Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Therefore He Is Able, Once And Forever, To Save Those Who Come To God Through Him. He Lives Forever To Intercede With God On Their Behalf.


Therefore He Is Able, Once And Forever,
To Save Those Who Come To God Through Him.
He Lives Forever To Intercede With God On Their Behalf.
Scripture
Hebrews 7
24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever.
25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Observation
If we have been born again, if we have placed our faith and our trust in Jesus Christ, then He is right now interceding for us. He understands what we are going through. He has personally felt suffering and pain. He can identify with us.
What ever you and I are presently going through Jesus has gone through much worse. And all the suffering and pain that He experienced was because of His great love for us.
So whatever you are going through, talk to God about it. Let Him handle it.
1 Peter 5:7
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Application
I know that Jesus is constantly interceding for me. He knows exactly what is going on and He knows exactly what I need.
How about you? Will you trust Him with your situation?
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.
Hebrews 2:18
Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Matthew 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Hebrews 7:24-25 lets me know that You are watching out for me. And not only watching out for me, but You are watching out for every one of Your children. You care about what happens to me. Jesus is interceding for me. So I know that everything is going to be okay.
I pray for any person reading this blog who may be worrying right now. Maybe you are that person! Maybe you are consumed with worry about your health or the health of a loved one. If that is the case I am praying for you! I am praying that God will help you give all of that worry and concern over on to Him. Lord, give them a supernatural peace that only comes from trusting in You.
Daily Bible Reading: Micah 5,6,7; Hebrews 7



By at No comments:

Tuesday, July 09, 2019

This Hope Is A Strong And Trustworthy Anchor For Our Souls.


This Hope
Is A Strong And Trustworthy
Anchor For Our Souls.
Scripture
Hebrews 6
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 
20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Observation
Hopelessness is a terrible thing … maybe you are at that point in your life or know someone who is. There are many reasons for the feeling of hopelessness. It could be caused by the death of a loved one, a broken relationship, financial disaster, finding out that you or a loved one has a life-threatening disease or the loss of a job, or I am sure many other things.
I know that the state of hopelessness goes way beyond worrying about something, but I think Philippians 4:6-7 still gives us an answer of how to move from hopelessness back to a place of hope: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
So if you are being tossed around today. Dig into God's Word. Talk to the Lord. Anchor yourself to the solid Rock. Let Him give you hope!
By the way Hebrews 6:19 is one of Kathy's favorite verses. She could have done a far better job writing about it than I have done!
Application
As I read Hebrews 6:19 I decided to look up all the verses in the Bible that contained the word “anchor” and all the verses that contained the word “hope”. There were only seven places where the word “anchor” was used, but the word “hope” was used 190 times.
Psalm 119:61
Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
Psalm 25:5
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 33:20
We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:22
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 39:7
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Psalm 62:5
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
Psalm 94:19
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 130:5
I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.
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.
Matthew 12:21
And his name will be the hope
    of all the world.”
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, don't ever let me lose hope. My hope is in You. You are the trustworthy anchor for my soul. My only hope is in You.
I pray for any person reading this blog today that might be experiencing the feeling of hopelessness. Give them hope, Lord. Help them to put their trust and their hope in You alone. Show them that they can trust You to take care of them.
Daily Bible Reading: Micah 1,2,3,4; Hebrews 6



By at No comments:

Monday, July 08, 2019

Even Though Jesus Was God's Son, He Learned Obedience From The Things He Suffered.


Even Though Jesus Was God's Son,
He Learned
Obedience From The Things He Suffered.
Scripture
Hebrews 5:8
8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 
Observation
If we never suffered, if we never went through trials, testing, and hardships there would be no need to call on our Heavenly Father for help.
And if God answered each and every one of our prayers as soon as we asked Him how would we ever learn to walk by faith.
Walking by faith and not by sight requires that we learn obedience from our suffering.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Application
I will look upon suffering as a privilege and I will try hard not to complain when my body doesn't want to cooperate with my plans!
How about you? What are you learning through suffering and hardship?
Philippians 1:29
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me whine and complain on the days that my body wants to stop. Help me to trust in You. Give me the strength to do the important things that I need to do. Help me to learn all that I need to learn with each and every trial that I face. Help me to walk in obedience. I know that You do not waste a hurt. I also know that nothing touches my body without Your approval. I am Your child. You have me in the palm of Your hand. I know that You delight in every detail of my life.
Psalm 37:23
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100,101,102; Hebrews 5



By at No comments:

Sunday, July 07, 2019

My Health May Fail, And My Spirit May Grow Weak, But God Remains The Strength Of My Heart; He Is Mine Forever.


My Health May Fail, And My Spirit May Grow Weak,
But God Remains The Strength Of My Heart;
He Is Mine Forever.
Scripture
Psalm 73
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.
27 Those who desert him will perish,
    for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Observation
I have definitely moved into the 4th quarter of this game called life and probably very close to the two-minute warning.
Every day something new hurts or something new wants to quit working like it is supposed to.
I remember a good friend telling me, “If we only knew what was actually going on inside of our bodies we would be shocked!” So true! I am glad that I don't know!
Maybe you are dealing with some aches and pains today. Maybe some things have quit working like they are supposed to. Maybe you are living with a life-threatening disease and it is taking its toll on your body. If that is the case, just remember that all of us will be where you are one day. Our bodies are all wearing out!
The important questions for us are these: Are we near to God? Is God the strength of our heart? Do we desire Him more than anything else on earth? If our answer to all of those questions is yes, then we are going to be just fine … in spite of all of our aches and pains!
Application
So I declare and I totally agree with what the Psalmist declares in Psalm 73:25-28 when he says,
“Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.”

Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are the Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. You know what is going on inside of me. You even know how many hairs I still have left on my balding head. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but You remain the strength of my heart; You are mine forever. I desire You more than anything on earth. You are my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do!
Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 10,11,12; Psalms 73; Hebrews 4



By at No comments:

Saturday, July 06, 2019

Oh, That We Might Know The Lord! Let Us Press On To Know Him. He Will Respond To Us As Surely As the Arrival Of Dawn.


Oh, That We Might Know The Lord!
Let Us Press On To Know Him.
He Will Respond To Us As Surely As the Arrival Of Dawn.
Scripture
Hosea 6
3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
    Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
    or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Observation
I get up every morning and read the Bible. I don't do it because I have to do it. I used to read God's Word that way. I used to read it legalistically because I knew that I was supposed to. Maybe that has happened to you too? Why not get up every morning, open up the Bible, and look for what God wants to say to us?
I hope you have developed the good habit of reading God's Word every day and spending time alone with God. Personally, for me, I have found it easier to read the Bible on my computer using a reading plan from biblegateway dot com.
If you try reading God's Word without a plan you probably won't be consistent. You will be hit or miss and you will probably miss more than hit!
I journal about something that stands out to me like I am doing right now. You can do the same thing!
Just think about this verse, Hosea 6:3 … it so awesome! “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Application
I will read God's Word every day to know Him better. I will press on to know Him.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have provided a way for me to know You better each day. I just have to be in Your Word every single day. Thank You for giving us Your Word. It is impossible for me to understand everything that happens in my life, but I know that I can trust You to guide me and get me through. You have my back. You are for me, not against me. I want to know You more and more each day. So I will press on to know You better. Keep me away from sins that will mess up my walk with You.
I pray for any person reading this blog. Help them to be in Your Word every day. Speak to them today. Show them that they can trust You with every detail of their lives.
Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 6,7,8,9; Hebrews 3



By at No comments:

Thursday, July 04, 2019

The Son Radiates God's Own Glory And Expresses The Very Character Of God, And He Sustains Everything By The Mighty Power Of His Command.


The Son Radiates God's Own Glory
And Expresses The Very Character Of God,
And He Sustains Everything By The Mighty Power Of His Command.
Scripture
Hebrews 1
3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

8 But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.

9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

Observation
Freedom is something that we sadly, at least in our country, seem to take for granted. Sure the 4th of July is a day for the beach, picnics, and fireworks, but how many of us take time to think about the cost of our freedom! Freedom always comes at a great cost!
Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom. He paid with his death on the cross to free us from the bondage of sin.
“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8
In fact, this July 4th, you and I cannot truly experience freedom unless we have been freed from the control of sin! Only Jesus can set us free!
John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
Application
As I celebrate this 4th of July with family and friends I will do it knowing that thousands have died to provide me the opportunity to live in freedom. I will also celebrate today the fact that I have been set free from the bondage of sin!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for paying for my freedom by experiencing death on a cross. Thank You for paying the penalty for my sins. I pray for my family today on this 4th of July. Keep them safe. I pray as they celebrate this day that they would take time to think of You. I pray for the leaders in our country. Give them wisdom. Turn them in the direction that You want our country to go.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 15,16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1



By at No comments:

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

And I Am Praying That You Will Put Into Action The Generosity That Comes From Your Faith In The Lord Jesus And Your Love For All Of God's People.


And I Am Praying That You Will Put Into Action The Generosity
That Comes From Your Faith In The Lord Jesus
And Your Love For All Of God's People.
Scripture
Philemon 1
4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 
6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Observation

Philemon was a slave owner, he was also a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't know the whole story but we do know that one of his slaves must have escaped and somehow met the Apostle Paul and this slave, Onesimus, became a believer and was discipled and highly valued by Paul. Now Paul was sending Onesimus back to his owner Philemon and Paul was asking Philemon to accept him back as a brother in Christ!

Do you have people that you refuse to be around? If they are going to be at the same place, at the same function, then do you intentionally not go. If that is the case then I am afraid that you are not putting into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

What you are doing is called holding a grudge. You are the one who suffers not the person that you are intentionally distancing yourself from.

The Apostle Paul was asking Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. Philemon could have Onesimus beaten or put to death because he had run away from his owner. Onesimus had wronged his owner, but Paul was asking that the owner forgive Onesimus and generously accept him back as a brother in Christ.

If you are still saying, “I forgive them but ...” Then I would say that your forgiveness is not very generous! And I would add that you are probably still holding a grudge!

Let go of the hurt and generously gift them with complete forgiveness!

Application

I will put into action the generosity that comes from my faith as I understand and experience all the good things I have in Christ.
How about you? Will you be stingy or generous with your gift of forgiveness?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to forgive quickly and completely when people hurt me. Help me to love people deeply and sacrificially. Help me to forgive people the same way that You have forgiven me. Thank You for each and every one of our friends. We are blessed. You have brought so many wonderful people into our lives. Bless them, Lord. May Your face shine on them brightly today!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 6,7; 2 Chronicles 26,27; Philemon



By at No comments:

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

May The Lord Richly Bless Both You And Your Children.


May The Lord
Richly Bless
Both You And Your Children.
Scripture
Psalms 115
14 May the Lord richly bless
    both you and your children.

15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.
Observation
Look through the Scriptures and take special notice of every time that someone prayed a blessing on someone. God always honored that blessing.
When I am talking to couples I always try to remind the man of the importance of praying a short blessing over his wife before leaving the house for work.
I know that most men won't forget to give their wife a kiss before leaving for work, but how many men remember to pray a blessing over their wife and their children each day before running out the door.
And wives as you pray for your husband, take time to ask God to bless them!
Application
I don't run off to work anymore but I will still pray for Kathy and ask God to bless her. I will keep praying for and asking God to bless my children and my grandchildren.
Prayer

So here is my prayer for you!

May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 4,5; Psalms 115,116; Jude



By at No comments:

Monday, July 01, 2019

If You Will Only Obey Me, You Will Have Plenty To Eat.


If You
Will Only Obey Me,
You Will Have Plenty To Eat.
Scripture
Isaiah 1
18 “Come now, let’s settle this,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
    I will make them as white as wool.
19 If you will only obey me,
    you will have plenty to eat.
Observation
“If you only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.” To me this sounds a lot like Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
God tells us over and over and over again that if we will just obey Him and put Him first in our lives that He will take care of us. He will bless us! He will meet all of our needs!
Why do we tend to be so hard-headed … Oh, I'm sorry, was that too harsh!
If you and I want things to change then we need to make sure we are living in obedience to what God has been telling us to do!
Application
I will obey what God tells me to do today.
How about you? Obey? … Or will you be 'hard-headed'?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for my family. Help me to enjoy being with them today. I pray for my kids and my grandkids. Bless them Lord. Help them to walk in obedience. Don't let them be hard-headed! Help all of us live out this day in a way that makes You smile!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 1,2,3; Titus 3



By at No comments:

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Here Is The Ocean, Vast And Wide, Teeming With Life Of Every Kind, Both Large And Small.


Here Is The Ocean, Vast And Wide,
Teeming With Life Of Every Kind,
Both Large And Small.
Scripture
Psalm 104
24 O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
    In wisdom you have made them all.
    The earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the ocean, vast and wide,
    teeming with life of every kind,
    both large and small.

26 See the ships sailing along,
    and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea.
Observation
Just in case you don't know who 'Walter' is – he is the monster fish that I try to catch in my kayak out in the Gulf of Mexico each summer while out here at the beach. He eludes me each year … but this is a new year!
Kathy and I just finished a two-mile walk on the beach! And I agree with the Psalmist when he says, “It is beautiful! O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! … Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large (Walter) and small (what I usually catch).”
I have noticed that when people come to the beach they either are drawn closer to the Lord because of all of the wonder of creation or they act out by partying and drinking. I hope that when you have the opportunity to spend time out at the beach it draws you closer to your Creator.
I have unfortunately done both in my life.
Sadly, I remember times before I gave my life to Christ that I embarrassed myself, Kathy, and her family by drinking alcohol and acting out while out here at the beach. I am so glad that those days are behind me!
Yet, I realize that I am still a sinner saved by God's grace.
Application
I will enjoy God's creation and I will enjoy my family this week while we are out here at the beach!
How about you? Will you take time to enjoy your family and all that God has created!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating the oceans and the mountains for us to enjoy! O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! Thank You for giving us a family to enjoy too! You are so good.
Daily Bible Reading: Amos 7,8,9; Psalms 104; Titus 2



By at No comments:

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Bend Down, O Lord, And Hear My Prayer; Answer Me, For I Need Your Help.


Bend Down, O Lord, And Hear My Prayer;
Answer Me,
For I Need Your Help.
Scripture
Psalm 86
1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
    answer me, for I need your help.

2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
    Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
    You are my God.

3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,
    for I am calling on you constantly.

4 Give me happiness, O Lord,
    for I give myself to you.

5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
    so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

6 Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
    hear my urgent cry.

7 I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
    and you will answer me.
Observation
Boy, King David knew how to pray!
This prayer of David's can be a model prayer for us. He prayed with such confidence. The key to his confidence I think is found in verse two of this Psalm, “Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God.”
If you and I will devote ourselves to the Lord and put Him first in our lives and serve Him then we can pray with confidence just like David did in Psalm 86!
Do we want to see things change in our life? Do we want God to answer our prayers?
Then let's put God first!
Application
I always want God to have first place in my life.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, there are so many things that compete for first place in our lives. Don't let me settle for anything less than You. This world and everything in it is attractive and it tries to pull me away from You. Don't let me give in to temptation. Help me stay away from sin.

I pray for any person reading this blog today. Give them the strength to put You first. Give them the strength to say, No, to sin and say, Yes, to You.

Daily Bible Reading: Amos 4,5,6; Psalms 86,87; Titus 1



By at No comments:

Friday, June 28, 2019

I Have Fought The Good Fight, I Have Finished The Race, And I Have Remained Faithful.


I Have Fought The Good Fight,
I Have Finished The Race,
And I Have Remained Faithful.
Scripture
2 Timothy 4
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 
8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Observation

The Apostle Paul described his life in 2 Timothy 2:4 in terms of a fight and a race. Today, if we were writing, we might put it in football terms, and say that we were in the fourth quarter and down to the final two-minute warning!
Life is flying by for all of us.
Can I describe my life the way the Apostle Paul described his?
Have I fought the good fight? Have I finished the race? Have I remained faithful? If you were not able to say yes, then now is a very good time to start!
Application

I am in a race and I need to finish well.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to finish well. Don't let me mess up. Keep me away from stupid sins that will cause me to get sidetracked and off course. I want You to be able to say to me, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” I pray for my friends. Help them to finish well too! Keep them on track. Don't let them mess up.
Daily Bible Reading: Amos 1,2,3; Psalms 80; 2 Timothy 4



By at No comments:

Thursday, June 27, 2019

All Scripture Is Inspired By God And Is Useful To Teach Us What Is True And To Make Us Realize What Is Wrong In Our Lives.


All Scripture Is Inspired By God
And Is Useful To Teach Us What Is True
And To Make Us Realize What Is Wrong In Our Lives.
Scripture
2 Timothy 3
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Observation
The Bible also says that the Word of God is like a mirror, “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” James 1:23-24
I have these two quotes written down in my Bible, “This Book will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from this Book.” ... “The Word – you read it, then it reads you!”
God's Word is a light to guide me, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
God's Word brings healing! “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22
The Word of God is powerful and alive! It will cut and penetrate like a two edge sword.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12.
Application
I will read God's Word every day.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, don't let me neglect time in Your Word every day. Don't ever let me get that busy or that distracted. Keep me away from stupid sins that will keep me away from spending time with You.
I pray for those who are having surgery and for those who are recovery from surgery. I pray for healing and a quick recovery. I pray for Kathy Huffman as she has gall bladder surgery today. Guide the surgeon's hands.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3



By at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)