oh, he or she is not really like that” – “I know he or she said that but they really didn't mean it”
Oh, yes, they did!
Our words, our vocabulary, our tone that goes with our words, they are all a reflection of our heart!
“I love you.” “I am sorry.” “Will you forgive me?”
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 wise words bring healing.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Application
I will pay attention to the words coming out of my mouth!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. You are my rock and my redeemer. I know that words do matter. What I say and how I say it does make a difference. Help me to build people up and not tear them down. Give me the ability to encourage people with what I say to them.
I pray for husbands and wives today. Help them to use their words to build their partner up and not to tear them down.
Proverbs 13:3
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Proverbs 21:23
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15



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Saturday, April 27, 2019

“Lord, If It's Really You, Tell Me To Come To You Walking On The Water.” “Yes, Come,” Jesus said.


“Lord, If It's Really You,
Tell Me To Come To You Walking On The Water.”
“Yes, Come,” Jesus said.
Scripture
Matthew 14
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Observation
If you and your buddies were out in a boat at 3 o'clock in the morning, caught in a storm, and saw your teacher walking on the water, would any of you say to your teacher, “Can I walk out on the water to you”? I didn't think so! Me either!
I think that it took incredible faith for Peter to think that he could actually walk on water. He had incredible faith until he started walking on the water and saw the size of the waves. He took his eyes off of Jesus and down he went!
As soon as he looked up to the Lord and cried out to Him for Jesus to save him, Peter was safe.
This most definitely was a lesson for Simon Peter and the disciples but it is also a lesson for me and I think this is a lesson for you too. During life's storms, we must keep our eyes and our focus on Jesus and not focus on the wind and the waves of the storm.
Remember: You and I are either in a storm right now, just came out of a storm, or we are getting ready to get hit by a storm in the near future.
Life is one storm, one right after another!
Jesus was right there with Peter in that storm and He is right here with us too! Let's trust Him!
Application
I want to remember this story and I want to keep my focus on Jesus during life's next storm.
How about you?
John 16:33
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.”
Isaiah 43:1-3
… “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.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that Peter was rebuked by Jesus for his lack of faith when he started to sink as he walked on water. But Lord, he did have more faith than the other disciples because he at least got out of the boat and started walking on the water. When my faith is tested by the storms of life help me to hold fast and not doubt. I don't want to ever give up. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You and not on my circumstances. Lord, increase my faith!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14



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Friday, April 26, 2019

But Blessed Are Your Eyes, Because They See; And Your Ears, Because They Hear.


But Blessed Are Your Eyes,
Because They See; And Your Ears,
Because They Hear.
Scripture
Matthew 13
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 
17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.
Observation
Maybe you haven't thought about this before, but if you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you are blessed and highly favored! Others have heard about the claims of Christ and have rejected Him, but just think how fortunate you are because you said, YES, to Him!
Salvation is a free gift. God paid a high price for our salvation – the death of His Son, but it is offered as a free gift to us.
It is not something that we can earn by being good. If you are trying to be good enough to be saved, then my friend, you are never going to make it into Heaven.
I am a sinner. I don't deserve the relationship that I have with God through Jesus Christ, but I am so glad that I have it. I am so glad that when I heard about Jesus many years ago I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. Matthew 13, lets us know that many will hear and will reject the message, but all of us who hear the Message and accept Him are blessed!
“Blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because you hear.”
Application
I am blessed and highly favored!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am reminded as I read Matthew 13 that I am so blessed. I realize that no one comes to You unless You draw them. You are the One who saves. It has nothing to do with us. None of us deserve salvation. None of us are good enough on our own. I don't know why but You saved me. I am so very grateful. Why me? I will never know, but I am thankful. I am blessed beyond measure!
I pray for the person reading this blog who still hasn't made up his or her mind about Jesus. I pray that You open up their hearts. Help them to believe!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13



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Thursday, April 25, 2019

And His Name Will Be The Hope Of All The World.


And
His Name
Will Be The Hope Of All The World.
Scripture
Matthew 12
21 And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”
Observation
Hope is spelled “J-E-S-U-S”!
Chris Tomlin sings the song called, “In the name of Jesus” - A few lyrics of the song go like this,
“The name of Jesus is a refuge a shelter from the storm, a help to those who call. The name of Jesus is a fortress a saving place to run, a hope unshakable. When we fall You are the Savior. When we call You are the answer. There is power in Your name.”
Last night at the hospital I was at the bedside of a middle age man who was Buddhist. He was in critical condition. As I was talking to him he raised up his hand towards me and one of his family members said to me, “He wants you to hold his hand.”
I took his hand and I said, “Do you want me to pray for you?” He nodded his head, yes! I was surprised because I had looked at his chart before I visited him and I knew that he was Buddhist. His family gathered around the bedside with me and I prayed in the name of Jesus for this man to be healed. He was too weak to carry on a conversation with me, but somehow he knew that there was 'hope' in the name of Jesus!

The answer to whatever is going on in your life is spelled J-E-S-U-S!
Talk to Him! There is Power in His Name!
Application
I will tell everyone I can about Jesus – the hope of the World!
How about you?
Hebrews 6:19
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that Jesus is the Name above all names. I realize the power that comes with His Name. I pray for those who are going through tough times. Lord, show them that they can call on You. Show them that the answer to their problems is Jesus!
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 30,31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12



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Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Come To Me, All Of You Who Are Weary And Carry Heavy Burdens, And I Will Give You Rest.


Come To Me,
All Of You Who Are Weary And Carry Heavy Burdens,
And I Will Give You Rest.
Scripture
Matthew 11
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Observation
Are you tired? Are you stressed out? Are you weary and loaded down with burdens today? Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest.”
Don't let pride or anything else stop you.
Come to Jesus. Talk to Him. You want to find rest for your soul. Talk to Him.
I have plenty of burdens that are too big for me to carry. I have to roll them over onto Jesus.
Here are some passages that help remind me that I need to give my burdens to the Lord.
Psalm 55:22
22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
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.

Application
I am going to put Matthew 11:28 into practice today.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that Jesus has big enough shoulders to carry every one of my burdens today. Remind me every time I start to carry them for myself. Show me that You can handle every detail of my life. There is nothing too big for You. It is so easy for me to get discouraged over the smallest thing. I know that You want to walk through life with me and I know that You want to help me. Don't let me be stubborn and try to do things on my own. Help me to trust You today with every burden that gets put on me today. Help me to quickly roll each one of them over on You!
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11



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Tuesday, April 23, 2019

So Don't Be Afraid; You Are More Valuable To God Than A Whole Flock Of Sparrows.


So Don't Be Afraid;
You Are More Valuable To God
Than A Whole Flock Of Sparrows.
Scripture
Matthew 10
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 
30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 
31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Observation
There are a lot of things that could cause us to think that we have little or no value. It could be a failed marriage or relationship, or even some kind of devastating illness or disease, or maybe it is a physical disability of some kind, or maybe you have lost your job and you haven't been able to provide for your family like you once did.
Maybe you struggle low self-esteem or you maybe you suffer from abuse, I don't know.
But I do know this. God loves you. And I know that you are highly valued by your Creator.
God knows when one sparrow falls from the sky to the ground. And you and I are worth more than a whole flock of sparrows.
Psalm 37:23
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
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. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Romans 8
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
God loves me. And it is not because of anything that I have done.

He loves you too! Trust Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that you love with me with unfailing, unconditional love. Help me to love people the same way that You love me. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10



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Monday, April 22, 2019

When He Saw The Crowds, He Had Compassion On Them Because They Were Confused And Helpless, Like Sheep Without A Shepherd.


When He Saw The Crowds, He Had Compassion On Them
Because They Were Confused And Helpless,
Like Sheep Without A Shepherd.
Scripture
Matthew 9
35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 
38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Observation
When you are in a crowd of people do you ever stop and think about their spiritual condition? Yesterday, I was in a large crowd, and it happened to be at our church!
Easter Sunday is always a great opportunity for the church to shine and open its doors to people who might not normally attend church on a regular basis!
I don't know about your church, but I think our church did an excellent job yesterday of reaching out and showing love and compassion to the crowd.
Yesterday during the worship service, I prayed and I asked God to work in the hearts of everyone that attended the service. I remember Pastor Bruce's Dad, Dr. Waylon B. Moore, telling the men in our small group that the first thing we need to do when we get into church is to pray for God to work in the hearts of those attending. When he said that in our group last year I made a mental note in my head, “Eddy, you've got to start doing that!”
So the next time we are in a crowd lets pray for them and let's also ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His fields to reach them.
My heart goes out to the believers in Sri Lanka who were killed yesterday and others who suffered injuries at the hands of the terrorists, but my heart is even more broken over the multitudes in Sri Lanka who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Application
I will pray for the lost and have compassion on them and I will ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His fields.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Easter crowd yesterday at our church. I pray that You send workers to reach them. I pray that many of them will return this coming Sunday. I pray that many of them would place their trust and faith in Jesus for their salvation. Have compassion on them, Lord, have compassion on them! Lord, You are worthy of all praise! You are worthy!
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9



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Sunday, April 21, 2019

“Who Is This Man?” They Asked. “Even The Winds And Waves Obey Him!”


“Who Is This Man?”
They Asked.
“Even The Winds And Waves Obey Him!”
Scripture
Matthew 8
23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 
24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 
25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
Observation
Who is this Man? Who is Jesus to you? Today is the day we celebrate Resurrection Sunday! No matter how long you live and no matter how long I live, you and I can be certain of this, we are still going to die! Are you ready to die? I mean ... have you made arrangements?
I don't mean arrangements at the funeral home. I mean have you surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins.
Jesus came to this earth to rescue us. That is why He is called Savior!
Is He your Savior?
John 20:25-29
25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Jesus Christ is my Lord and my God!
Who is Jesus to you?
Application
I will celebrate the Resurrection of my Savior today!
How about you?
Don't stay home – get up and get to church!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for leaving Heaven and coming down to this earth. Thank You for taking on the human flesh and dying a criminal's death on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You for coming back to life just as You said that You would. And I know that one day soon You are coming back to get me and everyone else who calls You Lord and means it.
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57,58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8



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