You Don’t Have Enough Faith!
2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17
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Scripture
Matthew 17
14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”
17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.
19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”
20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.
Observation
Even Jesus must have a limit to His patience because it seems like He is about to lose it with His disciples …or was He?
It was a teaching moment. Jesus got their attention! He was very patient with His disciples. He taught them some of the same lessons over and over again just like He does with us.
What is He trying to teach you today? I was reminded early this morning as I met with a group of men from our church that God can work in anybody’s life. Nothing is impossible.
One of the guys that has started meeting with us told me this morning that he had accepted Christ last Thursday after we had met together. He told me that he has been reading his Bible in the morning and in the evening. It is so neat to hear him say that Jesus is Lord of his life.
Application
I will not give up on guys just because they don’t have much faith!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You must get frustrated with me a lot. Help me to be patient with guys that frustrate me because of their lack of faith or their lack of commitment to spiritual things.
Thank you for the guys that meet on Thursdays. Thank you for what you are doing in their lives. You are amazing. It is incredible to see how they are growing. Bless them. I pray that you provide for them and for their families during this difficult time. Show them that they can trust in you! Amen.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Is Anything Worth More Than Your Soul?
2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
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Scripture
Matthew 16
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Observation
Psalm 139
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
There is more to us than just this skin and bones, more than just this body that we live in. We are made for eternity. The real us, our soul, is what we need to worry about. We need to look at things from God’s point of view and not from ours. We are selfish. Jesus had to go to the cross. He had to die for us. It was God’s plan. But Peter was trying to get Him to not do God’s will.
God has a plan for your life and He has a plan for my life. He saw us before we were born. He knew our names before we were born. He has created us for His purpose. We need to live for Him and not for ourselves.
Application
I will try to look at the events of this day from God’s perspective.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me see what is happening around me from Your point of view. I get so wrapped up in problems and situations that I fail to see Your hand at work in them. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Show me what is really important today.
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2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
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Scripture
Matthew 16
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Observation
Psalm 139
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
There is more to us than just this skin and bones, more than just this body that we live in. We are made for eternity. The real us, our soul, is what we need to worry about. We need to look at things from God’s point of view and not from ours. We are selfish. Jesus had to go to the cross. He had to die for us. It was God’s plan. But Peter was trying to get Him to not do God’s will.
God has a plan for your life and He has a plan for my life. He saw us before we were born. He knew our names before we were born. He has created us for His purpose. We need to live for Him and not for ourselves.
Application
I will try to look at the events of this day from God’s perspective.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me see what is happening around me from Your point of view. I get so wrapped up in problems and situations that I fail to see Your hand at work in them. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Show me what is really important today.
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Heart Problem
2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
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Scripture
Matthew 15
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
Observation
Garbage in, Garbage out … so goes the condition of our hearts! That is why it is so important to wake up in the morning and go immediately to God’s Word and start the day with a full course meal. And then we should guard our hearts the rest of the day. When you get home from work don’t drop down in front of the television and watch one load of garbage right after the other and expect to have a clean heart.
Application
I will guard my heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be like the Pharisees putting on a good front on the outside but living a lie. Help me not to sin. Help me to watch what goes into my heart. Give me the strength to not watch stuff that is not good. Give me an even greater love for Your Word. Help me to meditate on Your Word today. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to people yesterday about Jesus. I pray for Chip, Charles, and Becky that all three of these folks would say “yes” to you and that they would be saved. I pray for Equilla that prayed to receive Christ yesterday I pray that she grow in her faith and that she would find a church that would help her grow.
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2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
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Scripture
Matthew 15
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
Observation
Garbage in, Garbage out … so goes the condition of our hearts! That is why it is so important to wake up in the morning and go immediately to God’s Word and start the day with a full course meal. And then we should guard our hearts the rest of the day. When you get home from work don’t drop down in front of the television and watch one load of garbage right after the other and expect to have a clean heart.
Application
I will guard my heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be like the Pharisees putting on a good front on the outside but living a lie. Help me not to sin. Help me to watch what goes into my heart. Give me the strength to not watch stuff that is not good. Give me an even greater love for Your Word. Help me to meditate on Your Word today. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to people yesterday about Jesus. I pray for Chip, Charles, and Becky that all three of these folks would say “yes” to you and that they would be saved. I pray for Equilla that prayed to receive Christ yesterday I pray that she grow in her faith and that she would find a church that would help her grow.
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Monday, April 27, 2009
Why Did Peter Get Out of The Boat?
2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
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Scripture
Matthew 14
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Observation
Why did Peter want to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Have you ever thought about it before? The disciples are in a storm and the waves are fierce. These guys are fisherman for the most part and they are used to storms and heavy waves, but they are not used to seeing someone walking on water towards them. It must have terrified them.
You would have thought that the safe place was in the boat. You would have thought that the first thing that would have been said to Jesus by His disciples was “Jesus, come get into the boat with us”, but it wasn’t. Simon Peter blurted out the first thing when he yelled, “Jesus, if that is really You then let me come out to You.” Think about that for a minute …the safest place is always with Jesus. The boat was not the safe place, the safe place was out walking on the water with Jesus.
Peter walked on the water.
As far as we know no one has ever done that again. It was a short walk of faith. Yes, he did take his eyes off of Jesus during his short walk and he began to sink, but at least he got out of the boat. You would have thought that the other disciples would have seen him walking on the water and you would have thought that they would have jumped out of that boat and headed for Jesus too, but they didn’t. They just sat in the boat and watched Peter and Jesus.
Stepping out in faith is lonely. Don’t expect everyone to follow you. They won’t. Once you step out don’t worry because even if you stumble Jesus will be there to pick you up! But at least get out of the boat!
I wonder what the other disciples said to Peter later about his water walking experience? I am sure that in the back of their minds they wished that they had jumped out of that boat that night too.
Application
I will get out of the boat. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith. Show me what You want me to do and help me to step out in faith to do it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
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2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
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Scripture
Matthew 14
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Observation
Why did Peter want to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Have you ever thought about it before? The disciples are in a storm and the waves are fierce. These guys are fisherman for the most part and they are used to storms and heavy waves, but they are not used to seeing someone walking on water towards them. It must have terrified them.
You would have thought that the safe place was in the boat. You would have thought that the first thing that would have been said to Jesus by His disciples was “Jesus, come get into the boat with us”, but it wasn’t. Simon Peter blurted out the first thing when he yelled, “Jesus, if that is really You then let me come out to You.” Think about that for a minute …the safest place is always with Jesus. The boat was not the safe place, the safe place was out walking on the water with Jesus.
Peter walked on the water.
As far as we know no one has ever done that again. It was a short walk of faith. Yes, he did take his eyes off of Jesus during his short walk and he began to sink, but at least he got out of the boat. You would have thought that the other disciples would have seen him walking on the water and you would have thought that they would have jumped out of that boat and headed for Jesus too, but they didn’t. They just sat in the boat and watched Peter and Jesus.
Stepping out in faith is lonely. Don’t expect everyone to follow you. They won’t. Once you step out don’t worry because even if you stumble Jesus will be there to pick you up! But at least get out of the boat!
I wonder what the other disciples said to Peter later about his water walking experience? I am sure that in the back of their minds they wished that they had jumped out of that boat that night too.
Application
I will get out of the boat. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith. Show me what You want me to do and help me to step out in faith to do it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
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Sunday, April 26, 2009
Stories, Illustrations, and the Gospel
2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13
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Scripture
Matthew 13
34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.
Observation
People in Jesus’ day learned great truths through the art of story telling. The Bible says that Jesus always used stories and illustrations to speak to the large crowds. He never spoke to them without using stories.
It is a reminder to me that people are going to remember our stories and our illustrations that we make in our sermons if they remember anything at all so we better make good use of stories that help people understand the points we are trying to make.
What do you remember about last week’s message? Do you remember any stories, any illustrations, and/or any points? Do you even remember who preached?
Application
I will use stories and illustrations today as I preach so hopefully someone will remember what I said and hopefully they will apply Your word to their lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak through me today. Help me share some good stories that will help illustrate the message. I pray that people would respond to Your word. I pray that they will be moved to action. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fall on our congregation during our worship service so that people will make life-changing decisions. I pray for revival. Be gloried today in our hearts. This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.
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2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13
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Scripture
Matthew 13
34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.
Observation
People in Jesus’ day learned great truths through the art of story telling. The Bible says that Jesus always used stories and illustrations to speak to the large crowds. He never spoke to them without using stories.
It is a reminder to me that people are going to remember our stories and our illustrations that we make in our sermons if they remember anything at all so we better make good use of stories that help people understand the points we are trying to make.
What do you remember about last week’s message? Do you remember any stories, any illustrations, and/or any points? Do you even remember who preached?
Application
I will use stories and illustrations today as I preach so hopefully someone will remember what I said and hopefully they will apply Your word to their lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak through me today. Help me share some good stories that will help illustrate the message. I pray that people would respond to Your word. I pray that they will be moved to action. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fall on our congregation during our worship service so that people will make life-changing decisions. I pray for revival. Be gloried today in our hearts. This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
Hope For This World is Jesus!
1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12
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Scripture
Matthew 12
21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Observation
Our hope will not be found in the name of our President; no matter what you think about him he is not the hope of this country or this world. But there is a name, a name that is above every name, that name is Jesus. He is our hope!
"There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12
"Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Philip. 2:9-10
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed." Rev. 15:4
"No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." Rev. 22:3-5
Application
I will keep my hope focused on Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, even though our country seems like it is spinning out of control and there is less and less that we can take for granted there is one thing that will not change and that is You. Our hope is found in You Lord. Our hope is found in You. You never change. You will be the same tomorrow as You are today. Your promises give us hope. We can count on You. At the name of Jesus this world will one day bow and I know that He is in control even though there is so much chaos. He is my Hope. Amen.
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1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12
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Scripture
Matthew 12
21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Observation
Our hope will not be found in the name of our President; no matter what you think about him he is not the hope of this country or this world. But there is a name, a name that is above every name, that name is Jesus. He is our hope!
"There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12
"Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Philip. 2:9-10
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed." Rev. 15:4
"No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." Rev. 22:3-5
Application
I will keep my hope focused on Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, even though our country seems like it is spinning out of control and there is less and less that we can take for granted there is one thing that will not change and that is You. Our hope is found in You Lord. Our hope is found in You. You never change. You will be the same tomorrow as You are today. Your promises give us hope. We can count on You. At the name of Jesus this world will one day bow and I know that He is in control even though there is so much chaos. He is my Hope. Amen.
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Friday, April 24, 2009
Is Life Getting You Down? Come to Jesus…
1 Samuel 28; 1 Samuel 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11
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Scripture
Matthew 11
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Observation
Are you overwhelmed by life today? What is happening to our country is enough to weigh us all down. Maybe you are out of work, behind financially, dealing with sickness, or experiencing trouble in your relationships. Maybe all the joy has been sucked right out of you because your burdens are so heavy.
Then here is the answer: Team up with Jesus! Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” So if you and I are carrying heavy burdens today then we need to team up with Jesus.
Application
I will roll off my burdens on the Lord today.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Isaiah 55:22
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You never intended for Your children to carry their burdens alone. I am rolling my burdens over to You today. I am coming to Jesus today with all of my concerns, with all my burdens. Thank You for Your supernatural strength and Your awesome power that will sustain me. Help me to wait on You so You can renew my strength; So I can mount up with wings like eagles, so I will run and not be weary, so I will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Amen
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1 Samuel 28; 1 Samuel 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11
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Scripture
Matthew 11
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Observation
Are you overwhelmed by life today? What is happening to our country is enough to weigh us all down. Maybe you are out of work, behind financially, dealing with sickness, or experiencing trouble in your relationships. Maybe all the joy has been sucked right out of you because your burdens are so heavy.
Then here is the answer: Team up with Jesus! Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” So if you and I are carrying heavy burdens today then we need to team up with Jesus.
Application
I will roll off my burdens on the Lord today.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Isaiah 55:22
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You never intended for Your children to carry their burdens alone. I am rolling my burdens over to You today. I am coming to Jesus today with all of my concerns, with all my burdens. Thank You for Your supernatural strength and Your awesome power that will sustain me. Help me to wait on You so You can renew my strength; So I can mount up with wings like eagles, so I will run and not be weary, so I will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Amen
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
Public Confession
1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10
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Scripture
Matthew 10
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Observation
Does everyone know that you are a Christian? Do you tell everyone that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life? If not, you could be in big trouble when you try to get into Heaven…
I have been asking lots of people lately this question, “If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into My Heaven what would you tell Him?” Most people give me this kind of an answer, “Well I think He will let me in because I am a pretty good person.”
Wrong …
Unless Jesus becomes Lord and Savior of your life you are never going to get into Heaven no matter how good you are down here on earth.
Is He your Lord and Savior? Do you acknowledge Him publicly before men? Who have you told this week?
Application
I will share with someone today that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for people that come to church every Sunday, but do not have a relationship with Jesus. I don’t know why they are still lost because they hear the Word preached but it is like they are completely deaf. They are religious, but do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord of their life. I pray that their spiritual eyes and ears would be open this Sunday and they would realize that they are lost and going to Hell. I pray that young people and adults would be saved. I pray for revival.
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1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10
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Scripture
Matthew 10
32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Observation
Does everyone know that you are a Christian? Do you tell everyone that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life? If not, you could be in big trouble when you try to get into Heaven…
I have been asking lots of people lately this question, “If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into My Heaven what would you tell Him?” Most people give me this kind of an answer, “Well I think He will let me in because I am a pretty good person.”
Wrong …
Unless Jesus becomes Lord and Savior of your life you are never going to get into Heaven no matter how good you are down here on earth.
Is He your Lord and Savior? Do you acknowledge Him publicly before men? Who have you told this week?
Application
I will share with someone today that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for people that come to church every Sunday, but do not have a relationship with Jesus. I don’t know why they are still lost because they hear the Word preached but it is like they are completely deaf. They are religious, but do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord of their life. I pray that their spiritual eyes and ears would be open this Sunday and they would realize that they are lost and going to Hell. I pray that young people and adults would be saved. I pray for revival.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
“Follow me and be my disciple”
1 Samuel 25; 1 Samuel 26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9
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Scripture
Matthew 9
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”
Observation
The call of Jesus is not to salvation alone, but the call of Jesus goes beyond salvation to that of becoming a disciple or a learner of Jesus. When I talk to people about their relationship to Jesus I don’t know if I have ever heard someone tell me that they were one of his disciples. I have heard them describe their relationship with Jesus as good, as ok, as one that could be better, but I don’t believe I have ever heard someone say, “I am a disciple of Christ.” Maybe I have met a few people that have talked about being a disciple of Christ, using a little different terminology, but not many.
His call is for us to become his disciples. We are to be constantly learning, constantly growing in our relationship with Him.
How are you doing in your relationship with Jesus? Are you becoming a devoted Christ follower more and more each day?
Would the people that know you describe you as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? Why or why not!
Application
I will challenge men to follow Christ and become His disciples.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, the young man that I talked to today. I pray that he would become a devoted Christ follower. Speak to his heart about his need to come to Celebrate Recovery. Don’t let him rest until he says “yes” to You about this. Draw him close to You. Use people, use his current difficult situation, use anything and everything to get him right with You. I pray that You open up his spiritual eyes. I pray that his life be transformed by Your awesome power and might. I also pray for his wife and his children. I pray that You work a miracle in the lives of this family.
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1 Samuel 25; 1 Samuel 26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 9
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”
Observation
The call of Jesus is not to salvation alone, but the call of Jesus goes beyond salvation to that of becoming a disciple or a learner of Jesus. When I talk to people about their relationship to Jesus I don’t know if I have ever heard someone tell me that they were one of his disciples. I have heard them describe their relationship with Jesus as good, as ok, as one that could be better, but I don’t believe I have ever heard someone say, “I am a disciple of Christ.” Maybe I have met a few people that have talked about being a disciple of Christ, using a little different terminology, but not many.
His call is for us to become his disciples. We are to be constantly learning, constantly growing in our relationship with Him.
How are you doing in your relationship with Jesus? Are you becoming a devoted Christ follower more and more each day?
Would the people that know you describe you as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ? Why or why not!
Application
I will challenge men to follow Christ and become His disciples.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, the young man that I talked to today. I pray that he would become a devoted Christ follower. Speak to his heart about his need to come to Celebrate Recovery. Don’t let him rest until he says “yes” to You about this. Draw him close to You. Use people, use his current difficult situation, use anything and everything to get him right with You. I pray that You open up his spiritual eyes. I pray that his life be transformed by Your awesome power and might. I also pray for his wife and his children. I pray that You work a miracle in the lives of this family.
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A Call To Discipleship
1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57; Psalm 58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8
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Scripture
Matthew 8
20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
Observation
If you are reading this you are probably not homeless, but Jesus when He walked on this earth was homeless. He made a point of mentioning this when some insincere men said that they wanted to become His followers. He was telling them that they had better count the cost!
In our country the cost for being a Christian is not huge like it is in India, Korea, Vietnam, the Sudan, or still in China. We don’t understand what it means to suffer for Jesus. We have a hard time understanding this passage because we are so blessed. Even though affluence is not always a blessing is it?
In this passage Jesus told one of His would be followers to count the cost of being His disciple and He said to the other that the call to follow Him could not wait!
It is our choice to be poor so others can be rich and it is our choice to not put off His call on our lives.
Application
Is there anything keeping me from following Jesus 100%?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me if there is anything that is keeping me from completely following you. I understand that Jesus limited Himself on earth to a very few possessions even though He actually owned everything. It was all His but He denied Himself. Give me that kind of heart.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57; Psalm 58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 8
20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
Observation
If you are reading this you are probably not homeless, but Jesus when He walked on this earth was homeless. He made a point of mentioning this when some insincere men said that they wanted to become His followers. He was telling them that they had better count the cost!
In our country the cost for being a Christian is not huge like it is in India, Korea, Vietnam, the Sudan, or still in China. We don’t understand what it means to suffer for Jesus. We have a hard time understanding this passage because we are so blessed. Even though affluence is not always a blessing is it?
In this passage Jesus told one of His would be followers to count the cost of being His disciple and He said to the other that the call to follow Him could not wait!
It is our choice to be poor so others can be rich and it is our choice to not put off His call on our lives.
Application
Is there anything keeping me from following Jesus 100%?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me if there is anything that is keeping me from completely following you. I understand that Jesus limited Himself on earth to a very few possessions even though He actually owned everything. It was all His but He denied Himself. Give me that kind of heart.
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Monday, April 20, 2009
Preparing for The Storms of Life
1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31; Psalm 54; Matthew 7
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Scripture
Matthew 7
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Observation
Going to church and hearing sermons every Sunday is a good thing, but an even better thing is going to church every Sunday, hearing sermons and putting them into practice. Obedience to the Word of God is the crucial thing. It is the wise person that listens to the Word of God and then does it, but it is the foolish person that hears the Word of God and ignores it. I see it all the time. How many people that come to church hear the Word of God and then never open up the Bible during the week until the next Sunday?
Obedience is what anchors us so when the storms of life come we are able to weather them, but disobedience leaves us completely open to the full impact of the storms and we are washed away.
Are you grounded? Do you have a firm foundation? Is there disobedience in your life?
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
Application
I will be a doer of the Word this week and not a hearing only.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be obedient to You this week. May Your word penetrate my heart and cause me to be obedient. I don’t want to be like the person You called foolish who built his house on the sand, I want to be like the person that built his house on the rock. Help me be obedient. Show me where I tend to disobey and give me the desire to follow Your word completely. Amen.
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1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31; Psalm 54; Matthew 7
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 7
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Observation
Going to church and hearing sermons every Sunday is a good thing, but an even better thing is going to church every Sunday, hearing sermons and putting them into practice. Obedience to the Word of God is the crucial thing. It is the wise person that listens to the Word of God and then does it, but it is the foolish person that hears the Word of God and ignores it. I see it all the time. How many people that come to church hear the Word of God and then never open up the Bible during the week until the next Sunday?
Obedience is what anchors us so when the storms of life come we are able to weather them, but disobedience leaves us completely open to the full impact of the storms and we are washed away.
Are you grounded? Do you have a firm foundation? Is there disobedience in your life?
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
Application
I will be a doer of the Word this week and not a hearing only.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be obedient to You this week. May Your word penetrate my heart and cause me to be obedient. I don’t want to be like the person You called foolish who built his house on the sand, I want to be like the person that built his house on the rock. Help me be obedient. Show me where I tend to disobey and give me the desire to follow Your word completely. Amen.
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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Don’t Worry!
1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Matthew 6
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Scripture
Matthew 6
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Observation
There always seems plenty to worry about but if we spend our time worrying it shows we don’t trust our heavenly Father to provide for us. The promise here is huge: “If we seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, He will give us everything we need.”
Our Heavenly Father already knows what we need and He is committed to taking care of our needs if we will just put Him first.
Do I even need to mention that there is a huge difference between our needs and our wants? He doesn’t say that He would provide for all of our wants, but I believe that if we are putting Him first then our wants would even be in line with His will for us.
Application
I will make sure that I am seeking His Kingdom above everything else today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me what You want me to focus on today. May my thoughts be Your thoughts. Help me to seek Your Kingdom first today. Thank You for providing so much for me and my family. Thank You for being so good to us. We do not lack one thing. We are so blessed.
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1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Matthew 6
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Scripture
Matthew 6
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Observation
There always seems plenty to worry about but if we spend our time worrying it shows we don’t trust our heavenly Father to provide for us. The promise here is huge: “If we seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, He will give us everything we need.”
Our Heavenly Father already knows what we need and He is committed to taking care of our needs if we will just put Him first.
Do I even need to mention that there is a huge difference between our needs and our wants? He doesn’t say that He would provide for all of our wants, but I believe that if we are putting Him first then our wants would even be in line with His will for us.
Application
I will make sure that I am seeking His Kingdom above everything else today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me what You want me to focus on today. May my thoughts be Your thoughts. Help me to seek Your Kingdom first today. Thank You for providing so much for me and my family. Thank You for being so good to us. We do not lack one thing. We are so blessed.
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Going The Second Mile
1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5
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Scripture
Matthew 5
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
Observation
My life verse is found in chapter five of Matthew and it is: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the father which is in Heaven”. The principle of going the second mile is an application of my life verse!
If a soldier told you to carry his gear during the time when Jesus walked this earth then you were obligated to carry it for one mile. And I am sure that most people would carry it the one mile and no more, but Jesus said that we should not only carry it the one mile but then carry it another mile …just to go beyond what we were obligated to do. Can you imagine what a soldier would think when the person reached the one mile marker and then continued walking carrying the heavy burden yet another mile? It would have made quite an impression!
If we only do what is required then folks aren’t going to see God in us! God always goes over the top for us and we should do the same for other people. Especially people that are walking in darkness that need to see the light! But let’s not forget to also go the second mile for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Are you only doing for others what you are obligated to do … at work, at home, at church, or are you going the second mile?
Where or better yet with whom do you need to go the second mile? Who needs to see God in you today? Let your light shine … let’s go that second mile for somebody today!
Application
I will do more than what is required for someone this weekend.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to shine today. Help me to go the second mile for someone. Thank you for loving me so much. I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the Church through Jesus Christ. Amen (Psalm 34) (Ephes. 3:20-21)
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 20; 1 Samuel 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 5
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
Observation
My life verse is found in chapter five of Matthew and it is: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the father which is in Heaven”. The principle of going the second mile is an application of my life verse!
If a soldier told you to carry his gear during the time when Jesus walked this earth then you were obligated to carry it for one mile. And I am sure that most people would carry it the one mile and no more, but Jesus said that we should not only carry it the one mile but then carry it another mile …just to go beyond what we were obligated to do. Can you imagine what a soldier would think when the person reached the one mile marker and then continued walking carrying the heavy burden yet another mile? It would have made quite an impression!
If we only do what is required then folks aren’t going to see God in us! God always goes over the top for us and we should do the same for other people. Especially people that are walking in darkness that need to see the light! But let’s not forget to also go the second mile for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Are you only doing for others what you are obligated to do … at work, at home, at church, or are you going the second mile?
Where or better yet with whom do you need to go the second mile? Who needs to see God in you today? Let your light shine … let’s go that second mile for somebody today!
Application
I will do more than what is required for someone this weekend.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to shine today. Help me to go the second mile for someone. Thank you for loving me so much. I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the Church through Jesus Christ. Amen (Psalm 34) (Ephes. 3:20-21)
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Friday, April 17, 2009
Called To Fish not to Loaf
1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4
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Scripture
Matthew 4
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Observation
Jesus was a carpenter, but He was also the Greatest Fisherman! Jesus told Peter, Andrew, James and John to come and follow Him and He would make them catch bigger fish than they had ever caught before! And they did!
Fish are smelly. Fishing for a living is also hard. You have to fish at night when it is cold and dreary. You get tired. There are many nights when you don’t catch anything. I know because my Dad, my brother and I were commercial fishermen. We fished for Pompano and we fished on the weekends mainly and it was never our only source of income … thank goodness!
Fishing takes skill that must be learned. Peter, Andrew, James and John had learned how to fish from their fathers and now they were going to learn how to fish for men from Jesus. You can read about one of His lessons that He taught His disciples about fishing in John 4 when He went through Samaria just to fish for one woman at a well. She got caught and then she brought her entire town to Jesus. She was a quick learner.
How are we doing at fishing for men? Are you out there where you can catch one for Jesus? I sure hope you haven’t retired from fishing! Retirement is one of Satan’s biggest tools and one of his biggest lies. Some people get to the age where they have time to do some fishing full time for Jesus and then they buy into the Devil’s lie - they wander off wasting their extra time on pleasures: vacations, cruises, they become mountain recluses, or they just sit at home and waste away. What a shame!
Just when they could be the most valuable for Jesus they vegetate on the sidelines. They become totally worthless just at the time when they have the most to offer! They should be fishing! They could help at church, but they don’t even make it to church every Sunday now because they are too busy using their time on themselves rather than focusing on the things of the kingdom.
Need somewhere to fish? How about coming down to Mission Tampa and helping us fish? We need volunteers. We have plenty of fish that come to us every week for help. Mondays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm; Tuesdays from 5 pm – 7 pm; Thursdays from 5 pm – 7 pm.
Application
I will encourage people that are loafing to get back to fishing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for Mission Tampa today. Bless every volunteer that gives his or her time every week to further Your kingdom through this ministry. I pray for more laborers for the harvest. And I pray that you would help us to be good fishermen as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people that come into Mission Tampa. Bless Joann, Jene, and Mike and all the others that serve so faithfully every week at Mission Tampa. May this ministry continue to grow and continue to be used to reach people for Jesus. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 4
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
Observation
Jesus was a carpenter, but He was also the Greatest Fisherman! Jesus told Peter, Andrew, James and John to come and follow Him and He would make them catch bigger fish than they had ever caught before! And they did!
Fish are smelly. Fishing for a living is also hard. You have to fish at night when it is cold and dreary. You get tired. There are many nights when you don’t catch anything. I know because my Dad, my brother and I were commercial fishermen. We fished for Pompano and we fished on the weekends mainly and it was never our only source of income … thank goodness!
Fishing takes skill that must be learned. Peter, Andrew, James and John had learned how to fish from their fathers and now they were going to learn how to fish for men from Jesus. You can read about one of His lessons that He taught His disciples about fishing in John 4 when He went through Samaria just to fish for one woman at a well. She got caught and then she brought her entire town to Jesus. She was a quick learner.
How are we doing at fishing for men? Are you out there where you can catch one for Jesus? I sure hope you haven’t retired from fishing! Retirement is one of Satan’s biggest tools and one of his biggest lies. Some people get to the age where they have time to do some fishing full time for Jesus and then they buy into the Devil’s lie - they wander off wasting their extra time on pleasures: vacations, cruises, they become mountain recluses, or they just sit at home and waste away. What a shame!
Just when they could be the most valuable for Jesus they vegetate on the sidelines. They become totally worthless just at the time when they have the most to offer! They should be fishing! They could help at church, but they don’t even make it to church every Sunday now because they are too busy using their time on themselves rather than focusing on the things of the kingdom.
Need somewhere to fish? How about coming down to Mission Tampa and helping us fish? We need volunteers. We have plenty of fish that come to us every week for help. Mondays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm; Tuesdays from 5 pm – 7 pm; Thursdays from 5 pm – 7 pm.
Application
I will encourage people that are loafing to get back to fishing.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for Mission Tampa today. Bless every volunteer that gives his or her time every week to further Your kingdom through this ministry. I pray for more laborers for the harvest. And I pray that you would help us to be good fishermen as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people that come into Mission Tampa. Bless Joann, Jene, and Mike and all the others that serve so faithfully every week at Mission Tampa. May this ministry continue to grow and continue to be used to reach people for Jesus. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Lord Still Rules
1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3
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Scripture
Psalm 11
4 But the LORD is in his holy Temple;
the LORD still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.
5 The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.
6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.
7 For the righteous LORD loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.
Observation
How many times in a week do you need to be reminded that the Lord still rules from heaven? Our government may be out of control and our country and this world may be going crazy, but the Lord still rules from heaven. He is still on His throne and He still rules!
So no matter what happens in this world we know who is ultimately in charge and none of this craziness has caught Him by surprise. He is not surprised at all. In fact, He is working out His plan and nothing is going to stop Him … nothing!
He is watching us closely.
Application
I will look forward to seeing His face!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, even though it seems like evil is winning and even though it seems like things keep getting worse instead of better, I know that You are in charge and nothing is slipping by You unnoticed. I know that one day we will walk in complete victory. The victory is already ours. We have already won because Christ has given us the victory. Amen!
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1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3
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Scripture
Psalm 11
4 But the LORD is in his holy Temple;
the LORD still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.
5 The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.
6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.
7 For the righteous LORD loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.
Observation
How many times in a week do you need to be reminded that the Lord still rules from heaven? Our government may be out of control and our country and this world may be going crazy, but the Lord still rules from heaven. He is still on His throne and He still rules!
So no matter what happens in this world we know who is ultimately in charge and none of this craziness has caught Him by surprise. He is not surprised at all. In fact, He is working out His plan and nothing is going to stop Him … nothing!
He is watching us closely.
Application
I will look forward to seeing His face!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, even though it seems like evil is winning and even though it seems like things keep getting worse instead of better, I know that You are in charge and nothing is slipping by You unnoticed. I know that one day we will walk in complete victory. The victory is already ours. We have already won because Christ has given us the victory. Amen!
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I Come to You in the Name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies … So I’m Armed and Dangerous!
1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2
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Scripture
1 Samuel 17
45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
Observation
What kind of giant are you facing today? Maybe the giant is your health, or the failing health or near death of someone that you love, maybe the loss of a job, or a broken relationship, children that have gone south or that have gone the deep end, or maybe it is the giant of loneliness or maybe you have a real person that is trying to hurt you like David had.
Have you ever really thought about the incredible faith that David exhibited that day? The giant Goliath was over 9 foot tall. He was a professional killer. He was the best of the best. No one person in Israel would go out to fight him. Saul was the tallest, the biggest, and the most likely candidate to go out and fight Goliath, but obviously he was too scared to go himself. But he lets this kid go out to do battle with this fully armored giant, armed with nothing but a sling shot and a shepherd’s staff. Saul wasn’t aware of his secret weapon or he would have used it himself. Of course, Saul had this weapon at his disposal too just like we do today.
What was the secret weapon? Going out with the name of the living God on his lips was all that David needed. You know that he really didn’t even need the sling shot to defeat Goliath he could have gone out there empty handed and still defeated this enemy.
How? His secret weapon …the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. If you are a Christ-follower you have the same secret weapon …just do a word search in scripture on the word “name” and see if I am not right!
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24
Application
I will face my giants with the name of the living God, the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “In Christ” nothing is too hard for me!
Prayer Heavenly Father, as I face my giants help me remember that I am armed with the name of the living God. I am Your child. I do not lack one single thing to fight the battles that will come my way because You will fight my enemies for me. I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus my Lord.
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1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2
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Scripture
1 Samuel 17
45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.
Observation
What kind of giant are you facing today? Maybe the giant is your health, or the failing health or near death of someone that you love, maybe the loss of a job, or a broken relationship, children that have gone south or that have gone the deep end, or maybe it is the giant of loneliness or maybe you have a real person that is trying to hurt you like David had.
Have you ever really thought about the incredible faith that David exhibited that day? The giant Goliath was over 9 foot tall. He was a professional killer. He was the best of the best. No one person in Israel would go out to fight him. Saul was the tallest, the biggest, and the most likely candidate to go out and fight Goliath, but obviously he was too scared to go himself. But he lets this kid go out to do battle with this fully armored giant, armed with nothing but a sling shot and a shepherd’s staff. Saul wasn’t aware of his secret weapon or he would have used it himself. Of course, Saul had this weapon at his disposal too just like we do today.
What was the secret weapon? Going out with the name of the living God on his lips was all that David needed. You know that he really didn’t even need the sling shot to defeat Goliath he could have gone out there empty handed and still defeated this enemy.
How? His secret weapon …the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. If you are a Christ-follower you have the same secret weapon …just do a word search in scripture on the word “name” and see if I am not right!
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24
Application
I will face my giants with the name of the living God, the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “In Christ” nothing is too hard for me!
Prayer Heavenly Father, as I face my giants help me remember that I am armed with the name of the living God. I am Your child. I do not lack one single thing to fight the battles that will come my way because You will fight my enemies for me. I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus my Lord.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
God Looks At The Heart!
1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1
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Scripture
1 Samuel 16
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the LORD has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
Observation
You might get all excited to be able to personally see a famous movie star, or a famous entertainer, or some famous television preacher, but God does not judge by the outward appearance, He looks deep into the heart.
David was the runt of the litter. His dad didn’t even think of him when Samuel was looking for a possible person to be king. Even Samuel thought that God would have chosen Jesse’s son Eliab because he must have looked like the natural person for the job.
We can’t go by looks or the outward appearance of someone when we are looking for a person to serve. We need to pray and ask God to show us who would make the best leader or the best worker. It is not who we usually think that will prove to be the best person for the job.
Application
As I look for people to serve I will ask God to show me those that He has chosen rather than the ones that I would choose.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom and give me Your eyes to know how to choose people for places of ministry. I have put people in places of ministry only to later see that they were not the right people for that position. I pray that you raise up workers to help us people that have a desire to serve. Show me the people that You approve of that have hearts inclined towards You. David was a man after Your own heart. I pray for people with hearts like David’s. Give me that kind of heart too.
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1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1
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Scripture
1 Samuel 16
6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the LORD has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
Observation
You might get all excited to be able to personally see a famous movie star, or a famous entertainer, or some famous television preacher, but God does not judge by the outward appearance, He looks deep into the heart.
David was the runt of the litter. His dad didn’t even think of him when Samuel was looking for a possible person to be king. Even Samuel thought that God would have chosen Jesse’s son Eliab because he must have looked like the natural person for the job.
We can’t go by looks or the outward appearance of someone when we are looking for a person to serve. We need to pray and ask God to show us who would make the best leader or the best worker. It is not who we usually think that will prove to be the best person for the job.
Application
As I look for people to serve I will ask God to show me those that He has chosen rather than the ones that I would choose.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom and give me Your eyes to know how to choose people for places of ministry. I have put people in places of ministry only to later see that they were not the right people for that position. I pray that you raise up workers to help us people that have a desire to serve. Show me the people that You approve of that have hearts inclined towards You. David was a man after Your own heart. I pray for people with hearts like David’s. Give me that kind of heart too.
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Monday, April 13, 2009
I Am With You Completely!
1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13
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Scripture
1 Samuel 14
1 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron. 3 Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh.
No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. 4 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. 5 The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. 6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”
8 “All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the LORD’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”
11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the LORD will help us defeat them!”
13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
15 Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.
Observation
Jonathan had tremendous faith in his God, but Jonathan’s armor bearer is the one I want to talk about this morning. Can you imagine having someone so loyal by your side that they would be willing to die for you and go on a suicide mission with you?
The odds were 2 against the entire Philistine army. Ok let me correct that statement the odds were 2 men and one God against the entire Philistine army. It was amazing that Jonathan and his armor bearer would take off and fight the entire Philistine army by themselves.
I know that churches that thrive and grow do not do so just because of the preacher’s ability alone, but because of the armor bearers, the leadership that surrounds those pastors. Men and women who are able to say, “Do what you think is best,” ... “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” When armor bearers surround pastors like Jonathan had at his side then pastors can lead churches to victory after victory.
How good are you and me at carrying someone else’s armor?
Application
I will thank those men and women that surround me and support me knowing that victory is only possible because of them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be like Jonathan a person that people will want to follow. Give me the faith and the wisdom I need to lead our church. I pray that You continue to surround me with armor bearers that protect me and go with me in battle. Give me a servant’s heart like Jonathan’s. It made it easy for his armor bearer to follow him into battle.
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1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13
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Scripture
1 Samuel 14
1 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron. 3 Among Saul’s men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh.
No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp. 4 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh. 5 The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba. 6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”
8 “All right then,” Jonathan told him. “We will cross over and let them see us. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay where you are or we’ll kill you,’ then we will stop and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up and fight,’ then we will go up. That will be the LORD’s sign that he will help us defeat them.”
11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, “Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!” 12 Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!”
“Come on, climb right behind me,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “for the LORD will help us defeat them!”
13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them. 14 They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
15 Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.
Observation
Jonathan had tremendous faith in his God, but Jonathan’s armor bearer is the one I want to talk about this morning. Can you imagine having someone so loyal by your side that they would be willing to die for you and go on a suicide mission with you?
The odds were 2 against the entire Philistine army. Ok let me correct that statement the odds were 2 men and one God against the entire Philistine army. It was amazing that Jonathan and his armor bearer would take off and fight the entire Philistine army by themselves.
I know that churches that thrive and grow do not do so just because of the preacher’s ability alone, but because of the armor bearers, the leadership that surrounds those pastors. Men and women who are able to say, “Do what you think is best,” ... “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” When armor bearers surround pastors like Jonathan had at his side then pastors can lead churches to victory after victory.
How good are you and me at carrying someone else’s armor?
Application
I will thank those men and women that surround me and support me knowing that victory is only possible because of them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be like Jonathan a person that people will want to follow. Give me the faith and the wisdom I need to lead our church. I pray that You continue to surround me with armor bearers that protect me and go with me in battle. Give me a servant’s heart like Jonathan’s. It made it easy for his armor bearer to follow him into battle.
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Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thorn in The Flesh
1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2; 1 Chronicles 3; 2 Corinthians 12
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 12
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Observation
Praying for humility might very well be like praying for patience. Whenever someone in our small group ask for prayer to be more patient we all speak out at once and say, “Do you know what you are asking God to do?” To have more patience … to learn to be patient … patience is learned by experiencing adversity? So when you pray for patience you should be ready for what you are asking God to do and it is the same for someone asking for God to teach them humility.
God does humble His servants and He does it in many different ways: maybe it will be through a job loss, a financial setback, the death of a loved one, a physical illness, or having to take care of someone that you love that has a physical illness.
God does want us to be humble. You see it is only when we are humble that we depend on Him. That is why Paul says, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Application
I will take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and trouble that I suffer for Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that it is only by being a humble servant that I will bring You glory. It is my desire to bring You glory and honor. Help me keep my heart, my attitude, and my priorities focused on You. Don’t let me let anything come between us. Do what ever You have to do in my life to keep me serving You. I pray for Kathy as she stays with her Mom tonight. Kathy’s Mom’s life is in Your hands. I pray that she would see Your face tonight. I know that the death of Your saints is a precious thing in Your sight. Psalm 116:15
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1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2; 1 Chronicles 3; 2 Corinthians 12
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 12
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Observation
Praying for humility might very well be like praying for patience. Whenever someone in our small group ask for prayer to be more patient we all speak out at once and say, “Do you know what you are asking God to do?” To have more patience … to learn to be patient … patience is learned by experiencing adversity? So when you pray for patience you should be ready for what you are asking God to do and it is the same for someone asking for God to teach them humility.
God does humble His servants and He does it in many different ways: maybe it will be through a job loss, a financial setback, the death of a loved one, a physical illness, or having to take care of someone that you love that has a physical illness.
God does want us to be humble. You see it is only when we are humble that we depend on Him. That is why Paul says, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Application
I will take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and trouble that I suffer for Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that it is only by being a humble servant that I will bring You glory. It is my desire to bring You glory and honor. Help me keep my heart, my attitude, and my priorities focused on You. Don’t let me let anything come between us. Do what ever You have to do in my life to keep me serving You. I pray for Kathy as she stays with her Mom tonight. Kathy’s Mom’s life is in Your hands. I pray that she would see Your face tonight. I know that the death of Your saints is a precious thing in Your sight. Psalm 116:15
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Saturday, April 11, 2009
Bragging Rights!
1 Samuel 11; 1 Samuel 12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11
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Scripture
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Observation
Have you ever been to a Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting or the meeting of the Florida Baptist Convention? If you have you may have the opportunity to hear pastors boast about what they have been doing, but I don’t think you will hear a list of accomplishments like the Apostle just gave us.
We don’t usually boast about our weaknesses do we? Paul says, “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.” Paul sharing that he had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall probably wouldn’t be something that we would mention when we were bragging about ourselves.
Paul realized that all the miracles and all the people coming to Christ was God working through him and only God should get the praise and glory. I must admit there is always the temptation to want to be recognized when God does something in the lives of those in your congregation, but it is way better to focus on our weakness like Paul did!!
Application
I will strive to let God receive the praise and glory for what God is doing in my life and in our church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to glory in my weaknesses and don’t let me think that I am something that I am not. I want You to do mighty works in our church and in the lives of our people. Don’t let me or our staff get in the way of what You want to do. Be glorified in us and through us. I pray that tomorrow would make You smile as we worship You. I pray that many people will show up that don’t normally come to church and that they are changed forever.
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1 Samuel 11; 1 Samuel 12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11
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Scripture
But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more!
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.
Observation
Have you ever been to a Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting or the meeting of the Florida Baptist Convention? If you have you may have the opportunity to hear pastors boast about what they have been doing, but I don’t think you will hear a list of accomplishments like the Apostle just gave us.
We don’t usually boast about our weaknesses do we? Paul says, “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.” Paul sharing that he had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall probably wouldn’t be something that we would mention when we were bragging about ourselves.
Paul realized that all the miracles and all the people coming to Christ was God working through him and only God should get the praise and glory. I must admit there is always the temptation to want to be recognized when God does something in the lives of those in your congregation, but it is way better to focus on our weakness like Paul did!!
Application
I will strive to let God receive the praise and glory for what God is doing in my life and in our church.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to glory in my weaknesses and don’t let me think that I am something that I am not. I want You to do mighty works in our church and in the lives of our people. Don’t let me or our staff get in the way of what You want to do. Be glorified in us and through us. I pray that tomorrow would make You smile as we worship You. I pray that many people will show up that don’t normally come to church and that they are changed forever.
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Friday, April 10, 2009
Serving An Audience of ONE!
1 Samuel 8; 1 Samuel 9; 1 Samuel 10; 2 Corinthians 10
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 10
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Observation
Paul's character was under attack by the very people that had come to Christ through his ministry. They had begun to be influenced by false teachers and those false teachers were putting Paul down. Paul’s reply is a good one for all of us, “When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.”
You and I need to serve an audience of ONE. If the people around us don’t commend us for the ministry that we are doing we shouldn’t worry about it. We should be doing everything we do as unto the Lord and not do it for the approval of men.
Dr. Waylon Moore told me once (and maybe more than once) when he was my pastor and I was serving on staff with him, “Eddy, never take a pat on the back unless it is way down low!” It is a good thing to remember. In fact, I have never forgotten that word of wisdom and it comes to my mind just about every time someone says something nice about something that I have done. It would be easy sometimes to begin to think that we are more important than we really are when people brag on us.
Just in case you don’t understand what Waylon Moore meant when he said what he said let me translate it for you, “Don’t let the compliments go to your head (the pat on your back), but receive criticism that comes as a spanking (that is the pat on your bottom, the pat way down low!)
Application
I will send a copy of this blog to Bro. Moore and hopefully it won’t go to his head that I still remember things that he taught me!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know today that it is You and You alone that I need to please. I realize that it is impossible to please everyone and it is not my job to live just to please people. I serve an audience of ONE and You are worthy of my worship. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thank You for mentors that have touched my life like Dr. Waylon Moore and his wife Clemmie. Help me impact others the way I have been taught to do by them! Amen.
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1 Samuel 8; 1 Samuel 9; 1 Samuel 10; 2 Corinthians 10
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 10
18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
Observation
Paul's character was under attack by the very people that had come to Christ through his ministry. They had begun to be influenced by false teachers and those false teachers were putting Paul down. Paul’s reply is a good one for all of us, “When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.”
You and I need to serve an audience of ONE. If the people around us don’t commend us for the ministry that we are doing we shouldn’t worry about it. We should be doing everything we do as unto the Lord and not do it for the approval of men.
Dr. Waylon Moore told me once (and maybe more than once) when he was my pastor and I was serving on staff with him, “Eddy, never take a pat on the back unless it is way down low!” It is a good thing to remember. In fact, I have never forgotten that word of wisdom and it comes to my mind just about every time someone says something nice about something that I have done. It would be easy sometimes to begin to think that we are more important than we really are when people brag on us.
Just in case you don’t understand what Waylon Moore meant when he said what he said let me translate it for you, “Don’t let the compliments go to your head (the pat on your back), but receive criticism that comes as a spanking (that is the pat on your bottom, the pat way down low!)
Application
I will send a copy of this blog to Bro. Moore and hopefully it won’t go to his head that I still remember things that he taught me!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know today that it is You and You alone that I need to please. I realize that it is impossible to please everyone and it is not my job to live just to please people. I serve an audience of ONE and You are worthy of my worship. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Thank You for mentors that have touched my life like Dr. Waylon Moore and his wife Clemmie. Help me impact others the way I have been taught to do by them! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, April 09, 2009
If You Are Having Trouble Making Ends Meet …Give More Away!
1 Samuel 6; 1 Samuel 7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9
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Scripture
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
Observation
Would you like to be able to be more generous?
Here is God’s promise to you and me: “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”
The more you give the more you will have. It is the law or the principle of the harvest. So if you want to have more …you have to give more away! You say, “I can’t because I am spending everything to pay bills and to just survive”.
God says, “Put me to the test and give”. God says, “Be generous”. Quit using all of your income on yourself. Give and I will give you more. So you have to figure out a way to give away more so you have more. It is the law of the harvest. The more seed a farmer plants the bigger the harvest.
The more you give away the more you will have.
If you don’t believe it…try it…and watch God bless you!
Application
I will look for where God wants me to be generous.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You love a generous giver. Help me to be just that. I know that there is no way that I could out give You. Whatever I give away will come back to me and I will always receive way more than I give. Thank You for blessing me so much. You are a Wonderful God.
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1 Samuel 6; 1 Samuel 7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
Observation
Would you like to be able to be more generous?
Here is God’s promise to you and me: “For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.”
The more you give the more you will have. It is the law or the principle of the harvest. So if you want to have more …you have to give more away! You say, “I can’t because I am spending everything to pay bills and to just survive”.
God says, “Put me to the test and give”. God says, “Be generous”. Quit using all of your income on yourself. Give and I will give you more. So you have to figure out a way to give away more so you have more. It is the law of the harvest. The more seed a farmer plants the bigger the harvest.
The more you give away the more you will have.
If you don’t believe it…try it…and watch God bless you!
Application
I will look for where God wants me to be generous.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You love a generous giver. Help me to be just that. I know that there is no way that I could out give You. Whatever I give away will come back to me and I will always receive way more than I give. Thank You for blessing me so much. You are a Wonderful God.
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Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Partners In The Gospel … It’s All About Working Together!
1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 4; 1 Samuel 5; Psalm 77; 2 Corinthians 8
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 8
16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.
Observation
Titus and Paul were partners! Who are you partnering with to extend the kingdom of God? The Christian life is all about partnerships. It is all about working together. Have you ever taken time to list how many people the Apostle Paul partnered with as he went on his missionary journeys. Titus is just one of them. How about Timothy, Barnabas, Silas, and John Mark? How many more can you name that were always partnering with him? There are so many more people that we could name that co-labored with Paul.
God doesn’t want us to be Lone Rangers as we live out our Christian faith, no He wants us to partner with people so that many more can be reached for Christ.
First Baptist Church of Brandon has made a commitment to partner with our church. Dr. Tommy Green is my partner in the Gospel. What an encouragement it is to me to know that Tommy and First Brandon would want to partner with us.
You can pick up on Paul’s enthusiasm as he writes this chapter and talks about his ministry partner Titus.
“But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.”
Application
I will pray and thank God for my partners that serve alongside of me.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have encouraged me by bringing men and an entire church to come alongside me and alongside of our church to help us serve You. You are a Mighty God. May I be found faithful and I pray that You help me be a good partner in this Gospel ministry. Bless those that serve with me. Help me to be a blessing to them. I pray for First Baptist Brandon that You bless them that You prosper them, so that they can continue to help churches like ours that need for them to come alongside to give them some encouragement.
I pray for Kathy, for her Mom, and for her family that You take care of all of them. Be glorified through Kathy’s Mom sickness. I pray that You heal her or that You take her home. She is in Your Hands! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 4; 1 Samuel 5; Psalm 77; 2 Corinthians 8
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 8
16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.
20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.
22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.
Observation
Titus and Paul were partners! Who are you partnering with to extend the kingdom of God? The Christian life is all about partnerships. It is all about working together. Have you ever taken time to list how many people the Apostle Paul partnered with as he went on his missionary journeys. Titus is just one of them. How about Timothy, Barnabas, Silas, and John Mark? How many more can you name that were always partnering with him? There are so many more people that we could name that co-labored with Paul.
God doesn’t want us to be Lone Rangers as we live out our Christian faith, no He wants us to partner with people so that many more can be reached for Christ.
First Baptist Church of Brandon has made a commitment to partner with our church. Dr. Tommy Green is my partner in the Gospel. What an encouragement it is to me to know that Tommy and First Brandon would want to partner with us.
You can pick up on Paul’s enthusiasm as he writes this chapter and talks about his ministry partner Titus.
“But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you.”
Application
I will pray and thank God for my partners that serve alongside of me.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have encouraged me by bringing men and an entire church to come alongside me and alongside of our church to help us serve You. You are a Mighty God. May I be found faithful and I pray that You help me be a good partner in this Gospel ministry. Bless those that serve with me. Help me to be a blessing to them. I pray for First Baptist Brandon that You bless them that You prosper them, so that they can continue to help churches like ours that need for them to come alongside to give them some encouragement.
I pray for Kathy, for her Mom, and for her family that You take care of all of them. Be glorified through Kathy’s Mom sickness. I pray that You heal her or that You take her home. She is in Your Hands! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
But God, Who Encourages Those Who are Discouraged…
1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 7
6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you.
Observation
Are you discouraged this morning? Take a minute and read 2 Corinthians 7 and see how God encourages those who are discouraged! God sent Titus to encourage Paul. Paul said that his presence was a joy!
There is nothing like the encouragement of a friend!
Somebody that just shows up and immediately you are encouraged. God does use people to lift us up doesn’t He! I don’t know about you but being connected to so many people via Facebook can be a huge encouragement. Yesterday, I mentioned on Facebook that Kathy had to take her Mom to the hospital and immediately we had friends writing us back letting us know that they were praying for Kathy’s Mom. It was a huge encouragement!
A friend of mine just showed up the other day at the front door of our house. He just came over to check on us to make sure that we were doing ok. It was an encouragement!
You could be a Titus to someone this week. Who needs your encouragement? Ask God to direct you into the life of someone that needs a boost …a good shot of encouragement! Maybe a note, an email, a phone call, or maybe you just need to show up at their front door of their house…ask God to show you who needs you this week. Life is not all about “us”.
Application
I will try my best to be a “Titus” to someone this week.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, direct me this week to someone that needs to be lifted up. Help me be a true friend to someone this week. I pray for Kathy’s Mom that You give her strength and that You heal her. Help Kathy and her brothers and sisters as they take care of their Mom. You are worthy to be praised.
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1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 7
6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you.
Observation
Are you discouraged this morning? Take a minute and read 2 Corinthians 7 and see how God encourages those who are discouraged! God sent Titus to encourage Paul. Paul said that his presence was a joy!
There is nothing like the encouragement of a friend!
Somebody that just shows up and immediately you are encouraged. God does use people to lift us up doesn’t He! I don’t know about you but being connected to so many people via Facebook can be a huge encouragement. Yesterday, I mentioned on Facebook that Kathy had to take her Mom to the hospital and immediately we had friends writing us back letting us know that they were praying for Kathy’s Mom. It was a huge encouragement!
A friend of mine just showed up the other day at the front door of our house. He just came over to check on us to make sure that we were doing ok. It was an encouragement!
You could be a Titus to someone this week. Who needs your encouragement? Ask God to direct you into the life of someone that needs a boost …a good shot of encouragement! Maybe a note, an email, a phone call, or maybe you just need to show up at their front door of their house…ask God to show you who needs you this week. Life is not all about “us”.
Application
I will try my best to be a “Titus” to someone this week.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, direct me this week to someone that needs to be lifted up. Help me be a true friend to someone this week. I pray for Kathy’s Mom that You give her strength and that You heal her. Help Kathy and her brothers and sisters as they take care of their Mom. You are worthy to be praised.
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Monday, April 06, 2009
Are We There Yet?
Ruth 3; Ruth 4; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 6
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 6
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us.
We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.
10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
Observation
As I read this about Paul’s life I realize that I am definitely not there yet! I am so far away of having the commitment to Christ that Paul lived out. Verse ten especially speaks to me this morning, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”
Paul was evidently from a family that had possessions and stuff. He intentionally left all of that to live a life of an itinerant evangelist. He made a decision to be poor so that others could be spiritually rich. I am not there yet. How about you?
Jesus gave us the same example as He lived out His life. He had no home of His own.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Application
I will look for someone to share my spiritual and physical riches with this week.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to follow the example of Paul and Jesus. Help me not to be worried about accumulating stuff. It is good to intentionally do without so others can be rich. I am so far from having a heart like Paul or Jesus in this area, but it is my desire to be more and more like them.
I am rich. I don’t lack one thing. I have everything. There is not one thing that I need that I do not have and if there becomes a need in my life I know where to go to have that need met. Thank you for making me so rich. I am so blessed. Thank you for a great Lord’s Day yesterday. I pray that this Easter Sunday would be a day that brings You much glory.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Ruth 3; Ruth 4; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 6
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Corinthians 6
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us.
We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed.
10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
Observation
As I read this about Paul’s life I realize that I am definitely not there yet! I am so far away of having the commitment to Christ that Paul lived out. Verse ten especially speaks to me this morning, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”
Paul was evidently from a family that had possessions and stuff. He intentionally left all of that to live a life of an itinerant evangelist. He made a decision to be poor so that others could be spiritually rich. I am not there yet. How about you?
Jesus gave us the same example as He lived out His life. He had no home of His own.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Application
I will look for someone to share my spiritual and physical riches with this week.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to follow the example of Paul and Jesus. Help me not to be worried about accumulating stuff. It is good to intentionally do without so others can be rich. I am so far from having a heart like Paul or Jesus in this area, but it is my desire to be more and more like them.
I am rich. I don’t lack one thing. I have everything. There is not one thing that I need that I do not have and if there becomes a need in my life I know where to go to have that need met. Thank you for making me so rich. I am so blessed. Thank you for a great Lord’s Day yesterday. I pray that this Easter Sunday would be a day that brings You much glory.
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Sunday, April 05, 2009
What is the Number One Goal of Your Life?
Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Psalm 53; Psalm 61; 2 Corinthians 5
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 5
1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
Observation
What is the number one goal of your life?
What is the driving force of your life? What is most important to you? Paul’s answer to that question is found in this passage in verse nine, “So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.” And it should be the highest goal in our lives too.
Matthew 6:33 says, “but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
Remember the great commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
When pleasing God is your number one priority then all of your other priorities seem to work out ok. When pleasing God is not at the top of our priority list then all of our priorities are all messed up, because we were designed to function best when God has the number one place in our lives.
I talked with some folks yesterday at the Preschool Easter Egg hunt about coming to church and especially attending the Easter service next Sunday. I could tell that they knew that it should be important, but what they don’t realize is how God would bless them if they just make pleasing Him their main goal in life.
Application
I will begin to visit those that were at the Easter Egg hunt and encourage them to apply verse nine!
“18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 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.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me communicate the Good News this week with everybody I talk to. I pray for the young families that came to the Preschool Easter Egg hunt. I pray that you put a desire in their lives to put You first. I pray for their salvation. I pray that we would be able to reach some of them. It is my desire to please You today. Help me to do those things that honor You and bring You glory. Direct my thoughts and protect my heart from things that would cause me to sin. I pray for our leadership today. Help them to worship You and serve You with all of their hearts. I pray for my staff today. May people see Jesus in them. May they bring You glory. May they please You today!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Psalm 53; Psalm 61; 2 Corinthians 5
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 5
1 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
Observation
What is the number one goal of your life?
What is the driving force of your life? What is most important to you? Paul’s answer to that question is found in this passage in verse nine, “So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.” And it should be the highest goal in our lives too.
Matthew 6:33 says, “but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”
Remember the great commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
When pleasing God is your number one priority then all of your other priorities seem to work out ok. When pleasing God is not at the top of our priority list then all of our priorities are all messed up, because we were designed to function best when God has the number one place in our lives.
I talked with some folks yesterday at the Preschool Easter Egg hunt about coming to church and especially attending the Easter service next Sunday. I could tell that they knew that it should be important, but what they don’t realize is how God would bless them if they just make pleasing Him their main goal in life.
Application
I will begin to visit those that were at the Easter Egg hunt and encourage them to apply verse nine!
“18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 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.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me communicate the Good News this week with everybody I talk to. I pray for the young families that came to the Preschool Easter Egg hunt. I pray that you put a desire in their lives to put You first. I pray for their salvation. I pray that we would be able to reach some of them. It is my desire to please You today. Help me to do those things that honor You and bring You glory. Direct my thoughts and protect my heart from things that would cause me to sin. I pray for our leadership today. Help them to worship You and serve You with all of their hearts. I pray for my staff today. May people see Jesus in them. May they bring You glory. May they please You today!
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