Take Your Everyday, Ordinary Life – Your Sleeping, Eating, Going-To-Work, And Walking-Around Life— And Place It Before God As An Offering.

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Proverbs 16; Proverbs 17; Proverbs 18; Romans 12

Take Your Everyday, Ordinary Life –

Your Sleeping, Eating, Going-To-Work, And Walking-Around Life—

And Place It Before God As An Offering. 

Scripture

Romans 12


¹ So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. (MESSAGE)

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (NIV)

Observation

I love both of these translations of Romans 12:1! We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices: your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before the Lord as a living sacrifice, as an offering! That is what we are called to do today! Lets do it!

A living sacrifice can crawl off of the altar, which means that you and I must constantly, moment-by-moment live our lives for God. The best way to do that is to start the day out in God’s Word and start the day out in prayer.

Our lives are ordinary, but God wants to take our ordinary lives and make them extraordinary! He can only do that if we place our lives before Him as an offering!

 Application

 I offer my body as a living sacrifice to God today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I take my everyday, ordinary life—my sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and I place it before You today as an offering. Don’t let me get off track. I pray that You guide me so I bring You honor and glory by the way I live out TODAY! 

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“A Worthy Wife Is A Crown For Her Husband …”

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Proverbs 10; Proverbs 11; Proverbs 12; Romans 10

“A Worthy Wife

Is A Crown 

For Her Husband …”

Scripture

Proverbs 12

4 “A worthy wife is a crown for her husband…”

Observation

The book of Proverbs says a lot about how blessed a man is that finds a good wife. God really out did his self when He brought Kathy into my life. She is a crown for me. I would be absolutely nothing without her. 

Little did I know that when I took her out on that first date she was God’s woman for me. She was the godly influence in my life that made my life worth living. 

We have been married now for 43 years and it seems like just yesterday we were dating! Maybe that is because we have never quit dating! The romance is still there. 

When she walks into the room and I see her I still get those same feelings that I did when we were in high school. God provided a beautiful crown for me. When I think about her it makes me smile. When I hear her laugh it makes me smile. 

God is so good. 

I hope God did or will do the same thing for you!

Application

 I will enjoy the crown of my life today … her name is Kathy!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, bless my wife today really good. Thank You for bringing her into my life. I don’t deserve her. You are so good. I am blessed. When I see what other men have to put up with I thank You for how You blessed me. I don’t know why You brought Kathy into my life but I am so glad that You did. You are wonderful. You are worthy of Praise!

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“Listen, You Idiots – Learn Good Sense! You Blockheads – Shape Up! Don’t Miss A Word Of This – I’m Telling You How To Live Well, …”

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Proverbs 7; Proverbs 8; Proverbs 9; Romans 9

“Listen, You Idiots – Learn Good Sense!

You Blockheads – Shape Up!

Don’t Miss A Word Of This – I’m Telling You How To Live Well, …”

Scripture

Proverbs 7

⁴ Love wisdom like a sister;
    make insight a beloved member of your family. (NLT)

Proverbs 8

5 Listen, you idiots—learn good sense!
    You blockheads—shape up!
 
Don’t miss a word of this—I’m telling you how to live well,
    I’m telling you how to live at your best. (MESSAGE)

Observation

Blockheads and Idiots listen up! Hey, God is talking to us this morning!

You and I are blockheads and idiots if we don’t seek wisdom. If we allow ourselves to be led astray into sexual immorality we are blockheads and idiots. Read Proverbs 7-9 and you will see where sexual sin takes you …

What we need is Wisdom. We are told to love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of our family. In other words, don’t be an idiot or a blockhead …

Stay away from sexual sin! Set standards for your life. Don’t be a blockhead. Don’t be an idiot!

Application

I will love wisdom like a sister and I will make insight a beloved member of my family! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not be a blockhead. I don’t want to act like an idiot. Give me the wisdom to live in a way that brings You honor and glory. Help me to love You more than yielding to any pleasure that sin could bring me.

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And We Know That God Causes Everything To Work Together For The Good Of Those Who Love God And Are Called According To His Purpose For Them.

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Proverbs 4; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 6; Romans 8

And We Know That God Causes

Everything To Work Together For The Good

Of Those Who Love God And Are Called According To His Purpose For Them.

Scripture

Romans 8

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Observation

Today is Memorial Day! 

It is a day to remember all of our fallen soldiers and those warriors who were wounded as they protected us. 

I remember today those that lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Three of the guys that I played high school football with died in that war. One of the three was my best friend Wayne Baggett; his death was one of the things God used in my life to turn me around. My nephew, Eric Solgard was severely wounded in Iraq. He received the Purple Heart from President George W. Bush. Kathy and I are very proud of him. 

Romans 8:28 for those of us that have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ should encourage us today no matter we are going through because it assures us that God will not waste even a single hurt. He uses everything that comes into our lives for our good. This promise has a condition – “for those who love God.”

So the death of a close friend, even getting wounded in a war, having a massive heart attack, or a million other not too pleasant things that can and will come into our lives God will use each and everyone of them for our good. 

So why in the world should you be depressed today? Memorize this verse! Meditate on this verse! Apply this verse to whatever unpleasant thing that is happening in your life right now and know that God will use it ultimately for your good. 

Wow!  When you and I trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior it is a totally win-win situation!

Application

I will thank my God for using even the bad things that happen in my life for my good.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the privilege of being born in this country. Thank You for our military men and women who have served and for those who are currently serving our country so well. I pray today for those who are going through extremely difficult times. Help them to see that You are right there with them. I pray for those that are dealing with depression. Help them to understand and comprehend Your power that is available to them. Help them to understand Your love for them and help them to understand that You will even turn the bad things that happen to them into something for their good. You are so good to me.  You are worthy of Praise!

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http://www.bigjohnmiska.com/meetsoldiers.html

“Therefore, They Must Eat The Bitter Fruit Of Living Their Own Way …”

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Proverbs 1; Proverbs 2; Proverbs 3; Romans 7

“Therefore, 

They Must Eat The Bitter Fruit

Of Living Their Own Way …”

Scripture

Proverbs 1:31a

³¹ Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, …

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

Observation

I watch people all the time that are living life their own way and it is so true what God says in Proverbs 1:31 that they are having to eat the bitter fruit of living life without God. 

I would encourage you to follow what God says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “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 show you which path to take.”

When we honor God and put Him first in our lives He promises to bless us, “ Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

 Application

I will put God first in my life today! How about you?  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Help me to honor You today. It is my desire to put You first in my life today. Help me to trust You with all my heart. Help me not to depend on my own understanding. Help me to seek Your will in all that I do and show me what path to take.


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Our Old Way Of Life Was Nailed To The Cross With Christ,

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1 Kings 10; 1 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Our Old Way Of Life

Was Nailed 

To The Cross With Christ,

Scripture

Romans 6

6 …Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, … (Message)

Observation

Do you struggle with pornography? No, well maybe you struggle with drugs, alcohol, sexual immorality, or gambling. Maybe your struggle is something that is so secret you think that you are the only one who knows about it? Don’t kid yourself! Everybody probably knows about it! More important God knows … nothing is hidden from Him. 

Next time you find yourself committing that sin whatever it may be why don’t you try this … close your eyes and visualize Christ on the cross and say to yourself, “Christ died for that sin.” Christ died for that sin! He did. We need to die to that sin too! 

Sin is pleasurable … for the moment. 

You and I can’t walk the fence! God wants 100% of us. He doesn’t want a Sunday Christian and a Monday through Saturday Heathen. He wants you and I to live for Him 24/7! 

Some of us are harming the Name of our Savior by trying to straddle the fence!

I am praying that you and I will bring God honor and glory with how we live. It was sad to read in today’s Bible reading that at the end of King Solomon’s life he decided to follow other gods. How dumb was that? 

“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women… The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord.” I Kings 11:1-3 

How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to finish your life 100% committed to the LORD? 

Get off the fence!

Application

I will love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength. I will ask God to guard my heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help those reading this that may be trying to live a double life. Show them today how stupid that really is. Open up their eyes! Keep me from doing stupid stuff. Keep me from sinning. Show me my sins when I commit them so I can confess them and stay close to You. It is my desire to live for You every moment of every day. Don’t let me mess up my life. Help me to finish well.

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Give Thanks To The LORD, For He Is Good! His Faithful Love Endures Forever.

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1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5 (New Living Translation)

Give Thanks To The LORD,

For He Is Good!

His Faithful Love Endures Forever.

Scripture

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Observation

 Gratitude! 

So important if we are going to stay healthy! 

Depressed … try finding things to thank God about! In the pit … why not get out by starting to give thanks!

Psalm 136 can help you today if you need a lift!

Just start thanking God and thanking everyone around you for everything good in your life - big and small! It will make a huge difference!

Application

I will thank God today for blessing me so much! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have so much to thank You for! I am so blessed. Thank You for my wife. Thank You for my family and friends. Thank You for my church. Thank You for my health! I don’t deserve any of Your goodness. You are Worthy of Praise! I give thanks to You because You are so good. Your faithful love endures forever!

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Praise The LORD, For The LORD Is Good; Celebrate His Lovely Name With Music.

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2 Chronicles 6; 2 Chronicles 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Praise The LORD,
For The LORD Is Good;
Celebrate His Lovely Name With Music.

Scripture

Psalm 135

³ Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
    celebrate his lovely name with music.

Observation

My son Tim sent me a music video this morning. I am going to try to link it with this blog. It is definitely a celebration video and it is very well done. It Praises the LORD!

Music is so important to God and it is designed to help us worship! It shouldn’t be a surprise to us when the top singers on American Idol are Christ Followers!

Music helps us worship! I have to admit that I have my favorite style of music just like everyone else does. The important thing to remember is that we are to celebrate His lovely name with music!

I love how our praise band and our choir lead us in music! They are awesome! Every week they keep getting better and better!

Wow! Can’t wait until Sunday!

 Application

 I will celebrate His lovely name with music today. How about you?

Prayer

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his lovely name with music. Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. Psalm 135:3 & 13

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http://youtu.be/mw3YRWsIBrA

Your Intention Is Good, But You Are Not The One …

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1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

Your Intention

Is Good,

But You Are Not The One … 

Scripture

1 Kings 8

18 … Your intention is good, ¹⁹ but … 

¹⁷ Then Solomon said, “My father, David, wanted to build this Temple to honor the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. ¹⁸ But the Lord told him, ‘You wanted to build the Temple to honor my name. Your intention is good, ¹⁹ but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the Temple to honor me.’

Observation

King David wanted to do something very special for God. He had good intentions. God told David, “Your intention is good, but you are not the one to do it.

It reminds me of how I wanted to go back on the mission field and Kathy and I were all set to go to India. We went to a Missions conference and everything seemed to be in place for us to go. We came back to Tampa on a Saturday all excited about the new adventure and 2 days later I had my heart attack. Our intentions were good, but … we were not the ones to do it!

 Life is full of twists, curves and detours. But life is also very exciting!

We can make plans but God is the One Who directs our paths! Looking back on everything that God has allowed us to do Kathy and I have no complaints! We are so blessed!

Application

 I will look forward with anticipation and great expectation to what God is going to do next in our lives. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for directing my life. My life is in Your Hands. How can I go wrong as long as I let You lead me.

I will trust in You with all my heart; I will not depend on my own understanding. I will seek Your will in all I do, and You will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

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You, Therefore, Have No Excuse

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1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

You,

Therefore,

Have No Excuse

Scripture

Romans 2

2 You, therefore, have no excuse …

Observation

 Paul wasted no time telling those that live in Rome that they have no excuse! You and I don’t have any excuse either!

God wants to have a relationship with us. He wants us to live with Him forever! But we have a problem. We are sinners. Sin separates us from God.

God came down from Heaven to this earth. He was born in a manger. His Name was Jesus. Jesus lived a sinless. He then suffered and died on a cross as a Perfect Sacrifice for your sins and for my sins. He came back to life after 3 days in the grave. He is Alive today. He wants You and I to turn from sin and self and trust Him. He wants to swap His Sinless life for our sinful lives. He wants to gift us with Eternal Life. Will you trust Him today?

You have no excuse not to trust Him. We have no excuse!

We have no excuse not to live for Him.

Application

I will live for Jesus today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have no excuse not to live for You today. Why would I live for myself and miss all of Your blessings? Help me not to be that stupid. Keep me away from sin. Keep me away from anything that would not bring You glory. You are Worthy of my worship. You are worthy of Praise!

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“First, I Thank My God Through Jesus Christ For All Of You…”

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1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

“First,

I Thank My God

Through Jesus Christ For All Of You…”

Scripture

Romans 1

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you…

Observation

It is a great way to start out the week … being thankful for other believers that God has placed in your life!

I think that it is interesting that Paul is thankful for those believers in Rome and yet he has not even met them yet. Paul had these people on his heart and he planned to go visit them!

Who are you thankful for today? Why not write someone a card, email, or text and let him or her know it?

I got a text message last week from one of the guys in our church just thanking God that God had brought Kathy and I into his life. How amazing and wonderful is that?

God is good. I am just as thankful that God has brought that friend and his wife into our lives.

I watch all the new believers at our church and I am so thankful that God has allowed me to live to see the miracle He is doing at Christ Fellowship. It is amazing and it is wonderful. I am very proud and thankful for each one our lead team and what God is doing in and through each one of them!

Who are you thankful for? Why not thank God for them right now? Why not let them know it this week?

Application

I will let some people know how thankful I am that God has brought them into my life. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the wonderful people that You have brought into our lives. Kathy and I are so blessed with so many great friends. I thank You for the Christians that You have allowed us to know in so many different places. They are gold. Thank You through Jesus Christ for all of them!

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Now May The LORD Of Peace Himself Give You His Peace At All Times And In Every Situation.

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1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3 

Now May The LORD Of Peace 

Himself

Give You His Peace At All Times And In Every Situation. 

Scripture

2 Thessalonians 3 

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Observation

Kathy was talking on the phone with one of our best friends this week.

I love to hear Kathy’s laughter as she talks with her close friends. Each one has gone through so much over the years each dealt with children and all their struggles and both having to deal with the on going health issues of their husbands. So many fun times and so many difficult bumps along the way!

Kathy’s friend Ann said something to Kathy that is so true.

When Kathy shared it with me I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Ann said something like this, “with everything that I have gone through and everything that I go through everyday … no matter how bad or how chaotic those things are … when I lay down to go to sleep at night I am at peace. (Eddy’s paraphrase)  Wow!

Are you experiencing that kind of peace?

                     

Application

I will pray for those that are going through extremely difficult situations right now that they would experience “peace” in the midst of the storm.

Prayer

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Thank You LORD for all the wonderful friends that You have brought into our lives.

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He Shepherded Them With A Pure Heart And Guided Them With His Skillful Hands.

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1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2 Thessalonians 2

He Shepherded Them 

With A Pure Heart

And Guided Them With His Skillful Hands.

Scripture

Psalm 78

He chose David His servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;

⁷¹ He brought him from tending ewes
to be shepherd over His people Jacob—
over Israel, His inheritance.

⁷² He shepherded them with a pure heart
and guided them with his skillful hands.

Observation

Here is a good prayer for you and I to pray for our pastor(s). It is found in verse 72 of Psalm 78.

Maybe the prayer could go something like this:

I pray for Pastor Bruce today. I pray that You help him pastor us with a pure heart and I pray that he is able to guide us with skillful hands.

This passage is also a reminder to all of us pastors that we were just like King David was before God called us – nothing – and He has given us the responsibility to care of His most prized possession, His bride – the church.

We better do it with a pure heart and we better guide them with skillful hands.

Application

I will pray for Pastor Bruce today. And I will pray for Pastor Larry. And I will pray for Matt Cochran. How about you? Will you pray for your pastor(s) today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Pastor Bruce and Pastor Larry today. And I pray for Matt Cochran today who all serve in pastoral roles in our church. Help these men maintain pure hearts and help them to guide us with skillful hands. Encourage my many other pastor friends today and help them lead their churches in a way that pleases You. Help them be men of integrity. Give them boldness and courage and help them be men that bring You glory and honor.

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Let Us Shout Joyfully To The Rock Of Our Salvation

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1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1

Let Us 

Shout

Joyfully To The Rock Of Our Salvation

Scripture

Psalm 95

Come, let us sing to the Lord!
    Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

² Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
    Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

³ For the Lord is a great God,
    a great King above all gods.

⁴ He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
    and the mightiest mountains.

⁵ The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
    His hands formed the dry land, too.
⁶ Come, let us worship and bow down.
    Let us kneel before the Lord our maker,

⁷     for he is our God.
We are the people he watches over,
    the flock under his care.

Observation

Getting ready for Sunday! Going to bed earlier on Saturday night instead of later would help our worship on Sunday! Psalm 95 is one of the great Psalms that will help prepare us for a time of worship.

Let us come Sunday and kneel before the LORD our maker! Let’s come prepared for worship!

Application

Worship is all about our attitude. I will prepare for worship service on Sunday morning beginning Saturday night. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that most of my worship of You happens right here in my home at this table where I read Your Word each morning. But Sundays are days I also look forward to because Sundays are when we worship together as a church. We were designed and created to worship You. For You a great God, a great King above all gods.  You hold in Your hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to You, for You made it. Your hands formed the dry land, too. You are the Rock of my salvation.

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Rejoice Always! Pray Constantly! Give Thanks In Everything!

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1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5 

Rejoice Always!

Pray Constantly!

Give Thanks In Everything!

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5 

¹⁶ Rejoice always!

¹⁷ Pray constantly.

¹⁸ Give thanks in everything,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Observation

Always, Constantly, Everything! Those are tough words to keep!

I remember that from where I am now sitting I could see those words taped to my living room wall after my heart attack. Lets just say that I was a bad patient. I was grumbling. I was as my kids described it “very short” with them. They probably used stronger words than that to describe their Dad when they were not around me! I was a jerk!

Those were good words back then and they are good words for me now. Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks … this is how God wants me to live everyday!

Application

I will rejoice all day today. I will pray constantly all day today. I will give thanks for everything that I can think of today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Help me to live like You want me to live. Help me to rejoice always. Help me to pray constantly. Help me to thank You in everything.

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We Urge You In The Name Of The Lord Jesus To Live In A Way That Pleases God

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1 Chronicles 25; 1 Chronicles 26; 1 Chronicles 27; 1 Thessalonians 4

We Urge You

In The Name Of The Lord Jesus

To Live In A Way That Pleases God

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4

“…we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God…”

Observation

 Have you ever had someone argue that it is okay to drink alcoholic beverages? Maybe you have made that argument! Whether the Bible forbids drinking is not the best question to ask?

A better question to ask when doing something that is questionable would be, “Is what I am getting ready to do, something that would please my God?”

Just so you don’t think that I am picking on those that may drink how about this question, “Is smoking this cigarette something that pleases God?” Or “Is overeating today something that pleases God?”

We could go on and on with a long list, but the bottom line is that we are supposed to live our lives in a way that pleases God!

Application

 I will strive to live today in a way that pleases God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word says that I am Your delight! Help me live in such a way today that I bring you joy. Help me live in a way that pleases You. 

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It Gives Us New Life To Know That You Are Standing Firm In The Lord.

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1 Chronicles 22; 1 Chronicles 23; 1 Chronicles 24; 1 Thessalonians 3 

It Gives Us New Life

To Know 

That You Are Standing Firm In The Lord.

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 3 

⁸ It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.

Observation

Encouragement … everybody needs it. Your living a life of obedience to the Lord is an encouragement to the leaders in your church! It sure helps your family too! 

Your disobedience and your falling back into the old ways and old habits of your past life can take the life right out of those around you. 

Paul found out the new believers in Thessalonica were remaining faithful to the Lord and this was a huge encouragement to him. It gave him new life. 

Do you want to something really special for your pastor? How about living a life of obedience to the Lord. Serve the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul and that will give him new life! It will be a huge encouragement to him. 

 Application

I will strive to live my life in such a way that it is an encouragement to those around me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the new believers at our church. I pray that they would grow spiritually. I pray that they would be an encouragement to our pastor. I pray for godly men to surround our pastor and encourage him by their way of life. Help me to be an encouragement to those around me by living a life that pleases You.

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Indeed, You Are Our Pride And Our Joy!

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2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2

Indeed, You 

Are Our 

Pride And Our Joy!

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 2

¹⁹ After all, it is you—you, no less than others!—who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. ²⁰ Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

Observation

I was talking to Travis Quesada yesterday morning as we were preparing for the baptism of his sister Traci. He was telling me how much he loved our church. My response to what he was sharing was this – you are my pride and joy!

I am overwhelmed when I think about how many lives have been changed while I have had the opportunity to be one of the pastors at Christ Fellowship! So many have placed their faith in Christ and are now serving the Lord in so many different places and in so many different ways! Pastor Bruce and Pastor Larry would agree with me that these people are our pride and our joy!

Application

 I will continue to marvel at what God is doing at Christ Fellowship!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are doing a wonderful thing at Christ Fellowship. We stand in awe! We realize that this is the work of Your Holy Spirit! Help us not mess up what You are doing. I pray for Traci today. I pray for all of our new believers at Christ Fellowship. I pray that You continue doing a Mighty work through our church. It is our desire to see You exalted and Your name proclaimed through out our city!

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Leave Your Troubles With The Lord

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2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Leave 

Your Troubles 

With The Lord

Scripture

Psalm 55

²² Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.

Observation

Kathy started getting sick last night and it seems that she has caught a virus. She is running a fever and has all the other symptoms that go with a stomach bug. I was thinking about this verse and it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t prayed for Kathy to ask God to heal her. I was getting out our favorite Mexican remedy for a stomach bug – good ole “Pepto Bismol” when I realized I hadn’t prayed for her to get well.

I asked God to forgive me and I ask God to heal her.

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] 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

I need to pray first before I go for the “Pepto”!

Application

I will pray first and give out medicine second.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, sometimes I am so dense. I know that You are the Great Physician. I know that I should pray first and ask You to take care of my concerns both big and small. 

… As for me, I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
¹⁷ Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:16b-17 NLT

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This I Know: God Is On My Side!

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2 Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

This I Know:

God 

Is On My Side!

Scripture

Psalm 56

³ But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.

⁴ I praise God for what he has promised.

    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

  …This I know: God is on my side!

¹⁰ I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.

¹¹ I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Observation

 FEAR! Be honest ... you deal with it too!

Psalm 56:3-4 would be a great set of verses to add to our arsenal to help us overcome the fears that continually bombard our lives.

What do these verses teach me? 

1.      When I am afraid I should be my trust in God.

2.      I am to remember what He has promised.

3.      God is on my side. With God on my side what can any human do to me?

Application 

When I am afraid I will trust in God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this I know: You are on my side! I praise You for what You have promised; yes, I praise You Lord for what You have promised.  I trust in You, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? God, you did everything you promised, and I’m thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with You in the sunlit fields of life. (NLT & Message)

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For You Are My Hiding Place

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2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

For 

You 

Are My Hiding Place

Scripture

Psalm 32

⁷ For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.

Observation

Need to get away … No … you need a hiding place! 

Life is fast … life is rough … we all need a hiding place!

I love this Psalm! David needed a hiding place and he found it! 

King David’s life was a life full of trouble. All of his trials and troubles caused him to find refuge in the Lord. You and I have the same choice today. We either try to deal with them on our own, escape from them by either avoiding them, running from them, trying to ignore them, or we take refuge in the LORD. The only option that really works is turning to the LORD. 

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

It is our choice. We either let the LORD guide us along the best pathway for our lives or we can be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.
Application

I choose the LORD today. I will let Him guide me. I will let Him be my hiding place. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. You will guide me along the best pathway for my life. You will advise me and watch over me. I will rejoice in the Lord and be glad, and I will obey You! I will shout for joy! (Psalm 32 NLT)

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The Good News About The Kingdom Will Be Preached Throughout The Whole World, So That All Nations Will Hear It;

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2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24

The Good News About The Kingdom

Will Be Preached Throughout 

The Whole World, So That All Nations Will Hear It;

Scripture

Matthew 24

¹⁴ And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Observation

It is the Good News! The entire world needs to hear it. They must hear it. They will hear it! And then the end will come.

So will we be a part of this great endeavor? It is going to happen. God is going to use somebody to take the Good News to the rest of the world. Will you go? Will I go?

Why not us? Got your passport? Why not? Get working on it this week!

Application

I will pray for those who are going to take the Gospel. I will give. I will still try to go. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends that are living and serving in other countries where the Gospel needs to be proclaimed. Help me support them by giving and praying for them. You know that I still want to go. Thank You for helping me get as well as I am right now. Give me the health and strength to make more mission trips for You.

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May He Grant Your Heart’s Desires And Make All Your Plans Succeed. May The LORD Answer All Your Prayers.

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2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

May He Grant Your Heart’s Desires

And Make All Your Plans Succeed.

May The LORD Answer All Your Prayers.

Scripture

Psalm 20

⁴ May he grant your heart’s desires
    and make all your plans succeed.
 
⁵ May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
    and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
 
May the Lord answer all your prayers.

Observation

Blessings are so important! God responds when we pray a blessing over someone. Here is one that is always appropriate to pray:

May He Grant Your Heart’s Desires

And Make All Your Plans Succeed.

May The LORD Answer All Your Prayers.

Take time to pray for someone today and ask God to bless him or her in these 3 ways!

Application

 I will go to church and I will pray this blessing over someone today in our church service. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Pastor Bruce today. I pray that You give him his heart’s desires. I pray that You make his plans succeed and I pray that You answer all of his prayers.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
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