Friday, May 31, 2019

Don't Be Too Proud To Enjoy The Company Of Ordinary People.


Don't
Be Too Proud To Enjoy
The Company Of Ordinary People.
Scripture
Romans 12
16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Observation
You and I are not that important. We need to slow down and enjoy the company of the people around us … you know - ordinary people!
There must be a tendency for us to think of ourselves as better than some other people and smarter than other people otherwise the Apostle Paul wouldn't have written Romans 12:16!
I remember that he said something similar in Galatians 6:3 “If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”
It is another reminder to Eddy that life is not all about 'me'!
Application

I will try hard to enjoy the people that God brings into my life.
How about you?
Galatians 6:3
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Proverbs 18:1
Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
Proverbs 18:24
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to take time with people today. Slow me down. Don't let me think that I am better than someone else.
I pray for the sick today. I pray for those going in for surgery. I pray for healing.
I pray for the person reading this blog today. Smile on them, Lord. Smile on them!
Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 16,17,18; Romans 12



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Thursday, May 30, 2019

Opening Your Mouth Can Ruin Everything.


Opening
Your Mouth
Can Ruin Everything.
Scripture
Proverbs 13
3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Observation

Yep! Opening your mouth can ruin everything! I know if you are married, or if you are in a relationship you can identify with this verse.
If we had just kept our mouth shut … but we didn't.
We can plan a special night out with our spouse, everything can be going perfectly, and then we ruin it all by saying something, something stupid, something hurtful, and it messes up the whole night.
Yes, opening my mouth and saying the wrong thing can ruin everything!
Proverbs 12:18
Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing. (NCV)
Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 17:27
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 21:23
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
Application
I will do my best to keep my mouth shut. Watch what I say and how I say it. And I will ask the Lord to help me to guard my tongue.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep my mouth shut so I can stay out of trouble. “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: Proverbs 13,14,15; Romans 11



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Wednesday, May 29, 2019

For “Everyone Who Calls On The Name Of The Lord Will Be Saved.”


For “Everyone
Who Calls On The Name Of The Lord
Will Be Saved.”
Scripture
Romans 10:9-10,13
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 
13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Observation
Are you saved?
If you were to die today where would you spend eternity - Heaven or Hell?
Please notice that there is not a third option. There are just two. And also notice that I didn't say, “Where would you like to spend eternity?”
By the way, almost everybody I ask that question to almost always tells me that they are going to go to Heaven when they die. Only a few have told me that they were going to go to Hell! Sadly, most of the people that I ask think that they are going to go to Heaven because they do more good things than bad.
What would your answer be to that question?
Romans 10:9-10 &13 tells us that there is only 'One Way' for us to get into Heaven.
John 14:6
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
It is not good people that go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell. It is forgiven people that go to Heaven.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Application
I openly declare that Jesus is Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. Thank You for sending someone to tell me about Jesus Christ. I know that my salvation does not depend on me. I know that I can't ever be good enough to deserve to go to Heaven. I know that I deserve to go to Hell. Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for my sins on the cross. I am forgiven. It is because of your grace and mercy that I am saved. It is not because of anything that I have done.
I pray for any person reading this blog today. Open his or her spiritual eyes so that they can put their faith and trust in You.
Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 10,11,12; Romans 10

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Tuesday, May 28, 2019

I Am Placing A Stone In Jerusalem That Makes People Stumble


I Am
Placing A Stone In Jerusalem
That Makes People Stumble
Scripture
Romans 9
33 God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said,
“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble,
    a rock that makes them fall.
But anyone who trusts in him
    will never be disgraced.”
Observation
Over the past several months I have been I been asked several times about people of different religions whether they worship the same God as I do.
If you are a Hindu, a Buddhist, or a Muslim is the God that you worship the same as the God that I worship? What do you think?
My personal view or opinion is 'no', my God is not the same as their god.
My God left Heaven and came down to this earth. He allowed Himself to be born as a Man, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was 100 % human and 100% God. Jesus Christ, God Himself, lived on this earth for 33 years without sinning one time. Then He allowed Himself to be arrested and crucified for my sins and for your sins on a cross. He was buried and on the third day, He came back to life. He is alive today. And one day Jesus will return to earth and He will take all of His followers to Heaven to be with Him forever.
If your God did that for you then His name is Jesus! If you reject Jesus as Your God then He will be the Rock that makes you stumble and fall. There is only One God, and His name is Jesus.
Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
1 Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
John 5:24
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Application

I will treat people of different religions with respect, but I will always be ready to tell them about Jesus.
How about you? Is He the Rock of your salvation, or is He a stumbling block to you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be ready to share with people, no matter what religious background they may have. Give me the chance to talk to them about Jesus. Open doors for me to share and make me aware of the opportunity when You provide one. Don't let me miss it. I know that You are always at work in the lives of the people around me. Let me be a part of someone coming to know Jesus in a personal way.
I pray for those who are grieving today. Give them strength.
Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 7,8,9; Romans 9



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Monday, May 27, 2019

If God Is For Us, Who Can Ever Be Against Us?


If God
Is For Us,
Who Can Ever Be Against Us?
Scripture
Romans 8
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 

33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 

34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Observation
Romans 8 is without a doubt one of the most powerful chapters in all of the Bible. If you haven't read it lately, I would recommend you taking the time to read it today.
Wow! It is full of promises!
Do you ever feel like everything is going against you? Do you feel like everyone else is getting all of the good breaks, and you are somehow getting shortchanged?
To be honest, I feel like that sometimes myself. So, Romans 8 is just perfect for me and perfect for you too!
Romans 8
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
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 is for me. He is on my side.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, no matter what happens in my life I know that you are going to work it out for my best interests. You have my back. You are taking care of me. You are my Heavenly Father and I know that You are a good, good, Father.
I pray for anyone who may read this blog today that is going through a rough time. Help them trust in You. Use the difficult time that they are going through to bring them closer to You. Show them that they can trust totally in You.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 4,5,6; Romans 8



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Sunday, May 26, 2019

I Have Discovered This Principle Of Life – That When I Want To Do What Is Right, I Inevitably Do What Is Wrong.


I Have Discovered This Principle Of Life –
That When I Want To Do What Is Right,
I Inevitably Do What Is Wrong.
Scripture
Romans 7
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 
22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 
23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Observation
Do you struggle with sin? If you say “no” then I say you are a liar or you are probably not a follower of Jesus Christ. If the Apostle Paul struggled with sin then I am pretty sure, if we are honest, that you and I struggle with sin too!
Why do couples have fights? It is because two sinners are trying to live together under the same roof!
I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?
These are the three phrases we must use when we sin against God and they are the three phrases we better learn to use often with our partner.
How many times a day do we say, “I love you”? God needs to hear it from us often and so does our partner.
Application
I will let God and Kathy know how much I love them. And I will let them know often.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to quickly confess my sins to You when I sin. Help me to quickly get things right with Kathy when we fuss with each other. Don't let my pride get in the way of me saying to her, “I am sorry. Will you forgive me? I love you!”
I pray for my friends who have lost loved ones. I pray that You comfort them. I pray for those who are sick. I pray for healing.
I pray for my pastors today as they preach. Use them in a powerful way to speak to us.
Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 1,2,3; Romans 7



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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Do Not Let Sin Control The Way You Live; Do Not Give In To Sinful Desires.


Do Not Let Sin
Control The Way You Live;
Do Not Give In To Sinful Desires.
Scripture
1 Kings 11
2 The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. 
3 He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.
4 In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been. 5 Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.
6 In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he refused to follow the Lord completely, as his father, David, had done.
Romans 6
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.

Observation
King Solomon started out great, but didn't finish well!
You and I have the opportunity if we choose to stay away from sin, to finish well!
The choice is ours to make. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we can say “no” to temptation when it comes our way.
Weekends seem to be a prime time for the tempter (the devil) to tempt us!
Let's not let anything turn our hearts away from the Lord.
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. –”
“This Book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this Book.” (Rapley Armstrong)
Application
I will strive to live out today in a way that makes God smile!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me live out today in a way that pleases You. 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 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6



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Friday, May 24, 2019

We Also Glory In Our Suffering, Because We Know That Suffering Produces Perseverance


We Also Glory In Our Suffering,
Because
We Know That Suffering Produces Perseverance
Scripture
Romans 5
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Observation
I met an amazing guy recently while I was making visits at the hospital. He described himself as a dwarf. He was 4'2'' in height. During our conversation, he shared that by 14 years of age he had already broken over 100 bones in his body. He has a condition that causes his bones to be brittle and they are always breaking!
He was in the hospital this time because of a kidney stone, but the doctors had to correct a breathing problem before they could do the procedure to blast the kidney stone.
This man's outlook on his life, in spite of all his health problems, was extraordinary. He told me, “I believe that God has put me here to show people that if I can make it then they can surely make it.” He went on to say, “People say, 'Why me?', and I say, 'Why not me!”.
I was amazed at this man's faith! At the end of my visit, we prayed together. I prayed for him and he prayed for me! It was such an incredible visit that I even got another chaplain to come to his room to meet him.
Suffering had certainly produced perseverance, character, and hope in this man's life!
Are you going through a time of suffering right now? I hope that it is producing perseverance, character, and hope in you!
Application
I will try hard not to complain about my daily aches and pains. I know that God is at work in me!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for my friend that I met at the hospital. I pray that the doctors can take care of the breathing issue, do the procedure to blast the kidney stone and then let him get back home. Use him at the hospital, Lord, to encourage every person that he talks to. He is Your servant. He has amazing faith.
I pray for any person reading this blog that may be struggling with a health issue. Give them strength. Use the suffering that they are going through to produce perseverance, character, and hope!
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalms 136; Romans 5



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Thursday, May 23, 2019

Against All Hope, Abraham In Hope Believed


Against All Hope,
Abraham
In Hope Believed
Scripture
Romans 4
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 
22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 
24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Observation
This Sunday will be my last day of training as a chaplain intern at Tampa General Hospital. I have enjoyed visiting patients and working with the other chaplains.
Hopefully I will now be able to be what they call at the hospital a “pool chaplain” and be able to work in some hospital on a part-time basis.
Over the past several months I have visited with patients, way too many that were in a situation similar to what Abraham faced. As I have prayed with them I have asked God to intervene and I have prayed for healing.
How can we ever understand why a 12-year-old would have an aggressive cancerous brain tumor? Last night I prayed with this 12-year-old and her Mom. I asked for God to intervene and to heal. Against all hope in hope we prayed.
Here is what I know: God is good. And when we can't understand why He has allowed something bad like this to happen. We should, just like Abraham, trust God's heart.
Application
When I can't see God's Hand I will trust His heart!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those who are facing situations where there seems to be no hope. Show them that in You there is always hope. Help them to trust You during this seemingly hopeless time in their life. Show them Your mighty power! I pray for healing for those who are sick. I pray for those who are suffering from emotional problems. Nothing is too hard for You.
I know the power of prayer. I am living proof. Every day that I have breath I give You thanks. Thank You for saving my soul and thank You for saving my life. You are a good, good Heavenly Father. You are worthy of all praise!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 6,7; Psalms 135; Romans 4



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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

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


We Are Made
Right With God
By Placing Our Faith In Jesus Christ.
Scripture
Romans 3
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 
24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Observation
I used to think (when I was a young adult) that a Christian was someone who went to church, who was a good person, and someone who was definitely not doing the things that I was doing.
It was at nineteen years of age that I realized for the first time that a Christian is actually a person who places his or her faith in Jesus Christ.
I was nineteen when I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. It was then that I became a follower of Christ!
This passage in Romans 3:22-26 explains this perfectly!
I hope it makes sense to you too! Maybe, like me, you have had a misunderstanding of what it takes to become a Christian.
Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Application
I am a sinner. I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ who died in my place on the cross. I am forgiven.
How about you? Are you forgiven?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. I don't deserve it. I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve to go to Hell. Thank You for giving me what I don't deserve and not giving me what I do deserve. You are a God of grace and mercy.
I pray for any person reading this blog today. Help them to understand what Jesus has done for them on the cross. Show them, open up their spiritual eyes and heart, so they can also trust You for their salvation if they have not yet made the decision to trust in You.
Help all of us stay away from stupid sins that mess up our relationship with You and cause the people around us to stumble. Guard our hearts!
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalms 99; Romans 3
> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.



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Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Make A Joyful Symphony Before The Lord, The King!


Make A Joyful Symphony
Before
The Lord, The King!
Scripture
Psalm 98
4 Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
    break out in praise and sing for joy!

5 Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and melodious song,

6 with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
    Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!

7 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
    Let the earth and all living things join in.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
    Let the hills sing out their songs of joy

9 before the Lord,
    for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
    and the nations with fairness.

Observation

“Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in.”

Let's get moving this morning and praise the Lord!

Application
I will praise the Lord today! He is worthy of all praise!
How about you … will you praise Him today!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I give You praise. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are worthy of all praise!
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” Psalm 105:1-4
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2



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Monday, May 20, 2019

When We Get Together, I Want To Encourage You In Your Faith, But I Also Want To Be Encouraged By Yours.


When We Get Together, I Want To Encourage You
In Your Faith,
But I Also Want To Be Encouraged By Yours.
Scripture
Romans 1
12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Observation

Encouragement is a two-way street. All of us need the encouragement of someone else and they also need our encouragement. Today is Monday. Maybe you need a little encouragement this morning or maybe you know someone who does.
It is always my hope when I am talking to a patient in the hospital that my presence and my words are an encouragement to them. There are times after leaving a patient's room that I realize that the patient has somehow encouraged me with what he or she has said!
Yes, encouragement is definitely a two-way street!
Who comes to your mind that needs a phone call, or a visit? Maybe writing an email, a text, or sending someone a note the old fashion way … via snail mail. There is something about getting a card in the mail that you can open up and read. A stamp is a small price to pay to make someone's day.
Let's look for someone to encourage today!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Application
I will look for someone to encourage today.
How about you?
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is so easy to get discouraged, but I also know it is easy to be an encouragement to someone who is feeling low.
Help me today to encourage someone. Show me who needs an extra minute of my time.
I pray for the people who I will talk to at Mission Tampa today. Help me to be an encouragement to them.
I pray for the person reading this blog who is having a hard time. Encourage them, Lord. Help them to think of someone that needs their help. Put someone on their heart that needs to be encouraged. Helping someone else will do wonders for their spirit. Give them hope today. Give them energy.
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalms 97; Romans 1



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