Thank The Lord For His Faithful Love And For The Amazing Things He Does For People.

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Isaiah 63; Isaiah 64; Psalm 107; John 2

Thank The Lord

For His Faithful Love

And For The Amazing Things He Does For People.

Scripture

Psalm 107

8 Thank the LORD for his faithful love
    and for the amazing things he does for people.

Observation

I do want to thank the Lord for letting me continue to live here on this earth. Knowing that last Friday would probably have been my last if I hadn’t of had a defibrillator implanted in my body the month before. It is pretty overwhelming. 

I collapsed without a warning. I was unconscious in a split second and if I had not had the defibrillator I would have been dead in a couple of minutes. The doctor said that my heart was pumping “0” blood to my brain when I went unconscious. When I went unconscious the defibrillator did its job and shocked me back to life. It made my heart start beating in rhythm and start pumping again!

God does amazing things for people!

My heart doctor says that I have been lucky now 2 times, but I realize that it is the Lord who saved me. He saved me when I had my heart attack and He saved me again last Friday. I know that one day He won’t save me like He has done twice already. One day He will take me home to Heaven. 

So Kathy and I talked about our lives again yesterday and we both agree that our lives are very short and fragile and we need to take advantage of each and every day. What I experienced last Friday was a powerful reminder that my life is like a vapor. 

Do I also need to remind you that your life is just like mine – very, very short!  

Application

I will thank the Lord for the amazing things that He has done for me!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are amazing! There is not anything too hard for You! I have died several times now and have been at the point of death several times but each time You have brought me back from the pit of death. One day You will take me home to be with You in Heaven and I look forward to that day. But I will enjoy the extra time that You have given me here on this earth right now. It is my desire to bring You honor and glory with the way I live. Help me to do just that. Amen.

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The Word Became Flesh And Blood And Moved Into The Neighborhood.

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Isaiah 60; Isaiah 61; Isaiah 62; John 1 

The Word

Became Flesh And Blood

And Moved Into The Neighborhood.

Scripture

John 1 

¹⁴The Word became flesh and blood,
      and moved into the neighborhood.
   We saw the glory with our own eyes,
      the one-of-a-kind glory,
      like Father, like Son,
   Generous inside and out,
      true from start to finish. 

Observation

We have a God that loves us so much that He came down from Heaven to rescue us. He did this by humbling himself and taking the form of a man. He knows exactly how we feel because He lived as a man (though He never sinned) on this earth for 33 years. He then offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for your sins and for my sins. He experienced death on a cross - dying in our place. He suffered for us.
There is no other God like Him.  

Application

I will share this Good News with someone today!  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is no other God like You. You loved us so much that You came to live and walk on this earth as the Man – Jesus Christ. You alone are worthy of our praise. Thank You for experiencing death for us. Thank You for taking and paying the penalty of my sins on the cross. Thank You for dying in my place so that I might have the opportunity to live forever with You. 

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“So You See, The Lord Knows How To Rescue Godly People From Their Trials…”

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Isaiah 53; Isaiah 54; Isaiah 55; Isaiah 56; 2 Peter 2

“So You See,

The Lord Knows How

To Rescue Godly People From Their Trials…”

Scripture

2 Peter 2

9 “So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials…”

Observation

Are you going through a rough time? Are you dealing with a crisis? Do you have a health issue? Maybe you are dealing with a relationship that has gone south … here is what you need to remember, “The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials.” 

The key for you and I to be rescued is this, “Are we living godly lives?” Have you read and discovered the thousands of promises that God has for those that are godly? 

How do we live godly lives? Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

He is our Savior and we are always in need of being “rescued”.

 Application

I will trust God as I go through life’s trials. How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be considered by You as godly. Help me live in a way to make that happen! I pray for Adam and Ashley today as they get married and I pray for their parents as they go through this time of celebration! This wedding is exactly what You want godly people to experience. It is Your idea! 

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By His Divine Power, God Has Given Us Everything We Need For Living A Godly Life.

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Isaiah 50; Isaiah 51; Isaiah 52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1

By His Divine Power,

God Has Given Us Everything

We Need For Living A Godly Life. 

Scripture

2 Peter 1

³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Observation

We have no excuse!

God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

If you and I have trusted Christ for our salvation and if we have surrendered our lives to Him as our Lord and our Savior then we have everything we need for living a godly life. We have all this because we know Him – Jesus!

He has given us the Bible, filled with great and precious promises. I love to come each morning to read His word and see the wonderful promises that He has given us. How about you?  

Application

I will go through this day knowing that I have everything I need to live a godly life.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the privilege of being one of Your children. I believe what You say when you tell me that I have everything that I need to live a life that pleases You. Help me to live my life in a way that brings You glory and honor. You are an Awesome God. 

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Give All Your Worries And Cares To God, For He Cares About You.

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Isaiah 46; Isaiah 47; Isaiah 48; Isaiah 49; 1 Peter 5

Give

All Your Worries And Cares To God,

For He Cares About You.

Scripture

1 Peter 5

⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

 Observation

What makes it so hard for us to do what this verse says is the one three-letter word “all”! If the verse said, Give some of your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you, it wouldn’t be a problem at all for us to do it, but God says to give Him all of our worries.

How are you doing with this verse?

Are you able to give “all” or just some of your worries to God? I know it is a struggle for me. It is easy for me to begin worrying about something rather than praying about it.

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Worry … Worry … Worry = 0

Pray … Pray … Pray … = Peace

Application

I will strive to pray more today and leave the worrying to somebody else!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me trust You today with every detail of my life. Don’t let me worry. Help me to pray and help me to trust You more. 

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Do You Have The Gift Of Helping Others? Do It With All The Strength And Energy That God Supplies.

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Isaiah 43; Isaiah 44; Isaiah 45; 1 Peter 4

Do You Have 

The Gift Of Helping Others?

Do It With All The Strength And Energy That God Supplies.

Scripture

1 Peter 4

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

What do you think your spiritual gift is? If you are a Christ Follower then you have at least one spiritual gift. My spiritual gift is probably helping others. I want to say that it is preaching, teaching, or encouraging others, but I do all that in order to serve them.

I have been blown away this week by the servant hearts of two guys that have been helping me install a hot water heater for a needy lady in our church. Yesterday, these two guys were working in the rain with lightening cracking all around, with water pouring off the eave of roof and drenching them as they were halfway under her house making the pipe connections for the hot water heater.

We had the water turned off in her house before it started raining and it had been off already for a few hours before it started to rain. So we couldn’t just come back after the rain stopped. We couldn’t just leave her without her having running water in her house.

These guys were doing this just because they wanted to help. They were doing it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. 

Application

I want to use my spiritual gift to serve people with all the energy and strength that God supplies.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me Your heart for people. Give me energy and strength to serve them with all my heart. Thank You for my two friends that helped me yesterday. Thank You for their example. I am proud of them. I know that You are too. Bless them for taking the time to help someone else.

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Now He Has Gone Into Heaven. He Is At God’s Right Side And Rules Over Angels, Authorities, And Powers.

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Isaiah 40; Isaiah 41; Isaiah 42; 1 Peter 3

Now He Has Gone Into Heaven.

He Is At God’s Right Side

And Rules Over Angels, Authorities, And Powers.

Scripture

1 Peter 3

²² Now he has gone into heaven. He is at God’s right side and rules over angels, authorities, and powers.

Observation

After what happened in Colorado last week I think we need to be reminded of Who is still in charge of this world and Who will one day straighten everything out! Jesus Christ is in charge! The evil prince of this world will not be able to do his dastardly deeds forever. The shooter in Colorado was and is evil. 

What happened in Aurora is a reminder that Satan is alive and seemingly well on planet earth, but his days of terror are numbered. Jesus Christ is the Victor. He will take care of Satan in the end. 

 ^“If you are always trying to do good, no one can really harm you. But you may suffer for doing right. If that happens, you have God’s blessing. “Don’t be afraid of the people who make you suffer; don’t be worried.” 1 Peter 3:13-14

There are evil people in this world and we will always see and we may even experience horrific things at the hands of those evil people. If we do suffer at the hands of someone that is evil God says that we should not be afraid them. He even says not to be worried. If we suffer for doing right we will receive God’s blessing. 

This world seems like it is out of control. It is true that it is in a downward spiral, but there is One who is still in control and one day will return from Heaven and fix it!

Application

I will not be afraid of the evil people that may come my way.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will take Your Promise that if I suffer at the hands of someone that is evil that I will receive Your blessing. We are not to live in fear. Help us not to be afraid. I believe that Jesus Christ has authority over everything - over angels, over authorities, and over powers. I know that nothing will come into my life or the life of my family that is first not filtered by You.

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Once You Had No Identity As A People Now You Are God’s People, God’s Very Own Possession.

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2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38; Isaiah 39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2

Once You Had No Identity As A People

Now

You Are God’s People, God’s Very Own Possession.

Scripture

1 Peter 2

⁹ But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

¹⁰ “Once you had no identity as a people;
    now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
    now you have received God’s mercy.”

Observation

We have been saved to show others the goodness of God! We are a chosen people! We are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. This should help you and I live out Monday in a different way!

God has divine appointments waiting for us today! I don’t know who they are but they are people that need to see the goodness of God through us! Wow! I can’t wait!

Application

I will look for the person or persons that God puts in my path that needs to see the goodness of God through me! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be a good witness for You today. I pray that others will see Your goodness through me. 


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You Were Bought With The Precious Blood Of Christ Death … The Sinless, Spotless Sacrificial Lamb

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Isaiah 36; Isaiah 37; Psalm 76; 1 Peter 1

You Were Bought

With The Precious Blood Of Christ Death

… The Sinless, Spotless Sacrificial Lamb

Scripture

1 Peter 1

¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (NLT)

¹⁹ You were bought with the precious blood of Christ’s death. He was a pure and perfect sacrificial Lamb. (Easy To Read Version)

Observation

Our lives have been bought with the precious blood of Christ. He was (and is) the sinless, spotless, perfect sacrificial Lamb of God. Our lives before Christ were empty. I remember how my life was before Christ. Do you?

 I am so glad that God chose to save me from a life that was heading for destruction. Kathy and I had been married for one year when I gave my life to Christ. If Christ had not saved me there is no telling how my life would have ended up but I am confident that it would have been a mess. 

He saved me from an empty life a life with no real meaning or purpose. So many people choose an empty life over an abundant life – a life full of purpose and meaning. I don’t get it!

I look forward to church today. I look forward to seeing my brothers and sisters in Christ and I look forward to seeing how many people God saves today from their empty lives. 

This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it!

 Application

I will focus my attention on every person that God brings my way today especially those that are attending our church for the first time.   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to please You with the wonderful life You have given me. Thank You for my salvation. I pray that many people will leave their empty lives behind and follow Jesus! Work through Larry Chadwell today as he preaches Your word. 

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Anyone Who Lives The Way God Wants Can Pray, And Great Things Will Happen

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2 Kings 18; 2 Kings 19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5 

Anyone

Who Lives The Way God Wants Can Pray,

And Great Things Will Happen

Scripture

James 5 

16b “…Anyone who lives the way God wants can pray, and great things will happen.”

Observation

King Hezekiah is a good example of James 5:16. If you had time this morning to read 2 Kings 18-19 and 2 Chronicles 32 you would have seen how God blessed King Hezekiah for living the way God wanted him to live. 

Hezekiah prayed and God answered his prayers in an unbelievable way. The angel of the Lord came down and killed 185,000 of his enemies that were getting ready to attack and destroy Jerusalem.

So the lesson for you and me this morning is that “if” we live the way God wants then we can pray and great things will happen!

Application

I will live the way God wants so that I can pray and have great things happen. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the faith of King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah who trusted You even when all the odds were against them. Great things will happen as I live the way You want me to live because you the LORD All-Powerful will do it. Thank You for hearing my prayers. 

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Listen, Think About This: You Don’t Know What Will Happen Tomorrow!

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2 Chronicles 29; 2 Chronicles 30; 2 Chronicles 31; James 4

Listen,

Think About This:

You Don’t Know What Will Happen Tomorrow!

Scripture

James 4

“Listen, think about this: ¹⁴ You don’t know what will happen tomorrow…”

Observation

Since we don’t know what will happen tomorrow we need to make use of every opportunity to further the kingdom of God today. You life is like a “fog” the writer James says! So you and I need to live everyday with meaning and with purpose.

Here is how James says to live, “So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives.” “ Be humble before the Lord, and he will make you great.” James 4:7-8; 10

After you experience a major heart attack like I did you know for sure that your life is like a “fog”. Every minute I have on this earth is precious. I don’t want to waste my life getting tangled up in sin. How about you? 

Application

Since I don’t know what will happen tomorrow I plan to live out this day drawing near to God and living for Him.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You have allowed me to live for a reason. It is the same really with every believer. We all have a reason to be alive and still on this planet. I know it is not to waste my life on stuff that doesn’t matter. Help me draw near to you. Help me stand against the devil. Don’t let me become proud so I miss your blessings. You are My Savior. You are My Lord. I want to live for You today.

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God Is Our Protection And Source Of Strength He Is Always Ready To Help Us In Times Of Trouble.

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2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3

God Is Our Protection And Source Of Strength

He Is Always

Ready To Help Us In Times Of Trouble.

Scripture

Psalm 46

1 God is our protection and source of strength.

    He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.

Observation

Protection … Strength … Help …

This is a very good verse to memorize.

When you need protection God could bring this verse to your memory. When you need strength to make it through a crisis you could quote this verse and have the strength you need. When you are in trouble you would be able to remember that God is always ready to help you in times of trouble!

I like the word “always” don’t you. God is there always to help us. You can count on Him. People will disappoint you and you will disappoint people but God will never disappoint you. He is always ready to help in times of trouble!

 Application

I will memorize Psalm 46:1. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my protection and my source of strength.
You are always ready to help me in times of trouble. Help me to memorize this verse so that it will always be in my heart when I need to be reminded of how Powerful and how Caring You are!

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You Are Believers In Our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ So Don’t Treat Some People Better Than Others

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Isaiah 32; Isaiah 33; Isaiah 34; Isaiah 35; James 2

You Are Believers In Our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ

So Don’t Treat 

Some People Better Than Others

Scripture

James 2

My dear brothers and sisters, you are believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. So don’t treat some people better than others.
 
² Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing very nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.
 
³ You show special attention to the person wearing nice clothes. You say, “Sit here in this good seat.” But you say to the poor person, “Stand there!” or “Sit on the floor by our feet!” 

 ⁴ Doesn’t this show that you think some people are more important than others? You set yourselves up as judges—judges who make bad decisions.

 Observation

 One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” James 2:8 

It is so natural for us to be prejudice. It is our fallen human nature. But we are commanded to love others the same as we love our selves. It is easy to love people that are like us. It is easy to love people that have the same skin color as us, the same hygiene as us, that are clean and smell good like us, and that speak the same language as us. 

But our challenge is to love people that my have a different tone of skin than us, that are a little dirtier or smellier than we are, and that speak a heart language that we can’t understand and that struggle with English. 

Even though it may be difficult to love the unlovely … lets do it! 

Application

I will give extra time and attention this week to those who are usually overlooked.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me Your heart for the people around me, especially those that I tend to spend less time with because they are a little different than me. Your love for each person is the same no matter what – help me to have that same kind of love and compassion. 

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Consider It A Sheer Gift, Friends, When Tests And Challenges Come At You From All Sides

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Isaiah 29; Isaiah 30; Isaiah 31; James 1

Consider It A Sheer Gift,

Friends, When Tests And Challenges 

Come At You From All Sides

Scripture

James 1 

^2-4  Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Observation

Slow recovery … I have heard that from two different families this week who are dealing with life after surgery.  I look back and I think about how slow my recovery has been from my heart attack, I wouldn’t trade most of the experiences for anything … well there are a few things I experienced along the way that I really could have done without!

When we go through these tests and challenges it is true that our “faith-life” is forced in the open. Do you want to see what you are really like – just get clobbered by a lot of trials and troubles – then people will see the real you!

I am not proud of how I responded during some of God’s tests and challenges as I recovered from my heart attack. But…

I am very proud of Kathy because when she was under pressure during the time of my sickness her “faith-life” glowed like the sun!  I am so glad that God brought her into my life!

Application

I will consider it a sheer gift, when tests and challenges come at me from all sides. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be able to remember this passage when I experience my next test and next challenge. Help me to consider it as a gift!

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May He Equip You With All You Need For Doing His Will

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Isaiah 25; Isaiah 26; Isaiah 27; Isaiah 28; Hebrews 13 

May He Equip You

With All You Need

For Doing His Will

Scripture

Hebrews 13 

²¹ may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.

May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

Here is a prayer for those in your life that you want to see grow in their faith! It is my prayer for you! Would you use it to pray for me? 

Application

 I will pray for people today using this blessing from Hebrews.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may You equip those reading this blog with all they need for doing Your will. May You produce in them, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to You.  All glory to You forever and ever! Amen.

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We Must Never Stop Looking To Jesus Think About Jesus Think About Him So That You Won’t Get Discouraged and stop trying.

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Isaiah 22; Isaiah 23; Isaiah 24; Hebrews 12

We Must Never Stop Looking To Jesus

Think About Jesus

Think About Him So That You Won’t Get Discouraged and stop trying.

Scripture

Hebrews 12

We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall.

² We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. ³ Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.

Observation

Don’t you just love the word of God! When you are bummed out, when you are about to give up, when you are tired, when you are going through difficult trials and terrible problems … look to Jesus! Look at other Christians around you too and they can be an encouragement to you, but don’t stop there, look to Jesus because He went through way more than you and I will ever go through and today He is sitting at the right side of God our Heavenly Father!

We are in a race. It is a marathon. We will make it. We are already winners in the race! So don’t let anything discourage you this morning!

This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Get to a place of worship today! If you are home taking care of someone that is sick or maybe you are too sick to go to church today then find a worship service on the television or the radio.

Look to Jesus! Think about Jesus! Focus on Jesus!

Get out of the dumps!

Application

I will look to Jesus today and I will think about Him and what He went through for me! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the word of encouragement today. All I need to do is look around me at other believers and I can be encouraged. And when I think about Jesus and what He suffered and did for me it makes all my troubles look like nothing! You are so good. You are worthy of praise!

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Faith Is The Confidence That What We Hope For Will Actually Happen

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Isaiah 19; Isaiah 20; Isaiah 21; Hebrews 11

Faith Is The Confidence 

That What We Hope For

Will Actually Happen

Scripture

Hebrews 11

11 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Observation

Our faith is tested over and over again. God wants to see if He can trust us. Abraham faith was tested. Everyone listed in Hebrews 11 were people of faith and they all learned to walk with God by faith through trials and troubles. Hebrews 11: 6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

You and I will be tested in all sorts of ways to see if we are people of faith! What are you trusting God for today? What do I trust Him for today? Will we be people that please Him?

Application

I will be a person of faith that pleases God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire to live by faith. I want to please You. Help me be the person of faith that You want me to be.

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Let Us Hold Tightly Without Wavering To The Hope We Affirm, For God Can Be Trusted To Keep His Promise!

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Isaiah 15; Isaiah 16; Isaiah 17; Isaiah 18; Hebrews 10

Let Us Hold Tightly Without Wavering To The Hope

We Affirm, For God

Can Be Trusted To Keep His Promise!

Scripture

Hebrews 10

²³ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 

Observation

There are times when we need to be reminded that God can be trusted to keep His promise. It is so easy to forget that God is totally trustworthy. When troubles come it is easy to pull away from church, from Christians, and from God Himself. We tend to distance ourselves from our only help and act like that out in the world we are going to find solutions! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!

I talked to someone this week that hasn’t been to church in probably two months. He comes in to talk to me and begins the conversation with, “well the reason that I haven’t been to church is because I am frustrated and upset.”

I couldn’t help it – I let him have it! You are going to blame the church because you haven’t been attending church and you haven’t been serving the Lord. I don’t think you want to go there, but he tried. I exhorted him loudly. He has been a Christian for years and his behavior is still that of a two year old.  

Application

I will think of ways to motivate people to acts of love and good works.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us grow in the faith. Give us the courage to encourage one another. Show me how I can motivate people to acts of love and good works. Help me be an example to people of someone that shows acts of love and does good works. Thank You that I can trust You and thank You for keeping all of Your promises. 

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Just As Each Person Is Destined To Die Once And After That Comes Judgment!

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Isaiah 11; Isaiah 12; Isaiah 13; Isaiah 14; Hebrews 9

Just As Each Person

Is Destined To Die Once

And After That Comes Judgment!

Scripture

Hebrews 9

²⁷ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

 Observation

Are you ready? You say – am I ready for what? Are you ready to die? Are you and I ready for what comes after death … judgment?

I am ready. Are you? When Christ returns He is bringing me “salvation”! What will you receive when you die? Do you want to face judgment for your sins?

Jesus paid the penalty for my sins and offered salvation to me as a gift. I received Jesus Christ into my life. I have been forgiven of my sins. How about you? If you were to die today where would you spend eternity?

I am going to face a judgment, but it is a judgment of my good works. It is how I will be rewarded in Heaven. But for someone that does not know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior there will be a judgment of their sins and they will be sent to an eternity in Hell.

I am glad that I have been forgiven. Have you received God’s gift of forgiveness?

Application

I am not afraid of death. Jesus has overcome death and I belong to Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that I don’t have to worry about being judged for the sins that I have committed. Jesus has paid the penalty for those sins. I don’t have to worry about death or any judgment after death. I desire to be able to stand before You and have You say to me, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” Help me to live in a manner that brings You glory and that brings You honor.

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Therefore He Is Able … To Save Those Who Come To God Through Him.

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Micah 5; Micah 6; Micah 7; Hebrews 7

Therefore He Is Able …

To Save Those Who Come To God 

Through Him.

Scripture

Hebrews 7

²⁵ Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Observation

Maybe you believe that it is possible for a person to lose their salvation once Jesus saves them. Honestly, I don’t know how you can believe that but I know that many of you might. 

If you only read Hebrews 6 and none of the rest of the Bible then maybe I could see where you came to believe that, but you would have to definitely skip Hebrews 7 to come to that conclusion. 

Jesus is our high priest and He is in Heaven constantly interceding with our Heavenly Father on our behalf. He is able to save all of us who come to God through Him.  

I am not going to try to convince you with a lot of scriptures in this blog to believe differently than you believe. If you believe that you can lose your salvation then this is all I have to say to you, “I have a bigger and more powerful God than your God!” My God can save me and keep me saved forever!

Application

I will go through this day confident that my God has saved me and my salvation is secure forever! How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to save my soul. Thank You that I can trust You totally for my salvation. My salvation doesn’t depend on what I do or don’t do. I am a sinner saved by Your Grace. I am a living example of Your Mercy. I don’t deserve salvation. I don’t deserve to go to Heaven. I deserve to go to Hell. Thank You for not giving me what I deserve! 

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We Have This Confidence As A Sure And Strong Anchor For Our Lives…

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Micah 1; Micah 2; Micah 3; Micah 4; Hebrews 6

We Have This Confidence

As A Sure And

Strong Anchor For Our Lives…

Scripture

Hebrews 6 

 

^19 “We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. …”

Observation

Last week we were at the beach for our annual family beach reunion with all of Kathy’s family and friends. While we were there I spent a good deal of time out in my kayak trying to (unsuccessfully) catch “Walter”! It is the big fish that every year I am determined to catch and every year he goes uncaught!

The weather was beautiful and there was not much wind to fight as I went out in my kayak, but the current was strong just from the tide coming in or going out. There was no way to stay in the same area for very long because the tide was always moving me in one direction or the other. When I saw a lot of fish on my nifty little depth/fish finder (that one of my son’s bought me) I would quickly drop my anchor to keep me over the rocks and over the fish! My anchor would keep me in place!

God’s Word and the trustworthiness of His Name provides us hope, it gives us confidence. It is a sure and strong anchor for our souls! It can keep us steady and focused when things around us seem out of our control. 

The Bible is filled with God’s promises to us. There is a reason for that you know. God wants us to feel secure. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants to be our Rock. He wants to be our anchor. He wants to be our Refuge, our hiding place. When the storms of life come He does not want us tossed around without hope. He wants to be our sure and strong anchor!  

Application

I will trust in the Lord. He is my anchor.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for all of Your promises. I can trust You. You are the anchor for my soul. Today I will hold on to all of Your promises. I will trust You to lead and guide me. I put my trust and my confidence in You. 


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Earth, Sing To The Lord! Be Happy As You Serve The Lord! Come Before Him With Happy Songs!

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Hosea 13; Hosea 14; Psalm 100; Psalm 101; Psalm 102; Hebrews 5 

Earth, Sing To The Lord!

Be Happy As You Serve The Lord!

Come Before Him With Happy Songs!

Scripture

Psalm 100

Earth, sing to the LORD!

² Be happy as you serve the LORD!
    Come before him with happy songs!

³ Know that the LORD is God.
    He made us, and we belong to him.
    We are his people, the sheep he takes care of.

⁴ Come through the gates to his Temple giving thanks to him.
    Enter his courtyards with songs of praise.
    Honor him and bless his name.

⁵ The LORD is good!
    There is no end to his faithful love.
    We can trust him forever and ever!

Observation

I hope you go to church today! And I hope that when you get there that you will be happy as you serve the Lord. Being happy serving the Lord and coming before Him with happy songs – those should be our main goals today as we get ready to go to church.

I am looking forward to singing “Happy songs to the Lord” and I am looking forward to serving Him today with gladness. I will serve the Lord today by serving other people as they come to worship. 

I can’t wait! How about you? 

Application

I will serve the Lord with gladness today. I will sing happy songs today to the Lord! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to serve You with gladness today. Help me to sing to You with songs of gladness. You are worthy of such worship. I want to serve You today with all my heart and all of my soul. Help me to be able to do that this morning. I pray for Dot, Don and Kathy, Marie, Orville Jr and Linda this morning as they go through this time of loss. 

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