Be On Guard. Stand Firm In The Faith. Be Courageous. Be Strong. And Do Everything With Love.

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Judges 9; Judges 10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16

Be On Guard.

Stand Firm In The Faith. Be Courageous. Be Strong.

And Do Everything With Love.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 16

13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.

Observation

How many times in scripture are we commanded to be strong and to be courageous? Paul adds to this admonition with “and do everything with love”. Stand firm in the faith and be on guard and do everything with love.

Sometimes we can almost get everything right when we are being attacked except responding back in love. We want to hit them right in their circumstances and pay them back.  

Application

I will strive to do everything with love. It is way to easy to lose it and respond back in anger!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be different in my response than other people expect. Help me to have self-control. Don’t let me lose my temper and respond in anger. Help me to do everything in love.

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He Was Buried, And He Was Raised On The Third Day, Just As The Scriptures Said.

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Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15

He Was Buried,

And 

He Was Raised On The Third Day, Just As The Scriptures Said.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15

³ I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. ⁴ He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
 
⁵ He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. ⁶ After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. ⁷ Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.
 
⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

⁵⁵ O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Observation

Jesus was raised from the dead just as the scriptures said. Our bodies will be transformed into bodies that will never die … just as the scriptures said!

I know that one day this dying body will be transformed into a heavenly body that will never die. Do you have that confidence? Do you have that assurance?

I think Easter Sunday and all that it means for us as Christ Followers makes it the most special day of the year! It is true that every Sunday we celebrate the “Resurrection” but having a day called “Easter” helps us to focus even more on what Christ did for us on the Cross!

All other religious leaders lived and died. Only Jesus Christ lived and died and came back to life! Only the Eternal Christ has the Power to Save us from our sins!

Application

 I will enjoy this Easter Weekend thinking about all that Jesus did for me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You! You have given me victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ! Help me to be strong and immovable. Help me to always work enthusiastically for You, because I know that nothing I do for You is ever useless.

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“Mighty Hero, The LORD Is With You!”

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Judges 6; Judges 7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14

“Mighty Hero,

The LORD

Is With You!”

Scripture

Judges 6

¹¹ Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. ¹² The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

Observation

God sees the potential in us while we usually just see our weaknesses! I love how Gideon responds to the LORD, “You talking to me?” (Eddy paraphrase of Gideon’s response!)

Gideon didn’t see himself as a mighty warrior. I have to remind myself all the time that I am a chosen child of God. I am His delight. In fact, He delights in every detail of my life! 

    The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord.

        He delights in every detail of their lives.

    [24] Though they stumble, they will not fall,

        for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24

God will use us to change the world one life at a time!

Application

I will trust in what God says in His word about me and I will not trust in my feelings!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am like an olive tree, thriving in Your house. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. Psalm 52:8-9

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Love Never Gives Up …

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Judges 4; Judges 5; Psalm 39; Psalm 41; 1 Corinthians 13 

Love

Never 

Gives Up …

Scripture

1 Corinthians 13 

⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Observation

 Want to give up? Love never gives up! 

Are you lacking faith? Love never loses faith!

Have you lost hope? Love is always hopeful!

And love endures through every circumstance!

Why not re-read 1 Corinthians 13 and replace the word “love” for the name “Jesus”. As we re-read the chapter replacing the word love for the name Jesus it can be a reminder to us today that in Christ we can do all things!

Application

 I will re-read 1 Corinthians 13 replacing the word “love” for the name “Jesus” and I will think about this chapter during this day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Jesus does not demand His own way. Jesus is not irritable, and Jesus keeps no record of being wronged. Jesus does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Jesus never gives up. He never loses faith. He is always hopeful, and He endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But Jesus will last forever! Amen

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The Human Body Has Many Parts, But The Many Parts Make Up One Whole Body. So It Is With The Body Of Christ.

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Judges 1; Judges 2; Judges 3; 1 Corinthians 12

The Human Body Has Many Parts,

But The Many Parts Make Up One Whole Body.

So It Is With The Body Of Christ.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 12

12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

Observation

I look around each Sunday morning and I marvel at how God has brought so many gifted people to serve together at Christ Fellowship Church. All serving with one purpose: to help others grow in Christ.

They are all so different, all so unique and all serving Christ.

A few Sundays ago we had a very unusual Sunday and we had a lot of our regular people out of pocket for one reason or another. Some were missing due to sickness; others were traveling and doing things with their families, taking advantage of school spring break. We were hurting for sure that Sunday!

It was very obvious that day just how important each person is for the body of Christ to function in a healthy way.

Application

I will recruit 6 more people to help me start a new a Hawaiian Shave Ice ministry at church. If you want to help after the 10 am or the 11:20 am service let me know. Starts Sunday April 7^th!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for every person who serves at Christ Fellowship! Help them to serve with all their strength this Sunday. I pray especially for Becca Sandison today. I pray that just the right people would volunteer to help her with all the Easter activities for our children. I pray for Pastor Bruce as he prepares for this Sunday. I pray for Ladell and Randy as they prepare to lead us in worship! I pray for Jeannie as she gets things ready for all the first time guests. I pray that this Easter at Christ Fellowship would bring You honor and glory. I pray that lives would be changed forever this Sunday.

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The People Of Israel Served The LORD Throughout The Lifetime Of Joshua

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Joshua 23; Joshua 24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11

The People Of Israel

Served The LORD

Throughout The Lifetime Of Joshua

Scripture

Joshua 23

23 The years passed, and the Lord had given the people of Israel rest from all their enemies. Joshua, who was now very old, ² called together all the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel. He said to them, “I am now a very old man. ³ You have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you during my lifetime. The Lord your God has fought for you against your enemies.

³¹ The people of Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel.

Observation

 Joshua was mentored by Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promise Land. During the entire time that Joshua led the children of Israel they served the LORD and continued to serve Him during the lifetime of all the elders who outlived Joshua.

Godly leadership like Joshua’s is rare. When you have a good leader as your pastor you need to support him and thank God for him. Joshua was a powerful leader. His influence touched the other elders of his time and the children of Israel did great under their leadership too.

It is very important that you and I lead godly lives. We influence a lot of people. People are watching us. They are watching you. They are watching me.

Application

I will seek to live a godly life and be godly influence. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for placing godly men in my life to influence me. I am so grateful for the godly example of my pastor and the godly influence my pastor’s dad. I watch them as they lead and as they influence others to make stronger bolder commitments to Christ. Help me be that kind of influence. Help our pastors continue to be bold and courageous. I pray for the leadership of our church. Help them to be strong and bold and positive influences for all the people who are attending our services.

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God Has Ascended With A Mighty Shout. The LORD Has Ascended With Trumpets Blaring. Sing Praises To God, Sing Praises!

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Joshua 21; Joshua 22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10

God Has Ascended With A Mighty Shout.

The LORD Has Ascended With Trumpets Blaring.

Sing Praises To God, Sing Praises!

Scripture

Psalm 47

¹ Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
    Shout to God with joyful praise!

² For the Lord Most High is awesome.
    He is the great King of all the earth.

⁵ God has ascended with a mighty shout.
    The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring.

⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises!

⁷ For God is the King over all the earth.
    Praise him with a psalm.

Observation

This sounds like what we experience at Christ Fellowship! Can’t wait until Easter Sunday!

Application

I will thank our Praise and Worship Team for the great job they do in helping us worship our Mighty God!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You bless every person that helps us worship You on Sunday mornings. I pray for the audio-visual team, for the choir, for the praise team, for the musicians, for the ushers, and for all of the greeters. I thank You for our Pastor and our lead team that helps make all of what we do possible. You are a Mighty God. You are Worthy of our Praise!

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Yes, I Try To Find Common Ground With Everyone, Doing Everything I Can To Save Some.

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Joshua 18; Joshua 19; Joshua 20; 1 Corinthians 9

Yes, I Try To Find Common Ground 

With Everyone,

Doing Everything I Can To Save Some.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 9

²² When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Observation

This was the secret to the Apostle Paul’s success in witnessing! He found something in common with those he was trying to reach. I know that when he was in prison he definitely had something in common with the others who were in prison. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be in same prison with Paul!

Paul was a tent maker and I just imagine that lots of tent makers became believers in Christ through hanging around Paul making tents together. It sounds like Paul became interested in whatever the people were interested in so he could share the Good News with them.

I need to do the same thing. Find common ground with people so I have the opportunity to talk to them about Jesus.

Application

I will try to find common ground with a particular friend this week that is already on my heart.  I want to see him living for Jesus!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me use my time well this week so I have time to spend with this friend. Help me find something he is interested in that I can also do so that we become better friends. So I have the opportunity to share Christ with him.

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It Is Love That Strengthens The Church

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Joshua 15; Joshua 16; Joshua 17; 1 Corinthians 8 

It Is

Love

That Strengthens The Church

Scripture

1 Corinthians 8 

1b… But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

Observation

The Apostle Paul was writing to a church that was a total mess. One of the disagreements was over whether or not food should be eaten that had been sacrificed to idols. Paul reminded them that even if they knew all the right things but didn’t show love to each other then they were missing what makes a church strong.

Love strengthens the church. How do we love one another? The best way to show love to someone is to help meet his or her needs.

Application

I will look for someone to help tomorrow when I get to church. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, direct me to someone that I can help. Give me Your heart and Your eyes for those that surround me. I pray for Pastor Bruce and Heather. Help them as they lead us. Empower Pastor Bruce to speak to us and help us to be good listeners. I pray that You lead new families to our church so that we can help them to grow. Give us the ability to love people the way You want them to be loved. Be glorified through Your church. 

I pray for my brother Rick today on his birthday. Bless my brother. May Your face shine on him. I pray that You protect him and I pray that You help him live in a way that brings You glory!

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Those Who Use The Things Of The World Should Not Become Attached To Them. For The World As We know It Will Soon Pass Away.

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Joshua 12; Joshua 13; Joshua 14; 1 Corinthians 7 

Those Who Use The Things Of The World

Should Not Become Attached To Them.

For The World As We know It Will Soon Pass Away.

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.

Observation

Stuff … It is so easy to get attached to it! How much stuff are you attached to? I look around and there is so much stuff.

Paul’s reminder to us is that we shouldn’t get attached to it because this world as we know it will soon pass away. Paul was living in a time of crisis.

We are certainly experiencing the same kind of world. Life can change so suddenly. Our country is changing so rapidly. Our world is moving so fast.

Our stuff, our possessions, our wealth, all of it has wings and can fly away. It can be gone in an instant.

Application

 So I will think about this verse today

    “and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6:33

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me focus on the most important things today. I pray for Christy Moses and her family as they go through this time of loss. I pray that You comfort them and I pray that they sense Your Presence, Your Power, and Your love today. I pray for our church. I pray that as we approach Easter that You help our focus to be on the important things like the people that live around us, and our extended family that may need a closer relationship with You. 

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Your Body Is The Temple Of The Holy Spirit, Who Lives In You And Was Given To You By God

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Joshua 9; Joshua 10; Joshua 11; 1 Corinthians 6

Your Body Is The Temple Of The Holy Spirit, 

Who Lives In You

And Was Given To You By God

Scripture

1 Corinthians 6

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

You do not belong to yourself. If we are Christ Followers we do not belong to ourselves. We have been bought at a very high price. We have been bought with the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

So we must run from sexual sin!

I ran into an old friend this morning and he told me that he and his wife were separated. I still can’t believe it. They have been married longer than Kathy and I … and that is a long time. I don’t know what happened. Could it have been that one of them let their guard down and had an affair?

Have you set boundaries? If you have established boundaries then keep them.

Here are a few boundaries that Kathy knows I keep:

• I will not ride in a car alone with a woman that is not my wife or one of my daughters. (Rare exception might be someone 85 years old and above to take them straight home from church!)

• I will not counsel a woman alone in my office or anywhere else.

• I will not eat a meal alone with a woman that is not my wife or one of my daughters.

Application

I will run from all sexual sin! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the friend that I saw this morning. I pray that You put his marriage back together. Help me not to do anything that would mess up my marriage and destroy my family. Guard my heart, my eyes, and anything else that might draw me into sexual sin. I pray for those in our church who are struggling to stay pure. Help them to have self-control. Don’t ever let me forget that I have been bought with a price and that I am not my own. I am Your child.

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Rescue Me From The Mud; Don’t Let Me Sink Any Deeper!

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Joshua 7; Joshua 8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5 

Rescue Me 

From The Mud;

Don’t Let Me Sink Any Deeper!

Scripture

Psalm 69

² Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;
    I can’t find a foothold.
 
I am in deep water,
    and the floods overwhelm me.

¹⁴ Rescue me from the mud;
    don’t let me sink any deeper!

Observation

Sinking?

Do you ever have any days like this? David was having a bad day or maybe he was having quite a few bad days!

What did David do? He did just what we must do. He called out to His Lord to save him.

13 But I keep praying to you, Lord,
    hoping this time you will show me favor.
In your unfailing love, O God,
    answer my prayer with your sure salvation.
 
14 Rescue me from the mud;
    don’t let me sink any deeper!
Save me from those who hate me,
    and pull me from these deep waters.
 
15 Don’t let the floods overwhelm me,
    or the deep waters swallow me,
    or the pit of death devour me.

¹⁶ Answer my prayers, O Lord,
    for your unfailing love is wonderful.
Take care of me,
    for your mercy is so plentiful.
 
¹⁷ Don’t hide from your servant;
    answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!

King David also reminds himself just how good and faithful God is and asked God to come to his rescue.

If you aren’t having a bad day right now like David was having then trust me it is coming. One of these Psalm 69 days is on its way! You may find yourself up to your eyeballs in mud and still sinking. What are you going to do? 

I am going to call on the Lord. 

Application

I am going to call on the Lord. I am going to remind him of His unfailing love. I am going to mention to Him that He is a God full of mercy. And I am going to admit that I am in deep trouble!

 Prayer

Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble! For the Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people. Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.

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For The Kingdom Of God Is Not Just A Lot Of Talk; It Is Living By God’s Power.

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Joshua 3; Joshua 4; Joshua 5; Joshua 6; 1 Corinthians 4

For The Kingdom Of God

Is Not Just A Lot Of Talk;

It Is Living By God’s Power.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 4

²⁰ For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

Observation

Paul was under verbal attack. His ministry and his authority were being questioned by a group of people that were negatively influencing the church at Corinth. Those first believers came to Christ because of Paul. He was their spiritual father and yet he was under attack, the very people that he had won to Jesus Christ questioned Paul’s motives and authority.

The Kingdom of God is so different from the way this world operates! It is living by God’s power!

Paul said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:29

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

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. 2 Thessalonians 1:11

⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Application

I will pray 2 Thessalonians 1:11 and 2 Timothy 1:7 for our leadership team today!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your kingdom is not just a lot of talk; it is living by Your power. I pray for our leadership team today. I ask that you enable them to live lives worthy of Your call. I pray that you give them power to accomplish all the good things that Your faith prompts them to do. I know that You have not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Thank You for allowing us to serve You today. Help us make You smile.

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The Lord Directs The Steps Of The Godly. He Delights In Every Detail Of Their Lives.

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Joshua 1; Joshua 2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3

The Lord Directs The Steps 

Of The Godly.

He Delights In Every Detail Of Their Lives.

Scripture

Psalm 37

²³ The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
    He delights in every detail of their lives.
 
²⁴ Though they stumble, they will never fall,
    for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Observation

What is God thinking about you right now?

If you are striving to live a godly life then the answer to that question is found in Psalm 37:23b, “He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Can you imagine that your life and my life could bring delight to our God? All we have to do is live a godly life and it will bring Him delight!

How about the next verse that says, “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Wow! What a great promise!

Application

 I will memorize and hold on to Psalm 37:23-24 this week. How about you?

Prayer

Lord, you direct my steps. I know that You delight in every detail of my life. When I stumble, I will not fall because You are holding me by the hand! Thank You Lord for this promise. It comes at just the right time in my life! Thank You for the 62 years that You have let me live on this planet. Thank You for bringing Kathy into my life and giving us 43 awesome years together. Thank You for all my super kids and all of the wonderful grand children that they have given us. Thank You for all of our friends that You have brought into our lives that live in so many different places where You have allowed us to serve. Thank You for our church and the miracles that You are doing every week in the lives of those that attend. You are an awesome God! You are Worthy to be Praised!

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No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard, And No Mind Has Imagined What God Has Prepared For Those Who Love Him

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Deuteronomy 32; Deuteronomy 33; Deuteronomy 34; 1 Corinthians 2

No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard,

And No Mind Has Imagined What God

Has Prepared For Those Who Love Him

Scripture

1 Corinthians 2

9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.”

Observation

 Going through a rough time?

Need some encouragement? 

How about meditating on 1 Corinthians 2:9 and just think about what future is in store for those that love God! 

It is beyond what we can even imagine!

Application

I will meditate on this verse and some other verses that talk about my future.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, glory be to You! By Your Mighty power at work within me, You are able to accomplish infinitely more than I could ever dare to ask or hope (Ephesians 3:20 Eddy paraphrase). I believe what You have promised me in I Corinthians 2:9 when You said, “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, what You have prepared for me because I love You.” (Eddy paraphrase) Thank You for all Your promises. Thank You for loving me. 

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Brothers And Sisters, God Chose You To Be His. Think About That!

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Deuteronomy 30; Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1 

Brothers And Sisters,

God Chose You To Be His.

Think About That!

Scripture

1 Corinthians 1 

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his. Think about that!

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, God chose you to be his. Think about that! Not many of you were wise in the way the world judges wisdom. Not many of you had great influence, and not many of you came from important families.
 
²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ And God chose what the world thinks is not important—what the world hates and thinks is nothing. He chose these to destroy what the world thinks is important.
 
²⁹ God did this so that no one can stand before him and boast about anything. ³⁰ It is God who has made you part of Christ Jesus. And Christ has become for us wisdom from God. He is the reason we are right with God and pure enough to be in his presence. Christ is the one who set us free from sin. ³¹ So, as the Scriptures say, “Whoever boasts should boast only about the Lord.”

Observation

God chose the weak things. He chose the foolish things. He chose us.

He did this so we could not stand before Him and boast about anything. Our only boast can be about what Christ has done for us!

If you are a Christ follower it is because you have been chosen by God to be one of His children.

As I read today about the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 30 & 31 and how God would bless them and take them into the Promised Land. I read how they were His chosen people from among all the other nations. It made me think about how special it is for me to have the opportunity to know Christ and to be a part of the family of God.

His face shines on me. I am His delight. I have been chosen to live differently than the rest of the world. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ then your life should be different too.

Application

I will think all day about my special relationship with God that I have through the Lord Jesus Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, how very well this morning do I realize that I am a sinner. There is nothing good in me but Christ. I don’t deserve to be one of Your children but I am so very grateful that I am. Help me be obedient to Your Word. I want to live in a way that makes You smile. May Your face continue to shine on me.

Bless our church. I pray that You give Pastor Bruce and Heather strength and wisdom today to lead us. I pray for our leadership team that You guide them with Your Holy Spirit. 

O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them. Psalms 40:5

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When We Have The Opportunity To Do Good To Anyone, We Should Do It.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Deuteronomy 28; Deuteronomy 29; Galatians 6

When We Have The Opportunity 

To Do Good To Anyone,

We Should Do It.

Scripture

Galatians 6

¹⁰ When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.

Observation 

A pastor friend of ours recently (just a few weeks ago) had one of his men suddenly die of a stroke. This man who passed away was also a very good friend of ours. His wife was left all alone with no one to help her. She had no family that could help her. She was one year shy of being 80 years old and totally dependent on her pastor and others in the church. 

This pastor friend, who happens to be pastor of one of the largest Baptist churches in our area, spent almost every day since our friend’s death taking care of his widow because she needed his help. 

He is a very busy guy, but he rearranged his schedule to take care of our friend. He took her to the doctor, to the bank and even took her to the Veterinarian (she has a cat). He took her to look at places to live where she would have people to care for her. I could go on and on sharing with you everything that this pastor and his wife have done for this widow. 

Kathy and I were visiting this dear friend the other day when her pastor and his wife came to take her to her bank and other places. Just a few minutes before this pastor came to the house we had been listening to her share about everything that he had done for her. Kathy and I were amazed. It was a humbling and wonderful experience.

When I read this verse this morning I immediately thought of all that this pastor did for this widow and my eyes filled with tears. He and his wife have always been very special to Kathy and I, but now our appreciation for them cannot be expressed in words.

Back in October, 2011, when I was in the coronary intensive care unit suffering from a massive heart attack and not expected to live, this same pastor assured Kathy that if there was anything that she needed just to let him know and he would help her. His words to Kathy back then mean more to me now than ever before.

Application

 I am going to ask God to make me more like this pastor.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to do good things for people without complaining. Help me do things for other people with a good attitude. It is my desire to have a heart for serving others like this pastor friend of mine. I pray that you continue to bless this man of God and I pray that you bless his wife too. Thank You for allowing me to hear this woman brag about her pastor and his wife. It gives me tremendous joy just to think about it this morning.

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Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, And Self-Control

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Deuteronomy 25; Deuteronomy 26; Deuteronomy 27; Galatians 5 

Love, Joy, Peace,

Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness,

Gentleness, And Self-Control

Scripture

Galatians 5 

22 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

Observation

When you get squeezed what comes out? Do the people around me see the fruit of the Spirit in my life? How about life? 

If you squeeze a lemon you get lemon juice … if you squeeze a Christian do you still get lemon juice? 

I hope that most of the time coming from my life is the fruit of the Spirit. I hope people see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

I say most of the time because I am not always full of God’s Holy Spirit. I am not full all of the time because I leak! And if you are honest you do too!

Application

I am praying that the Holy Spirit control every bit of me. I am yielding all of my life to Him right now. How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be filled and controlled by Your Holy Spirit. I want the fruit of the Spirit to be evident in my life.

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God Sent The Spirit Of His Son Into Our Hearts, The Spirit Who Calls Out, ‘Abba, Father.”

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Deuteronomy 22; Deuteronomy 23; Deuteronomy 24; Galatians 4 

God Sent The Spirit Of His Son Into Our Hearts,

The Spirit Who Calls Out,

‘Abba, Father.”

Scripture

Galatians 4 

⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

    You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Galatians 4:6

Observation

This verse means more to me now than ever before. I am not sure why except that God’s Spirit has impressed upon me over the past several weeks the necessity to cry out to my “Abba, Father”. Not to just talk to Him, but to totally trust Him in everything and with everything that I am experiencing.

I am not spending all my time talking to my Heavenly Father about my health. He knows all about that. I am not saying that I don’t talk to Him about it (He knows how I have asked Him to be with me through all of this and He knows that I would love for Him to heal me). What I am talking about goes way beyond “me” and my health issues. 

It involves the people that surround me. It is all about the welfare of those God has brought into my life: my family, my friends, my neighbors, those I have shared Christ with at Mission Tampa. It is trusting God with all of these folks knowing that He is working in their lives. He will take care of those I pray for. He will do a work in their lives.

My conversations with my Heavenly Father lately have been all about trust. My talks with Him have been about trust and faith in a God that looks at me like I am His son. I guess what I am saying is that lately the term “Abba, Father” has a lot more meaning for me.

I have taken my worries and my fears to Him over and over and over again. And I am confident that He has my back! He is for me, not against me!

Stop. Take time to talk to your Heavenly Father today.

He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Application

Every time I begin to worry today I will talk to my Heavenly Father. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much. You lavish Your unfailing love on me and I don’t deserve it. You help me with situations and problems that are so big in my mind that I can’t see a way out and I know that those problems are nothing for You. There is not one of my impossible situations that are difficult for You. As I pray for the people that You have brought into my life I am confident that You will answer my prayers for them. You are my Savior. You live inside me. Your Spirit cries out for me and says to You, “Abba, Father.”

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So In Christ You Are All Children Of God Through Faith

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Deuteronomy 19; Deuteronomy 20; Deuteronomy 21; Galatians 3

So In Christ

You

Are All Children Of God Through Faith

Scripture

Galatians 3

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,

Observation

There is not a week that goes by when I counsel at Mission Tampa that people don’t share with me that they think that God is going to let them into Heaven because of some good deed that they have done. Not one week! Even if I share the Gospel message with the entire group before talking to them individually they will still give a works answer. Even when I just told them that there was only one way to go to Heaven and that one way was Jesus! Even after I just told them that there was only one way to go to Heaven and that one way was by putting their faith in Jesus and faith in what He did for them on the cross. 

They still answer me incorrectly. Why … because they are spiritually blind!

If we survey everyone that attends our church or if you surveyed everyone that attends your church and we asked them this question, “If you were standing before God at Heaven’s gate and God were to ask you, ‘why should I let you into my heaven?’ it would surprise us how many of our regular attenders would give a works answer! 

Don’t believe it? Try it!

You must have faith! You must have faith in Christ Jesus. 

Yesterday, as I shared my faith with a man named Jose I could see that he was beginning to understand the Gospel. The light was beginning to come on and I believe that I sowed the Gospel seed that later will give birth to Eternal Life. 

    But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15

    Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.  Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. Colossians 4:4-6

Application

I will try to proclaim the message of the Gospel as clearly as I can. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I have the opportunity to talk to people about their relationship with You. Help me to be clear. Help the message to be effective. Help me to share with them graciously and help me to have the right answer for them. I pray that my heart would be right with You so I can be ready to share my faith. I pray for Jose today. I pray that the Gospel would take root in his heart and I pray that he would be saved. 

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Christ Lives In Me

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Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2 

Christ 

Lives

In Me

Scripture

Galatians 2 

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Observation

Maybe we need a reminder – Christ lives in us! If you are a Christ follower you are one powerful person! Dr. Waylon B. Moore would remind us that we are wired with 220! Galatians 2:20!

What does it mean to have Christ living in us? What does that mean to you? How will it affect the way you deal with life’s challenges? This is Monday you know!

Paul said to those at the church in Philippi,

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

    And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

How did you wake up this morning? I had a restless night. Over and over and over again during the night I had to quote scripture. Over and over and over again this set of verses came to my mind,

    “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

    “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.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Application

Today, I will continue to hold on to these promises. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that Christ lives in me. I no longer live for myself but I lived for Christ Who died for me. Help me to trust You with all my heart. Help me to pray to You rather than worry. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! Give me the strength and the power today to live this day in a way that pleases You.

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