It is Not About “Me”! Having a Servant Heart…

Proverbs 16; Proverbs 17; Proverbs 18; Romans 12
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Scripture

Romans 12

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Observation

If we could just live out these few verses, oh what a difference that would make in our churches! Every Sunday it seems like someone has their feelings hurt, or someone is mad, or someone doesn’t like this or they don’t like that…are they reading the same Book that I read every day. If they are reading it then maybe they just jump over passages like this one and go on to something else. It is so frustrating!

Doing church is not about “me” and if you are a Christ-follower it is not about “you”. It is about serving…period…end of story. Do you and I have a servant’s heart? Let’s review the first few verses of this chapter and see if we are living out those verses, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” What rights does a sacrifice have when it is being sacrificed on the altar? Can it demand anything?

Application

I will work on practicing hospitality today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me think more of other people and less about myself. I pray that you would put on my heart the people that I need to call today those that need to be encouraged. I pray that you would help our people grow up. Help them be flexible to change and help them be able to accept those in authority over them. I pray for our staff they would be wise in how they deal with our people. Give them the ability to lead. I pray that I would be able to live out these verses today. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Grumpy or Cheerful…Our Choice!

Proverbs 13; Proverbs 14; Proverbs 15; Romans 11
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Scripture

Proverbs 15

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.

Observation

Being grumpy or being cheerful is a choice and each one of us get to decide everyday which one we are going to be! A happy heart makes the face cheerful and a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Hey, a happy heart is contagious!

I envy and I thoroughly enjoy people that laugh a lot. I want to be one of those people! I take life way too serious! In the book of Proverbs we read over and over again how important it is to have a cheerful heart. And yes, I do think it is a choice! The writer of Proverbs says that life for the cheerful hearted is one big party and I also like the sound of that…don’t you!

Application

Let’s make the choice today to have a cheerful heart and find something to laugh about!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to enjoy life today. I choose today to have a cheerful heart no matter how many hard things that come my way. Give me things today to smile at. In fact, you already have done that because I had the chance to see the Athens, Greece mission team off at the airport and they were all smiles. They were so excited and their cheerful looks did bring joy to my soul! You are so good. Use this team to help someone come closer to a relationship with you. Help them touch lives this week and I pray that you do mighty things in them and though them. Be glorified through our church this week! In Jesus Name Amen.

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The Power of Words!

Proverbs 10; Proverbs 11; Proverbs 12; Romans 10
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Scripture

Proverbs 12

25 An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.

Observation

Words are powerful! Sometimes with one hurtful word I can mess up an entire evening at home with Kathy. Sometimes one word of criticism can pierce my heart and hurt me so badly. How about you?

You and I have the capacity to cheer someone up today just by saying some kind words to them. Isn’t it great to be encouraged by someone, but it is even better if we are the ones that do the encouraging! Are you a person that is an encourager or are you someone that is today in need of encouragement?

Application

Why not try to encourage someone today with some kinds words and see if that doesn’t even help you to feel better; that is what I plan to do! I plan to try to encourage every person I talk to today and I also plan to write at least one note of encouragement to someone that God lays on my heart.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be an encourager today. Words are powerful. They can easily hurt us and we can use them to hurt other people, but today help me use them to build people up. Thank you for allowing me to be surrounded by such a good staff. I am blessed. I pray for them today. Help them in whatever struggles they may have today. Give them the desires of their hearts; make their plans successful; and answer their prayers! In Jesus Name Amen.

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Fall In Love with God’s Word

Proverbs 7; Proverbs 8; Proverbs 9; Romans 9
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Scripture

Proverbs 7

1 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.

Observation

This passage in Proverbs reminds me of this passage in Deuteronomy 6:5-9

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

When someone walks into your house or my house do they see scripture passages on the wall, or maybe on the refrigerator, or how about on a mirror? How about in your car or in your office can people see that the Word of God is important to you? Do you wear t-shirts with scriptures on them? But even more important than wearing or displaying the Word of God do you talk about His Word with folks during the day?

If we are going to keep ourselves from sin then the Word of God has got to become part of our daily lives. Just hearing it preached on Sunday isn’t enough to keep us on the right road.

Application

I will enjoy and meditate on God’s Word today.

Phil. 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire to today to fix my thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Thinking about what is pure and lovely and admirable and thinking about things that are excellent and things that are worthy of praise is what I want to do today. Help me keep my thoughts focused on your Word today. Keep me from sin today. Give me an even stronger love for your Word and help me make it an even more natural part of my life. Your Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against you. In Jesus Name Amen.


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More Than Conquerors!

Proverbs 4; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 6; Romans 8
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Scripture

Romans 8

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
More Than Conquerors
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
.
Observation

I don’t feel like a conqueror this morning, how about you? It is great to know that even when we don’t know what to pray that the Holy Spirit is there to intercede for us. It is good to know in this tough world that if God is for us, who can be against us? I think that we have to accept that by faith and not by feelings. I woke up at 3 am and have been unable to go back to sleep my mind thinking of all the things that aren’t just right. I think of things that aren’t going so well. I think of this person or that person that wasn’t at church Sunday and my mind begins to go through all of the scenarios of what might have happened to cause them to miss. Did I say something or do something to hurt their feelings, or did someone else say something or are they not attending because I haven’t done a good job of getting them plugged in to the life of the church etc. My mind goes a million miles an hour at 3 in the morning. So it is now 4 in the morning as I write this and it is good to read a passage like this on mornings like this because I need to hear that I am more than a conqueror in Christ even when I don’t feel like it.


Application

God is working all things for my good even when I can’t see it or feel it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am glad that when I can’t sleep I can come to you and you are always awake to hear me. Thank you for the promises in Romans 8 this morning. I will take you at your Word this morning and I will believe that I am a conqueror even though I feel a little conquered. Thank you for praying and interceding for me because it is true this morning that I don’t know really what to pray. But you know all my needs and you know exactly what I need for today. Help me please you this day. Help me make wise choices. Give me the wisdom I need for the decisions that I will need to make. Help me to use this day wisely. Put people on my heart that I need to pray for and help me to pray for them and not just worry about them. God I pray that our people would grow and that they would be strong. I pray that you make them strong. Help them to lead. Help them live godly lives and shine as your witnesses in their neighborhoods. In Jesus Name Amen.


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Battle of the Heart

Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; Proverbs 3; Romans 7
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Scripture

Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Observation

How important is trusting the Lord with all our heart? Why can’t we follow the Lord with half a heart? From all the passages I have read about the heart it seems that God is only pleased with us when we whole-heartedly follow him. Everything is constantly trying to mess up our hearts. There is a war being waged everyday over our hearts. We read a few days a ago that Solomon at the end of his life had allowed the influence of his wives’ pagan worship to cause him to half heartedly follow the Lord. I think that we need to remember what Jeremiah said about the tendency of our hearts, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Application

There are so many things coming at me these days that I cannot control or even begin to understand how to deal with so I really need to apply these verses in my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am so unable to handle the situations that come into my life. They are way beyond my understanding. I pray that you help me trust you with all my heart. Help me to depend on you in every one of these situations so that I may know the right direction. Yesterday, I was faced with three different situations in the lives of three people within our church and it was beyond my understanding to be able to help them. They needed your help and I acknowledge that I am not able to fix their problems but you can. Help me to trust you to do just that in the lives of those I am called to pastor. Thank you for directing my life today. Put on my heart what to pray about and what to think about and give me your ideas today for our church. I don’t want to lean on my own understanding I want to lean on you. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Stupid is As Stupid Does

1 Kings 10; 1 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
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Scripture

1 Kings 11

1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 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

The wisest, the richest, and at the end of his life Solomon was probably the stupidest man that ever lived. The scriptures say that it was the love for his wives that he had married that caused him to be so stupid. Evidently he knew the scriptures and decided that he didn’t need to listen to that particular command, the command from God that said not to marry women from the surrounding nations. Solomon in spite of all his riches and all his wisdom did not finish his life very well. He was so wise, so rich, and yes so stupid.

Application

I want to be obedient to all of God’s instruction. I want to finish well. I don’t want to finish my life with something stupid.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me guard your Word in my heart so I don’t sin against you. I do want to finish my life well. I want you to be able to do more with my life in the second half than you were able to do in the first. Make me wise and help me to be smart and not stupid. Keep me away from things that would destroy me and bring dishonor on you. I pray for our staff today. I pray that you may strengthen them and use them today for your honor and for your glory. Give them the desires of their hearts; make their plans succeed, and answer their prayers. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Keep me in the palm of your hand. In Jesus Name Amen.

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P.E.A.C.E. “P” Promote Reconciliation!

1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5
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Scripture

Romans 5

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Observation

Kathy and I have just returned from a pastor’s conference at Saddleback Church in California. I am dead tired but I want to take a minute to write my blog before I crash in my bed. Pastor Rick Warren shared one of the most exciting plans that I have ever heard! I want you to take time to get acquainted with this plan; it is called the P.E.A.C.E. plan. Just click here to read all about it. I believe that every New Testament Church should and could be a part of this P.E.A.C.E. plan. It makes sense! The Church and only the Church can do what Rick Warren is proposing! You have to read about it!

The P. in the P.E.A.C.E. plan stands for Promote Reconciliation and only the church bring people into a right relationship with their Creator God.

And we have been given this task of reconciliation, “2 Cor. 5:19-21 “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

Application

I plan to involve our church in the P.E.A.C.E. plan in 2008.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be your ambassador to those that need to hear the Good News about reconciliation. You have given the church this task and it is up to us to reach the nations. I pray that you speak to the hearts thousands of pastors and lead them to become involved in this plan for your glory and for your honor. I pray for all of those working on this project that you bless them with the wisdom and the knowledge needed to involve your entire church around the world. I know that you are smiling on those that are leading this endeavor. May your will be done and may the nations be brought to your throne! In Jesus Name Amen.

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Fully Persuaded!

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2 Chronicles 6; 2 Chronicles 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Scripture

Romans 4

21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Observation

Are you fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised? We live in the most exciting time to be a Christ follower. God is getting ready to do some really incredible stuff through his church. I wish every Christian could have heard Rick Warren talk about the power of the church to change this world. There is nothing on earth more powerful than the body of Jesus Christ ...His church! Are you ready to be a part of what God is going to do? I am!


Application

I want to be completely ready and available to God to be used by Him to fulfill his promises to the nations. God is getting ready to turn this world upside down through the army of his church.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be able to say “yes” to your every command. I want to be a part of transforming this world. Your church is being prepared to turn this world upside down and I want to be a part of what you are getting ready to do. Use me Lord I want to be right in the middle of what you are getting ready to do. I can see what you are getting ready to do and I am so excited. This is what your church was meant to do and I am going to get to see it in my life time. I pray that nations will be transformed through the power of your church. I pray that leaders of nations will be asking your church for help to change their countries. It is already happening and I pray that it would continue. I pray that you would use your church to stop HIV A.I.D.’s and diseases like Malaria and that they poor would be fed through your church. Your promises will all be fulfilled every last one of them. You are so powerful. Thank you for allowing me to see a glimpse of what you are getting ready to do through the body of Christ - your church. In Jesus Name Amen.


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The HIV A.I.D.’s Crisis …How We Can Help!

1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

Scripture

Romans 3

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Observation

Kathy and I are at Saddleback Church in California attending a pastor’s conference and it has been a tremendous experience for us. Last night we went to a session led by Kay Warren and she challenged us to get our church involved in helping with the HIV A.I.D.’s crisis that desperately needs the “Church’s Attention”. Governments cannot solve this problem but the church can. She stressed that we cannot ignore this problem because of our prejudices, we cannot ignore the problem because maybe some of the folks with HIV Aid’s put themselves at risk and that is why they have the disease. All of us are sinners and none of us deserve God’s help. The church has to step up and work together on this problem. Kay Warren is a powerful and passionate advocate for the fight against this disease. Take time to check out this web site. If your church will help then contact Kay and let her know that you want to get on board. When I get back home I am going to work on this problem. Go to this web site to get informed about this huge problem.

http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/peace/hiv_aids_initiative/

Application

I will do all that I can to get our church and our association involved in this fight against the HIV Aid’s crisis.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me get over the prejudices that I have in my life. Just as you touched and healed the lepers I also want to be able to minister to the people that have been affected by the HIV A.I.D.’s virus. Show me how to get involved and how to involve others in this fight. Thank you for allowing Kathy and I to attend this conference. We have been challenged to be more like Jesus in so many ways. You are so good to us. We are so blessed. Help us be a blessing to the folks around us. In Jesus Name Amen.

No Excuse!

1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2
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Scripture

Romans 2:1

"You, therefore, have no excuse..."

Observation

Those that do not know God are still without excuse because God has revealed himself to everyone through His creation. Romans 1:18-20"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

Application

It is my job to share the Gospel with people and I am going to let God deal with people that reject this Good News or that have not yet heard the Gospel. God says that just by looking at creation everyone should realize that there is a God and they are without excuse.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be faithful to share the Good News every chance I have with everyone I can. I pray for opportunities today to be able to be a witness for you. Help me to see people around me as lost and without hope. Give me your eyes and your heart today for the people around me. In Jesus Name Amen.


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Teach Us To Pray!

1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2 Thessalonians 2
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Scripture

1 Kings 3

5 That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
6 Solomon replied, “You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.
7 “Now, O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”

Observation

Solomon said, “Now, O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around.” As a pastor I know just how Solomon felt. I am praying that God would also grant me the wisdom to be able to shepherd like his father David, And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

Application

I want to learn something this week that will help me be a better pastor to our people.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you that we can ask for wisdom and you will give it to us. I am asking that you give me the wisdom to pastor your people. Give me a heart of integrity and give me skillful hands to be able to shepherd your children. Keep me from sin. Guard my heart today. I pray that this week at the pastor’s conference I would learn some things that would help our ministry. In Jesus Name Amen.

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You Cannot Out Give God!

1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1
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Scripture

1 Chronicles 29

David’s Prayer of Praise

10 Then David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly:
“O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
16 “O LORD our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.
18 “O LORD, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes. 19 Give my son Solomon the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build this Temple, for which I have made these preparations.”
20 Then David said to the whole assembly, “Give praise to the LORD your God!” And the entire assembly praised the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and they bowed low and knelt before the LORD and the king.

Observation

Just try to out give God … you can’t do it! David and the people of Israel gave generously to build the Temple. David gave a huge amount from his personal treasury and the people gave sacrificially and joyfully, but David shouts the truth in verses 11-15 when he says, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace

Application

I will take verses 18 and 19 and ask God to apply them to me!

Prayer

“O LORD, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make me always want to obey you. See to it that my love for you never changes. Give me the wholehearted desire to obey all your commands, laws, and decrees, and to do everything necessary to build your church…” In Jesus Name Amen.

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Pray for Us!

1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5
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Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5

25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Observation

What is the most important thing that someone can do for you? What is the most important thing that you can do for someone else? My most important job as pastor is to pray for my people and the most important task they have is to pray for others and me.

Who have you prayed for already this morning? Do you wake up at night? If you do wake up at night and have a hard time going back to sleep then take advantage of that time to pray for others. Ask God to bring to your mind those that need to be prayed for.

A few minutes ago Dawn Pollock came to my mind and I prayed for her. She is the wife of Forrest Pollock who pastored Bell Shoals Baptist Church until a fatal plane crash took his life and the life of his oldest son earlier this week. I have never met Dawn and I had only talked to Pastor Forrest a few times, but I have been in prayer interceding for his family and his church since the moment I heard about the accident. I am sure that many of have been doing the same thing.

There is probably nothing more important to do in your spiritual life than to pray for someone else.

Application

I will intercede for everyone that the Lord brings to my mind today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the Apostle Paul was very smart when he asked for people to pray for him. Help me to be smart like Paul. I pray today for Bell Shoals Baptist Church as they go through this time of grief and for the Pollock family. To be honest Lord I cannot understand why this had to happen because I know that you are all powerful and you could have kept this from happening but you didn’t. This tragedy has helped me this week to think about how fragile and short life is and how none of us have a guarantee of a long life. Help me to take advantage of every opportunity right now to do your will.

I pray for those in my family that are not walking with you and I pray that you turn their hearts toward you. I want to see them living an abundant life like I am experiencing instead of their present lives of destruction and misery. Do a mighty work in their lives Lord do a mighty mighty work! Show yourself powerful and so real in their lives that they turn and begin to walk with you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for giving me such a great group of people to pastor and love. Help me not waste a minute of the time I have left on this earth. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Live to Please God

1 Chronicles 25; 1 Chronicles 26; 1 Chronicles 27; 1 Thessalonians 4
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Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4

Live to Please God

1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

Observation

Living in a way that pleases God means guarding ourselves from all sexual sin. The Devil is having a field day with men and women in ministry using the temptation of sexual sin. You and I can fall into sin in this area if we don’t set boundaries for ourselves. Do you guard what you watch on the television? Do you guard yourself on the Internet? Do you have a filter on your computer to block things that may cause you to sin? We are called to live holy lives, not impure lives, so what needs to change today to help us live lives that please God?

Application

I will continue to establish boundaries in my life to keep myself from yielding to the temptations of sexual sin.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to live in a way that is pleasing to you. I don’t want to yield to the sexual temptations around me. Help me to be strong and give me discernment so that when Satan tries to trick me or entice me to sin I won’t fall for his schemes. I pray for the men in my small group that you keep them from Satan’s traps and help them to be men of integrity. I pray for the ones that are struggling financially because of the job situation and I pray that you provide work for them. Bless them as they strive to live lives that please you. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Out of the Overflow

1 Chronicles 22; 1 Chronicles 23; 1 Chronicles 24; 1 Thessalonians 3
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Scripture

1 Thessalonians 3

12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

Observation

When is a cup full? When it can’t hold a drop more and it begins to overflow that’s when you know it’s full. Are we overflowing with love for people today? If you are full of God’s love then it is going to slosh out all over people. Most of the time we love ourselves so much that there isn’t any love overflowing to anyone else. Paul said that their love for the Thessalonicans was so strong that they couldn’t stand it any longer they had to send Timothy to go check on them. Paul prayed for this group of believers night and day. Who are we praying for both night and day? Paul had only been with the group in Thessalonica for 3 to 4 weeks and yet had grown to love them that much in that short time. If you have ever gone on a mission trip you know how this happens.

Application

Help me show that kind of love to the people around me today.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, it was just a few weeks ago that our men were over at Bell Shoals Baptist Church fellowshipping with their men at the men’s conference and enjoying being with their pastor. Yesterday we got news that he had died in a plane crash along with his young teenage son Preston and you know the deep sadness that is in my heart. God I know that you will take care of his family, his five remaining children and his wife Dawn. And I know that you will take care of the church that he has left behind. It is impossible to understand this and I have to leave the entire thing at your feet. May your love overflow to those loved ones through your church today from all over the world. You are the God of all compassion and the God of all comfort and I ask that you comfort those that are grieving today. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Our Reward…Our Crown!

2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2
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Scripture

1 Thessalonians 2

17 Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. 18 We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! 20 Yes, you are our pride and joy.

Observation

When we stand before our Lord Jesus and yes that is going to be very soon, will we have a crown and a reward? What will it be? If you and I invest our time in helping people come to Jesus then they will be our reward; they will be our crowns. How are we doing? Are we racking up the rewards and are we making sure that we will have a crown? Look around you and ask the question, “how many of these people will be in heaven because of me?” Life is not about accumulating stuff. It should be all about people.

Application

My focus needs to be on people today not anything else.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to think more about the people that you bring into my life than any thing else. It is so easy to get side tracked. It is so easy to think about things that are really not important. Guide me to people that I can help to know you. Help me lead someone to a personal relationship with you. I want to have rewards and a crown in heaven and I want it to be people that I have helped to know you. Don’t let Satan have any victories in my life. In Jesus Name Amen.

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He Delights in Me!

2 Samuel 21; 2 Samuel 22; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Thessalonians 1
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Scripture

2 Samuel 22

David’s Song of Praise

David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.

2 He sang:
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.
4 I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
20 He led me to a place of safety;
he rescued me because he delights in me.

Observation

When you woke up this morning were you singing God’s praises because you realized that He delights in you! Cool! David sang this song to the Lord because of how God had blessed and protected Him. God has blessed me so much. He has protected me. He has been my strength. I agree with David when he says, “O LORD, you are my lamp.
The LORD lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.”

Application

Philip. 4:13 “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” I can even do Mondays!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me strength for today. Thank you for being my God. You are my lamp. You do light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with you I can scale any wall. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Betrayal!

2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28
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Scripture

2 Samuel 20

7 So Abishai and Joab, together with the king’s bodyguard and all the mighty warriors, set out from Jerusalem to go after Sheba. 8 As they arrived at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab was wearing his military tunic with a dagger strapped to his belt. As he stepped forward to greet Amasa, he slipped the dagger from its sheath.
9 “How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him. 10 Amasa didn’t notice the dagger in his left hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it so that his insides gushed out onto the ground. Joab did not need to strike again, and Amasa soon died. Joab and his brother Abishai left him lying there and continued after Sheba.

Psalm 55

12 It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13 Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.
15 Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
16 But I will call on God,
and the LORD will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the LORD hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
19 God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them.

For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.
20 As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;
he broke his promises.
21 His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!

Observation

I don’t know if David in Psalm 55 is talking about Joab, but it sure sounds like it. Joab was the commander of David’s army and had become very powerful. David had picked someone else to take his place, but Joab murdered him. He killed Amasa with a dagger and he also put 3 daggers in the heart of David’s son Absalom. He was a bad dude.
Jesus was also betrayed by a friend wasn’t he? And it will probably happen to us too! What should we do when someone lets us down or turns against us? Look at David’s response in Psalm 55:16 “But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. 19 God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them.” God will have the last word and He will take care of them!

Application

Joab was no Jonathan to David. I will be faithful and loyal to my friends.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will call on you in the morning, noon, and at night and you will rescue me. Help me to be a faithful friend to those around me. I pray that today the worship service will bring you honor and glory as we honor Mothers on this Mother’s Day. In Jesus Name Amen.

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But When I am Afraid…

2 Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27
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Scripture

Psalm 56

3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

Observation

Please notice that David didn’t say, “but if I am afraid”, no rather he said, “But when I am afraid”. It is important to realize that all of us at one time or another are going to be afraid. So that is why we need to claim this promise and trust in what God says through David, “I praise God, so why should I be afraid, what can mere mortals do to me?” Mere mortals can’t touch me while I am trusting in the Lord unless the Lord lets them. And if He lets them then it is for my own good and not for my harm.

Application

I am trusting God today and I am not afraid.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, every time I begin to be afraid I want you to remind me of these verses. I know that mere mortals can’t do anything to me that you don’t allow. They can’t touch me unless they first pass through you. You are my shield. You are my hope in times of trouble. Thank you for your promises. Why should I be afraid? You and me make a majority. In Jesus Name Amen.

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The Danger of Following Jesus At a Distance!

2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26
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Scripture

Matthew 26

47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Jesus before the Council
57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.

Observation

In this moment we catch two of the disciples following Jesus at a distance, Peter and Judas. It is a terrible moment for both men. The end result is that both of these men regret their action. Judas goes out and hangs himself over his horrible deed, while Peter’s remorse causes him to repent and come back to the Lord. Contrast both of these men with the woman in verses 6-13 of this same chapter. We find her at the feet of Jesus pouring out a bottle of perfume on him that cost over a year’s wages. The lesson for us: when you are that close to Jesus your love is extravagant, but when you are following Jesus at a distance it is very easy to betray Him and yield to sin. Peter and Judas both denied Christ. They were both following Christ at a distance. Are you at the feet of Jesus this morning or are you following Him at a distance? How extravagant has your love been for Him? Let me see your checkbook…let me see how you have used your time.

Application

It is my desire to be at the feet of Jesus this morning and I want to be extravagant in my love for Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me love you like this woman did in this passage today. I don’t want to follow at a distance. I want to stay at your feet. Help me to know your will today. Give me discernment and guide me through this day I don’t want to miss a chance to be your hands and your feet. I want to serve you today. I pray for the men and boys that will go on the camp out tonight. I pray that it will be a life changing experience for them. In Jesus Name Amen.

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It’s The Little Things That Count!

2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25
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Scripture

Matthew 25

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Observation

I just got back from a breakfast meeting with 10 guys and we discussed this very issue this morning. It is not the big things that trip us up, but the little things that cause us to fall deeper into sin and move us away from a close relationship with God and other people. It is taking that extra look when that attractive woman walks across our path. It is that one click that takes us to a web site that has pornography on it, or watching that bedroom scene on the television, or taking a look at the Victoria Secret catalog that came in the mail for your wife, it is those little things that take us away from where God would have us to be.

You might think that I have missed the point of the story that Jesus is talking about in this passage, but I am just trying to make a point. It is being faithful in the little things of life that is so important. God can give us more responsibility and God can bless us more when we are faithful with the little things in our lives.

Application

I want and I will be accountable to my band of brothers that I meet with every week.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you know that I am very proud of the guys that I met with this morning. It was so cool listening to them express desires to be Christ like and openly talking about their struggles with what every man battles with…lust…sex…and yielding to temptation. I pray for them today that you give them strength to be all that you want them to be. Help them not to yield to those temptations that would cause them to give in to those little things that lead to bigger things that then lead to destruction. Guard their hearts today and I pray that you guard mine too. In Jesus Name Amen.

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The King is Coming!

2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24
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Scripture

Matthew 24

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Observation

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14)

We are living in the last days and soon and very soon our Lord will return. When will He return? He will return when every people group has had the opportunity to hear the Good News and that is getting closer every day. I believe that we are getting very close and that is why Satan has intensified his attack on the IMB (International Mission Board).

Yesterday I read that one of our top leaders in the IMB resigned and it was over a disagreement that began two years ago over “prayer” and “baptism”. How crazy is that! The world is going to hell and the largest mission organization in the world is making rules about how you can pray and who can baptize whom. The urgency of the Gospel begs us not to get bogged down with stuff like this.

Let the missionaries focus on reaching people with the Gospel. Leave the missionaries alone.

Application

I will write some letters/emails encouraging my friends that are serving our Lord on the mission field and I will encourage them to stay the course until this storm passes.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help the IMB stay together during this storm. Protect the leadership of the IMB and help us not lose ground in taking the Gospel to those that have not heard. Would You raise up strong voices within our convention that will help get us back on track. Give wisdom to our pastors and church leaders during this mess. Guide my heart so that I can see what is from You and what is from the deceiver. I do know that the entire world (every people group) will one day hear the Gospel and then the end will come. Come Lord Jesus!

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But You Wouldn’t Let Me…

2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
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Scripture

Jesus Grieves over Jerusalem

Matthew 23

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!’

Observation

What does God want to do in your life but He can’t because you won’t let Him? What does God want to do in my life, but I won’t let Him? What God could have done through the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees but they would not let Him!

God wants to use you and me to change our world. He wants to bless us so much. He wants to protect us like a hen protects her chicks. Have you ever been close to a hen that has chicks? You better watch out because she will get you if you get too close. The hen will die protecting her chicks. Jesus is saying to us, “O, how often I have wanted to gather you together beneath my wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” I love the word picture of how Christ wants to love and protect us... don’t you! We find the same kind of feelings for us as God talks about us in the Psalms:

“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:1) He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:4) Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1)

Application

Pride and disobedience will keep me out from under the protection of the wings of God. I will ask the Lord to show me where I am being disobedient and in what areas I lack humility.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be under the shelter of your wings today. Show me where I am being disobedient. Show me areas of pride in my life. It is so easy to be both disobedient and full of myself. Today I don’t want to be either. I don’t want to disappoint you or make you angry. I want to live today in a way that will bring you joy. Help me to do that because without your help I will blow it and I will sin. Guard my eyes and my heart today. In Jesus Name Amen.

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A Blessing to Start Out Your Week

2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22
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Scripture

Psalm 20

4 May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all your prayers.

Observation

Blessings are so important. Do you pray blessings on the people that you love? Who needs to be blessed today? Why not pray this blessing for them right now!
What are your heart’s desires? What plans do you have for this week? What battle is being fought in your life this week? What prayers do you need answered? The Lord can take care of every thing going on in your life this week. May He bless you and me as we put Him first in all the stuff coming at us this Monday.

Application

I will pray this blessing for Kathy today as I go to work.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that praying blessings for people are very important I see how you honored the blessings of the men of the Old Testament. You blessed David and the people of Israel during his reign. You love to bless us and I know that you would rather bless us than discipline us. Help me live a life that you can bless and help me to be a blessing to others. Bless the people in our church and help them to be successful in their plans. Bless and protect our missionary friends and set free those believers that are being held prisoners for the Gospel in China, Korea, and the Sudan. In Jesus Name Amen.

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Praise From the Mouths of Babes!

2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 9; 1 Chronicles 18; 1 Chronicles 19; Matthew 21
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Scripture

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

Matthew 21

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,
5 “Tell the people of Israel,
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Jesus Clears the Temple
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Observation

Psalm 8:2 “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Have you heard and I know you have, have you ever heard a small child sing Jesus Loves Me, or quote Psalm 23. They can praise God in a way that we could never do this side of heaven.

Application

I will help my grand children guard the Word of God in their hearts.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, one day everything on earth will give you Praise. Help me to praise you today. Thank you for giving us a day to worship you. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. In Jesus Name Amen.

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