For God Is Working In You, Giving You The Desire And The Power To Do What Pleases Him

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For God Is Working In You,
Giving You The Desire
And The Power To Do What Pleases Him

 

Scripture

Philippians 2

¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Observation

I see God working in so many lives today. So many young people at church are surrendering their lives to the Lord. It is exciting to see God at work!

But God is also working in us older folks too. God is giving us the desire and the Power to do what pleases Him. 

So please, lets not make excuses! 

What is God putting on your heart? 

If God is working in our hearts and He puts in our hearts a desire to do something then He will give us the power to see it through.  

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13

 Application

Here I am Lord send me! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to have the same attitude as Jesus Christ. I want to put others first. I don’t want to live my life to impress others. I want to think of others as better than myself. Help me to be more concerned with the interest of others and less concerned with my own interest. Thank You for giving me Eternal life. I have everything that I need. You are Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. .


Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

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Every Time I Think Of You, I Give Thanks To My God.

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Every Time
I Think Of You,
I Give Thanks To My God.

Scripture

Philippians 1

³ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.\
 
⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
 
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Observation

When I first starting putting my blog up on Facebook it was really just a way to hold myself accountable to read God’s Word everyday and have my quiet time. 

What it has turned into for me is an opportunity and a ministry for me to be able to pray for you.
Every time a person like you clicks “like” or makes a comment about what I have shared you can be sure that Eddy is going to take the time to pray for that person. 

I understand what the Apostle Paul says in verse 4, “Whenever I pray, I make requests for all of you with joy.” 

I never would have had this opportunity if God had not allowed the massive heart attack nearly 5 years ago and slowed me down. Now every morning I look forward to seeing who God has for me to pray for. 

I don’t write you every time I pray for you because I don’t want to drive you crazy, but you have my promise that everyday that I see your name you can be sure that you and your family are being lifted up by me in prayer. I appreciate how some of you have shared specific requests with me and that has helped me in praying for you.

Application

I look forward to praying for you. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, nothing brings You more honor than me spending time in prayer with You. It is a relationship with us that You created us for. Help me to talk to You about every detail of my life. Help me pray on behalf of those that You bring into my life. It is with great joy that I pray for those who read this simple blog. I gladly stand in the gap for them. Do a mighty work in each one of their lives today. Show them that they can completely trust in You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Song of Solomon 5,6,7,8; Philippians 1

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We Are Not Fighting Against Flesh-And-Blood Enemies, But Against Evil Rulers And Authorities Of The Unseen World, Against Mighty Powers In This Dark World

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We Are Not Fighting Against Flesh-And-Blood Enemies,
But Against Evil Rulers And Authorities Of The Unseen World,
Against Mighty Powers In This Dark World

Scripture

Ephesians 6

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
 
¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
 
¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Observation

Marriage and family are under attack. 

Families are being ripped apart. 

Relationships are being destroyed. 

And you think it is your spouse’s fault. You think he or she is the enemy. You are wrong. 

Take time to read Ephesians 6 this morning. You and I do have an enemy. 

And we better put on the whole armor of God to be able to stand against his strategies. 

His ultimate goal is to destroy you, destroy your marriage, destroy your family, and destroy your 
 life in general. 

How is he doing so far? 

Are you ready to make a change?

 Application

I will put on the whole armor of God this morning to protect me from my real enemy – Satan.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will put on Your armor today so that I can resist the enemy and so that I can stand firm. I will put on the belt of truth and the body armor of Your righteousness. My shoes will Your peace that I received with the Good News about Jesus Christ. I will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. I will put on salvation as my helmet and I will take the sword of Your Holy Spirit, which is the word of God. And I will pray in the Spirit all the time, praying for believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:13-18 personalized)



Daily Bible Reading:  Song 1,2,3,4; Ephesians 6



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Using A Dull Ax Requires Great Strength, So Sharpen The Blade. That’s The Value Of Wisdom; It Helps You Succeed.

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Using A Dull Ax Requires Great Strength,
So Sharpen The Blade.
That’s The Value Of Wisdom; It Helps You Succeed.

I just came back from a 6 am breakfast meeting with some of the men of our church. Pastor Larry Chadwell is guiding us as we work together to come up with 8 transferable concepts or tools that one day soon we want every man in our church to be able to use with other men. As I came back to the house to have make daily quiet time and read my Bible this verse in Ecclesiastes 10 jumped out at me! To be with these men this morning was a blade sharpening experience for Eddy Williams. 

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 10

10 Using a dull ax requires great strength,
    so sharpen the blade.
That’s the value of wisdom;
    it helps you succeed.

Observation

I just came back from a 6 am breakfast meeting with some of the men of our church.

Pastor Larry Chadwell is guiding us as we work together to come up with 8 transferable concepts or tools that one day soon we want every man in our church to be able to use with other men.

As I came back to the house to have make daily quiet time and read my Bible this verse in Ecclesiastes 10 jumped out at me! To be with these men this morning was a blade sharpening experience for Eddy Williams.  

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2

Are you part of a small group? It is a great place to “sharpen your blade”!

 Application

I am grateful for guys like Larry Chadwell that God uses in my life to help me be more like Jesus!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as Pastor Larry shared this morning. I want to commit everything that I know about myself to everything that I know about Jesus. I want to yield everything to You this morning. I pray for the men of our church. Help them to have a Spirit open to spiritual things. Help them to grow. Give them the desire and the mindset to grow. Thank You for what You are doing in our church. Thank You for what You are doing right now in my life.

Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 10,11,12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5

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Do Not Bring Sorrow To God’s Holy Spirit By The Way You Live

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Do Not Bring Sorrow
To God’s Holy Spirit
By The Way You Live

Scripture

Ephesians 4

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
 
³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Observation

What you and I decide to do with our time; what you and I decide to involve ourselves in or with does matter to God.

The way we live can bring sorrow to God or we can make Him smile. So how are we going to live this day out?

It is up to you and me. It is an everyday, every time we get out of the bed decision … are we going to live today to please God or are we going to live it just trying to please ourselves. 

Application

It is my desire to live this day in a way that makes God smile. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Help me to be kind to others. Help me to be tenderhearted. Help me to forgive others, just as You through Christ have forgiven me. Help me make You smile today by the way I treat those around me. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 7,8,9; Ephesians 4

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I Pray That From His Glorious, Unlimited Resources He Will Empower You With Inner Strength Through His Spirit

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I Pray That From His Glorious, Unlimited Resources
He Will Empower You
With Inner Strength Through His Spirit

Scripture

Ephesians 3


¹⁴ When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
 
¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
 
¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
 
¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
 
¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
 
²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

If you and I are honest where we need help is with “inner strength” because that is where most of our battles are fought!

The Apostle Paul gives us two powerful prayers in the book of Ephesians that we can pray for people. One is found in Ephesians 1:15-21 and here in Ephesians 3:14-21.

This is my prayer for you today! It is found in Ephesians 3:14-21!

Application

I will pray this prayer for everyone that reads my blog.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is nothing more important for me to do in life than to pray for the people that You place on my heart. You place them on my heart because You plan to do a work in their lives and You want me to be a part of it. I pray for Wendy and James that I met today. I pray that You not let them rest until they are attending church. And I pray that You direct them to ours. I pray for Yvette who put her faith in Jesus today. I pray that Kathy has the opportunity to help her grow. Protect her for the evil one.

Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 4,5,6; Psalms 18; Ephesians 3

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Salvation Is Not A Reward For The Good Things We Have Done

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Salvation Is Not A Reward
For The Good Things
We Have Done

Scripture

Ephesians 2

⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Observation

How good do you have to be to get into God’s Heaven? Let me quickly say that you and I can never be good enough to get in. There was only One who was and only One who still is good enough and His name is Jesus. 

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12 

 For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13    

In just a few minutes Kathy and I will go to Mission Tampa to share with the people that come there for help. 

The vast majority of the people today will tell us that they think that they are good enough or they will say that if they are good enough then God will let them into His Heaven.

You may think that too. Maybe you have been trying to sin less these days thinking that if you sin less you will somehow squeak into God’s Kingdom. 

I don’t mind a bit popping your bubble if that is the way you have been thinking! Here is a verse that tells us what our sin(s) earn us and it is not Heaven. 

When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
   
   
It is our job as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to clearly share with others that only through a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ can a person find forgiveness of their sins and be saved. 

    For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.  Romans 10:9-10

Application

I will do my best to share clearly the Good News about Jesus to the folks that come this morning to Mission Tampa. How about you? Who needs to hear about Jesus Christ?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You protect the people today that have to venture out in possibly bad weather. I pray for those who will come to Mission Tampa for help this morning. I pray that their hearts be open so they can clearly understand the Gospel message. I pray for our team that serves each week. Give us Your strength. Give us Your heart and Your compassion for the people that come in the rain today to get help. You are Mighty. Nothing is too hard for You.  

Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 1,2,3; Psalms 45; Ephesians 2

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I Also Pray That You Will Understand The Incredible Greatness Of God’s Power For Us Who Believe Him.

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I Also Pray
That You Will Understand The Incredible Greatness
Of God’s Power For Us Who Believe Him.

Scripture

Ephesians 1 

¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³ And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Observation

As I read God’s Word I pick up on the excitement, I feel the urgency of God’s message of salvation and I hold on tightly to all of God’s promises!

How about you?

Jesus Christ is over all things for the benefit of the church!

He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else – not only in this world but also in the world to come.

The incredible greatness of God’s power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead resides in us – his church!

As you and I share our faith this week, as we deal with perhaps difficult people and difficult circumstances we can rely on the incredible greatness of the power of God in us!

Application

I will face this week confident in the incredible greatness of my God and the power of His Holy Spirit that is in me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, with Your help I will do mighty things, for You will trample down my foes. (Psalm 60:12) I know that the very same incredible great power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in me. Help me to live out my faith today. I pray for anyone that might be reading this blog this morning. I pray that You help them to totally trust You. Show them that they can totally rely on You. Give them the courage to believe. 


Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 30,31; Psalms 33; Ephesians 1 

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With God’s Help We Will Do Mighty Things

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With
God’s Help
We Will Do Mighty Things

Scripture

Psalm 60

12 With God’s help we will do mighty things,
    for he will trample down our foes.

Observation

This would be a great motto for a business! “With God’s Help We Will Do Mighty Things!”

What about this verse as a motto for my house and maybe even for your house?

How about for our church?

How big is our God?

On Sunday mornings when I see all of the young people that make up the majority of our congregation I really excited and I am filled with emotion.

Even though I am not the Senior Pastor of our church (that responsibility belongs to Pastor Bruce Moore and he is doing a great job!) as one of the pastors trying to lead these young people, my task and the challenge for all of us pastors is to help these young people grab hold of and run with this great promise found in Psalm 60:12!

Maybe you are one of those “young people” that make me so proud with the way that you are growing in Christ! Would you put this verse on your refrigerator or maybe even better than that would you memorize it and guard it in your heart?

Now for all of us that are not so young anymore this verse is also still true for us too! God is not finished with us yet.

Application

With God’s help I will do mighty things! How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me quit. Don’t let me pull myself out of the race. Excuses are just that they are excuses. Don’t let me use any excuse for not serving You. I claim and hold onto Your Word this morning that says that “With Your Help We Will Do Mighty Things” and that “We” includes “Me”. 


For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13


   

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 28,29; Psalms 60; Romans 16



> If you are reading this simple blog this morning you are an encouragement to me!

> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.

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I Pray That God, The Source Of Hope, Will Fill You Completely With Joy And Peace Because You Trust In Him.

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I Pray That God,
The Source Of Hope,
Will Fill You Completely With Joy And Peace Because You Trust In Him.

Scripture

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.

Observation

This is my prayer for you today on this Friday morning! Maybe you have had a rough week. Maybe you are dealing with some really difficult stuff. Here is my prayer for you. I want you to overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the way that I want you to go into this weekend – overflowing with hope! If hope is something that you have been missing in your life then why don’t you take some time and camp for a while in God’s Word. If is full of hope! It is loaded with promises for you and me!

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:22

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 84:19

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18

Application

This will be my prayer for everyone that God brings to my mind today to pray for and especially for anyone that may take a minute to read this blog. Who will you pray for this morning that may need to be reassured of God’s hope?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this is my prayer for any person that may be reading this blog this morning:

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. And 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. Ephesians 1:18 and Romans 15:13 

Give them hope this morning. Help them to believe, help them to have faith in You and in all of your promises today! Show them just how powerful and mighty You are! Don’t leave them with any doubt about how much You love them!


Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 25,26,27; Romans 15

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The Godly May Trip Seven Times, But They Will Get Up Again.

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The Godly
May Trip
Seven Times, But They Will Get Up Again.

Scripture

Proverbs 22

¹⁶ The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

Observation

Failure, blowing it, messing up, getting tripped up, it may happen to the godly but they will get up again!

You and I if we have made the decision to put God first in our lives doesn’t mean that we are not going to mess up!

Striving to live a godly life does not mean that our lives are going to be perfect.

It does mean though that we have a God who is willing to pick us back up when life trips us up or when we mess up and totally blow it!

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

Application

I will strive to live a godly life and when I trip up I will get back up again. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your design for me was for me to live in a relationship with You. I mess our relationship up all the time when I choose to do things that do not please You. I am so glad that You forgive me every time I mess up and every time I come to You and ask for Your forgiveness.

Each and every time I trip up, and every time I fall down You are there to pick me back up. You are faithful to forgive me even though I do not deserve Your forgiveness. It is only because of Your mercy and Your grace that I am still here today. Thank You for Your unfailing love and kindness towards me. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 22,23,24; Romans 14; Psalm 2, Psalm 102

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And Don’t Let Yourself Think About Ways To Indulge Your Evil Desires.

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And Don’t Let
Yourself
Think About Ways To Indulge Your Evil Desires. 

Scripture

Romans 13

¹³ Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Observation

Sin is enjoyable (this is not earth shattering news) and that is why the Apostle Paul has told us not to think about ways to indulge our evil desires. 

Our motive or our reason to stay away from sinful thoughts and sinful activities should not be just for the negative consequences of sin and what it does to us personally or what it does to those close to us, but just as important is the terrible harm it does to our witness as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

He or she is a Christian and they do that ________? (You fill in the blank).

We must live decent lives for all to see.

Drinking, smoking, drugging, pornography, gambling, immoral living, over eating, lying, gossip, and you can keep adding to this list whatever evil desire that entices you the most. Satan knows where to attack us. He knows our weak spot(s).

Here is the test: Would what I am doing or thinking about doing bring God glory and honor? Would it make God smile? If the answer is yes, then indulge yourself, but if the answer is no or if the answer is I am not sure, then don’t do it!

Application

I will indulge myself in things today that make God smile. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy for me to sin. It is so easy for me to think about things that are not pleasing to You. Don’t let me yield to the temptations that come my way. Don’t let me think about ways to indulge my evil desires. I want to clothe myself with the presence of Jesus Christ. I want to live a decent life for others to see. Give me the strength to live out this day in a way that pleases You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 19,20,21; Romans 13

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Take Your Everyday, Ordinary Life – Your Sleeping, Eating, Going-To-Work, And Walking Around Life – And Place It Before God As An Offering

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Take Your Everyday, Ordinary Life –
Your Sleeping, Eating, Going-To-Work, And Walking Around Life –
And Place It Before God As An Offering

Scripture

Romans 12

1 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. MESSAGE

2 Do not be ·shaped by [conformed to; pressed into a mold by] this ·world [age]; instead be ·changed within [transformed] by ·a new way of thinking [or changing the way you think; the renewing of your mind]. Then you will be able to ·decide [discern; test and approve] what ·God wants for you [is God’s will]; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. EXB

Observation

What God wants us to be is a “living sacrifice”. If we offered “dead sacrifices” to the Lord like what was done in the Old Testament that would be one thing, but to be a “living sacrifice” now that is not easy. You ask why? Here is why - because as living sacrifices we must make the decision daily not to crawl off of the altar. How are we doing with that? 

You and I are also not to be squeezed, molded, or shaped by the world around us into something that resembles them. Instead we are to let God transform, change, and re-mould our minds from within. 

Romans 12 is so full of great stuff! Take a few minutes to read it for yourself and see what God shows you. Let me know what jumps out at you this morning from this great chapter! 

Application

I will place my ordinary life before God this morning as a “living sacrifice”. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live my life today as a living sacrifice. Help me to keep You as the Number One priority in my life. Don’t let me get sidetracked by the world around me. Don’t let the world squeeze me into something that doesn’t please You. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 16,17,18; Romans 12



> If you are reading this simple blog this morning you are an encouragement to me!

> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.

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For Everything Comes From Him And Exists By His Power And Is Intended For His Glory. All Glory To Him Forever! Amen.

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For Everything
Comes From Him And Exists By His Power
And Is Intended For His Glory. All Glory To Him Forever! Amen. 

Scripture

Romans 11

³⁶ For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Observation

Everything – I think that would include you and me! You and I exist only by His Power and we are intended for His Glory! How much glory is God getting from us this Memorial Day?

Today is the day to think about those who have died so that we could enjoy freedom and life. It is also a great day to think about our purpose in life. Why are we here in the first place?

Before God created the Sun, the Moon, all of the other stars and planet Earth, the Bible says that He thought of you and me! He knew our names.

Two thousand years ago God came to this earth in Human form – Jesus Christ – 100% Man 100% God and when He arrived everything changed! Since His coming nothing has ever been the same!

You and I have been invited to be a part of His Kingdom! It is why you and I were created! We were created for His glory! We were created to be a part of His Kingdom. His kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom!

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Application

I will think about the Kingdom of God today. I will think about my purpose in His Kingdom. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that this is not my home. I am only passing through. Help me live in a way that brings You glory. I pray for those today who have lost loved ones serving our country. Give them Your strength and Your comfort. Open up my eyes to opportunities to share about Your Kingdom. Don’t let me miss a chance to talk to someone about Jesus. Give me boldness to share and love and concern for the people around me. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 13,14,15; Romans 11


> If you are reading this simple blog this morning you are an encouragement to me!

> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.

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“Everyone Who Calls On The Name Of The LORD Will Be Saved”

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“Everyone
Who Calls
On The Name Of The LORD Will Be Saved”

Scripture

Romans 10

¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Observation

“Everyone” includes you! "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Put your name in place of “everyone”. If Eddy calls on the name of the Lord he will be saved. For God so loved Eddy that He gave His only Son, so that if Eddy believes in Him Eddy will not perish but have Eternal Life.

    "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24

    But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

Each and every one of those verses are for you and they are for me.

We must turn from sin and self and turn to God and put our faith and trust  in Jesus Christ.

Application

I will share this Good News with everyone that I can! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live out Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—Jews first and also Gentiles.” Give me boldness to share my faith. Help those reading this blog. Give them boldness. If they have not trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation giving them open hearts so that they can be saved. Show them that these verses are for them too. I pray for their salvation right now.

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 10,11,12; Romans 10

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Leave Your Simple Ways Behind, And Begin To Live; Learn To Use Good Judgment

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Leave Your Simple Ways Behind,
And Begin To Live;
Learn To Use Good Judgment

Scripture

Proverbs 9

⁶ Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
    learn to use good judgment.”

Observation

Trust me if someone says to you that you still act just like you did when you were in High School don’t think they are paying you a compliment. 

Stupid is as stupid does and I have made plenty of stupid costly decisions in my life! Let me tell you about the wisest decision that I ever made in my life; it was to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to be my Lord and Savior. I have never regretted that decision!

I look back on my life as a young married 18 year old. I remember trying to fill the emptiness in my life with all the wrong things. I am so thankful that the Lord sent a godly man into my life to tell me about Jesus Christ. It was at that moment that I left my simple ways behind, and I began to live! Have you made that wise decision yet?

The second best decision that I have ever made in my life was to marry Kathy! Shout Amen all of you who know my wife! She is a gift from above! God brought her into my life! She is pure joy!

But … Good judgment is still something that I sometimes come up short on and don’t always use. I get hoodwinked every once in awhile. People still pull the wool over my eyes so I sometimes get deceived.  Maybe I am too trusting. I guess even at my age that I am still learning to use good judgment.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

 Application

I will continue to ask the Lord for wisdom to help me make better decisions and wiser choices. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to trust in You and not lean or depend on my own understanding. Help me to seek Your will in all that I do and not lean on my own understanding. Give me discernment so I don’t make decisions that hurt my family or Your Kingdom. I know that I can call on You and I know that You will hear me and You will answer my prayers.


Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 7,8,9; Romans 9; Psalm 28, 128; Proverbs 28

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Does It Mean He No Longer Loves Us If We Have Trouble Or Calamity, Or Are Persecuted, Or Hungry, Or Destitute, Or In Danger, Or Threatened With Death?

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Does It Mean He No Longer Loves Us
If We Have Trouble Or Calamity, Or Are Persecuted,
Or Hungry, Or Destitute, Or In Danger, Or Threatened With Death?

Scripture

Romans 8

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? 

Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”^{) 37} No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
 
³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation

    I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Hey folks this world is not our home we are just passing through! I am reminded as I read Romans 8 this morning of several things. You could read Romans 8 and add even more to this short list!

1. This world is full of problems and I am not exempt. (Verse 36)
2. None of those problems no matter how bad they are can separate me from God’s love. (Verses 38-39)
3. Even when something bad happens to me my God promises to turn it around ultimately for my good.  (Verse 28)
4. The same Power (the Spirit of God) that raised Jesus Christ from the grave now lives in me! (Verse 11)

5. I am going to get a brand new body! (Verse 23)

Application

I will hold on to and I will be strengthened by all God’s promises found in Romans 8! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am not surprised because You have told me in Your Word that I in my lifetime I would have troubles and sorrows. This is definitely true. In the midst of trouble I choose to trust You and I will hold on to every single promise that I find in Your Word. You are totally trustworthy! Never once have You ever let me down. Thank You for always taking care of me. Nothing can ever separate me from Your love. Nothing!

Help anyone that may be reading this blog and who is experiencing trials and suffering help them to trust in You. Turn their bad situation, their bad circumstances around and use even those bad things for their good. You are Mighty. Nothing is too hard for You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 4,5,6; Romans 8

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Although I Want To Do Good, Evil Is Right There With Me

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Although
I Want To Do Good,
Evil Is Right There With Me

Scripture

Romans 7

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

Observation

Every day you and I are fighting a spiritual battle.

The fight, the war rages inside of each one of us. Our old sinful nature constantly wants us to sin.

If you are a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have been given a new nature and that new nature urges us to live godly lives, lives that are pleasing to God.

It is like a dogfight.

A white dog and a black dog are fighting - how do you know which one will win the fight? It is the one that gets fed the most.

When you and I neglect our new nature, when we begin drifting away, not reading our Bible, missing church, missing small group, not spending time in prayer be aware that going on at the same time is our old nature with its desire to sin. It begins winning the battle and taking control.

Lets not forget – “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me!”

Application

I will spend time in God’s Word everyday. I will feed my soul. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, guard my eyes and my heart. Help me not to sin. Don’t let me neglect spending time in Your Word. 

I pray for those reading this blog who may be struggling with sin. Give them victory. Help those with the demons of addictions walk in sobriety today. 

I pray for my family and friends that still need to yield their lives to You. Give them spiritual understanding. Show them that they can trust in and depend on You. I pray for their salvation. I pray that they will unashamedly call You their Lord and their Savior! 


Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 1,2,3; Romans 7

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His Heart Was Not Fully Devoted To The Lord His God

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His Heart
Was Not
Fully Devoted To The Lord His God

Scripture

1 Kings 11:4-6 

    As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 

[5] He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. 

[6] So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. 

Observation

In his old age Solomon did not follow the Lord completely.

How sad is that!

Careful!

We could do the same thing!

You and I have the opportunity to live lives fully devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, but every morning we must choose to love the Lord with all of our heart, with all of our mind and with all of our soul.

We can choose to walk in obedience or we can make the choice to indulge in sin.

Here is a truth that we can take home from the story of Solomon: a half-hearted, lukewarm commitment to Jesus Christ makes for a miserable life.

A life totally committed to the Lord Jesus Christ is an abundant life, full of meaning and purpose.

The choice is ours!

Application

I make the choice to be a fully devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ! How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what happens when we don't stay totally committed to You. Don't let me indulge in sin. Don't let me walk away from You. Keep me close to You. I want to live in a way that brings You joy not sadness. Help me to walk in victory and not defeat. Don't let me be half-hearted. Don't let me be lukewarm. 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6; Psalm 25, Psalm 125; Proverbs 25

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We Can Rejoice Too, When We Run Into Problems And Trials

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We Can Rejoice Too,
When We Run
Into Problems And Trials

Scripture

Romans 5

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
 
⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
 
⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Observation

Trouble, Troubles, and more Troubles, maybe that describes your life lately!

Yes, we experience problems and trials because of stupid decisions that we make … you and I can do some really dumb stuff, some really stupid sins.

Other times we get clobbered because of the stupid things that other people do. Their stupid actions, their dumb sins can wipe us out!

What can we do?

The Apostle Paul says we can and should, “Rejoice”! 

God is at work! All these troubles are building and strengthening our character!

God loves us dearly and He is not going to waste one of these hurts!

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Application

I will rejoice in the Lord no matter what comes my way! How about you? 

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, “Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

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!
¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength! Habakkuk 3:17-19

Even though ___ (fill in the blank) _____ yet I will rejoice in the LORD!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, without troubles and trials in this life I would never learn to depend and trust in You. I know that many of my problems are because of the stupid sins that I commit. Thank You for forgiving me when I sin, when I come to You for forgiveness. Even when I am affected by the sins of others I know that You turn even those bad things around for my own good.  

I pray for anyone reading this blog that may be experiencing the consequences of their own sins or the consequences of the sins of someone else. Help them trust and depend on You. You are a Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You!



Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalms 136; Romans 5

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