How to Handle Opposition!
Amos 7; Amos 8; Amos 9; Psalm 104; Titus 2
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Scripture
Titus 2
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Observation
Do you have any opposition in your life? How you respond to opposition reflects who you really are! When you put tea in boiling water what do you get? You get great tasting tea! The boiling water brings out the rich tea flavor. Put a Christian in boiling water, or a pressure situation and examine their response and you will see what they are really like! You will sometimes hear someone say about someone that responds poorly when under the pressure of a situation, “oh that is not who they really are I don’t know what has gotten into them”, but the truth is that is exactly how they really are! That is what they are really like! Paul tells Titus to be a man of integrity, to be self-controlled, so that people will not have ammunition to use against him.
It bothers me that I have some people that don’t like me. Does it bother you? I would like everybody to like me, but I have realized that no matter how hard I try I cannot please everybody. In spite of their feelings about me I know that I must be a person of integrity. I must treat them with respect. I must love them. How I respond to criticism and personal attacks has everything to say about what I am really like so I must exercise self-control. When you squeeze a lemon what comes out? When you are being squeezed what tends to come out?
Application
Today I will enjoy my family and I will exercise self-control.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for my family. Thank you for my grown children and my grandchildren and help me to enjoy time with them today. Thank you for all that you did through the team that went to Uganda and I pray that they would be able to encourage others to think about going to help with the harvest field in Africa. You are so Wonderful. I pray today that you would guide and direct me as I talk to people today. Give me the self-control I need to be an effective witness for you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Lord is His Name!
Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 6; Psalm 86; Titus 1
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Scripture
Amos 5
8 It is the LORD who created the stars,
the Pleiades and Orion.
He turns darkness into morning
and day into night.
He draws up water from the oceans
and pours it down as rain on the land.
The LORD is his name!
9 With blinding speed and power he destroys the strong,
crushing all their defenses.
14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.
Observation
Do you want to be blessed? Then you should do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper! If we will just love what is good rather than what is evil then God can have mercy on us and bless us.
The Lord that created Pleiades and Orion, the Lord of God Heaven’s Armies wants to take care of you and me. In Uganda we had the chance to look up into the beautiful stars and I believe that I saw more stars in the sky than I have ever seen before. He is a Wonderful Creator God that loves and wants to take care of you and me. All we have to do is be obedient.
Over a 1,100 Ugandans made decisions for Christ over the past two weeks during the medical clinics and nightly crusades in the villages. We had the chance to go visiting and witnessing “hut to hut” and we were graciously and lovingly warmly greeted by all of the Ugandans that we witnessed to. The days were very long, but very, very rewarding. It was a huge learning experience for me. Uganda is a harvest field and it is so very ripe for harvest. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send more laborers into the field of Uganda. I got home this morning at 4 am after being on planes coming back from Uganda since Friday evening. A storm in Dallas turned my return trip home into more of an adventure and made it even longer and with much gratitude I crawled into my bed at 4:30 am. It is now 8:15 am and I must get to church, but I wanted to read my daily Bible reading and write something on my blog before I rushed to see everybody at church.
Application
I will immediately begin to make plans to return to Uganda. The field is ripe unto harvest!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the experience of seeing your Mighty Power at work. We saw the Ugandan’s lives changed as we shared with them the Good News of the Gospel. I pray for the Nigerian man that I met on the way home in the taxi named “Romanos” who needed to be encouraged in his faith. Help him get into a church home. I pray for all the new believers and all the pastors that I worked with in Uganda. I pray that you strengthen them with your Power! Thank you for allowing me to go to Uganda. I pray for the American team that I went with that you bless them and give them good health and give them a chance to share their experience with lots of people. Lord God of Heaven’s armies help more churches go to Uganda to help reap your harvest In Jesus Name Amen.
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Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 6; Psalm 86; Titus 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Amos 5
8 It is the LORD who created the stars,
the Pleiades and Orion.
He turns darkness into morning
and day into night.
He draws up water from the oceans
and pours it down as rain on the land.
The LORD is his name!
9 With blinding speed and power he destroys the strong,
crushing all their defenses.
14 Do what is good and run from evil
so that you may live!
Then the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
just as you have claimed.
15 Hate evil and love what is good;
turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies
will have mercy on the remnant of his people.
Observation
Do you want to be blessed? Then you should do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper! If we will just love what is good rather than what is evil then God can have mercy on us and bless us.
The Lord that created Pleiades and Orion, the Lord of God Heaven’s Armies wants to take care of you and me. In Uganda we had the chance to look up into the beautiful stars and I believe that I saw more stars in the sky than I have ever seen before. He is a Wonderful Creator God that loves and wants to take care of you and me. All we have to do is be obedient.
Over a 1,100 Ugandans made decisions for Christ over the past two weeks during the medical clinics and nightly crusades in the villages. We had the chance to go visiting and witnessing “hut to hut” and we were graciously and lovingly warmly greeted by all of the Ugandans that we witnessed to. The days were very long, but very, very rewarding. It was a huge learning experience for me. Uganda is a harvest field and it is so very ripe for harvest. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send more laborers into the field of Uganda. I got home this morning at 4 am after being on planes coming back from Uganda since Friday evening. A storm in Dallas turned my return trip home into more of an adventure and made it even longer and with much gratitude I crawled into my bed at 4:30 am. It is now 8:15 am and I must get to church, but I wanted to read my daily Bible reading and write something on my blog before I rushed to see everybody at church.
Application
I will immediately begin to make plans to return to Uganda. The field is ripe unto harvest!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the experience of seeing your Mighty Power at work. We saw the Ugandan’s lives changed as we shared with them the Good News of the Gospel. I pray for the Nigerian man that I met on the way home in the taxi named “Romanos” who needed to be encouraged in his faith. Help him get into a church home. I pray for all the new believers and all the pastors that I worked with in Uganda. I pray that you strengthen them with your Power! Thank you for allowing me to go to Uganda. I pray for the American team that I went with that you bless them and give them good health and give them a chance to share their experience with lots of people. Lord God of Heaven’s armies help more churches go to Uganda to help reap your harvest In Jesus Name Amen.
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Sunday, June 15, 2008
UGANDA MISSION TRIP
JUNE 2008
I will not be able to post my life journal until June 29th! Please pray for us!
JUNE 2008
I will not be able to post my life journal until June 29th! Please pray for us!
Missionaries:
Hugh and Millie Roberts: Team Leaders; graduates of SWBTS. Ninth trip to Africa. I have known them since 1985. Millie was one of my SS teachers and youth ministers.
John Roberts: Grandson of Hugh and Millie. Second trip to Uganda. Student at Legacy High School in Mansfield.
Eddy Williams: Missionary with IMB for 19 years. Pastor of Tampa Baptist Church in Florida.
Barbi and Jim Ridley: From Georgia. Barbi will by my right hand, serving as a nurse. Jim will be the assistant to our eye doctor.
David Curtis: Eye doctor from N.C. Teaches others how to conduct eye clinics in 3rd world countries for evangelism.
Emily Hyde: College student, works at an eye clinic. Will serve as one of the children’s workers. First foreign mission trip.
Stacey MacFarland: Serving as one of our children’s workers.
Michelle Dozier: Pediatric nurse, serving as a nurse. First foreign mission trip.
Agnatius: Home: Pallisa, Uganda. Lead pastor. Co-coordinator.
Sunday, June 15:
Departure! Pray as we leave our homes and “comfort zones” and begin to get to know each other on this adventure!
Monday, June 16:
Still traveling. Arrive in London in the AM and then leave this evening for Nairobi. Pray that we all get the much needed rest. Some of us do not sleep well on planes!
Tuesday, June 17:
And still traveling. Fly from Nairobi to Entebbe. We arrive in Uganda, near capital, Kampala. Pray that we arrive with all of our supplies and baggage. Here we exchange money, purchase more supplies, refresh with a meal before we venture on to Pallisa – another 4 hour van ride.
Wednesday, June 18:
Due to protocol, we will go the local government and introduce ourselves. That afternoon we will set up and begin our evening. Pray for open hearts!
Thurs, June 19 – Sat, June 21:
During each day we will be having both medical and eye clinics. Through the ministry of meeting basic needs, we are able to share Jesus with each one that comes in. Past trips have proven that many come and wait in long lines to be treated. Thus, we have children’s workers to help entertain and give attention to the younger ones. Pray for us as we begin to reach to people. Pray that their hearts will be open to the Word. Pray for our interpreters, that our words will be able to go through them to the hearts of the people.
Saturday, June 21:
Hugh has been asked to speak at the commencement ceremony at the Uganda Baptist Seminary. Pray for the words of wisdom and his safety.
Sunday, June 22:
We will attend church with the people of Pallisa in their homes of worship.
Mon, June 23 – Wed, June 25:
More medical and eye clinics with evening crusades. Pray now for our strength. May we be renewed with the Spirit to complete the work we were called to do. Pray that we are able to identify any medical issues that come to us and that we make wise decisions in their treatment. Pray that our supplies continue to hold out and that we are able to meet the demands.
Thursday, June 26:
Pack up and travel to Kampala. Pray for our hearts. We know that we will leave a part of ourselves as we leave, but pray that Satan does not try to tell us how many we’ve missed but that we are reminded of how important it is to God when even one lamb is no longer astray! Pray for the people of Pallisa. Pray that their decisions will remain strong and that they will continue to seek and grow in the Faith. Pray for the churches. Pray that they continue to grow and reach their own.
Friday, June 27:
Depart for home. Fly from Kampala to Nairobi and then on to London.
Saturday, June 28:
Fly from London to Washington, DC to DFW.
Arrive home – exhausted, but a new person!
The country of Uganda borders The Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Sudan. The capital is Kampala. Pallisa is an area that is about 4 hours from the capitol of Kampala. Disease and it’s effects are rampant through- out Uganda. Malaria is now the #1 killer surpassing AIDS. The country is about the size of North & South Carolina together, with an approximate population of 26 million.
Many of these people are displaced. There are many orphans. They lack many of the things we consider basic – underwear, toothbrushes, soap and clean water.
HOW WILL YOU PRAY?
Thanks for taking time each day to pray for your pastor and this mission team.
Please also take time to pray for Lyle & Katherine Johnson and team members Peggy, Ronnie, Ronnie, Tyler Estep, Lisa & Heather Ward, and Sam Cull. As they prepare to go June 28th to serve in Tlaxcala, Mexico.
In His Extravagant Grace,
Pastor Eddy
Uganda
Mission Trip
June 15 – 28, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Forgetting Our Successes!
1 Kings 13; 1 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Philippians 3
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Observation
Yesterday’s success can mess us up if we don’t press on to the things ahead of us! There is a goal ahead of us! Did you read verse 1 of Philippians 3 this morning, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!” Yesterday, I almost forgot this truth because of the “stuff” that came my way. It is good to be reminded again today to Rejoice!
Paul was always planning ahead! He was like a runner straining to cross the finish line. It was the way Paul lived his life. He was able to live that way because he knew that “his citizenship was in heaven. And he eagerly awaits a Savior from there…”
He lived differently here on earth because he knew that this was not his home. How differently are we living?
Application
Today I will think about the exciting things that God wants to do through me…more about Kingdom Business than anything else! How about you? Who do we need to talk to today about Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, with the economy the way it is and the world seemingly moving further away from you it would be easy to get discouraged. But since you let us know how all of this is going to turn out in the end we really don’t have anything to worry about and no reason to be discouraged. Help me today to focus on stuff that matters to you and not the stuff that really is not important. I tend to get those two things reversed as the day goes along. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We have victory in you. We are winners already. Heaven is our reward and it is our goal. In Jesus Name Amen.
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1 Kings 13; 1 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Philippians 3
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Observation
Yesterday’s success can mess us up if we don’t press on to the things ahead of us! There is a goal ahead of us! Did you read verse 1 of Philippians 3 this morning, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!” Yesterday, I almost forgot this truth because of the “stuff” that came my way. It is good to be reminded again today to Rejoice!
Paul was always planning ahead! He was like a runner straining to cross the finish line. It was the way Paul lived his life. He was able to live that way because he knew that “his citizenship was in heaven. And he eagerly awaits a Savior from there…”
He lived differently here on earth because he knew that this was not his home. How differently are we living?
Application
Today I will think about the exciting things that God wants to do through me…more about Kingdom Business than anything else! How about you? Who do we need to talk to today about Jesus?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, with the economy the way it is and the world seemingly moving further away from you it would be easy to get discouraged. But since you let us know how all of this is going to turn out in the end we really don’t have anything to worry about and no reason to be discouraged. Help me today to focus on stuff that matters to you and not the stuff that really is not important. I tend to get those two things reversed as the day goes along. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We have victory in you. We are winners already. Heaven is our reward and it is our goal. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
Who Are You Willing to Die For? What Will Make You Leave Your Church?
1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 11; Philippians 2
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Scripture
Philippians 2
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Observation
Epaphroditus was willing to die for Paul. Do you have people that will die for you? Is there a band of Christians that you would be willing to die for?
I am amazed at how superficial our relationships are today.
Who do you hang out with? Are you building life long friends at church right now?
Here is a test:
Let me ask you this, “If another Christian in a leadership position at church tells you to do something and you don’t like what they are telling you to do, do you immediately balk and begin to give reasons why you can’t go along and do what the person is saying.” Or do you say either out loud or by your actions, “Don’t tell me what to do!” Do you then get mad and maybe because your feelings are hurt or your pride has taken a hit do you decide to leave the church and go find another one?
How sad! It’s I’ll just pick up my toys and leave, but before I go I am going to make everyone else miserable because I am miserable and I am going to show everybody how right I am and how wrong the other person is!
Paul would send guys to go to another city and they would go. They would die for Paul. They would die for Christ. Thinking about “Self” was way down low on the totem pole for guys like Epaphroditus.
Application
I want to be a servant like Epaphroditus. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me have a servant heart today. In Jesus Name Amen.
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1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 11; Philippians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Philippians 2
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Observation
Epaphroditus was willing to die for Paul. Do you have people that will die for you? Is there a band of Christians that you would be willing to die for?
I am amazed at how superficial our relationships are today.
Who do you hang out with? Are you building life long friends at church right now?
Here is a test:
Let me ask you this, “If another Christian in a leadership position at church tells you to do something and you don’t like what they are telling you to do, do you immediately balk and begin to give reasons why you can’t go along and do what the person is saying.” Or do you say either out loud or by your actions, “Don’t tell me what to do!” Do you then get mad and maybe because your feelings are hurt or your pride has taken a hit do you decide to leave the church and go find another one?
How sad! It’s I’ll just pick up my toys and leave, but before I go I am going to make everyone else miserable because I am miserable and I am going to show everybody how right I am and how wrong the other person is!
Paul would send guys to go to another city and they would go. They would die for Paul. They would die for Christ. Thinking about “Self” was way down low on the totem pole for guys like Epaphroditus.
Application
I want to be a servant like Epaphroditus. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me have a servant heart today. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I Choose To Rejoice!
Song of Solomon 5; Song of Solomon 6; Song of Solomon 7; Song of Solomon 8; Philippians 1
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Scripture
Philippians 1
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Observation
Our circumstances tend to rob us of our “joy”. Are you experiencing some difficult stuff right now?
People tend to rob us of our “joy” too. Do you have any difficult people in your life right now?
Paul had both, he had bad circumstances…he was in jail and he had people problems…those stirring up trouble for him while he was in jail. So he made a choice and he chose to rejoice!
You and I need to make the decision right now that no matter what we will rejoice! We will always have bad circumstances and we will always have people problems so the choice is ours.
Application
I choose JOY today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am encouraged today as I read Philippians 1 and I see how Paul is able to have JOY while sitting in a jail cell. He could see the big picture. He could see above his circumstances. Give me the ability to see your hand at work in my life today and in the life of our church.
It is discouraging when I only look at circumstances and when I focus on people that are unhappy with me or when I pay too much attention to those that are just grumpy and unhappy with everybody. I choose today to rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Song of Solomon 5; Song of Solomon 6; Song of Solomon 7; Song of Solomon 8; Philippians 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Philippians 1
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Observation
Our circumstances tend to rob us of our “joy”. Are you experiencing some difficult stuff right now?
People tend to rob us of our “joy” too. Do you have any difficult people in your life right now?
Paul had both, he had bad circumstances…he was in jail and he had people problems…those stirring up trouble for him while he was in jail. So he made a choice and he chose to rejoice!
You and I need to make the decision right now that no matter what we will rejoice! We will always have bad circumstances and we will always have people problems so the choice is ours.
Application
I choose JOY today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am encouraged today as I read Philippians 1 and I see how Paul is able to have JOY while sitting in a jail cell. He could see the big picture. He could see above his circumstances. Give me the ability to see your hand at work in my life today and in the life of our church.
It is discouraging when I only look at circumstances and when I focus on people that are unhappy with me or when I pay too much attention to those that are just grumpy and unhappy with everybody. I choose today to rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Need Some Help Talking To Your Wife…Try Solomon’s Song of Songs
Song of Solomon 1; Song of Solomon 2; Song of Solomon 3; Song of Solomon 4; Ephesians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Song of Solomon 4
1 You are beautiful, my darling,
beautiful beyond words.
Your eyes are like doves
behind your veil.
Your hair falls in waves,
like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.
2 Your teeth are as white as sheep,
recently shorn and freshly washed.
Your smile is flawless,
each tooth matched with its twin.
3 Your lips are like scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is inviting.
Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates
behind your veil.
4 Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David,
jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.
5 Your breasts are like two fawns,
twin fawns of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.
6 Before the dawn breezes blow
and the night shadows flee,
I will hurry to the mountain of myrrh
and to the hill of frankincense.
7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling,
beautiful in every way.
Observation
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.” Kathy, that is how I feel about you this morning and verses 1-7 also speak for me about the way my mind constantly thinks about you.
God must have known that I needed to read the Song of Solomon this morning to show me that I need to lighten up some about life and enjoy what He has given me. I don’t deserve the life that I have been allowed to live and I sure don’t deserve having the wife that I have. Kathy, I am not sure though if I would have described your cheeks as rosy pomegranates, but I agree with everything else! If I ever see some rosy pomegranates then I may change what I just wrote!
Application
I am letting Kathy know that she is beautiful beyond words!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you put it in my heart to love Kathy the way that I do. It is Agape Love. I am glad that it is also a romantic love that you have given me for Kathy. I love her more today than I have ever loved her in my life. She is beautiful in every way. Thank you for giving me such a woman. I am so proud of her. And I am not ashamed of letting the whole world know that she is my greatest joy! Bless her today. Fill her with Your joy. Give her the desires of her heart. Make her plans successful and answer her prayers. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Song of Solomon 1; Song of Solomon 2; Song of Solomon 3; Song of Solomon 4; Ephesians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Song of Solomon 4
1 You are beautiful, my darling,
beautiful beyond words.
Your eyes are like doves
behind your veil.
Your hair falls in waves,
like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.
2 Your teeth are as white as sheep,
recently shorn and freshly washed.
Your smile is flawless,
each tooth matched with its twin.
3 Your lips are like scarlet ribbon;
your mouth is inviting.
Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates
behind your veil.
4 Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David,
jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.
5 Your breasts are like two fawns,
twin fawns of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.
6 Before the dawn breezes blow
and the night shadows flee,
I will hurry to the mountain of myrrh
and to the hill of frankincense.
7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling,
beautiful in every way.
Observation
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.” Kathy, that is how I feel about you this morning and verses 1-7 also speak for me about the way my mind constantly thinks about you.
God must have known that I needed to read the Song of Solomon this morning to show me that I need to lighten up some about life and enjoy what He has given me. I don’t deserve the life that I have been allowed to live and I sure don’t deserve having the wife that I have. Kathy, I am not sure though if I would have described your cheeks as rosy pomegranates, but I agree with everything else! If I ever see some rosy pomegranates then I may change what I just wrote!
Application
I am letting Kathy know that she is beautiful beyond words!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that you put it in my heart to love Kathy the way that I do. It is Agape Love. I am glad that it is also a romantic love that you have given me for Kathy. I love her more today than I have ever loved her in my life. She is beautiful in every way. Thank you for giving me such a woman. I am so proud of her. And I am not ashamed of letting the whole world know that she is my greatest joy! Bless her today. Fill her with Your joy. Give her the desires of her heart. Make her plans successful and answer her prayers. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, June 09, 2008
The Bottom Line!
Ecclesiastes 10; Ecclesiastes 11; Ecclesiastes 12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 5
10 Learn how to please the Lord.
Observation
My life goal needs to be the application of this verse, “learn how to please the Lord”. If I am always learning how to please the Lord I believe I will have lived a life worthy of Christ. My tendency is to drift back to doing what pleases “me” and that usually is not what pleases the Lord. In fact, my automatic default always steers my life back to “Me-ism”, how about you? I feel like Paul when he wrote Romans 7 and he said the things that I know I should do I don’t do and the things that I know I shouldn’t do I do.
Application
I desire to constantly learn how to please the Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is not about “me” and it is all about “You”, but help me to remember that all day today. I want to be your hands and your feet today. I want to please You today. I pray for the Southern Baptist Convention today as they meet and I pray that strong leadership will emerge that will help our convention get is focus back. I pray for revival and I pray that you will use the leaders that are meeting together to bring revival. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Ecclesiastes 10; Ecclesiastes 11; Ecclesiastes 12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 5
10 Learn how to please the Lord.
Observation
My life goal needs to be the application of this verse, “learn how to please the Lord”. If I am always learning how to please the Lord I believe I will have lived a life worthy of Christ. My tendency is to drift back to doing what pleases “me” and that usually is not what pleases the Lord. In fact, my automatic default always steers my life back to “Me-ism”, how about you? I feel like Paul when he wrote Romans 7 and he said the things that I know I should do I don’t do and the things that I know I shouldn’t do I do.
Application
I desire to constantly learn how to please the Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is not about “me” and it is all about “You”, but help me to remember that all day today. I want to be your hands and your feet today. I want to please You today. I pray for the Southern Baptist Convention today as they meet and I pray that strong leadership will emerge that will help our convention get is focus back. I pray for revival and I pray that you will use the leaders that are meeting together to bring revival. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Sunday, June 08, 2008
Missionary…It is a Gift!
Ecclesiastes 7; Ecclesiastes 8; Ecclesiastes 9; Ephesians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 4
11 Christ gave gifts to men. He gave to some the gift to be missionaries, some to be preachers, others to be preachers who go from town to town. He gave others the gift to be church leaders and teachers. 12 These gifts help His people work well for Him. And then the church which is the body of Christ will be made strong. 13 All of us are to be as one in the faith and in knowing the Son of God. We are to be full-grown Christians standing as high and complete as Christ is Himself. 14 Then we will not be as children any longer. Children are like boats thrown up and down on big waves. They are blown with the wind. False teaching is like the wind. False teachers try everything possible to make people believe a lie, 15 but we are to hold to the truth with love in our hearts. We are to grow up and be more like Christ. He is the leader of the church. 16 Christ has put each part of the church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in love.
Observation
Do you have any heroes in your life? I do.
Many of my heroes are missionaries that I know or that I know by reading about them. Here are just a few of my heroes: Lottie Moon, Hudson Taylor, William Carey, Bertha Smith, Tom Thurman, C.W. McClelland, Phil Templin, John Seale, Roy Cooper, and many others that are working in dangerous places like those in the Sudan, China, Algeria, etc. The president of the International Mission Board, Jerry Rankin, is also one of my heroes.
Some pastors and laymen here in the U.S. that have been asked to serve on mission boards sometimes try to tell missionaries how to “mish”, but they have never been missionaries and they don’t have a clue about cross-cultural missionary work. Some of them have only made a few weeklong mission trips or have only made a few visits to the mission field and then want to dictate how mission work should be done. These pastors tend to see ministry from “U.S. colored glasses” and think everything should be done just like it is done in their city or town.
I say let missionaries run the mission boards. Experienced missionaries that understand missionaries and know how to “Mish” let them call the shots. Let pastors pastor their churches and not try to do the hands on operation of our overseas mission endeavors. We have all been given gifts; turn our modern day Lottie Moon’s and our modern day Hudson Taylor’s loose to do their work, using their gifts. Lets give them our support.
By the way, it was Tom Thurman then missionary to Bangladesh, and C.W. McClelland missionary to Africa that God used to call me to missions. They spoke in a World Missions Conference in our church in the fall of 1973 and that was the night God called me to be a missionary and I will be eternally grateful to these men for my life and that calling.
Application
Missionaries must speak up and we must support them!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for every missionary serving you around the world today. They are my heroes. I know that you love them because You only had One Son and You allowed Him to be a Missionary! Help our pastors understand that missionaries are gifted to be missionaries and they need to support them more rather than trying to tell them how to do their jobs. I pray that you raise up strong leadership from among our missionary force that will lead our convention to focus on reaching the world for Christ and away from rule making and rule enforcing. I pray for Jerry Rankin today and his leadership team that you would strengthen them today. They too are my heroes. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Ecclesiastes 7; Ecclesiastes 8; Ecclesiastes 9; Ephesians 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 4
11 Christ gave gifts to men. He gave to some the gift to be missionaries, some to be preachers, others to be preachers who go from town to town. He gave others the gift to be church leaders and teachers. 12 These gifts help His people work well for Him. And then the church which is the body of Christ will be made strong. 13 All of us are to be as one in the faith and in knowing the Son of God. We are to be full-grown Christians standing as high and complete as Christ is Himself. 14 Then we will not be as children any longer. Children are like boats thrown up and down on big waves. They are blown with the wind. False teaching is like the wind. False teachers try everything possible to make people believe a lie, 15 but we are to hold to the truth with love in our hearts. We are to grow up and be more like Christ. He is the leader of the church. 16 Christ has put each part of the church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in love.
Observation
Do you have any heroes in your life? I do.
Many of my heroes are missionaries that I know or that I know by reading about them. Here are just a few of my heroes: Lottie Moon, Hudson Taylor, William Carey, Bertha Smith, Tom Thurman, C.W. McClelland, Phil Templin, John Seale, Roy Cooper, and many others that are working in dangerous places like those in the Sudan, China, Algeria, etc. The president of the International Mission Board, Jerry Rankin, is also one of my heroes.
Some pastors and laymen here in the U.S. that have been asked to serve on mission boards sometimes try to tell missionaries how to “mish”, but they have never been missionaries and they don’t have a clue about cross-cultural missionary work. Some of them have only made a few weeklong mission trips or have only made a few visits to the mission field and then want to dictate how mission work should be done. These pastors tend to see ministry from “U.S. colored glasses” and think everything should be done just like it is done in their city or town.
I say let missionaries run the mission boards. Experienced missionaries that understand missionaries and know how to “Mish” let them call the shots. Let pastors pastor their churches and not try to do the hands on operation of our overseas mission endeavors. We have all been given gifts; turn our modern day Lottie Moon’s and our modern day Hudson Taylor’s loose to do their work, using their gifts. Lets give them our support.
By the way, it was Tom Thurman then missionary to Bangladesh, and C.W. McClelland missionary to Africa that God used to call me to missions. They spoke in a World Missions Conference in our church in the fall of 1973 and that was the night God called me to be a missionary and I will be eternally grateful to these men for my life and that calling.
Application
Missionaries must speak up and we must support them!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for every missionary serving you around the world today. They are my heroes. I know that you love them because You only had One Son and You allowed Him to be a Missionary! Help our pastors understand that missionaries are gifted to be missionaries and they need to support them more rather than trying to tell them how to do their jobs. I pray that you raise up strong leadership from among our missionary force that will lead our convention to focus on reaching the world for Christ and away from rule making and rule enforcing. I pray for Jerry Rankin today and his leadership team that you would strengthen them today. They too are my heroes. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Saturday, June 07, 2008
Good News…You Can Have Life That Last Forever!
Ecclesiastes 4; Ecclesiastes 5; Ecclesiastes 6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3
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Scripture
Ephesians 3
6 Let me tell you that the Good News is for the people who are not Jews also. They are able to have life that lasts forever. They are to be a part of His church and family, together with the Jews. And together they are to receive all that God has promised through Christ.
7 God asked me to preach this Good News. He gave me the gift of His loving-favor. He gave me His power to preach it. 8 Of all those who belong to Christ, I am the least important. But this loving-favor was given to me to preach to the people who are not Jews. I was to tell them of the great riches in Christ which do not come to an end. 9 I was to make all men understand the meaning of this secret. God kept this secret to Himself from the beginning of the world. And He is the One Who made all things. 10 This was done so the great wisdom of God might be shown now to the leaders and powers in the heavenly places. It is being done through the church. 11 This was the plan God had for all time. He did this through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 We can come to God without fear because we have put our trust in Christ. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart because of my suffering for you. It is to help you.
Paul's Prayer For The Church
14 For this reason, I bow my knees and pray to the Father. 15 It is from Him that every family in heaven and on earth has its name. 16 I pray that because of the riches of His shining-greatness, He will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. 18 I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. 19 I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.
20 God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. 21 May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so.
Observation
If you read this morning what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 4 –6 about accumulating riches and the stuff of life only for someone else to enjoy when you die, then compare Ecclesiastes with Ephesians. “In Christ” we have riches that never wear out and that have no end. This Good News is for everyone! This wonderful truth made Paul drop to his knees in prayer, but when He prayed it was a prayer for you and me. And it is a great prayer to pray for those you love.
Application
I will begin to memorize Ephesians 3:14-20 so I can pray this prayer for others as they come to my mind.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that because of the riches of Your shining-greatness, that God will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself. God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so.
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Ecclesiastes 4; Ecclesiastes 5; Ecclesiastes 6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 3
6 Let me tell you that the Good News is for the people who are not Jews also. They are able to have life that lasts forever. They are to be a part of His church and family, together with the Jews. And together they are to receive all that God has promised through Christ.
7 God asked me to preach this Good News. He gave me the gift of His loving-favor. He gave me His power to preach it. 8 Of all those who belong to Christ, I am the least important. But this loving-favor was given to me to preach to the people who are not Jews. I was to tell them of the great riches in Christ which do not come to an end. 9 I was to make all men understand the meaning of this secret. God kept this secret to Himself from the beginning of the world. And He is the One Who made all things. 10 This was done so the great wisdom of God might be shown now to the leaders and powers in the heavenly places. It is being done through the church. 11 This was the plan God had for all time. He did this through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 We can come to God without fear because we have put our trust in Christ. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart because of my suffering for you. It is to help you.
Paul's Prayer For The Church
14 For this reason, I bow my knees and pray to the Father. 15 It is from Him that every family in heaven and on earth has its name. 16 I pray that because of the riches of His shining-greatness, He will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. 18 I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. 19 I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself.
20 God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. 21 May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so.
Observation
If you read this morning what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 4 –6 about accumulating riches and the stuff of life only for someone else to enjoy when you die, then compare Ecclesiastes with Ephesians. “In Christ” we have riches that never wear out and that have no end. This Good News is for everyone! This wonderful truth made Paul drop to his knees in prayer, but when He prayed it was a prayer for you and me. And it is a great prayer to pray for those you love.
Application
I will begin to memorize Ephesians 3:14-20 so I can pray this prayer for others as they come to my mind.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that because of the riches of Your shining-greatness, that God will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself. God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so.
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Friday, June 06, 2008
Building Blocks of the Church
Ecclesiastes 1; Ecclesiastes 2; Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2
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Scripture
Ephesians 2
17 Then Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to you who were far away from God. And He preached it to us who were near God. 18 Now all of us can go to the Father through Christ by way of the one Holy Spirit. 19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God's family.
20 This family is built on the teachings of the missionaries and the early preachers. Jesus Christ Himself is the cornerstone, which is the most important part of the building. 21 Christ keeps this building together and it is growing into a holy building for the Lord.
22 You are also being put together as a part of this building because God lives in you by His Spirit.
Observation
Southern Baptists have 5,000 International Missionaries that work all over the world and around 5,000 Missionaries that work within the USA. They are the first building blocks of Christ’s Church as it is planted throughout the world. These Missionaries are getting a lot of help from local churches as more and more churches send out mission teams for one and two week mission trips.
Just take a minute and read about the P.E.A.C.E. plan that Saddleback church has put into place. It is very exciting! Saddleback has sent out over 7,000 of its own members since the P.E.A.C.E. plan was started a few years ago.
Weeklong mission teams and short term missionary service has its place, but we are never going to replace the need for Career Missionaries. In fact, the more folks go out on short-term trips the more career missionaries we will have. It easier for God’s people to say “yes” to God’s call to a career of service once they have had the experience of being on the mission field and being with the people. Mission trips change people. They don’t come back the same!
We have a Missions team in Athens, Greece right now and they have been working to start a church among the gypsy people. At the end of June we have another team going to Mexico to help start a church up in the mountains and next week I will be traveling to Uganda to help start churches there. We are sending out building blocks for future churches in Greece, Mexico, and Uganda all within a month’s time just from our small church. It is exciting!
Application
I will pray for my Missionary friends today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to be your building blocks for churches all around this world. It is exciting to see what you are doing. You are Sovereign and your church will be established all over this globe. There is no stopping this plan though the enemy sure tries. We are in warfare daily and your church is definitely under Satan’s attack. I am glad that we already know that your church will have the final victory. You poured out your blood for us. We are blood bought and we know that you have us in the Palm of your Hand! I pray for John and Jeanie Seale, Phil and Peggy Templin, Roy and Dirce Cooper, Jim and Debbie Merrill, Don and Edith Kennedy, Jerry Rankin, and I pray for all of our other missionary friends around the world. I pray for Hugh Roberts today that you heal him and get him ready for our missionary trip to Uganda next week. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Ecclesiastes 1; Ecclesiastes 2; Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 2
17 Then Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to you who were far away from God. And He preached it to us who were near God. 18 Now all of us can go to the Father through Christ by way of the one Holy Spirit. 19 From now on you are not strangers and people who are not citizens. You are citizens together with those who belong to God. You belong in God's family.
20 This family is built on the teachings of the missionaries and the early preachers. Jesus Christ Himself is the cornerstone, which is the most important part of the building. 21 Christ keeps this building together and it is growing into a holy building for the Lord.
22 You are also being put together as a part of this building because God lives in you by His Spirit.
Observation
Southern Baptists have 5,000 International Missionaries that work all over the world and around 5,000 Missionaries that work within the USA. They are the first building blocks of Christ’s Church as it is planted throughout the world. These Missionaries are getting a lot of help from local churches as more and more churches send out mission teams for one and two week mission trips.
Just take a minute and read about the P.E.A.C.E. plan that Saddleback church has put into place. It is very exciting! Saddleback has sent out over 7,000 of its own members since the P.E.A.C.E. plan was started a few years ago.
Weeklong mission teams and short term missionary service has its place, but we are never going to replace the need for Career Missionaries. In fact, the more folks go out on short-term trips the more career missionaries we will have. It easier for God’s people to say “yes” to God’s call to a career of service once they have had the experience of being on the mission field and being with the people. Mission trips change people. They don’t come back the same!
We have a Missions team in Athens, Greece right now and they have been working to start a church among the gypsy people. At the end of June we have another team going to Mexico to help start a church up in the mountains and next week I will be traveling to Uganda to help start churches there. We are sending out building blocks for future churches in Greece, Mexico, and Uganda all within a month’s time just from our small church. It is exciting!
Application
I will pray for my Missionary friends today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to be your building blocks for churches all around this world. It is exciting to see what you are doing. You are Sovereign and your church will be established all over this globe. There is no stopping this plan though the enemy sure tries. We are in warfare daily and your church is definitely under Satan’s attack. I am glad that we already know that your church will have the final victory. You poured out your blood for us. We are blood bought and we know that you have us in the Palm of your Hand! I pray for John and Jeanie Seale, Phil and Peggy Templin, Roy and Dirce Cooper, Jim and Debbie Merrill, Don and Edith Kennedy, Jerry Rankin, and I pray for all of our other missionary friends around the world. I pray for Hugh Roberts today that you heal him and get him ready for our missionary trip to Uganda next week. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Thursday, June 05, 2008
Power, Power…Wonder Working Power!
Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1
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Scripture
Ephesians 1
19 I pray that you will know how great His power is for those who have put their trust in Him. 20 It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This same power put Christ at God's right side in heaven. 21 This place was given to Christ. It is much greater than any king or leader can have. No one else can have this place of honor and power. No one in this world or in the world to come can have such honor and power. 22 God has put all things under Christ's power and has made Him to be the head leader over all things of the church. 23 The church is the body of Christ. It is filled by Him Who fills all things everywhere with Himself.
Observation
Do you feel a little weak today? Do you feel powerless to change your situation? Then why not get connected to the power of Christ, it is available for those that put their trust in him! Paul prays that we might know, that we might experience this resurrection power in our lives. He is ALL POWERFUL! Do you know this power?
Application
Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2 Corinthians 10: 4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I can do all things because of your power that lives in me. The weapons that I fight with have divine power to demolish strongholds. When I surrendered my life to you your Holy Spirit came into my life and filled me with your Power. Remind me of these verses when I feel powerless and remind me of these verses when I pray for the sick and when I intercede for someone that is having problems in their marriage. Don’t let me think that I am powerless to help. You tell me, “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee mighty things which thou knowest not”. Help me to remember that nothing is too hard for you. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Ephesians 1
19 I pray that you will know how great His power is for those who have put their trust in Him. 20 It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This same power put Christ at God's right side in heaven. 21 This place was given to Christ. It is much greater than any king or leader can have. No one else can have this place of honor and power. No one in this world or in the world to come can have such honor and power. 22 God has put all things under Christ's power and has made Him to be the head leader over all things of the church. 23 The church is the body of Christ. It is filled by Him Who fills all things everywhere with Himself.
Observation
Do you feel a little weak today? Do you feel powerless to change your situation? Then why not get connected to the power of Christ, it is available for those that put their trust in him! Paul prays that we might know, that we might experience this resurrection power in our lives. He is ALL POWERFUL! Do you know this power?
Application
Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2 Corinthians 10: 4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I can do all things because of your power that lives in me. The weapons that I fight with have divine power to demolish strongholds. When I surrendered my life to you your Holy Spirit came into my life and filled me with your Power. Remind me of these verses when I feel powerless and remind me of these verses when I pray for the sick and when I intercede for someone that is having problems in their marriage. Don’t let me think that I am powerless to help. You tell me, “Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee mighty things which thou knowest not”. Help me to remember that nothing is too hard for you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Who Would You Risk Your Life For?
Proverbs 28; Proverbs 29; Psalm 60; Romans 16
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Scripture
Romans 16
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Observation
Do you have any close friends that would risk their lives for you? Would you risk your life for your pastor or for a missionary like Paul? In the United States we don’t have to risk our lives for one another in fact we face very little persecution for calling ourselves Christ-followers following Christ in our country has very little negative consequences. This is not true in other countries like the Sudan, North Korea, China, or Algeria etc. In those countries the Christians understand what it means to risk their lives for each other.
Sometimes in our country we as Christians or as Christian leaders are asked to take a stand on something and sometimes when we take that stand we risk being misunderstood or even out right slandered because of our stance. It is a risk that we must sometimes take.
There are some folks that I am willing to die for…how about you? There are some causes that I am willing to risk taking a stand for…how about you?
Application
I will support my team when they stick their necks out to make necessary changes even if in making the changes they botch it a little bit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be a team player like Priscilla and Aquila. Help me risk my life, my reputation, my comfort, for others around me. I pray today for a servant heart. Give me discernment today so I can understand why people are acting the way they are so I can truly help them. Protect my staff against the fiery darts of the evil one. Help them to be both tough and gentle at the same time. Bring more people into my life that I would be willing to die for. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Proverbs 28; Proverbs 29; Psalm 60; Romans 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Romans 16
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Observation
Do you have any close friends that would risk their lives for you? Would you risk your life for your pastor or for a missionary like Paul? In the United States we don’t have to risk our lives for one another in fact we face very little persecution for calling ourselves Christ-followers following Christ in our country has very little negative consequences. This is not true in other countries like the Sudan, North Korea, China, or Algeria etc. In those countries the Christians understand what it means to risk their lives for each other.
Sometimes in our country we as Christians or as Christian leaders are asked to take a stand on something and sometimes when we take that stand we risk being misunderstood or even out right slandered because of our stance. It is a risk that we must sometimes take.
There are some folks that I am willing to die for…how about you? There are some causes that I am willing to risk taking a stand for…how about you?
Application
I will support my team when they stick their necks out to make necessary changes even if in making the changes they botch it a little bit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be a team player like Priscilla and Aquila. Help me risk my life, my reputation, my comfort, for others around me. I pray today for a servant heart. Give me discernment today so I can understand why people are acting the way they are so I can truly help them. Protect my staff against the fiery darts of the evil one. Help them to be both tough and gentle at the same time. Bring more people into my life that I would be willing to die for. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Accountability!
Proverbs 25; Proverbs 26; Proverbs 27; Romans 15
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Scripture
Proverbs 27
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Observation
One of the things that I enjoy the most these days is my men’s accountability group that I meet with every Thursday morning. I love those guys. I also meet with a group of pastors on Wednesday for lunch and we also hold each other accountable. And I meet one on one with guy every Wednesday afternoon for Bible study and a time of prayer. I am really concerned about the “Lone Rangers” at our church because they have no one that will help them grow. They have no one to keep them accountable. It is too easy for them to drift into sin and away for the Lord. Pastors that don’t meet with a group of men on a regular basis are heading for disaster. Satan loves to find a believer without the protection of a small group. The body of Christ needs each other and you have to make an effort to involve yourself in an accountability group.
Application
I will work harder at gathering our men into small groups so they can help each other grow in Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be more effective in getting our men to meet together. I pray for a break through in the lives of our men. Show me what I need to do to help make them stronger in the faith. I pray for leaders to rise up from among our men and bring revival to our church. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Proverbs 25; Proverbs 26; Proverbs 27; Romans 15
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Scripture
Proverbs 27
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
Observation
One of the things that I enjoy the most these days is my men’s accountability group that I meet with every Thursday morning. I love those guys. I also meet with a group of pastors on Wednesday for lunch and we also hold each other accountable. And I meet one on one with guy every Wednesday afternoon for Bible study and a time of prayer. I am really concerned about the “Lone Rangers” at our church because they have no one that will help them grow. They have no one to keep them accountable. It is too easy for them to drift into sin and away for the Lord. Pastors that don’t meet with a group of men on a regular basis are heading for disaster. Satan loves to find a believer without the protection of a small group. The body of Christ needs each other and you have to make an effort to involve yourself in an accountability group.
Application
I will work harder at gathering our men into small groups so they can help each other grow in Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be more effective in getting our men to meet together. I pray for a break through in the lives of our men. Show me what I need to do to help make them stronger in the faith. I pray for leaders to rise up from among our men and bring revival to our church. In Jesus Name Amen.
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Monday, June 02, 2008
Not Every Thing is Black and White!
Proverbs 22; Proverbs 23; Proverbs 24; Romans 14
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Scripture
Romans 14
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Observation
How judgmental are you? Do you look down on some believers because they may have a practice that you think is wrong? In Paul’s day eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols was considered wrong by some Christians, but considered just fine by others. Paul didn’t have a problem with it, but if he was around some believers that did have a problem with eating this meat then Paul didn’t do it. There are some areas in the Bible that are not black and white, but are grey. For some today it may be going to a movie theater, or a dance, or playing pool, or cards, or drinking a beer or a glass of wine. Going to a movie theater is not such a big deal anymore, yet in today’s sex crazed culture it really should be and dances for the most part aren’t too big of a deal either. Drinking a beer or a glass of wine would be an issue like Paul is talking about in Romans 14. I don’t drink beer or wine and I don’t think it is a good idea for anyone to start, but if another believer drinks a beer or a glass of wine then I am not to judge him or look down on him. If he or she drinks the beer or wine in front of someone that believes this habit is wrong and offensive (maybe a recovering alcoholic) and they do it knowing that the person has an issue with the drinking of alcohol then their drinking becomes sin because they have become a stumbling block. When we served as missionaries to North Africa and had joint meetings with all the other Great Commission Christian Organizations that worked in our area we Southern Baptist were the only ones that did not drink wine with their meal. All the other Christian leaders got a good laugh at our abstinence and thought our belief about drinking wine was ridiculous, but then they didn’t live in a country or come from a country that was destroying itself on drugs and alcohol. And yes, drunkenness is a sin no matter where you live, but then so is gluttony! Somehow we in the North American church don’t see gluttony as an issue…do we!
Application
I will be concerned more about the log in my eye and less concerned about the speck in someone else’s.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are a faultfinding people and it is so easy for us to criticize other believers. Lord, you know that I have enough defects of my own to work on that I don’t need to start pointing out everyone else’s problems. Help me to be tolerant of people in those grey areas of life. Help me not be so judgmental today. Help me to see and focus on the good things in people’s lives and not their weaknesses or their character defects.
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Proverbs 22; Proverbs 23; Proverbs 24; Romans 14
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Scripture
Romans 14
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Observation
How judgmental are you? Do you look down on some believers because they may have a practice that you think is wrong? In Paul’s day eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols was considered wrong by some Christians, but considered just fine by others. Paul didn’t have a problem with it, but if he was around some believers that did have a problem with eating this meat then Paul didn’t do it. There are some areas in the Bible that are not black and white, but are grey. For some today it may be going to a movie theater, or a dance, or playing pool, or cards, or drinking a beer or a glass of wine. Going to a movie theater is not such a big deal anymore, yet in today’s sex crazed culture it really should be and dances for the most part aren’t too big of a deal either. Drinking a beer or a glass of wine would be an issue like Paul is talking about in Romans 14. I don’t drink beer or wine and I don’t think it is a good idea for anyone to start, but if another believer drinks a beer or a glass of wine then I am not to judge him or look down on him. If he or she drinks the beer or wine in front of someone that believes this habit is wrong and offensive (maybe a recovering alcoholic) and they do it knowing that the person has an issue with the drinking of alcohol then their drinking becomes sin because they have become a stumbling block. When we served as missionaries to North Africa and had joint meetings with all the other Great Commission Christian Organizations that worked in our area we Southern Baptist were the only ones that did not drink wine with their meal. All the other Christian leaders got a good laugh at our abstinence and thought our belief about drinking wine was ridiculous, but then they didn’t live in a country or come from a country that was destroying itself on drugs and alcohol. And yes, drunkenness is a sin no matter where you live, but then so is gluttony! Somehow we in the North American church don’t see gluttony as an issue…do we!
Application
I will be concerned more about the log in my eye and less concerned about the speck in someone else’s.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are a faultfinding people and it is so easy for us to criticize other believers. Lord, you know that I have enough defects of my own to work on that I don’t need to start pointing out everyone else’s problems. Help me to be tolerant of people in those grey areas of life. Help me not be so judgmental today. Help me to see and focus on the good things in people’s lives and not their weaknesses or their character defects.
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Sunday, June 01, 2008
A Wife of Noble Character
Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21; Romans 13
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Scripture
Pr. 12:4 “A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
Pr. 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
Pr. 19:13 “A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.”
Pr. 19:14 “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
Pr. 21:9 “Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
Pr. 21:19 “Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.”
Observation
I am so glad that I am married to Kathy and not some of the other wives that I encounter at times. I come home and I let Kathy know that I am sure glad that I am married to her. Some guys I meet have to live out a Proverbs 21:19 existence with a grumpy, quarrelsome wife and I really feel sorry for them. Kathy is my crown and I am very proud of her and very grateful to God that He brought her into my life. It was definitely a God thing.
Application
I thank God for giving me such a great wife!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have been so good to me. I don’t deserve all that you have done for me. I couldn’t ask for a better person to do life together with than Kathy. You brought us together and you have taken care of us all these 38 years. I am blessed. I pray for guys that have to deal with quarrelsome wives and I pray that they get counseling and not let things get worse. Thank you for allowing us to have a great marriage when so many folks are struggling in theirs. Kathy is the best gift that you have ever given me. Thank you for bringing her into my life. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Proverbs 19; Proverbs 20; Proverbs 21; Romans 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Pr. 12:4 “A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
Pr. 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
Pr. 19:13 “A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.”
Pr. 19:14 “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.”
Pr. 21:9 “Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
Pr. 21:19 “Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.”
Observation
I am so glad that I am married to Kathy and not some of the other wives that I encounter at times. I come home and I let Kathy know that I am sure glad that I am married to her. Some guys I meet have to live out a Proverbs 21:19 existence with a grumpy, quarrelsome wife and I really feel sorry for them. Kathy is my crown and I am very proud of her and very grateful to God that He brought her into my life. It was definitely a God thing.
Application
I thank God for giving me such a great wife!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have been so good to me. I don’t deserve all that you have done for me. I couldn’t ask for a better person to do life together with than Kathy. You brought us together and you have taken care of us all these 38 years. I am blessed. I pray for guys that have to deal with quarrelsome wives and I pray that they get counseling and not let things get worse. Thank you for allowing us to have a great marriage when so many folks are struggling in theirs. Kathy is the best gift that you have ever given me. Thank you for bringing her into my life. In Jesus Name Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
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