Don't Be Too Proud To Enjoy The Company Of Ordinary People.

Proverbs 16; Proverbs 17; Proverbs 18; Romans 12 

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Don't Be

Too Proud

To Enjoy The Company Of Ordinary People.

Scripture

Romans 12 

16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Observation

The Apostle Paul is giving me some great advice this morning. The passages in Proverbs that I read were also full of great advice for me. What struck you as you read these passages?

“Ordinary people” jumped out at me today! I need to take time for ordinary people today. Paul's use of the term has gotten me think that “ordinary people” are the people that I usually would not take extra time with. Who is on your “ordinary” list?

I will look for “ordinary folks” today and definitely tomorrow as I go to church.

Application

I will ask God to direct me to the “ordinary person” that God wants me to invest more time with.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to miss divine appointments. Show me the ordinary people who I need to spend time with. Put on my heart someone who needs to be encouraged today. Show me tomorrow while I am at church who to spend more time with. Give me Your heart for those around me.

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A Reliable Messenger Brings Healing

Proverbs 13; Proverbs 14; Proverbs 15; Romans 11

A Reliable

Messenger

Brings Healing

Read Through The Bible Daily Devotions

Scripture

17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
but a reliable messenger brings healing.

Observation

It was in the 1970's when Dr. Clemmie Moore (Pastor Bruce Moore's Mom and Dr. Waylon Moore's wife) told me that Proverbs 25:13 was her verse for me.

I wrote a note in my study Bible when she gave me that verse.

She told me that I was like that faithful messenger.

Wow! I never forgot her words of encouragement to me. When I read Proverbs 13:17 and read reliable messenger it made me crank out my old study Bible and look at Proverbs 25:13

“Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
They revive the spirit of their employer.”

I have thought about her conversation with me a lot over the years. She probably never realized how important this gesture was in my life. For her to believe in me was huge.

I am proud of the men and women that God has now called into leadership at Christ Fellowship.

May someone speak powerful words of encouragement into their lives just as Clemmie Moore did into mine.

Application

I will look for someone to encourage, giving them a verse of scripture just like Clemmie Moore did for me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me encourage people that are faithfully serving You. Help me to use Your Word to spur them on. Your Word is powerful and living. I pray for those struggling with relationships right now. Help them to listen to Your voice and not the voices of those living in the world. Help my friends who have drifted from regular church attendance and have gotten into the habit of staying home on Sundays. Speak to them and bring them back. You are Worthy of Praise!

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...Mercy We Can Neither Choose It Nor Work For It.

Proverbs 7; Proverbs 8; Proverbs 9; Romans 9

...Mercy

We Can Neither Choose It

Nor Work For It.

Scripture

Romans 9

16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

Observation

I think we can pray and ask God to show mercy on our lost friends and ask God to save them. Since God is the One who saves we can intercede on our lost family and friends behalf.

Who are we praying for? Are we praying for our lost family members and friends? I have quite a few that I want to see follow the Lord Jesus Christ. How about you?

Application

I will continue to pray for my lost friends and I will not give up.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is true that You pursued me and it is because of Your love for me that today I am one of Your children. I don't deserve Your mercy. I didn't do anything to receive Your salvation. So I pray for those that are close to me that need a relationship with You. They can never experience life like You have designed it without knowing You. They can never receive Eternal life unless You choose to show them Your mercy and Your grace. Don't ever let me quit praying for those around me who do not yet know You.

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And A Person With A Changed Heart Seeks Praise From God, Not From People.

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

And A Person 

With A Changed Heart

Seeks Praise From God, Not From People.

Scripture

Romans 2

…And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Observation

A disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who has had his heart transformed/changed. Has that ever happened to you? Have you surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you turned from sin and self and turned to God? Have you received God’s forgiveness?

A person with a changed heart acts differently than other folks. A person with a changed heart lives for an audience of One. He or she is more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing people.

God’s kindness and God’s patience with us is intended to turn us from sin. 

⁴ Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Application

Today I will live for God. I will seek to please Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will trust in You with all my heart. I will not lean on my own understanding. You will direct me and You will crown my efforts with success.    I have thought much about your words and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin.  

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord.  Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 119:11; Psalm 98:4+

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Never Get Tired Of Doing Good.

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

Never

Get Tired

Of Doing Good.

Scripture

2 Thessalonians 3

¹³ As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

Observation

This past week I spent my time serving with a team from our church in Pensacola where so many people’s homes were flooded when almost 30 inches of rain fell on many of them in a 24-hour period.

It was a privilege to work with the team from our church and so many other Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers from all over our state and even volunteers from the states of South Carolina and Georgia.

What a great job Southern Baptists do at responding to disaster when it hits a community! I appreciate all the hard work that went into providing us a place to sleep and something to eat while we worked each day. There was even a team of people ready and willing to wash your clothes because mud out work is so dirty.

May Southern Baptists; especially all of us at Christ Fellowship never get tired of doing good.

 Application

 I will say, “yes” when there is an opportunity to go and help those in need. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the leadership of our Florida Baptist Disaster Relief team. I pray for those who we helped this past week. I pray that they would be drawn to a closer relationship with You through our time with them. Bless them. Help them as they try to put their lives back together. Help them recover from the tremendous loss. Show them how powerful You are!

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We Always Thank God For All Of You And Pray For You Constantly.

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2 Samuel 21; 2 Samuel 22; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Thessalonians 1

We Always

Thank God For All Of You

And Pray For You Constantly.

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 1

² We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.

Observation

 The most important thing that you can do for me and that I can do for you is to pray for each another.

There is nothing more important. Who will you constantly pray for today?

Application

 I will constantly pray for our leadership team and our disaster relief team today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for every person that makes up our lead team at Christ Fellowship. Bless them today. Use them for Your kingdom. Give them energy. I pray that You would answer their prayers, give them the desires of their hearts, and make their plans successful. I pray that You keep the disaster relief team safe as we travel to Pensacola. Use the team for Your glory. Use them to move people closer to a relationship with You.

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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

⁹ My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
    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

It should be enough for you and I today just to know that God is on our side! If you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and are living for Him then you can be certain that God has your back.

Do we live like God is on our side?

Have you prayed today? Have you read His Word? Are you trusting in Him to take you through this day in victory?

Defeated Christians … those two words should never go together!

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

Application

Today I will trust in my God because He is on my side. He is directing my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that 

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.
⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
¹² They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91

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Now That I Am Old And Gray Do Not Abandon Me, O God.

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2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

Now That I Am 

Old And Gray

Do Not Abandon Me, O God. 

Scripture

Psalm 71

¹⁸ Now that I am old and gray,
    do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
    your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Observation

Getting old and getting gray is going to happen to you too no matter how hard you fight it or try to cover it up!

It is a great time to depend on the God of our youth. King David found himself as an old man being hunted down by his son Absalom. He had to flee the city with a few of His followers and once again he went into hiding.

Are you feeling your age? Maybe you and I are looking around and wondering if we are still able to make a difference in our world?

Why don’t we pray this prayer back to God this morning? Let’s ask Him to continue to use us to change the lives of those around us!

Application

I will pray and ask God to use me to proclaim His power to the next generation. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.
 
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.  Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors. 

O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!  

My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. Psalm 71

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For You Are My Hiding Place; You Protect Me From Trouble.

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

For You Are My 

Hiding Place;

You Protect Me From Trouble. 

Scripture

Psalm 32

⁷ For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.
    You surround me with songs of victory.

Observation

Want to get away? I like the way the Message translation says this verse, “God’s my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.”

Sometimes we just need to get away. Why not make God our hiding place!

Application

I will make my God my hiding place. I will rest in Him tonight!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. You say to me in Psalm 32 that You will guide me along the best pathway for my life. You will advise me and watch over me.

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Heaven And Earth Will Disappear, But My Words Will Never Disappear.

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2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24

Heaven And Earth

Will Disappear,

But My Words Will Never Disappear.

Scripture

Matthew 24

³⁵ Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Observation

Have you taken time to read God’s Word today?

What is the first thing you in when you get up in the morning? To be honest the very first thing I do is make coffee and then I turn on my computer (I read my Bible and write my blog on my computer) and then with a fresh cup of coffee I enjoy God’s word. Just a few minutes ago Kathy brought me my second cup of coffee. (Yes, I am spoiled!)

Kathy and I try not doing anything else before reading God’s Word. I have to admit that every once in a while we turn on the TV and watch the Today Show for the first 3-4 minutes to find out what has happened in our world overnight. We did that for a few days after the airplane disappeared And every once in a while I may click on a facebook message and respond to it before I read God’s Word. I know better every time I do it!

I am amazed at how few of the people that attend our church actually read God’s Word on a daily basis? How often do you read God’s Word?

Do you believe this verse to be true?

    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

You and I only really believe it if we are reading God’s Word on a daily basis.

    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 continue to strongly encourage men and women to read God’s Word on a daily basis. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. I pant with expectation, longing for your commands. Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:129-133, 105

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Have Mercy On Me, O God, Because Of Your Unfailing Love.

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2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Have Mercy On Me,

O God,

Because Of Your Unfailing Love. 

Scripture

Psalm 51

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.

Observation

King David wrote Psalm 51 after committing adultery with Bathsheba and after having her husband murdered. He wrote this after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his heinous crime.

Murder and Adultery are two things that you and I have probably already committed in our hearts too so don’t think too hard of King David and his sin. We are sinners just like him.

We all deserve death and punishment.

All of us need to cry out, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.”

David knew God. He knew that God was a God of unfailing love. His love is unfailing for us too.

Talk to him today. Better yet, let’s cry out to Him today and plead for mercy because of His unfailing love.

Application

I will cry out today for God’s mercy.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, my heart goes out to You today. You are my God. Have mercy on me. Have mercy on those who I am praying for that need Your help so desperately in their marriages and in their relationships. Change their hearts, O God. Change their hearts. There is nothing too hard for You. Have mercy on me by having mercy on them. I cry out to You.

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

Here is a great prayer that you and I can pray for those we love. I think it is also a great prayer to pray for your pastor and the staff of your church. Why not pray for your pastor right now and use this passage to bless his life.

God has placed a vision in your pastor’s heart for where God wants to take the church but it is going to take people praying for him for that vision to become a reality.

Success, at least from our Heavenly Father’s perspective can’t be achieved without the Holy Spirit’s power and help.

How much of what we did yesterday at church was in our own strength? How much did we rely on God’s Holy Spirit?

Application

I will pray Psalm 20:4-5 for my pastors today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give our pastors and their wives wisdom today as they seek to lead us. May You grant them their heart’s desires and make all their plans succeed.
 May they shout for joy when they hear of Your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May You Lord answer all their prayers.

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Whoever Wants To Be A Leader Among You Must Be Your Servant

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2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Whoever

Wants To Be A Leader

Among You Must Be Your Servant

Scripture

Matthew 20

²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
 
²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.
 
²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Observation

This is a great passage for me getting ready for Sunday! Tomorrow I have the chance to serve others and today I am reminded by God just how important it is to have a servant attitude as I get ready for Sunday!

Do you ever think about that on Saturday … getting ready to serve on Sunday? At our church if you are wearing a “Start Something Good” orange t-shirt you are marked as person who serves!

I think it is wonderful to see so many people on Sunday proudly wearing “orange” and serving one another!

So get out your orange t-shirt and be ready to serve God tomorrow by serving people.

Don’t have an orange t-shirt but you would like to serve? Just ask someone wearing an orange t-shirt tomorrow and they would be glad to sign you up to serve!

Now I know that Sunday is not the only time we are supposed to serve others but Sunday does provide us a great opportunity.

Application

 I will wear my orange t-shirt tomorrow and I will be ready to serve. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I am not here on planet earth to have people serve me. I understand that by serving those around me I am serving You. Give me a servant’s heart. Help me please You by serving others.

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We’ve Given Up Everything To Follow You. What Will We Get?

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1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

We’ve Given Up Everything 

To Follow You.

What Will We Get?

Scripture

Matthew 19

²⁵ The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
²⁶ Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

²⁷ Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?”

²⁸ Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.

Observation

In the weaker moments of my life I have sometimes thought about what I could have accumulated here on earth.

.

I have to admit that I would love to have a house that is paid for. I would love for Kathy to have the security of having her own home. But then I am reminded that Kathy’s security is wrapped up in her relationship with Jesus Christ. He is all that she needs. A house and other possessions can disappear in a moment.

Looking back on our life and the ministry we have experienced together I have no regrets. My God will take care of Kathy. He will provide for her when I am gone. He will always provide for us way more than we need. 

We are blessed.

Application

I will express gratitude to my God for His wonderful care.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Kathy and I have all that we need. You have provided so much for us. We are blessed. I pray for those around us that don’t understand that You are all that they need. Help them trust You. I know that You will supply all of our needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus. Thank You.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. 1 Chronicles 16:8-9

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Lord, How Often Should I Forgive Someone Who Sins Against Me?

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1 Chronicles 14; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18 

Lord,

How Often Should I Forgive 

Someone Who Sins Against Me? 

Scripture

Matthew 18 

²¹ Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

²² “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

Observation

 We learned last night in our life group REAL MARRIAGE that the alternative to forgiveness is bitterness and the alternative to bitterness is forgiveness. When you and I refuse to forgive someone the roots of bitterness begin to sink down deep into our hearts.

I heard someone say that refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and then thinking that the poison is going to hurt the other person.

Bitterness destroys. It destroys relationships. It destroys marriages. It destroys businesses. It even destroys churches.

You and I are not hurting the other person when we refuse to forgive. We are hurting ourselves.

Application

I will ask the Lord to help me with forgiveness.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know that sometimes I don’t want to forgive someone when they wrong me. You know that I want to get even. Give me the ability to forgive as You have forgiven me. Don’t let the root of bitterness take a foothold in my life. Help those that are close to me forgive those that have harmed them. Show them that they are only hurting themselves by refusing to forgive.

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