They Claim To Know God, But By Their Actions They Deny Him.

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Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 6; Psalm 86; Psalm 87; Titus 1

They Claim To Know God,

But 

By Their Actions They Deny Him. 

Scripture

Titus 1

¹⁶ They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Observation

I remember when I first became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I was working at Disney World and we were building the monorail around the park. There was a full crew of Millwrights and we were waiting for the monorail beams to come all the way across the country from the state of Washington. 

Since we had plenty of time on our hands and nothing to do we started playing nickel and dime poker. I learned very quickly that if you play nickel and dime poker all day long you can lose a lot of money!

It was during this time in my life when I was first confronted with doing something that contradicted my new relationship with Jesus Christ. Our general foreman was not a believer and I can still here his words to me (the new Christian) when he exploded at me and said, “How can you call yourself a Christian and gamble like you do. No Christian would do that!”

Wow! God used an unbeliever to give me a spanking and God showed me that what I was doing was not a good witness on my job!

Later as I grew as a Christian I realized that people are always watching me.

Our walk has to match our talk!

Application

I will strive today to live in a Christ-like way. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me live out this day in a way that pleases You.

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Keep Your Head In All Situations

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Amos 1; Amos 2; Amos 3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 4

Keep Your 

Head 

In All Situations

Scripture

2 Timothy 4

⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Observation

Paul is writing to his disciple Timothy. Paul will soon be put to death and he is giving Timothy some last minute instructions on how to live a godly life. Paul tells Timothy to keep his head in all situations! Don’t lose it! Keep control. 

When we lose it – we lose. Pastors can’t afford to lose it. Christian leaders can’t afford to lose it. We must stay focused. You and I must stay focused. 

There are a million things that can cause us to lose direction. False teachers can always sweep us up with some crazy notions that sound good but are contrary to the Word of God. Troublemakers can cause us to lose our heads. The Devil loves to use religious people to nail us. Dealing with problems and problem people can do it. 

So it is good to have this reminder today to “keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Application

I will keep my head today. I will stay focused.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the leaders of Christ Fellowship. Help all of us to stay focused. Thank You for Your Word and for what it says to me everyday. Help us to endure hardship when it comes. Help me to do the work of an evangelist and to do all that I can in ministry. Help me to keep my head today no matter what happens.

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All Scripture Is God-Breathed And Is Useful For Teaching, Rebuking, Correcting And Training In Righteousness

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2 Kings 13; 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3

All Scripture Is God-Breathed

And Is Useful For Teaching, Rebuking, Correcting

And Training In Righteousness

Scripture

2 Timothy 3

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Observation

Key word here is “All”. 

We don’t get to pick and choose what we accept as scripture. I am glad that this week our kid’s at Kid’s Camp are learning the Word of God. They are learning and memorizing God’s Word. God will use those verses and those Bible stories later in the lives of those children as they grow up.

    For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Hebrews 4:12

 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

    How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.     I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11

 Application

I will read God’s Word everyday and look and listen for what God is saying to me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. It has encouraged me this week. It is my strength. Thank You for giving us Your Word. I don’t know how I could live without it. Help those close to me experience the power of Your Word in their lives. Give them the desire to read it. Speak to them through it. I know it equips me to do the good works that You have called me to do.

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Keep Reminding God’s People Of These Things.

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Jonah 1; Jonah 2; Jonah 3; Jonah 4; 2 Timothy 2

Keep 

Reminding God’s People

Of These Things. 

Scripture

2 Timothy 2

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things …

Observation

Why do children need to be reminded over and over again about things? It is the same why we adults must be reminded over and over again about things – we forget!

Over and over and over again God teaches us not to be afraid. Why? God chooses to repeat this truth over and over because our default button is naturally set to that of fear and lack of trust.

It was interesting this morning as we read about Jonah that Jonah knew God would forgive the people of Nineveh if he went and preached repentance to them. What was funny was that even though Jonah knew that God was so good. Remember that he said this to God, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” God’s goodness was Jonah’s reason for trying to run away from God.

He remembered that God was all loving, all compassionate and all gracious, all forgiving, but Jonah didn’t remember that God was also “Omnipresent” and “Omnipotent”.

We are like Jonah! We need to be reminded!

Application

I will continue to remind people and myself of all God’s attributes.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to forget what You have told us in Your word. Sometimes we forget because it is convenient especially when we want to sin. Other times we truly do need for someone to remind us. Today I am deciding to trust You and what You say in Your Word. 

I agree with Jonah when he said, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. … “But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.”

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God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear And Timidity, But Of Power, Love, And Self-Discipline.

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Joel 1; Joel 2; Joel 3; 2 Timothy 1

God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear

And Timidity,

But Of Power, Love, And Self-Discipline.

Scripture

2 Timothy 1

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

Observation

Yesterday someone who is very close to me asked me if I was depressed or if I was afraid. She asked me this because I have not been myself for the past week and a half. I have been experiencing chest pain – angina. It makes me irritable, tired and I pretty much don’t feel like doing anything but staying in bed. But I am not depressed. I am not afraid. Grouchy yes but not depressed.  

I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. God’s Holy Spirit lives in me!

I may have to learn to live with pain. I believe that the Apostle Paul’s body constantly hurt him. Just look at what he went through. Think about all the suffering and torture that he endured. I have experienced nothing compared to what he and so many around me have experienced. 

Here is what the Apostle Paul said about all of his suffering:

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12;16-18

Application

I will fix my eyes on what is unseen. I will fix my eyes on what is eternal. I will not lose heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who are going through such difficult times right now. They have it a lot harder than I do. I pray for Pastor Greg Floyd. I pray for complete healing for him. Touch his body and correct those things that are causing him so much difficulty after his surgery. I pray for Jeff Holley. I pray that You completely heal his foot and that he would have no more setbacks and I pray for a total recovery. You have not given us a spirit of fear or timidity. You have given us a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

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The Good Deeds Of Some People Are Obvious. And The Good Deeds Done In Secret Will Someday Come To Light.

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2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22; 2 Chronicles 23; 1 Timothy 5

The Good Deeds Of Some People Are Obvious.

And The Good Deeds

Done In Secret Will Someday Come To Light.

Scripture

1 Timothy 5

²⁴ Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.
 
²⁵ In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

Observation

Here are two truths:

1. Secret sins will be revealed later.
2. Good deeds done in secret will one day be known.

People that think that their sin is secret are usually only kidding themselves. Sin will be revealed and usually people know about the person’s sin way before the sinner thinks they do.

Good deeds often go unnoticed. A lot of people at our church do a lot of good things and many of those good deeds go mostly unnoticed by the rest of us. God doesn’t miss a single one of the things that you and I do that are good.

Lets try to help those that think that they are sinning without anyone knowing and lets try to look for people who are doing good deeds and let them know that we appreciate them and what they do.

Application

I will confront sin and sinners when I see it. And I will try to recognize the good deeds of others when I see them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not to judge people because of the sin that they have become entangled in. I know that I could do the same thing. I am a sinner too. Help me confront them in love and give me the wisdom to know how to help them. I pray for our lead team today. Help them to serve You with all their hearts today. I pray for people to be saved today. I pray for Pastor Bruce. I pray that You use the words that he shares to change lives.

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Believe In The LORD Your God, And You Will Be Able To Stand Firm.

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2 Kings 6; 2 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3

Believe 

In The LORD Your God,

And You Will Be Able To Stand Firm. 

Scripture

2 Chronicles 20

¹⁵ He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

20 … Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm.

²¹ After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: 

“Give thanks to the Lord;
    his faithful love endures forever!”

²² At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.

Observation

When we are faced with overwhelming opposition!

When it seems that there is no hope!

What should you and I do?

Sing and Praise the LORD! Stand firm and watch God work! King Jehosphaphat fell on his face before His God and God heard his prayer.

You and I need to fall on our faces before our God; we need to believe in the LORD our God and stand firm. Then we need to sing and give praise and watch our God at work!

Application

I will sing and praise my Lord today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that those reading this blog will stop for a moment and sing and give You praise. Help those who are frantic because they may lose their jobs and those who are frantic because they have no job to stop, seek Your face, stand firm, sing and give You praise. Work in their lives. Show them that You are the Mighty God and that there is nothing too hard for You. Help me to walk by faith today and not by sight! The armies of Heaven are always ready to help me when I get in trouble! You are my God. I will stand firm.

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I Urge You, First Of All, To Pray For All People. Ask God To Help Them; Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them.

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2 Kings 4; 2 Kings 5; Psalm 83; 1 Timothy 2

I Urge You, First Of All,

To Pray For All People.

Ask God To Help Them; Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them. 

Scripture

1 Timothy 2

2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Observation

 Why should we pray for all people? 

³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ⁵ For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ⁶ He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

It pleases God our Savior when we pray for people! Think about that today! Do you want to do something that pleases God –pray for every person that comes across your path …every person! 

Application

I will pray for every person that God brings to my mind today and every person that crosses my path because it pleases my God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I take my eyes off of myself and place my concern on those around me I know that it pleases You. Help me to be more concerned for others than myself today. Remind me to pray for everyone that crosses my path today.

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Christ Jesus Could Use Me As A Prime Example Of His Great Patience With Even The Worst Sinners

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2 Kings 1; 2 Kings 2; 2 Kings 3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy 1 

Christ Jesus Could Use Me 

As A Prime Example

Of His Great Patience With Even The Worst Sinners

Scripture

1 Timothy 1 

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Observation

 So true! If God can save me then He can save anybody! In fact, God did save me so I know; I have total confidence that God can save those that I am praying for.

He has great patience! Just look God saved you and He saved me! At least He saved me. I don’t know if you are saved or lost!

God has saved us so others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life! Wow! It is why we are still here on planet Earth!

Application

I will continue to believe that Christ will save those who are lost.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, all honor and glory to You forever and ever! You are the eternal King, the unseen one Who never dies; You alone are God. Amen

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Devote Yourselves To Prayer With An Alert Mind And A Thankful Heart

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1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18; 2 Chronicles 19; Colossians 4 

Devote Yourselves To Prayer

With An Alert Mind

And A Thankful Heart

Scripture

Colossians 4 

² Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Observation

As I read Paul’s letters Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians I have to keep reminding myself that Paul was writing these letters while he was in prison. Would you and I write letters to churches like this if we were in jail? I don’t think so!

Paul says that we are to pray with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Are you and I prepared to pray like that?

    Always keep on praying. [18] No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. [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 keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Praying with a thankful heart! It is key for me and for you if we are going to have a successful prayer life. 

 Application

I will pray today with a thankful heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have so much to be thankful for today. I have my wife, my children, my grandchildren, and my church. You have been working in the lives of my children and Kathy and I are filled with joy over what You are doing. I pray to You today with a very thankful heart.

“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Ephesians 3:20

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You Will Share In All His Glory

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1 Kings 20; 1 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

You 

Will Share

In All His Glory

Scripture

Colossians 3

3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ² Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ³ For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Observation

Since you and I have been raised to new life with Christ … we should live like it!

Don’t get all wrapped up in the small details of this life to the point that we miss out on the really important eternal stuff.

Today is Kathy’s birthday!

Now that is big important stuff! If you are smart you don’t miss your wife’s birthday!

I went all out and I took her to get tacos this afternoon at our favorite little Mexican restaurant down the street!

We would have had birthday cake tonight at small group but we had to cancel our small group to go to a visitation for Kathy’s sister Debbie’s father in law who passed away last week. But the ladies at church made a cake for Kathy today and she brought some of that birthday cake home that was left over after their celebration!

So hopefully we will keep the celebration going and eat some more cake in a few minutes.

Now back to this passage …

Glory … one day we will share in all Christ’ glory! Wow! I can’t wait!

Application

I will strive to keep my focus on the real important kingdom stuff and not on the things that really don’t count for God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not to waste my time on stuff that doesn’t matter. I pray that you lead me to men that want to grow in Christ. Give me the wisdom to know how to help them to become the mighty men of God that You want them to be. 

I pray for Kathy today on her birthday. Bless her with good health. Continue to bless her with great friends. Use her life to extend Your kingdom. Bring ladies into her life that need a closer relationship with You and let her help them grow in Christ! She is Your greatest gift that You have ever given me next to my salvation and my relationship with You!

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How Much Longer Will You Waver, Hobbling Between Two Opinions? If The LORD Is God, Follow Him!

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1 Kings 17; 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 19; Colossians 2

How Much Longer Will You Waver,

Hobbling Between Two Opinions? 

If The LORD Is God, Follow Him!

Scripture

1 Kings 18

²¹ Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him!

Colossians 2

⁶ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

Observation

How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? Are you trying to live with one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom of God?

The Prophet Elijah and the Apostle Paul are telling us today that we must follow the Lord with all of our hearts!

Lukewarm and halfheartedly following Jesus Christ won’t cut it. God wants us to be real men. Men that count… Men that influence…. Men that make a difference for Christ…

Are you ready to quit playing and are you ready to get serious in your walk for Christ? I hope so.

Application

I will look for men who are serious about following Christ and help them to become all that Christ wants them to be!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be an example to the men at our church. I pray for godly men to rise up and stand up for you. I pray that you will call men from our church to take the Gospel all over this world and all over our city. Call out some Elijah’s, call out some men like the Apostle Paul. Help our men be real men today. I pray for fathers today. I pray that they would be examples to their children and their grandchildren of what it means to be a Christ Follower. You are a Mighty God. You are Worthy to be served.

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…The Gospel Is Bearing Fruit And Growing Throughout The Whole World – Just As It Has Been Doing Among You Since The Day You Heard It And Truly Understood God’s Grace.

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Colossians 1

…The Gospel Is Bearing Fruit And Growing Throughout The Whole World – 

Just As It Has Been Doing 

Among You Since The Day You Heard It And Truly Understood God’s Grace. 

Scripture

Colossians 1

 

…The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

Observation

The web site was down that I normally go to when I read my daily Bible reading for my quiet time. I know that yesterday we finished reading Philippians so hopefully today we started in Colossians. I did anyway!

My very good friends Millie and Hugh Roberts and their granddaughter Whitney have been on a mission trip to Uganda. I have been trying to pray for them everyday during their trip. Uganda is an incredible place! The Gospel is spreading at an unbelievable rate in Uganda. The people are so open, so friendly, and so responsive! The Gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world and it will continue to do so until the day that Jesus Christ returns.

Here is the big question! Are you and I going to be a part of taking the Gospel to some other part of the world?

Why not!

Maybe you need to tell your pastor that you would like to go on a mission trip! Why couldn’t God use you to take the Gospel to some other part of the world? Why not?

Now is the time! You don’t know when things will change and making a mission trip won’t be possible. Money is not the issue. You can send out support letters to your friends and they will help you raise the money you need. Do it while you can! Talk to your pastor today!

Application

I do plan on going on a mission trip soon!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the Gospel is growing through out the entire world just as You planned. Help me be willing and able to go to another country and be Your witness in that place. Raise up teams of volunteers to go from our church. Provide the way for us to go and show us where you want us to go. You are a Mighty God. Nothing is going to stop Your church from reaching this world for Christ! Nothing!

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Fix Your Thoughts On What Is True, And Honorable, And Right, And Pure, And Lovely, And Admirable. Think About Things That Are Excellent And Worthy Of Praise.

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1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13; 2 Chronicles 14; Philippians 4

Fix Your Thoughts 

On What Is True, And Honorable, And Right, And Pure, And Lovely, And Admirable. 

Think About Things That Are Excellent And Worthy Of Praise. 

Scripture

Philippians 4

One final thing … Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Observation

Here is something that will help with depression and that bummed out feeling: Fix your thoughts on what is true.

Most of the junk we worry about is not even real and will probably never happen so fix your thoughts on what is true. How about thinking about all the great things that God has done in your life?

Fix your thoughts on what is honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. This would rule out most of what is in the newspaper, magazines, on television, or on the Internet!

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. My God, my wife, my children, my grandchildren, and my friends at church all fall into this category!

Application

I will fix my thoughts on the right stuff today according to Philippians 4:8. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me today through Philippians 4 that I don’t need to worry. I need to trust You. Help me to fix my thoughts on the right things today and not on things that will mess me up. You will take care of me and You will supply all of my needs from Your glorious riches, which have been given to me in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to You my Father forever and ever! Amen.  (Philippians 4:19-20 Eddy Paraphrase)

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But I Focus On This One Thing: Forgetting The Past And Looking Forward To What Lies Ahead, I Press On To Reach The End Of The Race.

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1 Kings 13; 1 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

But I Focus On This One Thing:

Forgetting The Past And Looking Forward To What Lies Ahead,

I Press On To Reach The End Of The Race.

Scripture

Philippians 3

…But I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Observation

It is so easy for us to live in the past … don’t kid yourself … the past wasn’t all that great! And even if it was, it is over … done with … finished … get over it!

The future … I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize!

Paul was always looking ahead! Even when he was sitting in a prison cell he could be excited about his future! He saw his life from God’s point of view, from God’s perspective. As Pastor Bruce would say, “He was able to see things from 30,000 feet!”

Circumstances and life’s troubles can cause us to lose focus on running and finishing the race! Hey … there is a heavenly prize at the end of the race, which we are going to receive. So don’t give up now!

Application

 I will focus on this one thing: I will forget the past and I will look forward to what lies ahead! I recommend that you do the same thing.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will focus today on this one thing: I will forget the past and I will look forward to the future. I will press on to reach the end of the race. And I will receive the heavenly prize for which You, through Christ Jesus, is calling me. I pray for my son Eddie today on his birthday. I pray that You bless him. May Your face shine on him. Draw him close to You today!

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Don’t Be Selfish

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1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 11; Philippians 2

Don’t 

Be 

Selfish

Scripture

Philippians 2

³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

⁶ Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
 
⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
 
When he appeared in human form,
⁸     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Observation

Lets say that all together this morning, “Don’t be selfish. Don’t be selfish. Don’t be selfish!” Now if we can just live out those important words!

Our natural default button is to be self-centered. We will have the natural tendency to impress others and humility doesn’t come easy either.

If all of those good qualities and attitudes were easy and natural for us then we wouldn’t have to be reminded over and over again in scripture to have them.

The Apostle Paul says, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

Application

I will try hard to apply this passage as I go through this day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not to be selfish today. Keep me from trying to impress others. Don’t let me be proud. Help me to have the same attitude as Jesus. Thank You for giving me the health today to serve You. You are the Mighty King.

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“Every Time I Think Of You, I Give Thanks To My God.”

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Song of Solomon 5; Song of Solomon 6; Song of Solomon 7; Song of Solomon 8; Philippians 1

“Every Time 

I Think Of You,

I Give Thanks To My God.”

Scripture

Philippians 1

³ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy… 7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart.

Observation

It is my desire to be like the Christians that Paul loved in the church at Philippi.

I am afraid though that when some people think of me it is not gratitude that fills their hearts! Yes, I have messed up in the past and not everybody has warm fuzzy feelings about me. I am probably the last person on earth that those folks would want to even think about.

Oh … you don’t have any people in your life like that … then you have never been a pastor of a church!

But I have plenty of people in my life that when I think about them they cause me to give thanks to God. I am so thankful that God has brought them into my life. I hope you have people like that too.

Willie Stephens is a friend like that. I don’t know if you have had the privilege of getting to know Willie. She is a joy. Kathy and I went to see her in the hospital this past Friday and left that hospital talking about what a great attitude Willie had even after suffering a stroke that has affected the right side of her body including her right arm and right leg. I give thanks to my God for allowing me the opportunity of being her friend.

Have you met Zane Edwards? Zane has been a close friend for the 10 years that I have been at our church. I have watched him serve over those 10 years and I marvel at his servant’s heart. He is usually one of the last volunteers to leave Christ Fellowship Church on Sunday afternoon. I could call on him any time any day of the week and he would be right there to help me. I could go on and on mentioning lots of other people that are just like Willie Stephens and Zane Edwards. They make me smile and they make me grateful to God when they come to my mind. I am so thankful for them.

You and I have the opportunity to either be a bright spot in someone’s day or be a dreadful nightmare! I would like to be a bright spot … how about you?

Application

I will encourage someone today!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the church at Philippi was Paul’s favorite church. It was his favorite because the people were a total joy. Help me to be a joy to those around me and not a pain. Thank You for all the wonderful people that You have brought into our lives. Kathy and I are blessed with so many great friends. Thank You for our church and so many faithful people who serve so faithfully week after week. I am so grateful for them. They make me smile. I know that they make You smile too.

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Work With Enthusiasm, As Though You Were Working For The Lord Rather Than For People.

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Song of Solomon 1; Song of Solomon 2; Song of Solomon 3; Song of Solomon 4; Ephesians 6

Work With Enthusiasm,

As Though 

You Were Working For The Lord Rather Than For People. 

Scripture

Ephesians 6

⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Observation

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord! This was Paul’s word to the Christians that were slaves. You may feel like a slave today at your job and if so this verse is especially good for you. 

    And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
 
    Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

Great word for a Monday!

Application

Everything I do today I will do with enthusiasm as though I were doing it for the Lord. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is Monday! Help me start out this week with enthusiasm. Give me Your strength, Your power, and Your presence so I can live this week in a way that makes You smile.

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Don’t Give The Devil Any Opportunity To Work

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Ecclesiastes 7; Ecclesiastes 8; Ecclesiastes 9; Ephesians 4

Don’t 


Give The Devil

Any Opportunity To Work

Scripture

Ephesians 4

²⁷ Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work. (God’s Word Translation)

²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. (NIV)

    Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Observation

Do you ever get frustrated when you see a new Christian going backwards instead of growing in his or her faith? They go back to the bars. They go back to drinking or drugging or plunge into sexual immorality with their old friends. They begin to miss church. They drop out and completely quit serving the Lord.

The Devil is looking for a foothold. Don’t let him get you!

This just doesn’t happen to new Christians either. Seminary graduates and even pastors of large churches can find themselves involved in something that destroys their families and takes them completely out of the ministry.

The Devil is looking for a foothold.

So how do we keep from falling into the clutches of the enemy the devil that wants to destroy us?

I suggest that you and I set and then maintain boundaries in our lives.

1. Read God’s Word everyday. Everyday!
2. Pray constantly.
3. Don’t rationalize and give in to temptation. All the Devil needs is a foothold: one drink; one click (pornography on your computer); one look, etc.

4. If you are married don’t allow yourself to be alone with someone of the opposite sex that is not your spouse.

• Not in a room,
• Not in your office,
• Not in a car.

5. If you are married never eat a meal alone with someone of the opposite sex that is not your spouse, not in a restaurant or anywhere else!

6. Abstain from all appearance of evil. If it even hints or in anyway could be viewed as something bad stay away from it. 

Application

 I will think about those boundaries today and keep them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for new believers today who are thinking about going backwards. They are giving the Devil a foothold. I pray that You give them strength to withstand and flee from those temptations. I pray that they will not give in and give the Devil an opportunity to wreck their lives. I pray that You keep me alert. I know that the Devil would love to destroy me and he would love to destroy my entire family. He would love to get a foothold in my life. But “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world!”

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I Pray That He Would Give You Inner Strength And Power Through His Spirit.

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Ecclesiastes 4; Ecclesiastes 5; Ecclesiastes 6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

I Pray That 

He Would Give You

Inner Strength And Power Through His Spirit.

Scripture

Ephesians 3

16 … I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit.

¹⁴ This is the reason I kneel in the presence of the Father ¹⁵ from whom all the family in heaven and on earth receives its name. ¹⁶ I’m asking God to give you a gift from the wealth of his glory. I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will live in you through faith. I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and on which you have your foundation. ¹⁸ This way, with all of God’s people you will be able to understand how wide, long, high, and deep his love is. ¹⁹ You will know Christ’s love, which goes far beyond any knowledge. I am praying this so that you may be completely filled with God.

Observation

Pastor Bruce preached from this passage this past Sunday! This past Monday I asked our life group to give me some highlights from the message and they were able to give back to me all 3 of the main points of his message! You will remember more of what your Pastor preaches if you will take notes as you listen! Why not start jotting down the important stuff from Sunday so you remember it on Monday!

This is a great prayer to pray for someone. If you don’t have anyone in mind to pray for why don’t you pray this prayer for me or at least pray this prayer for your pastor. 

²⁰ Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.

Application

I will pray for my pastor friends and ask God to give them inner strength and power through His Holy Spirit. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who are shepherding Your church. I ask You to give them inner strength and power today through Your Holy Spirit. I pray that they will be completely filled with You as they serve You today. Help them to make wise decisions. Keep them from stupid sins that would wreck their ministries.

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All Praise To God … Who Has Blessed Us With Every Spiritual Blessing In The Heavenly Realms Because We Are United With Christ

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Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

All Praise To God …

Who Has Blessed Us With Every Spiritual Blessing

In The Heavenly Realms Because We Are United With Christ

Scripture

Ephesians 1

³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Observation

How are you doing today? I am blessed. I heard a guy yesterday say, “I am blessed by the Best!” I like that don’t you? Jesus is the Best! 

For all of us Christ Followers there is not one thing that we lack! We are blessed with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in the Heavenly realms! 

I woke up earlier this morning than I normally do and as I laid in bed I prayed. I prayed for as many people as God brought to my mind and then I as I thought and prayed I was overwhelmed at how much God has blessed me. Has that ever happened to you? God is so good. 

You and I are so blessed!

Application

 I will thank God all day today for His Goodness. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is amazing to me that You think of me at all. There are so many other people in this world and yet You still take pleasure in me. I am so blessed. I don’t lack anything. You are amazing. I pray for those that may read this blog today. I pray that You overwhelm them to with Your goodness. Help them to see how blessed they are too. You have given us everything. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm they are all ours. Thank You. You are worthy of praise!

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