For Troubles Surround Me – To Many To Count! My Sins Pile Up So High I Can’t See My Way Out.

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For Troubles Surround Me – To Many To Count!
My Sins Pile Up So High
I Can’t See My Way Out.

Scripture

Psalms 40

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.

² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.

³ He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.
¹² For troubles surround me—
    too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
    I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
    I have lost all courage.
¹³ Please, Lord, rescue me!
    Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

Observation

Maybe you find yourself in a “pit of despair” this morning. Maybe your sins are piled up so high that you can’t see your way out. Maybe those sins outnumber the hairs on your head and you have lost all courage.

If you are nodding your head because this describes you then open up your Bible and join me at Psalm 40 this morning!

You really might need to take the time to read the whole short Psalm for yourself and ask God to speak His truth into your life.

When we think of King David we usually only think of his successes and we never think that he also had failures and weaknesses. He was just like we are. He was a sinner and he messed up just like we do.

His successes in life came from his dependence on His God. He was a man after God’s own heart. He was far from perfect. He committed murder and adultery at weak points in his life.

God loves you and me just the way we are but He loves us way too much to leave us just the way we are.

Maybe we need a new song to sing from the Lord?

Application

I will pray this Psalm back to the Lord this morning. Why don’t you do the same?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray this Psalm back to You.

I waited patiently for You to help me, and You turned to me and heard my cry. You lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. You set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. You have given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to You, my God. Many will see what You have done and be amazed. They will put their trust in You. 

Oh, the joys of those who trust You, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that You have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. 

I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. 

For troubles surround me—too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame.

May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”  As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay. 

Psalm 40 (personalized)

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 30,31; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 1

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We Will Reap A Harvest Of Blessing If Don’t Give Up.

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We Will
Reap A Harvest Of Blessing
If Don’t Give Up.

Scripture

Galatians 6

⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Observation

These days I wake up tired, and I go to bed tired. Maybe that is why these verses got my attention this morning. Or maybe it is because Kathy and I have become so weary trying to help and pray for those we love with struggles that seem to be destroying them.

The Word that I take from these verses today is, “At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Giving up. Is there someone you are ready to give up on?

Maybe they have hurt you, maybe they have even hurt you over and over again … don’t give up on them. I am not saying that you live with abuse. I am not saying that you are to be a “door mat” for people to walk all over you.

We do need to set boundaries with theses people we love who because of their behavior, because of their actions are no longer easy to love. For sure we need to learn how to love them with a “tuffer” love. We don’t need to enable them to keep on with their destructive life style, but we don’t give up on them either.

Love is a choice not just a feeling or an emotion.

I don’t love him anymore, or I don’t love her anymore really means that I am choosing not to love that person anymore.

God loves us unconditionally. We are to do the same.
They don’t deserve be treated with love. You are right.

You and I don’t deserve God’s love, but He pours out His love on us anyway!

Don’t give up! At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Application

I will not give up on people who are struggling. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know at least a little how You must feel when people decide to destroy their lives with sinful and selfish living. It hurts to watch people you love make bad choices that only causes hurt and destruction not only to themselves but to everyone around them. You have given us the ministry of reconciliation. We must not give up on people. You know who I am praying for. You know who is on my heart. Don’t ever let me give up on them. Don’t let me get too tired, too weary that I give up. I want to reap the harvest of blessng. Give folks that are tired the strength that they need to walk in victory today. You are Almighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 28,29; Galatians 6

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Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, And Self-Control.

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Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, And Self-Control.

Scripture

Galatians 5

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Observation

It is Monday!

How will we live out this week? If you and I are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we most certainly do have a choice!

Everyday is a new day! Every week is a new week!

You and I do have a choice.

Sadly, many of us will choose to live this week just like folks who do not know Jesus Christ. If you do then this is what your life will be like:

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Gal. 5:19-21

The secret to living a life filled with purpose and meaning, the abundant life that Jesus has promised us is this, “You and I must yield control of our lives over to our Heavenly Father on a daily basis.” 

In other words, “God must be behind the steering wheel of my life and He must be behind the steering wheel of your life!” 

Blessing or Curse? It all depends on “whom” you and I allow behind the wheel!

Application

It is my desire and the intention of my heart to let God be in control of my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, be in control of my life. Show me any area of my life that is not yielded to You. Guide and direct me this week. Help me to do those things that bring You joy. Don’t let me do those things that my old nature pulls me to do. Help me to stay in Your Word this week. Help me to walk with integrity. I pray for those who are struggling this week in areas of sin. Help them to yield control of his or her life back over to You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 25,26,27; Galatians 5

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God Has Made You His Heir.

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God
Has Made
You His Heir.

Scripture

Galatians 4

⁶ And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Observation

When my earthly father died he left my siblings and me nothing. He had re-married and his new wife and children were left with all his worldly possessions. I would have liked something of my Dad’s, but for him I was no longer one of his heirs.

No problem. I am a King’s kid. Everything that my Heavenly Father has is mine. Everything!

I own it all!

I am God’s own child. He provides everything that I need and holds back right now stuff that would only mess me up. He knows what I can handle and He knows what is too much for me!

Because the LORD is my Shepherd I have everything that I need. Psalm 23:1

Application

I will count my blessings today and be thankful because of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me have the same attitude as the Apostle Paul when he wrote Philippians 4 and said this:

¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil. 4:11-13

Help me be totally content today with all that You have provided me. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 22,23,24; Galatians 4



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God’s Promise To Abraham Belongs To You

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God’s
Promise
To Abraham Belongs To You

Scripture

Galatians 3

²⁹ And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Observation

God’s promise or promises to Abraham belong to me because I belong to Jesus Christ. I am not just saying that, I am just quoting Galatians 3:29 and that is what the verse says.

Looking back over the life of Abraham and his wife Sarah I get comfort knowing that God waited until they were very old before they saw the promise(s) fulfilled.

I belong to the family of God. I have been born into it. As the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:3

“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.”

Our hearts ache, but at the same time we have the joy of the Lord. We are poor, but we give rich spiritual gifts to others. We own nothing, and yet we enjoy everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! Psalm 23:1

For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Philippians 4:13

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

Application

I am reminded this morning of just how rich I am in Christ. I am blessed. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because I belong to Christ. You are my refuge and strength, always ready to help me in times of trouble. So I will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters

I waited patiently for You to help me, and You turned to me and heard my cry. You lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. You set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. You have given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to You, my God. Many will see what You have done and be amazed. They will put their trust in You Lord. (Taken from Psalm 46 and Psalm 40 and personalized)

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 19,20,21; Galatians 3

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You Know What I Long For, Lord; You Hear My Every Sigh.

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You Know
What I Long For, Lord;
You Hear My Every Sigh. 

Scripture

Psalm 38

⁹ You know what I long for, Lord;
    you hear my every sigh.

Observation

This past Sunday Pastor Bruce said, “Every one of us has a deep longing. Something that is not right, something that we want to be put back into order, to be healed, or to be made right. There is something that triggers the greatest power of God and it comes from the principle of authority. Authority is the understanding of who has control over me.”

As soon as he said this, my thoughts immediately went to my deepest longing. What is my deepest longing? You don’t really need to know, but I will give you a big hint. Nothing is more important to me than the spiritual well being of my family.

Nothing!

Application

Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. I am under His control and under His authority. I will hold on to His Promises. I will trust the spiritual well being of my family to the Lord. What about your deepest longing? Will you allow the Lord to have authority over your life?

Prayer

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. 

You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh.     (Psalm 139:1-7,17-18; Psalm 38:9)


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 16,17,18; Psalms 38; Galatians 2

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In All His Thoughts There Is No Room For God.

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In
All His Thoughts
There Is No Room For God.

Scripture

Psalm 10

4b … in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Observation

In all of your thoughts and in all of my thoughts do we have room for God? 

Ever go through an entire day without stopping to pray, not having room for God. It has happened to me. 

Ever try to fix something like a broken down car, or find a solution to some major problem and then in desperation as a last resort turn to God and ask Him for help. 

I have done that. 

God watches us as we live out our lives like He does not exist.

My Heavenly Father does exist. He is Alive! He is All-Powerful!

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

He not only exist He wants to help me with every detail of my life. How do I know that? I know that because He has told me that over and over again in His Word.

    'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3 

He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. Psalm 18:19

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23

    If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

Application

I will strive to pray first before I start a project or attempt to solve a problem. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that when I call You will answer me. I know that when I need wisdom all that I have to do is to ask You for it. I know that You are interested in every detail of my life. Don’t let me go through a day without spending time with You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 13,14,15; Galatians 1; Psalm 10; Proverbs 10


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Fix These Words Of Mine In Your Hearts And Minds

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Fix These Words Of Mine
In
Your Hearts And Minds

Scripture

Deuteronomy 11

¹⁸ Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
 
¹⁹ Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

²⁰ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, ²¹ so that your days and the days of your children may be many.

Observation

The Word of God, the Bible, God’s Holy Word can be placed on your smart phone, your tablet, and your computer and other gadgets. There are so many excellent translations and paraphrases at our fingertips!

We are without excuse in America for not knowing the Word of God.

Now if we just put into practice what scriptures we do know and if we just walked in obedience and not live in sin. 

Moses told the children of Israel as he prepared them to go into the Promise Land, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse — the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; ^the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God” Deuteronomy 11:26-28

I don’t know about you, but I have found life so much better for me and for my family when I obey what God has told me in His Word.

If your life is full of drama, hurt, and confusion right now and you feel like you are under a curse rather than a blessing maybe, just maybe, you need to look at God’s Word everyday and strive to walk in obedience making sure that you are doing what God says in His Word.

Application

I will strive to walk in obedience today. I will ask the Lord to show me anything in my life that is not pleasing to Him. How about you? Will you stop and do a quick inventory of your life to make sure that your life and God’s Word line up correctly?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how heavy my heart is right now for the mistakes and sins that others have made. I can’t imagine how they feel or how they are dealing with everything. It is so totally overwhelming. As I think of them my thoughts go to Psalm 23:1 that says to me, “Because the Lord is my Shepherd I have everything that I need.” Lord, help them come clean with You. Help them repent of their sins. Then help them get totally right with those around them. No cover ups, no lies, no deception. May their “yes” be “yes” and their “no” be “no”. Help me to be a person of integrity. Help me to be an example to my family. Help me to live in a way that makes You smile! 

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 10,11,12; Mark 16

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I Prayed To The LORD And Said, “O Sovereign LORD, Do Not Destroy Them.

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I Prayed To The LORD And Said,
“O Sovereign LORD,
Do Not Destroy Them.

Scripture

Deuteronomy 9

²⁵ “That is why I threw myself down before the Lord for forty days and nights—for the Lord said he would destroy you.  

²⁶ I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, do not destroy them. They are your own people. They are your special possession, whom you redeemed from Egypt by your mighty power and your strong hand.

Observation

Moses had just spent forty days and nights on the mountain with the Lord. It was during that time God gave him the 10 Commandments. For forty days and nights Moses ate and drank nothing. While Moses was up the mountain the people sinned by worshipping the golden calf. And because of their great sin God told Moses that He was going to destroy them all.  

It was at this moment that Moses fell on his face before God and he once again prayed for forty days and nights. He ate no bread and drank no water because of the great sin that the children of Israel had committed. God was going to destroy them but Moses interceded for them and God spared them because of Moses’ and his crying out to God for them in prayer. 

Who needs our prayers? Who are we interceding for? Who do we need to pray for? 

Are we willing to agonize and wrestle with God to see their lives turned around? Do you think God will hear us? Do you think He cares? 

I do. I know He cares. 

I know that He wants me to pray for people. He wants to save them. He wants to see their lives turn around. He doesn’t want them to continue in their sin.

Application

God has put people on my heart for me to pray for them because He wants to do a work in their lives. He wants to display His Power, His Majesty, and His Glory.

I will pray for them.

How about you? Will you pray?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word tells me in 1 Timothy 2:1 “Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.” (TLB) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV) 

I want to thank You right now for hearing my prayers. Thank You for what You are going to do in their lives. You are All-Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 7,8,9; Mark 15

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Please Take This Cup Of Suffering Away From Me. Yet I Want Your Will To Be Done, Not Mine.

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Please Take This Cup
Of Suffering Away From Me.
Yet I Want Your Will To Be Done, Not Mine.

Scripture

Mark 14

³⁶ “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Observation

As I write this blog my thoughts go out to many of the people I know who are going through difficult times, terrible pain and suffering.

I have asked myself and I have asked my God on several occasions, “Why?” Maybe you have done the same thing yourself in the middle of your situation.

Jesus understands just how we feel. On that night in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus in His human flesh wanted His Father to spare Him all of the suffering that was soon going to happen to Him. He reminded His Heavenly Father “everything was possible for Him.”

On this side of Heaven you and I are never going to understand why God allows suffering, or why He allows bad things to happen to us, but I have learned this; suffering and going through hard times allow us to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father that others who have not suffered in the same way could ever experience.

My very good friend, missionary John Seale wrote me a note of encouragement during a difficult time after my heart attack and I have never forgotten his words. I have them on my refrigerator as a constant reminder. John has gone through chemo and radiation treatment for throat cancer. 

Everyday life is a challenge for he and his wife Jeanie, but they have never stopped being a part of the mission work on the island of Cuba. John has been able to organize and take teams to the island even with all of his health issues.

But here is what he wrote me and I think it goes along with this passage about Christ’s prayer to His Heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane and maybe it will encourage you today like it still encourages me.

John wrote, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. (Philippians 1:29) Such difficulties bring many of us to a depth of spiritual oneness and fellowship with our Maker that most believers would not understand.” John Seale

Application

May God’s will be done in my life today. How about yours?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to have the attitude of the Apostle Paul as he wrote his letter to the church in Corinth:

So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

I pray for those who are going through times of suffering right now. Give them strength. Draw them to a closer relationship with You through these difficult times. Be glorified in and through each one of Your servants. May they bring You glory and honor in the midst of their pain. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 5,6; Psalms 43; Mark 14

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What Does God Want Us To Do?

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What Does
God
Want Us To Do? 

God wants us to put His kingdom first. Don’t put your spouse first, don’t put your kids first, and don’t you dare put your business or career first. What is the number one priority in my life and in your life? It needs to be Jesus Christ! That is what God wants us to do!

Scripture

John 6

[28] They replied, "What does God want us to do?"
[29] Jesus told them, "This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent." 

Observation

Jesus had just fed 5,000 men plus women and children using 2 small fish, and five tiny loaves of bread, which was a young boys lunch. The crowds continued to follow Jesus, but they were following Him for all the wrong reasons.

They then asked Jesus a great question, “What does God want us to do?”

His answer to their question (in an Eddy paraphrase), “Believe in me!”

Everyday you and I should be asking God this question, “What do you want me to do?”

God wants you and God wants me to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. He wants us to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!

    "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24

God wants us to put His kingdom first. Don’t put your spouse first, don’t put your kids first, and don’t you dare put your business or career first.

What is the number one priority in my life and in your life?

It needs to be Jesus Christ! That is what God wants us to do!

   

   

Application

I will make sure that nothing is taking Jesus’ place in my life today. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You tell me in Your Word that I shouldn't be so concerned about perishable things like food. You tell me that I need to spend my energy seeking the eternal life Jesus can give me. Help me to seek first Your kingdom, and your righteousness, because I know that then You will provide me with everything that I need in this life. Help me to be content serving You and help me keep You first in my life. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 3,4; Psalms 36; Mark 13; John 6:26-40; 



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In Spite Of This You Did Not Trust In The LORD Your God.

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In Spite Of This
You
Did Not Trust In The LORD Your God.

Scripture

Deuteronomy 1

³² In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, ³³ who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day,

Observation

You and I are a lot like the children of Israel. What is it going to take for us to trust in the LORD our God? 

For 40 years God took care of the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness. His presence was visible to them by a fire over the tabernacle at night and a cloud over it by day. He provided food for them every day. Their clothes and even their sandals never wore out. 

Looking back over my almost 65 years here on planet earth and 46 years of marriage and I can say that God has taken care of me every step of the way. He has been faithful even during times when I was not faithful to Him. 

How about you? 

Isn’t it time to surrender? Isn’t it time to let God be in control of your life? 

He loves you. He wants to bless you and your family. He wants to provide for you just like He did for the children of Israel. 

Don’t be hard headed like the children of Israel were. It didn’t work out well for them because of their unbelief. 

Why not tell your wife, “Honey, I want to start going to church. I want to put God first in my life. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and I want to live for Him.” 

Or maybe you are reading this and you are a wife why don’t you say, “Honey, I want to start going to church. I want to put God first in my life. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and I want to live the rest of my life for Him.” 

Don’t be hard headed. Don’t be a knucklehead. Surrender your life to Him today.

Application

In Mark 12:37b I also read, “The large crowd listened to him with delight.” 

Tomorrow I will listen to our Pastor Bruce Moore as He preaches about Jesus Christ and I will listen with delight! 

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are One and there is no other but You. Help me to love You with all my heart, with all my understanding and with all my strength, and help me to love my neighbor as myself. I know that this is more important than any thing else. Mark 12:32-33 (Personalized)
Daily Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 1,2; Mark 12

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You Can Pray For Anything, And If You Believe That You’ve Received It, It Will Be Yours. But When You Are Praying, First Forgive

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You Can Pray For Anything, And If You Believe That You’ve Received It,
It Will Be Yours.
But When You Are Praying, First Forgive 

Scripture

Mark 11

²⁴ I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

²⁵ But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Observation

Jesus is not saying to us just claim it and receive it. I believe that when you and I are walking in a close relationship with our Heavenly Father He will put on our hearts what we should pray for and when we pray for those things our loving Heavenly Father generously wants to give them to us.

²² Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. ²³ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. Mark 11:22-23

I think maybe what Jesus is saying to me this morning is that me getting things from God is not nearly as important as me loving people like God loves me. You are I are to be like Christ.

You and I have God’s Holy Spirit living within us. The same Power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us. 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.        Ephesians 4:32

If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.    1 Corinthians 13:2

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.       1 Peter 3:7

Application

I will try to be more concerned about my relationship with others than I am about my own needs and desires. How about you? 

¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:13

Prayer

Heavenly Father, remind me over and over again that life is not all about me. Keep me focused on the needs of those around me. Help me to be more concerned for them than less concerned about me.

 Since I have been raised with Christ, help me to set my heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Help me to set my mind on things above, not on earthly things.  For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is my life, appears, then I also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 Personalized

Therefore, as God’s chosen, holy and dearly loved, I will clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I will strive to bear with others and forgive others if I have a grievance against them. I will try to forgive them as the Lord forgave me.  And over all these virtues I will try to put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 Personalized



Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 34,35,36; Mark 11

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But If You Fail To Keep Your Word, Then You Will Have Sinned Against The LORD, And You May Be Sure That Your Sin Will Find You Out.

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But If You Fail To Keep Your Word,
Then You Will Have Sinned Against The LORD,
And You May Be Sure That Your Sin Will Find You Out.


 

Scripture

Numbers 32

²³ But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Observation

You and I may think that we can sin and get away with it. We can hide our sin from those we love. We can rationalize our sin. We can act like we are just fine.

But…

You and I may be sure that our sin will find us out!

We are sinners. It is our nature to sin.

What God demands and what God requires is that we confess our sin to Him when we sin. Do you remember Adam and Eve and what they tried to do after they had sinned? How did that work out for them?

King David tried to hide his horrendous sin against Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. God sent the Prophet Nathan to confront King David and expose his sin. David then confessed his sin and repented. King David’s life, his family’s life, and the nation were never the same after he committed these horrible sins.

You can drive nails into a wooden door. You can pull the nails out of the door, but the door will show the scars of where the nails had been.

Your sin and my sin can be forgiven when we come before our Heavenly Father in brokenness and humility and we confess our sins to Him and we repent. What God does not do as you and I very well know is this: God does not remove the scars that are left because of our sins.

There are consequences that will follow us for the rest of our lives.

You and I may be sure that our sin will find us out.

Application

I will strive to confess my sins as I commit them and I will ask God to show me clearly every time I sin. 

Prayer

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.

Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.  The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:1-10,17

    

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 32,33; Mark 10



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Have Mercy On Us And Help Us, If You Can. What Do You Mean, “If I Can. Jesus Asked. Anything Is Possible If A Person Believes.

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Have Mercy On Us And Help Us, If You Can.
What Do You Mean, “If I Can. Jesus Asked.
Anything Is Possible If A Person Believes.

Scripture

Mark 9

²⁰ So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

²¹ “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. ²² The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
²³ “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

Observation

What do you mean if I can?

If we are honest you and I approach God in prayer with an “If You can attitude” way too often don’t we?

I love Jesus’ response to this man’s doubt and unbelief, “What do you mean if I can? Anything is possible if a person believes”.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16

Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

Application

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I do believe, but help my unbelief! So many of my requests today are for those around me and it seems totally impossible and I guess it is totally impossible without Your help. So help my unbelief. I am trusting in You. These folks have no hope without You stepping in and working miracles in their lives. But You are a God of miracles. Nothing is too hard for You. On their behalf I ask You to do the impossible and help them out of the mess they have found themselves in. I pray that they put their faith, and their trust in You. May all of this work out ultimately for their good. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 30,31; Mark 9

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Is Anything Worth More Than Your Soul?

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Is
Anything
Worth More Than Your Soul?

Scripture

Mark 8

³⁷ Is anything worth more than your soul?

Observation

Unless Jesus Christ is the most important Person in your life and unless He is the most important Person in my life and unless Jesus Christ is more important than anything else in our lives then we will never ever experience life the way God intended for it to be experienced!

Your relationships, your friendships, your family, your spouse, your career, and your future, none of these will be what they could be if you don’t have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our lives are moving so fast! It won’t be long and then they will be over.

 What then?

Jesus said, “Nothing is more important than your souls.”

If life on this earth is all that there is then let’s eat, drink, and be merry because this is it!

But if you are honest you know that this is not all that there is. God created us with a God shaped vacuum in our hearts that only a right relationship with Him can fill. Trying to fill it with lots of other stuff just doesn’t work. It doesn’t work at all.

God created you and He created me with a soul and that soul is going to live forever - either in Heaven or Hell. He created us with a soul because He wants to have a relationship with us.

Nothing is more important than your soul!

Would you take a moment this morning and at least stop and talk to God about your relationship with Him? God wants to be first in your life. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ and make Him your highest priority.

Is anything worth more than your soul?

Application

I will make sure that nothing is taking Jesus’ number one place in my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that You allowed me to have a personal relationship with You. To think that I have the same access to Your throne as King David, Moses, Abraham, Peter, John, and Paul. You have called me. I am chosen. You have a plan for my life. I am Your masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared in advance for me to do. (Eph. 2:10) I will live forever in Heaven with You. Thank You for Your Word. I hold on to every one of Your Promises.

   


   

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 28,29; Mark 8

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