“Blessing And Honor And Glory And Power Belong To The One Sitting On The Throne And To The Lamb Forever And Ever.”

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Ezekiel 12,13,14; Revelation 5

“Blessing And Honor And Glory And Power
Belong To The One Sitting On The Throne
And To The Lamb Forever And Ever.”

(Worship – It is not about us! It is all about Him!)

Scripture

Revelation 5

¹¹ Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. ¹² And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
    to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and blessing.”

¹³ And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
    belong to the one sitting on the throne
    and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

Observation

I saw and heard on Facebook this week a video clip of the wife of a very famous pastor who seemed to be making a statement about worship that didn’t quite fit in with my idea of worship. I thought of the statements that she made as I read Revelation 5 this morning. Hopefully after she watches the video and thinks about what she said and how it came out she will explain herself more clearly.

Worship is all about Him. It is not about us.

Take time to worship today! Go to church! Sing to the Lord with all your heart. Listen to God’s message from your pastor today and then let’s apply what we hear. If you are part of a Sunday morning life group then study God’s word today with excitement. Humble yourself before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is worthy of our praise!

Application

I will focus on worshipping Jesus today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

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I Will Take From You Your Hearts Of Stone

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Ezekiel 8,9,10,11; Revelation 4

I Will 

Take From You

Your Hearts Of Stone

Scripture

Ezekiel 11

¹⁹ I will give you one heart and a new spirit; I will take from you your hearts of stone and give you tender hearts of love for God,

Observation

How stupid is it to live like God does not exist?

Pretty stupid and yet you and I may be living like He doesn’t exist right now. Have we taken time to stop and pray to Him? Have we spent time in His word this morning?

Let me ask one more time. Are we hardheaded or just plain stupid?

What we all need is a heart transplant. We need tender hearts of love for God. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Psalm 57:7

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1

With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. Psalm 119:58

  ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Application

I will ask God for a clean, tender and teachable heart. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Let all that I am praise You; with my whole heart, I will praise Your holy name. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but You remain the strength of my heart; You are mine forever.

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I Correct And Punish Those Whom I Love

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Ezekiel 4,5,6,7; Revelation 3

I Correct

And Punish

Those Whom I Love

Scripture

Revelation 3

19 “I correct and punish those whom I love. So be eager to do right, and change your hearts and lives. 

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.

Observation

God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us just like we are.

Are you going through a time of correction right now? Are you going through difficult times in your life? It is possible that God is trying to get your attention! Whether or not what we are going through is for our correction or just a rough time … these are times to draw close to the Lord!

Looking back on the most difficult times of our lives Kathy and I would both have to say that it was during those terrible times we were the closest to the Lord. I am sure that we were receiving some correction and discipline during some of those difficult times.

God knows how to get our attention!

I like how the Living Bible states these two verses:

¹⁹ I continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I must punish you unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about the things of God.
²⁰ “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.
 

Application

I will strive to be enthusiastic about the things of God today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me drift away from you. I don’t want to be indifferent towards You. I want to be enthusiastic about the things that matter to You. Give me Your heart and mind today. 

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Change Your Hearts And Do What You Did At First

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Ezekiel 1,2,3; Revelation 2

Change Your

Hearts

And Do What You Did At First

Scripture

Revelation 2

⁴ “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. ⁵ So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first.

Observation

Unless you and I work hard to maintain the relationships with those we love those relationships will suffer and we will drift apart.

Love fades.

Our relationship with Jesus Christ can suffer the same kind of drift especially once we let sin creep into our lives.

I am watching some people drift away who were once very excited about their relationship with the Lord. I am praying for them and looking for an opportunity to speak to them about their spiritual condition.

Love fades.

Is your marriage suffering? Has your love for Jesus grown cold?

Here is the remedy: change your hearts and do what you did at first!

Application

I will strive to not let either of my two most important relationships fade or drift. I will let both the Lord and Kathy know how much I love them today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me drift away from You. Help me to love You with all my heart and all of my soul. Don’t let me let my love for You fade. Help me today love Kathy in a way that brings honor and glory to You. It is our desire for our marriage to be a reflection of our relationship with You.

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Show Me Your Faithful Love This Morning I Trust In You.

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Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalms 143,144

Show Me

Your Faithful Love This Morning

I Trust In You.

Scripture

Psalms 143

Show me your faithful love this morning.
    I trust in you.

Show me what I should do.
    I put my life in your hands!

Observation

Some mornings don’t you just need a hug from God? Read Psalm 143 this morning and you can get one!

There are some mornings when I just need to be reassured of God’s love and that God will show me what to do!

Every morning when I get up I come into the living room and read my Bible. Every morning I come looking for a hug from God and every morning I come to Him looking for direction. Today is no exception.

God is good … all the time!

He has shown me His faithful love this morning! Have you taken time today to get a “hug” from God? Have you stopped to ask Him what you should do today? Why don’t you stop what you are doing right now and spend some time with Him.

Application

I will strive to do what God has put on my heart to do today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my Rock. You prepare me for war. You train me for battle. You love me and protect me. You are my safe place high on the mountain. You rescue me. You are my shield. I trust in You.  Lord, why are people important to you? Why do you even notice us?  Our life is like a puff of air. It is like a passing shadow. Show me what you want me to do. You are my God. (Psalm 44:1-4; 43:10)

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Nothing Makes Me Happier Than To Hear That My Children Live In The Truth

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Jeremiah 50,51; 3 John

Nothing

Makes Me Happier

Than To Hear That My Children Live In The Truth

Scripture

3 John

⁴ Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth.

Observation

There is no greater joy for me than to see my brothers and sisters in Christ living lives that bring God glory and honor.

I am so proud of the young adults at our church who have decided to follow Jesus!

They are growing in Christ. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could make me happier!

On the flip side, nothing brings me greater disappointment than seeing young people living their lives like God does not exist. I feel so sorry for them. It is a deep sorrow that I sense when I see them throwing their lives away. They could be living lives filled with meaning and purpose. How tragic!

So I pray. I pray for those who are not yet walking in the truth. I pray for them and I will never give up.

Every week I see God doing miracles in the lives of our young adults at Christ Fellowship. Every week this brings me great joy!

It is an incredible thing to see!

Application

I will look for young adults that want to grow in Christ and I will help them. I will pray for young adults who are not walking with Christ and I will not give up on them.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth. And I know that nothing brings You greater joy than to see us walking in truth. Help me be strong today. Help me please You with the decisions and choices that I make today. Guide and direct me as I go through this day. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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Live A Life Of Love

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Jeremiah 37,38,39; Psalms 79; 2 John

Live 

A Life

Of Love

Scripture

2 John

⁶ And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.

Observation

Love is always a choice. If someone says, “I just don’t love him or her anymore” what that person is really saying is, “I have decided not to love him or her anymore.” 

When we decide not to love someone it is as smart as choosing to drink poison thinking that it is going to kill the person who we dislike. Choosing not to love someone hurts us more than anyone else. We are commanded to love. If loving people were an easy thing to do then God wouldn’t have had to make it a command. Think about it!

A very, very close friend told me one time that he didn’t love his wife anymore. I had no sympathy. My response to him was, "too bad my friend she is your wife". She is the one you married. Love her. 

They are now happily married and God is using them every week to help couples deal with their troubled marriages. Love is our choice. It is also a command to obey. 

Kathy chooses to love me even when I am not loveable (which is quite often). I am so glad that I am married to both a godly and a beautiful woman. 

You and I are commanded to live a life of love. The decision, the choice is ours to make. 

Do you need to forgive someone this week?  Who needs to be reminded this week that they are loved.

Application

I will look for ways to show my love to those around me.

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to really love those around me. Help me to be more concerned for others than I am for myself. I pray for couples who are struggling with the idea of loving one another. Show them how to love. Thank You for loving me. I don’t deserve it. You are a God of grace and mercy. Give me Your heart today for those around me. 

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And Who Can Win This Battle Against The World?

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Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5

And Who Can Win

This Battle Against 

The World?

Scripture

1 John 5

⁴ For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
⁵ And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

²¹ Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Observation

Today I am teaching a Bible lesson from Daniel 7 dealing with the end times. As I read 1 John 5 I was encouraged by what I read. Maybe it will encourage you too.

I know that things as we know it here in the United States are fixing to rapidly change. The terror that is experienced on a daily basis in most of the world is coming our way. It is coming. Scripture does not teach that we in America will escape the evil forces of this world.

As bad as that sounds and as bad as it will be for our country there is victory for those of us who believe that Jesus in the Son of God.

So how should you and I live in light of all that is coming our way?

We should keep away from anything that might take God’s place in our hearts.

And we should set our minds and our hearts to doing the same ministry that Jesus did when He walked this earth. 

 Application

I will focus on the people that God brings across my path today and their needs.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am confident that You hear me whenever I ask for anything that pleases You.  And since I know You hear me when I make my requests, I also know that You will give me what I ask for. (1 John 5:14-15) 

I pray for Pastor Bruce today. I pray that You empower him to preach Your Word and I pray for Your Holy Spirit to work in our hearts as we hear Your Word proclaimed. You are Worthy of Praise!

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Nothing Is To Hard For You!

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Jeremiah 31,32; 1 John 4

Nothing 

Is 

To Hard For You!

Scripture

Jeremiah 32

¹⁷ “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! ¹⁸ You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ¹⁹ You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles.

Observation

What God was telling Jeremiah seemed pretty impossible! 

God’s promise was that He would restore Israel after 70 years of Babylonian captivity. God’s message of hope was given to Jeremiah who at the time just happened to be under arrest for previously sharing God’s prophetic messages of punishment and judgment. Jeremiah was not well liked by the King of Judah, King Zedekiah, who Jeremiah prophesied against.

What are some things in your life today, which seem “impossible”?  

    For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

Application

I will pray today and ask my God to do the seemingly impossible in a friend’s life. What will you ask Him to do?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friend Kirk. I pray for healing. Nothing is too hard for You. What the doctors have seemed not to be able to do I am asking You to do. You are the Great Healer. Touch my friend’s life with Your healing power. Do this for Your honor and for Your glory. 

You say in Your Word, “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. James 5:14-15

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You Will Seek Me And Find Me When You Seek Me With All Your Heart

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Jeremiah 28,29,30; 1 John 3

You Will 

Seek Me And Find Me

When You Seek Me With All Your Heart

Scripture

Jeremiah 29

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Observation

If you think that promise in Jeremiah was only for those in the Old Testament you are sadly mistaken … just read 1 John 3!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

God’s plan is to give me (and you if you are a Christ follower) hope and a future! He doesn’t plan to harm me. He will listen to me when I pray because I seek Him with all my heart.

Application

I will talk to God today knowing that He will listen to me and with the confidence of knowing that His plan is to bless me and not harm me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word says that if I make You, the Lord my refuge, if I make You, the Most High my shelter, no evil will conquer me; no plague will come near my dwelling. For You order Your angels to protect me wherever I go. Psalm 91:9-10

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The LORD Is For Me, So I Will Have No Fear.

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Jeremiah 21,24,27; Psalms 118; 1 John 2

The LORD

Is For Me,

So I Will Have No Fear.

Scripture

Psalm 118

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?

Observation

In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
    and the Lord answered me and set me free.
⁶ The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?
⁷ Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
    Psalm 118:5-7a

I know that the LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. 

This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

If we read Psalm 118 and we believe what the Psalmist says about our relationship with the Lord then this should be a very, very good day!

Application

I believe that the Lord is for me and I believe that He will help me. Today is the day that the Lord has made. I am going to rejoice and be glad in it! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will give thanks to You O Lord, for You are good! Your faithful love endures forever. You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29

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May His Face Smile With Favor On Us.

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Jeremiah 48,49; Psalms 67; 1 John 1

May

His Face 

Smile With Favor On Us.

Scripture

Psalms 67

¹ May God be merciful and bless us.
    May his face smile with favor on us.

Observation

 Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved. Psalm 80:7

 The goal of our lives should be this: To make God smile! Another way to express the same thought would be to make God’s face shine on us! 

How are with doing with either of those?  

How can we live out this day in a way that makes God smile? 

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Application

 I will pray for God to bless those who might be reading this. I will pray for God’s face to shine on them and for His face to Smile on them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t know if anyone will read this blog today, but if anyone does I pray that You bless them. I pray that Your face shines on them. I pray that You smile on them. Help them to obey You. I pray that they will love You with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength. This is my prayer for myself today too. Help me to walk in a way that pleases You. I want to make You Smile.

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“What About Him, Lord?”

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Jeremiah 45,46,47; Psalms 105; John 21

“What 

About Him,

Lord?”

Scripture

John 21

Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

²⁰ Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” ²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

²² Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
 

Observation

Have you ever been listening to the pastor preach on Sunday morning and he says something that you think the person next to you really needed to hear and you give them an elbow to make sure that they heard and got the point. Or maybe you are listening to your pastor preach and you think to yourself I really wish so and so was here because they really needed to hear that! Don’t worry … we all do this!

Jesus is focusing in on you and me this morning in this story. We can’t get the attention off of us as Peter tried to do when he asked, “What about him, Lord?”

You and I are to follow Jesus. Today and for the rest of our lives we are to follow Him.

Right now … He is saying to us, “Follow me.” Will we say “yes” to Him?

Application

Today I know that Jesus is speaking to me. Yes, I will follow Him. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will seek Your kingdom first today and Your righteousness. I will follow You. I will try my best not to worry about what everybody else is doing or not doing. I know this morning that You are speaking to me. I pray for the family of Lois Conner today as they grieve. She brought You a lot of glory and honor with how she lived her life. I know that she made You smile.

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Don’t Be Faithless Any Longer. Believe!

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Jeremiah 26,35,36; John 20

Don’t 

Be Faithless Any Longer.

Believe!

Scripture

John 20

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Observation

Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe! These are good words for you and me on a Monday morning! It is time for you and for me to really BELIEVE!

Maybe it is your marriage, a broken relationship, an adult child that just doesn’t seem to understand God’s plan for his or her life, or maybe it is your dead end job or lack of a job. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!

 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1

If you and I are not spending time with God everyday in prayer and in His Word, then I would say that we are “faithless”. 

God wants to show us His Power. He wants to work miracles. But You and I must exercise Faith. We must be in close communion with Him. 

 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. …  But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:5,7

Application

Today I will be a person of Faith. I will be praying constantly today for those around me knowing that my Father hears me.

 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to walk by Faith today and not by sight.   Your Word says that it is impossible to please You without faith. And it says that anyone who wants to come to You must believe that You exist and that You reward those who sincerely seek You. Help me to sincerely seek You today. Don’t let me be “faithless”. Help me to believe! 

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It Is Finished

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Jeremiah 23,24,25; John 19

It

Is 

Finished

Scripture

John 19

²⁸ Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. ³⁰ When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

Observation

Jesus had finished His purpose, His mission was complete, and so He bowed His head and released His Spirit.

What had He done to finish His mission? Here are a few things that I can think of and I am sure that you can add to this list:

1. He fulfilled the prophetic scriptures about the Messiah.
2. He lived a perfect life.
3. He performed signs and wonders.
4. He taught and trained His disciples.
5. He suffered on the cross.
6. You can add more I am sure!

One day soon He is coming back for me and I hope that He is coming back for you!

 Application

I will strive to die to self today.

    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. Galatians 2:20

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, would You help me live out Galatians 2:20 today. Give me the strength to die to self and put You and everyone else first today!

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Light Shines In The Darkness For The Godly… They Will Have Influence And Honor.

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2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalms 112; John 18

Light Shines 

In The Darkness For The Godly…

They Will Have Influence And Honor.

Scripture

Psalms 112

⁴ Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
    They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
⁵ Good comes to those who lend money generously
    and conduct their business fairly.
⁶ Such people will not be overcome by evil.
    Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
⁷ They do not fear bad news;
    they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
⁸ They are confident and fearless
    and can face their foes triumphantly.
⁹ They share freely and give generously to those in need.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
    They will have influence and honor.

Observation

I love the Psalms. This promise in Psalm 112 is for you and me today. This passage is filled with promises for the godly. Which one will you think about today?

Lois Conner went to be with Jesus this morning. She is one of the righteous who will be long remembered. She treated me as a son and I loved her as a Mom. She was a great friend. Her good deeds (verse 9) will be remembered forever!

 Application

I will be confident and fearless today! Which promise in this passage will you claim for your own?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and strength, always ready to help me in times of trouble. So I will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalm 46

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As The Clay Is In The Potter’s Hand, So You Are In My Hand.

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As The 

Clay Is In The Potter’s Hand,

So You Are In My Hand.

Jeremiah 18,19,20; Psalms 93; John 17

Scripture

Jeremiah 18

6b … As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Observation

We serve a Sovereign God. He is totally in control. Don’t think for a minute that you and I can do anything without our God knowing about it. In fact, He knows about it even before we think to do it. 

⁷ Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins. ⁸ And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. Don’t be so angry with us, Lord. Please don’t remember our sins forever.

Look at us, we pray, and see that we are all your people. Isaiah 64:7-9 (NLT)

You and I can be hard headed if we want to be and we can live life like God doesn’t exist, … but oh how stupid and how sad that would be! 

Sadly, most of the people around us will live out this day as if there is no God. Their lives are filled with drama and chaos that splashes over on us. 

Oh why can’t they just look up and recognize that there is a God and why can’t they live for Him!

Application

I recognize that You are my Lord and my Savior. You are Creator God. I know that I am in Your Hands.

Prayer

O LORD, You are my Father. I am the clay, and You are the Potter. I was formed by Your Hand. Don’t be angry with me, LORD. Please don’t remember my sins forever. Look at me, I pray, and see that I am Yours! Isaiah 64:8-9  personalized  

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In This World You Will Have Trouble.

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Jeremiah 16,17; Psalms 96; John 16

In 

This World

You Will Have Trouble.

Scripture

John 16

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Observation

Let’s face it some days are brutal!

Jesus tells us that while we are in this world we are going to have trouble. So lets not act surprised when our day turns and goes “south”. It is going to happen!

He also tells us that in Him we can have peace. We can have His peace right now right in the middle of the storm.

The key to living a victorious life is TRUST!

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!  I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. Psalm 57:1

Application

I will hide beneath the shadow of His wings all day today! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to put my trust and my confidence in You. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Give me Your Peace. Help me to not worry about anything, but help me to pray about everything, so that Your Peace that passes all understanding will keep my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

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When I Discovered Your Words, I Devoured Them. They Are My Joy And My Heart’s Delight.

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Jeremiah 13,14,15; John 15

When I Discovered Your Words,

I Devoured Them.

They Are My Joy And My Heart’s Delight.

Scripture

Jeremiah 15

¹⁶ When I discovered your words, I devoured them.
    They are my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name,
    O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.

Observation

        … I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12

Wow! Lord, give me a desire for Your Word like Jeremiah and Job had! 

But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. MESSAGE John 15:7

Did we take time to open up God’s Word today? Did we devour it? 

Was it our heart’s delight and was it our joy?

Why … Why not? 

 Application

Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. Psalm 119:18 Living Bible

Prayer

Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map—and your commands are my chart and guide.  Nothing is perfect except your words.  Oh, how I love them. I think about them all day long.  Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling.  O Lord, listen to my prayers; give me the common sense you promised. Psalm 119:18-19,96-97,105,169 Living Bible

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No One Can Come To The Father Except Through Me.

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Jeremiah 10,11,12; John 14

No One

Can Come To The Father

Except Through Me.

Scripture

John 14

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Observation

If you were at Heaven’s Gate and God asked you, “Why should I let you into my Heaven what would you say to Him”?

I listen every week at Mission Tampa as people answer that question. As they give me their answer I listen for at least the mention of the name JESUS.

It is sad but very few people give me the answer, which would actually open those Pearly Gates and let them in.

You see, Jesus is the only Way, Jesus is the TRUTH, and Jesus is LIFE!

Unless you and I have surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ, turned from sin and self, and by faith trusted in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are lost and going to Hell.

It is interesting to me that people always seem to think that everyone goes to Heaven when they die.

When a famous movie star/actor dies those in media talk about them and how they are going to have an impact on people or even on God in Heaven … I heard that said last night of Robin Williams.

There is only ONE WAY to get into Heaven. A person must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Its not good people that go to Heaven and its not bad people that goes to Hell …

It is forgiven people that go to Heaven and un-forgiven people that go to Hell.

 

Application

I will continue to share that Jesus is the only way to the Father.

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me more opportunities to share my faith this week. Give me Your heart for the people that You bring into my path. Give me Your love for them and give me boldness to be able to share the Good News with them.

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Just As I Have Loved You, You Should Love Each Other.

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Jeremiah 7,8,9; John 13

Just As I 

Have Loved You,

You Should Love Each Other.

Scripture

John 13

³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Observation

Monday! We have a week ahead of us! 

This is a very good word for each of us this week: “your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Why do we have to be commanded to love one another? 

Our default is to live under the power and influence of our old nature and just in case you have forgotten what the old nature is like let me remind you of this scripture: 

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Galatians 5:19-21a

People without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ only have the old nature so you and I can’t expect them to live out John 13:34. 

But you and I are commanded to “love one another”! It is not optional! 

²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:25

Application

I will strive to live out John 13:34 this week with those around me. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me love the people around me in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me give in to my old nature. Help me to follow Your Spirit’s leading in every part of my life.

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Anyone Who Wants To Serve Me Must Follow Me

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Jeremiah 5,6; John 12

Anyone 

Who Wants To Serve Me 

Must Follow Me

Scripture

John 12

²⁵ Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
 
²⁶ Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

Observation

I have someone at church that is always asking for a position of leadership and I continue to tell him that he needs to serve before he can lead. This has gone on now for several years and he has not caught on yet!

I try (so far in vain) to explain to him that if he will faithfully serve in some area, no matter how small then God could possibly elevate him to a place of leadership. 

Where are you serving? Are you faithful? 

Are we serving without worrying about getting any credit or any recognition?  

I realize that I am writing this on Saturday night. Tonight I read my Sunday Bible reading on Saturday night because I need time in the morning to go over my Sunday School lesson. We are studying the book of Daniel on Sunday mornings at 9am in Y-102 (Building D) if you want to join us. 

Tomorrow I have the opportunity to serve God by serving people. I am looking forward to it. How about you?  

Application

 I will pray for all of our young leaders and I will ask God to use them for His honor and His glory to grow our church. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray right now for our leadership team. I pray for every person who will humbly and faithfully serve Your people at our church tomorrow. Use them to transform lives. I pray that people will be saved as they hear Your Word proclaimed in all of our worship service. Use Pastor Bruce to speak to us. Bless his family as he faithfully leads us. You are Worthy of our Praise!

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