Say Thank You To The Lord For Being So Good, …

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Isaiah 63,64; Psalms 107; John 2

Say

Thank You

To The Lord For Being So Good, …

Scripture

Psalms 107

1 Say thank you to the Lord for being so good, for always being so loving and kind.

Observation

It is so important to thank people for what they do. They need to hear “Thank You”. They need to hear, “I appreciate you”.

Our Heavenly Father needs to hear from us today too. We need to give Him thanks for all that He has done in our lives.

Think about it … what has He done in your life that you could thank Him for?

Lets thank Him today for His goodness in our lives.

Application

I will thank the Lord all day long today. How about you? What are you thankful for today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will shout with joy to You O Lord! I will worship You O Lord with gladness. I will come before You, singing with joy. I will acknowledge that You are God! You made me, and I am Yours. We are Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. Psalm 100:1-5

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From His Abundance We Have All Received One Gracious Blessing After Another.

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Isaiah 60,61,62; John 1

From His 

Abundance

We Have All Received One Gracious Blessing After Another.

Scripture

John 1

¹⁶ From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

Observation

Have you heard someone say after you ask him or her how he or she is doing say, “I am blessed”? I know that it could be a response that has just become just a habit like you and me saying, “I am fine” 

By the way, don’t ever use that reply, “I am fine” with a CR person. Oh, what does CR stand for? “Celebrate Recovery” Try it with Linda Renner and see what happens!

The truth is most of us when we greet someone aren’t expecting a complete rundown of their entire medical history. Lately when someone asks me, “how are you doing?” I usually just reply “okay”. Fine would definitely be a lie! 

What I could and should say is, “I am blessed”!

For a Christ Follower the greeting, “I am blessed” is true no matter how rough life is treating you at the moment. You and I (if you are a disciple of Christ) are very blessed. 

Jesus came to this earth He says in John 10:10 to give us something, “…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. (Holman) Ephesians 1:3

So … how are you doing today? 

Application

The next time a person ask me how I am doing I am going to tell them, “I am blessed”! And then I am going to Smile as I remember John 1:16

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am blessed. You have blessed me with one blessing after another. I have every spiritual blessing. Because You are my Shepherd I have everything that I need. (Psalm 23:1) 

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And Remember, Our Lord’s Patience Give People Time To Be Saved.

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Isaiah 57,58,59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

And Remember,

Our Lord’s Patience 

Gives People Time To Be Saved.

Scripture

2 Peter 3

¹⁵ And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved…

Observation

I was surprised the other day when I was with a group of pastors and the majority of those pastors didn’t think that the Lord’s return would be soon. 

What do you think? 

The only reason why He has not already returned is because He does not want anyone to be destroyed but He wants every person to repent. 

Those people around you and me that don’t yet know Jesus they are the reason that He has not returned yet. He is patient. He is giving people time to be saved. He is giving us the opportunity and time to share with them. 

Is He coming soon? Yes, He is coming soon. You and I need to be ready! 

The day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief! You and I need to be ready!

If you were to die today where would you spend eternity? 

Application

I will look for opportunities to share Jesus with those who do not yet know Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus did not return before I had the opportunity to be saved. But I have family members and neighbors and friends who still need to put their faith and trust in Jesus for their salvation. So I am glad that You are patient and that You don’t won’t anyone to perish. Give me Your heart for those around me. I know that Jesus is coming soon. I must live today knowing that His return could be today. Don’t let me lose the urgency of the Gospel.

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You Are A Slave To Whatever Controls You.

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

You

Are A Slave

To Whatever Controls You.

Scripture

2 Peter 2

19b … “For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”

Observation

I told someone last night that “sin” is pleasurable for the moment. Once that sin grabs you then you become a slave to it. Pornography, gambling, sexual addiction, drugs, and alcohol all become the “master” over the sinner and the end result is destruction. 

16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16

I was on the road to self-destruction once. I remember that I was a slave to sin. At that time in my life someone shared with me that God had a plan for my life. He shared with me that Jesus Christ died on a cross to set me free from the life of sin that I was living. 

I was 19 years old when I turned from sin and self and I turned to God. I decided to become a slave of Christ. I decided to obey Him. 

It was the best decision that I have ever made in my life. 

It is our choice. A life of self-destruction or an abundant life filled with meaning and purpose, a life of slavery to sin or slavery to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Application

I will continue to share with those I meet that Jesus Christ is the answer. He can set them free!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray the person that I talked to last night. He needs to be set free from the bondage of sin. Help him make the right decision. I pray for him. Give him the spiritual understanding to see the Truth. Open his heart to spiritual things. I pray for his salvation. I pray that he turns from sin and self and that he turns to You.

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God Has Given Us Everything We Need For Living A Godly Life.

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Isaiah 50,51,52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

God Has Given Us

Everything

We Need For Living A Godly Life.

Scripture

2 Peter 1

³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 

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

Observation

You and I have no excuse!

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

He has given us the Bible full of His promises. He has given us His Holy Spirit Who lives within us. What more could we ask for!

Lets live for Him. Lets quit our selfish living and live for Him.

Application

Today I will strive to live for Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me live for You today. Don’t let me give in to self-pity. Don’t let me let You down. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are Worthy of my worship.

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

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

Give All 

Your Worries And Cares To God,

For He Cares For You.

Scripture

1 Peter 5

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

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
 
⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. 

Observation

Key word in verse 7 is “ALL”. Not some or not just the “Big Ones” but “ALL” of our cares to God. Why … Because He cares for us.

There is an enemy. The enemy is not your spouse! The enemy is not your boss. Satan is our real enemy. He wants to destroy us. He wants to destroy our relationships. He is the destroyer.

Kathy told me the other day that devil is like a lion. When a lion attacks its prey it attacks the one that is not close to the herd. You and I need to stay alert and we need stay closely related to the body of Christ. You and I need to be part of a life group and we need to worship in church on a weekly basis.

In fact, get ready today to go to church tomorrow!

Once we begin to drift away then we are easy prey for the devil and his demonic helpers.

So stand firm against him and be strong in your faith.

Application

I will give “all” my worries and cares to the Lord today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You say in Your Word in Psalm 55:22, “ Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.” So right now I trust and believe that You will carry my burdens for me. I know that You care for me. Not one single thing happens to me without Your permission. You are my Savior. You are my Creator God. You are in total control of my life. Help me to please You today with the way I live. 

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You Have Had Enough In The Past Of Evil Things That Godless People Enjoy – Their Immorality And Lust, Their Feasting And Drunkenness, And Wild Parties …

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Isaiah 43,44,45; 1 Peter 4

You Have Had Enough In The Past 

Of Evil Things That Godless People Enjoy –

Their Immorality And Lust, Their Feasting And Drunkenness, And Wild Parties …

Scripture

1 Peter 4

³ You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

Observation

I came to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ one year after Kathy and I got married. I was 19 years old. 

I grew up living the life described in verse 3 of I Peter 4. To this day, I have regrets about my behavior before Christ transformed my life. I am so glad He saved me and rescued me from a life of destruction. 

I agree with Peter when he says in verse 3, “You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy.” I have had enough. 

Have you? 

“Repentance” is saying to God, “I have had enough” It is turning from sin and self and turning to God and living for Him. 

I have been forgiven. I have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless Eddy enjoyed –immorality and lust, etc. 

How about you?  

Application

I will live for Jesus Christ today. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I am forgiven of my past. I know that You don’t think about it anymore. I can never forget my past. I will always remember what living in sin was like. It was nothing compared to the life that I now live in You. I am a sinner. I am forgiven. Help me live everyday in a way that pleases You. Help me to make You smile. Help me not to yield to temptations that only cause me to do things that grieve You. 

I will trust in what You say about me in Isaiah 43:1- 3

 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. ³ For I am the Lord your God,

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Those Who Trust In The LORD Will Find New Strength.

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Isaiah 40,41,42; 1 Peter 3


Those Who Trust 

In The LORD 

Will Find New Strength.

Scripture

Isaiah 40

³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
 
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Observation

I do think that I need to apply this verse to my life today. 

Today if Eddy will trust in the LORD he will find new strength. He will soar high on wings like eagles. He will run and not grow weary. He will walk and not faint.

 Why don’t you do the same thing?

Application

I will trust in the Lord today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, because I am trusting in You I will find new strength. I will soar high on wings like eagles. Because of You I will run and not grow weary. Because of You I will walk and not faint. You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; You are with me; the God of Jacob is my refuge. (Isaiah 40:10, Psalm 46)

   

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Be Careful To Live Properly Among Your Unbelieving Neighbors.

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2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2

Be Careful

To Live Properly

Among Your Unbelieving Neighbors.

Scripture

1 Peter 2

¹² Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.

¹¹ Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. ¹² Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Observation

People are watching us! Our neighbors, those we work with, our family they are all watching us!

So we should be careful how we live.

My children, my grandchildren, my friends, my family, my neighbors all must see Jesus in Kathy and me!

We are only “temporary residents” of this world! It is not our home!

Application

I will look for ways to show kindness to those God brings into my life today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live like this earth is not my home. Help me to think of those around me more than I think about myself. Give me Your heart for those that You bring into my life today.

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Don’t Slip Back Into Your Old Ways Of Living To Satisfy Your Own Desires

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Don’t Slip Back

Into Your Old Ways Of Living

To Satisfy Your Own Desires

Scripture

¹⁴ So you must live as God’s obedient children. 

Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. 

You didn’t know any better then. ¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
 
¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Observation

I love to look at my friends on Facebook when they are showing family pictures and celebrating their children’s birthdays etc.

What I don’t like on Facebook is when I see some of my Christian friends putting up stuff that reminds me of my old empty life and they don’t seem to be bothered by what they post. For example: bad language, skimpy clothes that accent body parts other than the face, old ways of living - partying, drinking, clubbing etc.

I expect that kind of behavior from my Facebook friends who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am shocked and grieved when it is from my brothers and sisters in Christ.

All of us are reminded this morning not to slip back into our old ways of living!

Have you recently slipped back into your old way of living?

Maybe some of our pictures on Facebook need to come down. Maybe our vocabulary needs to change.  Maybe there needs to be some real repentance and brokenness for giving in to our desires.

Here is a great question to ask before we go and do something or before we post something up for all of our friends to see:

Will this bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ?

You and I can slip back into our old way of living. I am no different than anyone else.

How can we walk in obedience and not slip back into our old way of living?

Psalm 119:9

    How can a young person stay pure?

        By obeying your word and following its rules.

Psalm 119:11

    I have hidden your word in my heart,

        that I might not sin against you.

Application

I will pray for those who seem to have slipped back into the old empty life style and I will encourage them to walk in obedience.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I am no different than anyone else when it comes to sinning. I am a sinner. You know my heart. You know where I am weak. You know how many times I have slipped back and sinned. Thank You for that we can be forgiven. Thank You that You have paid the price for the penalty of my sins.

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The Earnest Prayer Of A Righteous Person Has Great Power And Produces Wonderful Results.

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

The Earnest Prayer

Of A Righteous Person

Has Great Power And Produces Wonderful Results.

Scripture

James 5

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
 
¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
 
¹⁷ Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!
 
¹⁸ Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Observation

Kathy and I went to visit a friend of ours last week that is 81 years young. Her husband of 66 years passed away last year. She is now very frail and has been in and out of the hospital over the past couple of weeks.

I don’t think I have ever met anyone who prays like she does. She is amazing.

She prays for us everyday. She prays for a lot of people everyday. We saw her prayer list that her husband had made into a notebook for her. It was humbling to talk to her about those she prays for.

There will be a special place in Heaven for our friend. Her rewards will be great in the Kingdom of God.

Her pastor Dr. Tommy Green and his wife Karen have cared for her as they would their own mother. Tommy’s success as a pastor is linked to the powerful prayer warriors in his church. And our friend has to be at the top of the list.

When we take time to visit people like our friend, it is Kathy and I who walk away blessed.

Application

I will pray for people this week with the confidence of knowing that the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to know so many wonderful saints who live such powerful lives. They are humble. It humbles us to be in their presence. Help Kathy and I to be like them. 

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What Is Causing The Quarrels And Fights Among You? Don’t They Come From The Evil Desires At War Within You?

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2 Chronicles 29,30,31; James 4

What Is Causing The Quarrels And Fights Among You? 

Don’t They Come 

From The Evil Desires At War Within You? 

Scripture

James 4

4 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

Observation

Kathy and I have been married for almost 45 years! We have had some pretty good disagreements.

95% of our fussing has been because of my selfishness and I will give Kathy credit for the other 5%!

This reminds me of one of my memory verses found in Jeremiah,

"The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Might be a good one for you to memorize too!

Have you been in a good fight or argument lately? Trust me, you and I are the problem!

Application

I will memorize James 3:16, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.”

     

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to realize that I am my biggest problem. My heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked and only You know how bad it really is. Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

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Where There Is Jealousy And Selfishness, There Will Be Confusion And Every Kind Of Evil.

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

Where There Is Jealousy And Selfishness,

There Will Be Confusion

And Every Kind Of Evil.

Scripture

James 3

¹⁶ Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.

Observation

You and I have an “I” problem! If you are wondering why so much drama is going on around you the answer can be found in James 3:16!

Me … My … Mine! We are the problem!

Selfishness … Jealousy … = confusion and every kind of evil!

You and I need to die to “self” … and we have to make that choice every day!

 Application

Today I will put others above “myself”. How about you?

Galatians 2:20

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

  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not to be selfish today. Help me to be able to live out Galatians 2:20 today.

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“…For You Believe That There Is One God, Good For You! Even The Demons Believe This, And They Tremble In Terror.”

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Isaiah 32,33,34,35; James 2

“…For You Believe That There Is One God,

Good For You!

Even The Demons Believe This, And They Tremble In Terror.”

Scripture

James 2

¹⁹ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

Observation

…Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. ²³ And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
 
²⁴ So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

Many of our church members sacrifice time and energy to come down and help work on projects at church when I need their help. And I hear of others doing things to serve others. 

This is faith. Faith is an action word. 

Others always seem to be too busy to help someone else or take time to volunteer at the church. 

This Sunday just take a minute and watch those who make it their business to serve during the Picnic lunch and then look at others who are only interested in getting in the front of the line to fill their bellies. 

Was that too harsh? 

I love watching Jeannie Donahey’s team serve at events like a church-wide picnic! It is an awesome display of their faith! I am so glad to see Robin Vosler now stepping up to serve as coordinator for these big events. I am very proud of them!

Maybe you and I could serve in some way this Sunday. Something as easy as standing at the door and greeting people to make sure they feel at home and welcome this Sunday! We could sure use your help!

You don’t attend Christ Fellowship? Why not serve at the church where you attend. 

Don’t just …SIT … SOAK … SOUR … Start serving!

Application

I will keep asking people to help me serve the Lord at Christ Fellowship. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the faith of Abraham. Help me be a person of action. Don’t let me only be a spectator. I want to serve You by serving others. Give me Your heart for the people around me. Direct me in all that I do today. You are worthy of Worship. You are worthy of Praise. Mighty is Your Name. 

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Consider It Pure Joy, My Brothers And Sisters, Whenever You Face Trials Of Many Kinds

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Isaiah 29,30,31; James 1

Consider It Pure Joy,

My Brothers And Sisters,

Whenever You Face Trials Of Many Kinds

Scripture

James 1

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
 
³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
 
⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Observation

This is a difficult truth for me to latch onto … “Pure Joy when we are going through trials”!

J – Jesus First

O – Others Second

Y – Yourself Last

Principles in the Kingdom of God are totally opposite of how we normally think … aren’t they!

What are we going through? Are we experiencing difficulties? Consider it “Pure Joy”!

Are our priorities right today … Jesus first, Others second, and Yourselves last? 

Application

I will walk by faith today and not by sight. I will strive to keep “JOY” in my life today by keeping my priorities straight and putting others above myself.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the ability to consider it pure joy when I experience trials and troubles. Help me to keep my priorities straight today and put other people and their needs above my own. Be glorified in and through me as I go about this day. You are my God. You are worthy of Praise!

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May He Produce In You, Through The Power Of Jesus Christ, Every Good Thing That Is Pleasing To Him.

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Isaiah 25,26,27,28; Hebrews 13

May He Produce In You,

Through The Power Of Jesus Christ,

Every Good Thing That Is Pleasing To Him.

Scripture

Hebrews 13

²⁰ Now may the God of peace—
    who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

²¹ may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.
 
May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
 
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

This is my prayer for you this morning. Would you pray this prayer of blessing for me this morning? 

May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him!

If you and I can do things today that make God smile then we have done well!

 Application

I will go about this day looking for ways to please my Heavenly Father. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is my desire today to please You. Help me do some good things today through the power of Your Son Jesus Christ that are pleasing to You. Help anyone that may be reading this blog to do good things today through the power of Jesus Christ. Help them to live in a way that is pleasing to You.

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Let Us Strip Off Every Weight That Slows Us Down, Especially The Sin That So Easily Trips Us Up.

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Isaiah 22,23,24; Hebrews 12

Let Us Strip Off Every Weight 

That Slows Us Down,

Especially The Sin That So Easily Trips Us Up.

Scripture

Hebrews 12

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Observation

You and I are in a race. It is called the “life of faith”. God has set our course. You and I need to keep our eyes on Jesus; I like how the MESSAGE puts it:

^1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! 

No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. 

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

So what has us weighted down today? Let’s strip it off and let the race that God has set out before us!

Application

I will keep my eyes on Jesus today and I will keep plugging on to the finish line.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me run the race of faith. Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus. Don’t let me get sidetracked and slowed down by some stupid sin.

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The Man Who Approaches God Must Have Faith In Two Things, First That God Exists And Secondly That It Is Worth A Man’s While To Try To Find God.

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Isaiah 19; Isaiah 20; Isaiah 21; Hebrews 11 

The Man Who Approaches God Must Have Faith In Two Things,

First That God Exists

And Secondly That It Is Worth A Man’s While To Try To Find God.

Scripture

Hebrews 11 

And without faith it is impossible to please him. The man who approaches God must have faith in two things, first that God exists and secondly that it is worth a man’s while to try to find God. (Phillips)

Observation

I love reading Hebrews 11 and thinking about the great men and women of faith! I hope you take time this morning to read this chapter.

It is my desire to live a life of faith and follow the example of those found listed in Hebrews 11. How about you?

Today is Monday. Let’s live this week walking with God by faith!

Application

 I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will not depend on my own understanding. I will seek God’s will in all I do, and I will let Him direct my path.   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be a man of faith. Help me to please You this week. Guide and direct me. Don’t let me do anything that is stupid. Keep me away from things that would cause me to sin. I pray for our leadership team today. Help them to be men and women of faith. Use them this week in a powerful way in the lives of our people!

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http://www.enewhope.org/bible/

For Without The Shedding Of Blood, There Is No Forgiveness.

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Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9

For

Without The Shedding Of Blood,

There Is No Forgiveness.

Scripture

Hebrews 9

 … For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Observation

Forgiveness of our sins … have your sins been forgiven? Forgiveness is always a gift. When someone does you wrong and you choose to forgive them – you gift them forgiveness. You and I can’t earn forgiveness.

The forgiveness of our sins is a free gift to us, but it was very costly to the One who gives us that Gift of forgiveness.

Most people in this world think that if they are good enough then maybe God will let them into His Heaven. The truth is that you and I can NEVER be good enough to earn our way into Heaven.

Jesus Christ had to shed His blood to pay for our forgiveness. He had to pay sin’s penalty even though He never sinned. He became the Perfect sacrifice for our sins.

What do we have to do?

We must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must believe that He lived a sinless life that He died and His blood was shed to take away the penalty of our sins, and we must surrender our lives to Him. We must ask Him to be the Lord of our life!

Have you turned from sin and self and turned to Jesus Christ? Have you been forgiven for your sinful life?

Are you forgiven?

When I was 19 years old I heard this Good News and I asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and my Savior. I turned from sin and self and I turned to God and I asked Him to save me. I am 63 years old today. Jesus has never left me since the day I surrendered my life to him. He has always been in my life since the day I said “Yes” to Him. He lives in me!  

Are you forgiven?

Application

I will remind myself today that most of the people that I will see today do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. It is my job to share every chance I get.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Eternal Life. I don’t deserve it. I know that it is a Gift. Thank You Jesus for shedding Your blood on the cross for me. Thank You for dying in my place so that I could be forgiven. Thank You for the life that I get to enjoy … it is an abundant life just like You promised!

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As For Me, I Look To The LORD For Help. I Wait Confidently For God To Save Me, And My God Will Certainly Hear Me.

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Micah 5,6,7; Hebrews 7

As For Me, I Look To The LORD For Help.

I Wait Confidently For God To Save Me,

And My God Will Certainly Hear Me.

Scripture

Micah 7

⁷ As for me, I look to the Lord for help.

    I wait confidently for God to save me,
 
    and my God will certainly hear me.

Observation

God is good … all the time! I agree with the Prophet Micah in what he says in verse seven. 

How about you?

Where do you look for help … the government … friends … family …eventually friends, family, and especially the government will let you down. But if you and I look to the LORD for help, He will never let us down! 

This evening I have the opportunity to preach the Memorial service for Florence Jonkhout. She was one of the great saints in our church who had a tremendous love for Jesus and everyone in our church. 

As I went through her Bible last night and read the different things that she had written down and underlined it was very obvious that she had a personal relationship with her Heavenly Father. Every time I think of Florence it brings a smile to my face. She loved being a part of the life group that met at our house. She was a delight. She was so full of life!

If I looked at your Bible would it show me how much you loved God? Do you have the plan of Salvation marked in your Bible so someone could use your Bible to preach your Memorial service? What does your Bible and my Bible say about our relationship to Jesus Christ? 

Application

I will look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will look to You for help. I will wait confidently for You to save me, and You will certainly hear me. 

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This Hope Is A Strong And Trustworthy Anchor For Our Souls.

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Micah 1,2,3,4; Hebrews 6

This Hope

Is A Strong And Trustworthy 

Anchor For Our Souls.

Scripture

Hebrews 6

Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
 
¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Observation

Last week while on vacation over at the beach I had a chance to go out a few times in my kayak and do a little fishing. I have a special anchor on my kayak that holds my kayak pretty well and in fact sometimes the anchor gets stuck on rocks and doesn’t want to let go even when you are ready to move to a different spot.

My anchor is made so that if it does get stuck under a rock I can pull it really hard and it will break (hopefully) a zip tie holding the anchor in place, the anchor will collapse and you can pull it up.

Our hope that lies before us is a strong and trustworthy anchor that will never collapse. It will never let us go. I am very glad of that aren’t you? 

Psalm 130

⁵ I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

Application

I will thank the Lord today for giving me the confidence of knowing that He will never let me go! 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am counting on You; yes, I am counting on You Lord. I have put my hope in Your Word. Let your unfailing love surround me, Lord, for my hope is in you alone. I put my hope in You Lord. You are my help and my shield. Psalm 33:20,22; Psalm 130:5

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I Will Lead A Life Of Integrity In My Own Home. I Will Refuse To Look At Anything Vile And Vulgar.

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Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100,101,102; Hebrews 5

I Will Lead A Life Of Integrity In My Own Home.

I Will Refuse To Look At 

Anything Vile And Vulgar. 

Scripture

Psalm 101:2b-3

… I will lead a life of integrity
    in my own home.

³ I will refuse to look at
    anything vile and vulgar.

Observation

What are you refusing to look at? Are you and I willing to lead lives of integrity? Have you made a commitment to not look at stuff that is vile and/or vulgar? 

I am not just talking to men. Even though it seems that we men have more of a temptation to sin by letting our eyes wander than women, statistics show that even women are struggling these days with what they look at. It is said that more and more women are struggling with pornography with an easy click on the Internet. 

Why don’t you and I make a commitment like King David did in Psalm 101 or Job did in Job 31 when he said, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” 

Application

I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I make a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me live a life of integrity. Give me the strength not to look at anything vile or vulgar. Help me to guard my eyes and not look with lust at any young women. Thank You for the Power and Strength of Your Holy Spirit Who lives within me. 

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