Saturday, August 31, 2019

Each One Had A Harp, And They Held Gold Bowls Filled With Incense, Which Are The Prayers Of God's People.


Each One Had A Harp,
And They Held Gold Bowls Filled With Incense,
Which Are The Prayers Of God's People.
Scripture
Revelation 5
8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
You are worthy to take the scroll
    and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
    a Kingdom of priests for our God.
    And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
    to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
Blessing and honor and glory and power
    belong to the one sitting on the throne
    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
Observation
I love this passage! Not only does God love us, but He loves us so much that He saves our prayers that we have prayed to Him.
Earlier in the summer Kathy was going through a footlocker that we have lugged around with us all over the world. It is full of keepsakes. It is full of memories. In that container, she has all kinds of things that she has saved of our kids when they were little.
She even had some old love notes and cards from me that I wrote way back when we were in high school 50 years ago. She saved all of those things because they were from people that she loved.
God has done the same thing with our prayers. He loves us that much! When we talk to Him, He not only responds to our conversation He saves our prayers!
It is amazing and wonderful to know that God loves us that much!
Application
When I pray I hope that my conversations with my Heavenly Father will be worth His saving.
How about you? How is your prayer life?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You know what I am going to say before I even know what I am going to say. You know my thoughts before I even think them. So I know that You know my heart right now. I am amazed that You would want to save my prayers. I know that there are some that have been totally selfish and I doubt that those prayers are among those that You have saved. I know that I don't always make You smile when my conversation with You is all about me. So help me Lord to keep my focus on other people and may the majority of my conversations with You be for other people. Those will be the prayers of mine that I hope You will save.
I pray for my dear friend, Dr. Charles Hartwig as he grieves the loss of his wife Patsy. Be with their children, Amy and Kenneth and their families as they go through this time of loss. Thank You for bringing Charles and Patsy into our lives. We have a relationship with You because of them. We are eternally grateful to You for placing them in our lives.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 12,13,14; Revelation 5



Friday, August 30, 2019

You Are Worthy, O Lord Our God, To Receive Glory And Honor And Power.


You Are Worthy,
O Lord Our God,
To Receive Glory And Honor And Power.
Scripture
Revelation 4
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Observation
Here is why we should go to church. Here is why we should live godly lives. We should because our Lord is worthy. He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power. He is worthy.
We should get up first thing in the morning and spend time with our Lord in His Word. Why? We should ... because He is worthy.
Spending time with God in His Word every day, not because we have to, but because we want to. … Because we realize that He is worthy.
True worship, worship that pleases the Lord, always involves sacrifice and commitment! I was created to worship. God has wired us to worship something or someone. His desire is that we passionately worship Him.
But if I don't worship the Lord and if you don't worship the Lord, I guarantee you, because you and I were created to worship, that we will worship something else.
Application
I will get up each morning and worship the Lord by spending time with Him in His Word.
How about you? Will you make a commitment to the Lord to meet Him every morning?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as I read Ezekiel and Revelation this morning I got a small glimpse of what it is going to be like in Heaven. The description of everything Ezekiel and the Apostle John saw is way beyond my comprehension! But I know that one day I will experience all of what they saw for myself. “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
I pray and ask that You turn this approaching hurricane north so it stays in the Atlantic and doesn't harm people. I pray for Your intervention.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 8,9,10,11; Revelation 4



Thursday, August 29, 2019

But Since You Are Like Lukewarm Water, Neither Hot Nor Cold, I Will Spit You Out Of My Mouth!


But Since You Are Like Lukewarm Water,
Neither Hot Nor Cold,
I Will Spit You Out Of My Mouth!
Scripture
Revelation 3
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 
16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Observation
As you and I read the Bible we come across plenty of warnings about how not to live. Ezekiel and Revelation both give us plenty of warnings!
When I read Ezekiel and Revelation and especially Revelation 3:15-16 I take them as a warning that I am not to live the Christian life in a halfway fashion.
This passage is telling me, that Eddy can't straddle the fence, trying to be in the world and also trying to live the Christian life. No, God wants me sold out to Him 100%! Oh … and … He wants 100% of you too!
I love Revelation 3:20 because it shows me that Jesus wants me to open up my heart to Him and He desires to have an intimate relationship with me.
Application
He wants to fellowship with me as my best friend. And He can't do that if I am going to settle for being a lukewarm Christian!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me yesterday. When I prayed You heard my prayer and You answered me. Thank You for helping me. As I read Ezekiel and Revelation it is obvious to me that You want me to walk close to You. You don't want me to settle for anything less than You. Nothing in this world can meet the deep needs of my life as You can. Don't let me settle for less. Don't let me live my life in a halfway, lukewarm fashion. I want to always be 100% sold out to You.
This is also my prayer for any person that may read this blog today. Help them to be 100% committed to You!
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 4,5,6,7; Revelation 3



Wednesday, August 28, 2019

That Is Why I Tell You Not To Worry About Everyday Life –


That Is Why I Tell You
Not To Worry
About Everyday Life –
Scripture
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 

27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Observation

Did you sleep well last night? If not, then the culprit that is messing up your sleep just could be – worry! Are you worried?

No matter how much you and I worry and fret over something it is not going to change the situation one bit. There is an alternative to worry.

Instead of worrying, which does no good at all, we should take all of our concerns to the Lord. Yes, pray about them instead!

When we can't sleep at night because we are thinking about something (worrying), instead of continuing to lay there thinking about the problem, let's take that problem to God in prayer.

Let's talk to Him about it and lay the problem at His feet. And every time we start to think (worry) about the problem again let's go to the Lord and give it back to Him.

This is what God says to do with all of our problems and all of our worries.

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.
By the way, this is our lesson for this Sunday in the Bible Study that I have the privilege to lead on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM at our church. If you are not doing anything this Sunday at 9 o'clock come join us! Christ Fellowship Church 300 E. Sligh Ave.
Application
I will keep taking every worry and concern to the Lord in prayer. Every time I begin to worry about something I will invite the Lord to take care of the problem for me.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I serve an Audience of One. I know that I am supposed to put You first in my life. Don't let me get distracted and worried over things in my life. Help me to walk by faith. Help me to trust You with every detail of my life. And I pray the same thing for any person who may read this blog. Help them not to worry. Increase their faith!
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1,2,3; Revelation 2 … I added: Matthew 6



Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Let Me Hear Of Your Unfailing Love Each Morning, For I Am Trusting You. Show Me Where To Walk, For I Give Myself To You.


Let Me Hear Of Your Unfailing Love Each Morning,
For I Am Trusting You.
Show Me Where To Walk, For I Give Myself To You.
Scripture
Psalm 143
8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
    for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
    for I give myself to you.
Observation
Ever had one of those days where things went from bad to worse?
Yesterday was one of those days for me. So when I read Psalm 143:8 this morning, I smiled.
I am making it my prayer for today.
Every day is a new day with God!
The Lord is my strength. Today I am trusting in Him. I am trusting in Him to show me where to walk. I am giving myself to Him.
And through His Word He is letting me hear of His unfailing love this morning!
Lamentations 3
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Psalm 40:11
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Application

I am trusting in the Lord today ... No matter what!

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to trust You every moment of this day. I am going to depend on You. No matter what happens or doesn't happen I am going to depend on You to guide me. “Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.” “Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalms 143,144



Monday, August 26, 2019

I Could Have No Greater Joy Than To Hear That My Children Are Following The Truth.


I Could Have No Greater Joy
Than To Hear That My Children
Are Following The Truth.
Scripture
3 John
4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
Observation
When the Apostle John penned this letter he was older just like I am. (Notice that I didn't say “old”!) I certainly echo John's sentiments in what he says in 3 John verse four because there is no greater joy for Kathy and I than to hear that our children (both biological and spiritual) are following the truth.
When we see young people at our church or within our family, both couples and singles, growing in the Lord, there is nothing that gives us greater joy. We watch them as they make spiritual strides, spiritual commitments, and it makes us smile. We are so very proud of them!
I hope that you are one of the ones that are putting a smile on our faces by the way you are living. But even more important than making us smile and bringing us joy, is the fact that if you are growing in your relationship with the Lord and you are making Him smile. And nothing is more important than that!
Application
Kathy and I will continue investing our lives in the people that God sends our way.
We will never give up!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those that You have brought into our lives. We feel responsible for them. Show us how to help them grow spiritually. We want them to become strong in their faith. We want You to use them in a mighty way in Your kingdom. Help them grow, Lord. Help them to grow. There is no greater joy than to see them following the truth.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 50,51; 3 John



Sunday, August 25, 2019

There Was No Water In The Cistern, But There Was A Thick Layer Of Mud At The Bottom, And Jeremiah Sank Down Into It.


There Was No Water In The Cistern,
But There Was A Thick Layer Of Mud At The Bottom,
And Jeremiah Sank Down Into It.
Scripture
Jeremiah 38
So the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it.

But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate,
 so Ebed-melech rushed from the palace to speak with him. 
“My lord the king,” he said, “these men have done a very evil thing in putting Jeremiah the prophet into the cistern. He will soon die of hunger, for almost all the bread in the city is gone.”
10 So the king told Ebed-melech, “Take thirty of my men with you, and pull Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies.”
Observation

Prophet Jeremiah was God's spoke person. Jeremiah walked in a close relationship with God. Even though both of these things were true that didn't exclude Jeremiah from suffering for God. And if you are a child of God then you too are going to experience suffering.
Can you imagine what it was like for Jeremiah? He was lowered down into a well and sank into the mud at the bottom. And He was left standing in thick mud that was at the bottom of the well.
I can only imagine what was going through his mind while he was down in the well surrounded by nothing but mud and darkness. And this wasn't the first time that Jeremiah had suffered just because he was God's prophet.
Our suffering is promised in Scripture, so it should not come as a surprise to us when we find ourselves in a pit, sinking in the mud, and waiting on God to rescue us!
James 5:10
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Romans 8:17-18
And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
2 Corinthians 4:10
Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
Philippians 1:29
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
Colossians 1:24
I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
James 5:13
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.
Application
When I am in the pit, knee-deep in the mud of despair, I will look up and I will pray to my God and He will rescue me.
How about you? What will you do when you experience suffering?
1 Peter 2:21
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
1 Peter 4:1
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.
1 Peter 4:19
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You have not promised me a pain-free life. In fact, You have told me over and over again that while I am in this world I will experience pain, suffering, and trouble. But You have also promised me that You have overcome this world. I know how this story ends, Lord. I know that You have a plan to prosper me. This world is not my home. I am just passing through.
I pray for those who are experiencing pain and suffering today. Give them strength. Help them to hold on to every one of Your promises!
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37,38,39; Psalms 79; 2 John



Saturday, August 24, 2019

Dear Children, Keep Away From Anything That Might Take God's Place In Your Hearts.


Dear Children,
Keep Away From Anything
That Might Take God's Place In Your Hearts.
Scripture
1 John 5
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 
12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 
15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
Observation
Every single day a battle is being fought for that special place in our hearts that God desires to reside. God wants to have first place in our hearts. He wants to be on the throne!
And each and every day we are in a spiritual battle to keep God on the throne. Self, our old nature, wants to be in control. Self wants to be on the throne.
The Apostle John ends this short letter with what is definitely a warning, but which is also some great advice for us today, “Keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.”
Can you think of something, anything, that is taking God's place in your life?
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Romans 7
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. …

**** Today is Saturday … tomorrow is Sunday! Get your clothes out and ready and your kids' clothes out and ready today for church in the morning! It is a great step in putting God first in your life!

Application
I will make sure that God has first place in my life today.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart. I don't want anything taking Your place in my heart. Every time something does take Your spot in my heart I want You to make me miserable until I confess that sin and allow You to once again to be in control.
I pray for anyone reading this blog that is struggling with an addiction. I pray that You would help them only to be passionately addicted to You.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5



Friday, August 23, 2019

O Sovereign Lord! You Made The Heavens And Earth By Your Strong Hand And Powerful Arm. Nothing Is Too Hard For You!


O Sovereign Lord! You Made The Heavens And Earth
By Your Strong Hand And Powerful Arm.
Nothing Is Too Hard For You!
Scripture
Jeremiah 32
17 “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! 
27 I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?
Observation
Life is hard. We often face situations that seem overwhelming and problems that are impossible for us to manage.
How sad it must be for those who do not have a Heavenly Father who takes their impossible situations and makes them possible.
Are you facing an impossible situation right now?
God delights, yes, He loves, making our totally impossible situations … possible! Call on Him! Trust Him!
Application
Every day that I wake up and I am able to breathe another breath it is a reminder to me that nothing is too hard for my God – NOTHING!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have personally shown me that nothing is too hard for You. I am alive today because of Your mighty power. Don't ever let me doubt Your ability to take care of all of my impossible situations. Nothing that I will ever face will ever be too hard for You.
I pray for any person reading this blog today. If they are facing an impossible situation show them that they can trust You to take care of it. Encourage them today, Lord. Give them strength. Take care of their impossible situation!
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31,32; 1 John 4



Thursday, August 22, 2019

“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.”


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.”
Scripture
Jeremiah 29
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. 
1 John 3
1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
Observation
God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 is a promise to me. It is also a promise to you if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. I hope that you take time to memorize Jeremiah 29:11 and put it in your heart!
Are you worried about your future? Do you feel hopeless?
Then you should definitely take time today to meditate on Jeremiah 29:11 and 1 John 3:1 and let the truth of those verses sink in.
Application

I am so glad that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me so much. I will hold on to His promise that He is going to give me a good future. I am confident that He is going to take care of me.
How about you? Are you trusting in your Heavenly Father to take care of you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, just as You took care of Jeremiah I know that You are going to take care of me. I know that Your promise in Jeremiah 29:11 is a promise to me. You have adopted me into Your family. You chose me. I did nothing to deserve it. You did everything. I know that my future is in Your hands. So I know that I don't have to worry. I look forward to what lies ahead with confidence because I know that You have good things planned for me.
I pray for any person reading this blog that is having a rough time today. Help them to trust in Your promises. Give them something to hold on to from Your Word today. Help them to hold on to all of Your promises.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 28,29,30; 1 John 3



Wednesday, August 21, 2019

This Is The Day The Lord Has Made. We Will Rejoice And Be Glad In It.


This Is The Day The Lord Has Made.
We Will
Rejoice And Be Glad In It.
Scripture
Psalm 118
24 This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Please, Lord, please save us.
    Please, Lord, please give us success.

Observation
As I start out this day I have a choice about how I start it and so do you.
Quoting Psalm 118:24 out loud is a really good way to start out this Wednesday, “This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I think Psalm 118:25 is also appropriate for today, “Please, Lord, please save me. Please, Lord, please give me success.”
I don't know about you, but I need all the help that I can get. So let's praise the Lord today and let's also ask Him for His help.
Application

The Lord has given me today. I am going to rejoice and be glad in it. I am also going to pray and ask Him to help me get through this day.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I recognize that today is a day that You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I also recognize that I need Your help to get me through this day. Please, Lord, give me success.
I pray for anyone that may read this blog today. Help them, Lord. Show them that they can trust in You to take care of every detail of their life.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 21,24,27; Psalms 118; 1 John 2



Tuesday, August 20, 2019

If We Confess Our Sins, He Is Faithful And Righteous To Forgive Our Sins And To Cleanse Us From All Unrighteousness.


If We Confess Our Sins, He Is Faithful And Righteous
To Forgive Our Sins
And To Cleanse Us From All Unrighteousness.
Scripture
1 John 1
7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 
8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
10 If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Observation

I might be a bigger sinner than you or maybe you are a bigger sinner than me, but the truth is that both of us are sinners, and we are both in need of forgiveness.
The Bible is a love story all about a perfect Holy God pursuing a relationship with us, a bunch of rotten sinners. Yes, you and I are in that bunch. And yes, He is in hot pursuit of us!
You know the Bible verse John 3:16. You probably have it memorized. The next verse that you and I should memorize if we haven't already done it is 1 John 1:9. It tells us what we need to do when we sin. The verse tells us that we need to tell God when we have sinned. God already knows it, but He wants to hear us acknowledge it. It is a Father/son or Father/daughter relationship that He desires to have with us.
I am sorry. Please forgive me. I know that is what my Heavenly Father wants to hear from me when I sin!
Application
I will confess my sins as I commit them and not let them pile up.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, every time I sin, bring convict me with Your Holy Spirit. Make me miserable until I get it right with You. I want a close relationship with You and I know that sin, any sin, messes up our relationship. Help me to live in a way that makes You smile. I do not want to grieve Your Holy Spirit. Break my heart with what breaks Yours.
I pray for any person reading this blog that is struggling in some area of sin. Help them to confess their sins and get their relationship right with You. Give them victory today.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 48,49; Psalms 67; 1 John 1