Nailed To The Cross By Our Sins

Romans 1; Romans 2; Romans 3; Romans 4
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Nailed To The Cross By Our Sins

Scripture

Romans 4

25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Observation

We need to read Romans 3 and 4 several times to catch just what God did for you and me. Here are some key words or phrases in these four chapters to ponder: faith, gift, “undeserved kindness”, “made right”, and wages.

Abraham’s faith was truly amazing. God was impressed by Abraham’s faith. I love these verses in chapter four:

“16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. 17 That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Application

As Abraham got older and older his faith got stronger and stronger and that is what I want my faith to do to. So I will continue to believe all of God’s promises and I will continue to walk in obedience.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the entire story about Abraham and his incredible faith shows me that I too can be a person of faith. I realize that it was 100 years before Abraham got to see the promise of a son be fulfilled so I can wait patiently for some of Your promises for me that I still have not seen come to pass. Help me to be a man of faith. Thank You for making me right with You through the death of Your Son.

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Encouragement and Paul’s Prayer For The Saints

1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Thessalonians 1; 2 Thessalonians 2; 2 Thessalonians 3
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Encouragement and Paul’s Prayer For The Saints

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Observation

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Do you think those two things are somehow connected? I do. Joyfulness is not the same thing as “happiness”. Joyfulness is a choice and it doesn’t depend on what circumstances we find ourselves in. Praying is a choice. And it shouldn’t depend on what circumstances we find ourselves in either.

We should do both of these things because we belong to Jesus.

How about Paul’s prayer? “May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

What has your faith prompted you to start? Paul’s prayer is that we have God’s power to finish what our faith prompted us to start. Amen to that!

Application

Today I will remember “always” and “never” and I will try to do both things Paul tells us to do with those two words in front of them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to always be joyful and help me never to stop praying. Give me direction for today. Give me Your power to accomplish what my faith has prompted me to start. I pray for our church leadership today. Help us please you with how we live out our lives. Be glorified through us this week as we serve You.

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Praying for one another!

Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians 1; 1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Thessalonians 3
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Praying for one another!

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 3

9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

Observation

How many people did you pray for during the night? When you were awakened during the night did you pray while you were waiting to go back to sleep? Who did you pray for and what did you pray for them? I like Paul’s prayer in verses 11-13 where he prayed for them to have strong hearts and for their love to grow and overflow towards everyone. It is a great prayer for us to prayer for each other. Who needs this prayer today?

Application

I will pray for my people that I pray for to have a love that grows and overflows and I will pray that they would have strong hearts.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, all the people that I prayed for during the night could I add Paul’s prayer for them too. I pray that their love would grow and overflow on to everyone around them. I pray that you give them strong hearts. Use them for Your kingdom today. Thank You for allowing me to be blessed with so many friends.

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As Secure As Mount Zion

Psalm 125; Matthew 26; Matthew 27
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As Secure As Mount Zion

Scripture

Psalm 125

1 Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.
4 O LORD, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.

Observation

Psalm 125 is an encouraging Psalm to anyone that may be going through difficult times. God says that He surrounds his people just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, both now and forever and the last time I checked “forever” was a very long time.

“O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with You.”
If you have God on your side this morning what else do you need? Nada…

Application

I will meditate on this Psalm today and thank God for His wonderful care.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am so blessed, but I know I am blessed so that I can be a blessing to other people. Help me do just that today. Give me strength for this day. Direct my thoughts and my actions, may they be pleasing to You. I pray for our church. Help our people please You. I pray that Your Holy Spirit takes complete control of our worship service and everyone person senses Your presence and Your power. I pray that those in the service would be able to understand Your Gospel and I pray that all would be obedient to the message. You are Mighty. Nothing is too hard for You.

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Jesus … Coming in His Glory … Are You Ready?

Matthew 23; Matthew 24; Matthew 25
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Jesus … Coming in His Glory … Are You Ready?

Scripture

Matthew 25

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence,…”

Observation

I am looking forward to the day that the Son of Man comes in His glory, and sits on His glorious throne. How about you? I can’t even imagine what that day will be like, can you? All the nations will be gathered and then Christ will separate the sheep from the goats. How many of those sheep will be from your work and from my work here on this earth? What countries will be impacted because of you and because of me?

What can we do different in 2011 to reach more people for Christ?

Application

I plan to help people more from the goat side to the sheep side … how about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I look forward to seeing Jesus in all His glory sitting on His glorious throne. I know that it is our task to help more people be ready for His second coming. Help me to be faithful. Keep me strong. Keep me focused. Thank You for blessing me so much.

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Do You Hear What These Children Are Saying?

Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22
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Do You Hear What These Children Are Saying?

Scripture

Matthew 21

15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”

But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”

Observation

They missed it. They totally missed out on what God was doing. Who are they? It was the religious folk that missed out. God was working all around them, but they were angry because their world was being stirred up. It is the same today.

At our church we just had the coolest event called 24-hours to Feed The City where we took over 2,000 meals to people in our city. We had over 150 people volunteer during that 24-hour period and yet on Sunday I started out the day with an angry church member telling me how I was destroying the church. Hmmm, obviously that person wasn’t one of the 150 volunteers …or he would have been excited about what God is doing at our church. Missing out…it still happens today!

Even the children and infants were praising God about what Jesus was doing, but the religious leaders of that day totally missed it.

Application

I will focus on reaching people that don’t know Jesus. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me never to miss what You are doing in the lives of the people around me. Help me always to be excited about people coming to faith in You. Don’t let me ever become a grumpy, mean old man. If I ever start to get like that please just take me home. Thank You for all of our friends and thank You for our family. Thank You for a day called “Thanksgiving” a day set aside just to give You thanks!

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What Have You Given Up?

Matthew 17; Matthew 18; Matthew 19
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What Have You Given Up?

Scripture

Matthew 19

29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.

Observation

What have you and I given up to follow Christ? Have you given up a home, brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for Christ sake? If you have then you will receive a hundred times more in return and you will inherit eternal life!

What are you holding on to that you are refusing to give up? My friend, that is a very dangerous thing to do. Let it go. Give it up. Don’t let anything come between you and the Lord.

There are so many great lessons in today’s Bible reading. They all deal with putting God first. Forgiveness and refusing to forgive, faith and not having enough faith, childlike faith and obedience and the wolves that cause people to stumble, all of these are lessons in today’s Bible reading.

I am reminded again this morning that our lives are lived out on a spiritual battlefield. I was praying at 4 this morning and thinking about the battles that lie ahead and this scripture came to my mind over and over again from Philippians 4, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything and the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus.” (Eddy’s paraphrase).

We are in a battle, but God calls on us to pray and we are to ask Him for help. In fact, prayer is our strongest weapon against the enemy. The enemy wants to take us out and he will use church people as his pawns to do his work. So pray and pray and pray!

Application

I will believe and meditate today on that scripture that says, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am under attack, but I realize that every Christ follower that puts You first today is under spiritual attack too. It is warfare. I pray for Your strength today. I pray for wisdom. I pray for discernment. I pray for Your peace that passes all understanding today. Thank You for Your strength. Thank You for victory. Thank You for allowing me to be called your son. Nothing is impossible with You.

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Satan The Great Deceiver

Matthew 14; Matthew 15; Matthew 16
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Satan The Great Deceiver

Scripture

Matthew 16

21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

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.”

Observation

Peter suddenly became part of a dangerous trap for Jesus. Now how did that happen so quickly because just a few verses before this we read that Peter was the “rock” on which Christ was going to build His church.

Peter thought he was doing the right thing when he scolded Jesus about talking about His upcoming encounter with torture and death, but he was totally off track and his thinking was not from a godly perspective.

Looking at things from a worldly point of view always causes us to get off track and our focus turns inward.

Application

I will keep my focus on kingdom stuff today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be focused on the things that matter to You. I pray for strength today to do things in a way that will please You. Work in the hearts of the people that I need to speak to and open their hearts to Your word.

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Focus on Jesus and His Kingdom

Matthew 11; Matthew 12; Matthew 13
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Focus on Jesus and His Kingdom

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 weary? Are you burdened down? Do you need rest? Ok…Jesus says to you and to me, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus dealt with conflict constantly and it was always with the folks that went to church. He didn’t have problems with the people that were not religious His problems were always with the Pharisees. He deeply offended them the scriptures say in chapter 13,

“53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. 54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55 Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57 And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.”

Some people are going to be offended by us and there is nothing we can do about it. Just as Jesus offended the religious Pharisees as He focused on the lost we will also get people upset when our focus is on the unreached.

Listen to what comes out of people’s mouths if you want to know what is in their hearts. Don’t kid yourself and think that what is coming out of their mouths is not a reflection of what is in their hearts.

Application

People by that do not care about the kingdom of God will not take me sideways. I will keep my focus on reaching the lost for Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me maintain my focus on people that do not know You. Don’t let me waste my energy on people that want to argue and tear down. I pray that our leaders will be strong and not give in to negative people that only want to destroy. Thank You for what happened this past weekend. Thank You for every person that volunteered and went out to our city. It was a very very good weekend.

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Pray for Help!

Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 10
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Pray for Help!

Scripture

Matthew 9

The Need for Workers

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Observation

There is Someone that is in charge of the harvest and we have been told to pray to Him and ask Him for help. We need more workers to bring in the harvest. There are plenty of people ready to be ushered into the kingdom of God, but we are short workers to make this happen. The key is prayer. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.

It is His harvest. It is His fields. We are just the workers. How do we harvest more fruit? Pray. End of story…

Application

I will pray today that the Lord will send more workers into His harvest. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is Your harvest. These souls are Yours. We need to pray and ask You to send more laborers to come help. I am praying right now that You send more workers to help us! Thank You for all the people that came out this weekend to take food to so many people. I pray that You would even send us more workers to help us with Your harvest. I know people are ready to respond to You. I pray for people to be saved today. I do pray that You would send us more workers for Your harvest.

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Do Not …Worry!

Matthew 5; Matthew 6; Matthew 7
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Do Not …Worry!

Scripture

Matthew 6

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Observation

How come we read this passage and then we go ahead and we “worry”! What are you worried about right now? Why are you worried? Don’t you believe what God says in His word?

In Philippians 4 the Apostle Paul says, “don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything and the peace of God will keep your hearts in Christ Jesus.” So don’t …worry!

Don’t worry about the stuff everybody else is worrying about but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things (the stuff of this world) will be given to you as well.

Worry is a lack of faith.

Application

I will seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness and I will do my best not to worry, but pray instead.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I begin to worry can You bring to my mind these verses. I know that I do not need to worry. I know that as long as I put You first You will meet every need of my life. You have always taken care of me and You will continue to take care of me as I put You first in my life.

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God’s Word - A Spiritual Supermarket

Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4
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God’s Word - A Spiritual Supermarket

Scripture

Matthew 4

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Observation

When you start out your day and don’t even think about taking time to read God’s word it is like forgetting to eat food all day long, you begin to get spiritually weak and very open to the tricks of the Devil. You are not effective and have no spiritual power if you are not in God’s word on a daily basis.

We were not designed to live by physical food alone; we were made to take in spiritual food on a regular basis. What did you read this morning? What did you read yesterday? Are you getting enough to eat? Are you depending on a Sunday message to get you through the week?

I wonder how many people that attended our church this past Sunday opened up and read God’s word on Monday? Did you?

Application

The Bible, Dr. Waylon Moore says is like spiritual supermarket with everything you need for a balanced spiritual life, but it doesn’t do us any good unless we read and study God’s word every day.

I will read God’s word every day. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your word have I hid in my heart so I won’t sin against You. I desire the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food is what Job said to You and it is my desire to have that same kind of love for Your word. Help me get from Your word the things I need for today to be Your witness. I pray for Larry Chadwell and Bruce Moore as they bring Your word to us and I pray for Waylon Moore as he speaks to our people this Sunday evening. Give them inspiration and an excitement for Your word. Help me as I teach this Sunday class 101 that it would help someone move closer to You.

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Lets Keep The Right Perspective

Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 12; 2 Corinthians 13
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Lets Keep The Right Perspective

Scripture

Psalm 124

1 What if the LORD had not been on our side?
8 Our help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

Observation

I think that when we encounter a week that has lots of things out of our control it is good to be reminded of this Psalm.

What if the Lord was not on my side? I would be in a heap of trouble if He were not on my side. The fact is that the Lord is on my side and the help that I need for every day crisis comes from the Creator that made the heaven and the earth.
Because the Lord is “my” shepherd I have everything I need. How about you?

Application

I will depend on the Lord today because I know that He is on my side and He is ready to help me if and when I call on Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it would be a terrible thing to not have You on my side. I am so glad that You decided to choose me and I am so glad that You pursued me and now I am one of Your children. It is nothing that I have done that makes me desirable to You. No You chose to save me before You created this earth. I don’t deserve Your love or Your divine care, but I am so glad that I can count on it.

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The Law of The Harvest

2 Corinthians 7; 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Corinthians 9; 2 Corinthians 10
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The Law of The Harvest

Scripture

2 Corinthians 9

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.

Observation

Generosity, does that describe you…does that word describe me? God loves a cheerful giver. To cheerful givers God will pour out His blessings, but if we are stingy what should we expect in return “0”!

It is the law of the harvest, if you plant a lot of seeds then you will have more harvest, if you plant sparingly then you will reap sparingly. It is just that simple, but it is so easy to forget.

This weekend we have an event called 24 Hours to Feed The City. It is an opportunity for us to be generous with as many people as possible in a 24-hour period. It is a simple gesture, but God will honor what our people do if they are doing it out of a heart of generosity.

Application

I will look for ways to be generous this week.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me live out my Christian life in a way that would show that I believe what You say about giving and about being generous. Help Kathy and I be generous people. Thank You for allowing us to be so blessed. We have received so much from other generous people. Show us where and how to give. Lead us to people this week that need to be encouraged. Give us the discernment to know who, when, and how to help someone.

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We Have This Wonderful Message!

2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6
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We Have This Wonderful Message!

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5

…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.

Observation

God makes His appeal through us. He has no other method or plan to reach this world. We are it. How are we doing in being His ambassadors? Are we getting the message out? Have you shared the message of Christ with anyone over the past several days? Where? Why not?

The message we are to share is found in verse 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.”

To think that the God of the universe has left this super important task to you and me is truly amazing and it is an enormous responsibility.
It is the main thing or at least should be the main thing in our lives, but everything in our lives will tend to pull us away from making sharing the Gospel our main focus. The Devil wants to take us sideways and divert us to things that don’t matter at all in the scope of eternity.

Application

I want to be an Ambassador for Christ today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart and You know that it is my desire to be Your ambassador today. Give me someone today that I can be Your ambassador to and call him or her back to You. Help me stay focused on the main purpose of life and that is to take the message of Christ around the world. Don’t let me give up or compromise on that.

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YES! YES! YES! God’s Ultimate “YES” Jesus Christ!

Job 41; Job 42; 2 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 2
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YES! YES! YES! God’s Ultimate “YES” Jesus Christ!

Scripture

2 Corinthians 1

19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.

20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

Observation

All God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” Knowing Christ and making Christ known to the rest of the world is what life is all about. Everything is fulfilled in Christ!

The Good News of Christ is a sweet fragrance to those that say, “yes” to Christ! Nothing is more important than sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ! Nothing…

Application

I will look for opportunities today to share the Good News!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am excited about this day. I don’t know what it brings but I know that there is people that will come across my path that need to hear about Jesus. Help me share with them in a way that is clear. I pray that they would be able to understand the Gospel. I pray that they would accept Christ, accept Your offer of salvation. I pray for my brother Rick today as he goes through surgery. I pray that You would be his strength and that You would guide the surgeon’s hands. I pray for Kathy today that You would bless her and help her with all that she has to do today. You are Mighty. You are Worthy of Praise!

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Where Were You?

Job 37; Job 38; 1 Corinthians 12
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Where Were You?

Scripture

Job 38

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.

Observation

When God laid the foundations of the earth I was on God’s mind and even then He knew my name. Before He laid the foundations of the earth He was thinking about me and He was thinking about You.

Job was getting a gentle reminder that God is God and we are not.

This world is totally out of control for you and me but our God is totally in control. Nothing gets by Him. For Him nothing ever gets out of His control.

Application

Today is a day to rely totally on God’s power and that is exactly what I am going to do.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me hear Your voice today clearly. Help me prepare to speak at Bear’s Memorial service. Give me Your words. Give me Your thoughts. Help me see what You want me to see today. Give Kathy and I direction. We want to please You today and be obedient to Your voice. Thank You for thinking about us even before You created this earth. You are an Awesome God.

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Blessings and Sharing the Good News!

Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11
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Blessings and Sharing the Good News!

Scripture

1 Corinthians 9

23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Observation

Last Sunday I watched as a lady that had just given her life to Christ was baptized. Dr. Waylon B. Moore had the privilege of baptizing her. It was after our morning worship service and there were still quite a few people in the Sanctuary to celebrate with her in this very special moment. I got to share in the blessings of the Gospel. She was at choir practice this Wednesday and stayed for our Prayer Rally.

God is so Good.

Application

I plan to continue to share the Good News and I plan to continue to share in its blessings.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You bless Sarah that came to Christ last week. Thank You that I was able to share in the blessings and see You change a life. I pray that more and more people will be saved at our church. I pray that Your blessings will pour down on our church as we share the Good News of Jesus with the lost around us. I pray for Bruce and Heather today that You would be their strength.

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Distractions – Things That Take Us Sideways!

Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8

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Distractions – Things That Take Us Sideways!

Scripture

1 Corinthians 7

31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him.

35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

Observation

I deal with distractions everyday. It is so easy to get distracted and spend my time on something that really does not further the kingdom of God. The Devil loves to get us distracted. He loves to have us spend our energy on what Bruce Moore calls side-ways energy. There are always things that want to pull us sideways to keep us from focusing on the main thing. The main thing is seeing the lost come to Christ. But everything seems to work against us staying focused to that task.

Paul was talking about something as basic as marriage and how even taking care of the needs of a spouse can take a lot of our energy. He says we must do it if we have made the commitment to be married, but he says that a single person has one less distraction to deal with and serving the Lord is easier if you are not married.

Here is the verse I want to focus on today, “…I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”

Application

As I go through this day I am going to ask myself, “Is what I am doing helping me to serve the Lord best or is this a distraction?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am tired of being distracted. I pray that You help me today to stay focused on kingdom stuff and not on things that take me sideways. Help me focus my energy on things that really count … things that help me serve You best.

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We Are Not To Become Slaves To Anything

Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 6
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We Are Not To Become Slaves To Anything

Scripture

1 Corinthians 6

12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 13 You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Observation

So many people are slaves to prescription medicine, even Christians. So many are slaves to pornography, even many Christians. Paul says that we are not to let anything enslave us except our relationship to Christ. For God bought us with a high price. So we are to honor God with our body.

Application

I will run from sexual sin. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that my body is Your temple. Help me honor You with my body by not yielding to sexual temptation. I pray for our Kathy’s family as they go through this time of loss. I pray that this would bring them even closer together. I pray for our church that You would guide and direct us and give us the strength to stay focused on reaching people for Christ.

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Grow Up!

Job 33; 1 Corinthians 1; 1 Corinthians 2; 1 Corinthians 3
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Grow Up!

Scripture

1 Corinthians 3

Paul and Apollos, Servants of Christ

1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?

5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.

Observation

When there is quarreling and fighting in your family at home or at church it is showing your spiritual age. When you act like a lost person or a spiritual infant it is because your sinful nature is in control.

When I have someone tell me that they haven’t been reading God’s word for days or even weeks his or her sinful nature must be in control. When my sinful nature has a chance to be in control it is ugly. Look out!

In our church right now I have folks that are fighting within their home…acting like spiritual infants. They have allowed their sinful natures to take control of their lives. They need to repent and turn back to God. They need to confess their sins and allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of their lives. How are you and I doing on handing over control of our lives to the Holy Spirit? Is there fighting and quarreling going on in your life or in your heart? Are you grumbling and fussing over something or someone?

Application

I am yielding control of my life over to the Holy Spirit. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I give You control of my life. Show me anything in my life that doesn’t please You. Help me not act like a spiritual infant/baby. Help my focus be on the people around me helping them know You better and not on myself. I pray for those in our church that are acting like spiritual infants that they would allow the Holy Spirit to take control of their lives so they could be productive.

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Make a Covenant With Your Eyes Today

Job 31; Job 32; Galatians 5; Galatians 6
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Scripture

Make a Covenant With Your Eyes Today

Job 31

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look with lust at a young woman.

Galatians 5

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Observation

Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Job 31:1 says, that we should make a covenant with our eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman. Have you made that covenant with your eyes yet?

Galatians 5:24 says that those that belong to Christ have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Have you nailed them to the cross?

Both of these verses talk of choices we must make. When we get up each day we must make these two choices … are you and I willing to do that this morning. I am. How about you?

Application

I will make a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman and I will nail my passion and desire of my old sinful nature to the cross and leave it crucified there. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be able not let my eyes wander and stay fixed on a woman to the point of lust. Help me to focus on what is pure, what is lovely, what is good, and don’t let my mind go to think on things that are not. Help me have control over my eyes because I know that is the opening to my heart. Help me guard my heart today and keep it pure on keep it on You.

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Heirs of the King of Kings

Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3; Galatians 4
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Heirs of the King of Kings

Scripture

Galatians 4

6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Observation

What if you were the child of the wealthiest person in the world and could have anything you wanted or dreamed of? If you were that would still not compare with being a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God owns everything and if you place your faith and trust in His Son Jesus then you have the privilege of becoming a child of God.

I look around at everything on this earth and realize that what I own is far more valuable than anything that this world has to offer. The gold that everyone is trying to buy right now will be used as street pavement in my new home. It will be so common that the streets will be covered with it. The stuff that has the most value on this earth will be junk compared to what I will get to enjoy.
I saw in the news this week the billion dollar home that some guy built in India and I thought how sad and what a waste. It reminds me of a few parables that Jesus told in the book of Luke about the rich. A person’s wealth here on this earth is so temporary. The Bible says that wealth has wings! It can be here today and gone tomorrow.

My investment is safe and secure. If you have any riches here on earth I would suggest sending them on up to Heaven ahead of you where they will be safe for eternity.

I am a child of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I don’t lack one thing. How about you?

Application

I will act like the child of the King of Kings today. I will not envy or covet what others think they have because I know that I am heir to it all.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that I am very wealthy. I am one of the richest people on the face of this earth. I am an heir of the Creator God Who owns it all and one day I will enjoy my inheritance with others that have also placed their trust and faith in You. Thank You for giving me such a great wife to share life with. Thank You for being so good to us. We don’t deserve any of what you have provided us. We praise You. I pray that our church would have Your Hand upon it and You would come in power and do miracles in our service tomorrow. You are worthy to be praised!

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Chosen By God

Job 28; Job 29; Galatians 1; Galatians 2
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Chosen By God

Scripture

Galatians 1

15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.

Observation

To think that God chose me before I was even born is amazing, but it is true. Just as Paul was chosen and called each Christ follower has been chosen and called and it is by God’s marvelous grace. We don’t deserve it.

I am called to proclaim the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ just as every Christian is called and every Christian is chosen. We are called and chosen to take the Gospel to those that do not know Christ. It is our life’s ambition or at least it should be.

How are we doing with the task that God has chosen us for? Do you need to get back into the battle? Have you let yourself get sidetracked?

Application

I am going to continue to serve the Lord with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength because I have been chosen and called to serve Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t know why you chose me and called me because I don’t deserve it. But I am glad very glad that you did. Help me to be a good servant. Help me stay away from sin. Give me a heart for people. Help my focus be on them and not on myself. You are Wonderful. You have been so good to me. I pray that You would continue to bless our church. I pray that You would continue to have Your hand on our fellowship. I pray for Bruce and Heather and I pray that You bless them today in a Mighty way.

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GO!

Job 26; Job 27; Mark 15; Mark 16
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GO!

Scripture

Mark 16

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

Observation

It is the calling of every Christ follower to GO! Not just a few select people that we call missionaries, but every single Christ follower. How are you and I doing with that command? Is there somewhere you would not go? Could you go tomorrow? Are we willing to go and leave family and friends? What part of the Great Commission do we not understand? Go. Go. Go.

The heart of the Gospel is “Go”. “GO”-spel

You and I must be ready to go while we have the chance. One day our health will not allow us to go, but as long as we can we need to be going. Do you even have your passport? If an American Christian does not have a passport they do not really believe in the Great Commission. They are saying in effect that the Great Commission is for someone else and not for them. If you have put yourself in so much debt spending money to buy toys that you cannot afford and do not need, you do not believe in the Great Commission.

I want to “Go”. How about you?

Application

Obedience for me is to be ready to go when and where God says to go. I will continue to keep myself ready for His marching orders. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, here I am … send me.

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God’s Word…Have You Read It This Morning?

Job 25; Mark 13; Mark 14
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God’s Word…Have You Read It This Morning?

Scripture

Mark 13

31 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Observation

I took a minute to listen to the television this morning about the election results. The greatest part of the election is that it is over and we can be rid of all those negative commercials on TV and radio. I am so tired of hearing the empty words of politicians. How about you?

I am glad that every morning I can hear God from His word and His words will never disappear. I never grow tired of reading His words or hearing His words. It is because His word is Truth. What we hear from politicians unfortunately is not Truth, and most of what they say is “untruth”, or lies. There is an extremely low trust level when it comes to believing in what a political leader promises. It is a shame. Where are all the Christ followers and why don’t they lead our country?

Why isn’t there more salt and more light in Washington? Corruption and evil reigns in our country’s capitol. But one day that will all change and I will be glad when that happens…won’t you? One day Christ will return and you and I will see Him coming in the clouds. When He comes there will be no more corruption, no more evil leadership, He will come in Power and He will come to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Come Lord Jesus. Come!

Application

I will pay closer attention to His word today and less attention to what those in Washington promise next.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. I read it with excitement every morning. It is amazing. Last night at small group it was so much fun talking about a story from Your Word. Today I will trust in Your word. I will trust in Your promises. You are completely worthy to be trusted. Your promises are certain. You always come through with what You say that You are going to do. Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You for guiding me today. Direct my thoughts and my actions may they be pleasing to You.

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Mountain Moving Faith

Job 23; Job 24; Mark 11; Mark 12
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Mountain Moving Faith

Scripture

Mark 11

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Observation

How important is prayer? How important is prayer in your life? Do you believe the words of Jesus in this passage as He speaks about how powerful our prayers can be? You only believe what you practice. What mountain moving prayers have you and I prayed for lately?

Have you prayed for someone this morning? Does it do any good? Will God work in the life of someone because we prayed for him or her? He certainly will. In fact, there is no other prayer more important, more valuable than to prayer on someone’s behalf. I have a friend that is struggling right now. I am praying for him. Will God answer my prayers? You bet He will. He has put this person on my heart so I would pray for that person because God wants to work in his life.

Who needs you to pray for them? God can move the mountains in their lives if we pray for them. Who did you pray for this morning? You will you pray for today? There is nothing more important than lifting someone up in prayer. Intercede for someone today. Prayer doesn’t need to be always about us. God already knows our needs.
Jesus does say that before we pray that we need to make sure that we are not holding on to a grudge against someone else. Get things confessed to God then intercede for someone else.

Application

I will continue praying for others because it is the most important thing that I can do.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for putting people on my heart for me to pray for. There is nothing more important for me to do. I know that their problems are way beyond my ability to help. Their lives are out of control and I don’t have the power to help them, but there is nothing too hard for You. You can move mountains. You can do the seemingly impossible and You do it with ease. Nothing is too hard for You. So I prayed for the people this morning knowing that I am praying to an All-Powerful God who delights in answering my prayers.

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Do You Have Childlike Faith?

Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10
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Do You Have Childlike Faith?

Scripture

Mark 10

Jesus Blesses the Children

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Observation

It takes the faith of a child to believe God’s plan for salvation. Childlike faith …do you have it? To get into the kingdom of God you need childlike faith. Do you understand what Jesus is talking about?

A lady accepted Christ today at Mission Tampa. She had childlike faith. As I shared with her I could tell that she understood the Gospel and she prayed asking Christ to save her. Trusting is not easy. The older we get the more difficult it is for us to have childlike faith. We are so skeptical.

Application

I will share the Gospel with people and I will listen for a childlike faith response.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Willard that he would understand the Gospel and that he would place his faith in you. Give him the childlike faith he needs to be saved. I pray that the people that hear the Gospel at Mission Tampa this week would make decisions for you and that they would get plugged into a church so they can grow.

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