Praise God In His Sanctuary

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Praise
God
In His Sanctuary

Get in bed early tonight because Sunday is coming!

Scripture

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!

Observation

Today is the day that you use to get ready for tomorrow! Tomorrow we get to praise God in His Sanctuary! Let’s get ready today.

Get things done early so that you will be ready for tomorrow! Get to church early so you don’t miss a thing! Come excited about being able to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Let’s come prepared for worship! It starts by being smart today! Get your clothes out. Get all those last minute things done.

How about calling someone that you have missed at church to make sure they will be there tomorrow.

Praise the LORD!

Application

 I will get ready for tomorrow today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us give you our best and not the leftovers. Help us prepare today to be ready for worship tomorrow. You are Worthy of our Praise. Help me to prepare. Help me be ready for tomorrow. Sunday is coming. I am excited. Help our lead team with all of their responsibilities. Help them to be ready to lead us in worship. 

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 28,29; Acts 7; Psalm 148-150

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No, The LORD’s Delight Is In Those Who Fear Him.

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No, The LORD’s
Delight
Is In Those Who Fear Him.

The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Scripture

Psalm 147

¹¹ No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him,
    those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Observation

 He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. 2 Samuel 22:20

 The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23

God delights in me! 

Application

I will be glad today on this Friday, January 30, 2015 because my God delights in me!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will trust in You and do good. Then I will live safely in the land and prosper. I will take delight in You and You will give me my heart’s desires. I will commit everything I do to the Lord. 

I will trust You, and You will help me.I will be still in Your presence,  and wait patiently for You to act. You direct my steps. You delight in every detail of my life. Though I stumble, I will never fall, for You hold me by the hand. Psalm 37:3-5,23-24

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 25,26,27; Acts 6; Psalm 145-147

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Take Control Of What I say, O LORD.

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Take
Control
Of What I say, O LORD. 

Scripture

Psalm 141

³ Take control of what I say, O Lord,
    and guard my lips.

Observation

I want to be able to share things with my children and my grandchildren that will help them grow closer to the Lord.

So this is my prayer today.

Application

I will pray and ask God to take control of what I say. And I will ask Him to keep me from saying things that I shouldn’t say. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the ability to communicate Your truth when I am with my children and my grandchildren. Help them see Jesus in me. Help me not say things that would drive them away from You and away from church. Bless them today. Draw them to a closer relationship with You. Bring other Christians into their lives that will help them in the spiritual journeys.

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 23,24; Psalms 14; Acts 5; Psalm 141-144

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There Is Salvation In No One Else!

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There
Is Salvation
In No One Else!

The gateway to life is very narrow – in fact – there is only One way!

Scripture

Acts 4

¹² There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Observation

    Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.  John 14:6 

¹³ “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. ¹⁴ But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

As Christians we are accused of being “narrow”. Well we are – It is Jesus – Jesus alone!

I love to hear Anne Graham Lott preach, “Just give me Jesus!” 

He is my Lord and my Savior! Is He yours? 

If you were to die today where would you spend Eternity? Not sure? 

I hope you take time to watch and share Billy Graham’s “Bridge to Life” video. 

Application

I will look for ways to share my faith this week with those that cross my path. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for those in my family who need to turn from sin and self and turn his or her life in Your direction. They need Jesus. Bring Christians into their lives that will confront them with Jesus. I don’t want them to live their entire lives and miss out on Eternity. I want them to be in Heaven. Open their spiritual eyes and their spiritual hearts. I pray for their salvation.

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 21,22; Psalms 12; Acts 4

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=6KW6GNNX  Bridge of Life

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How Wonderful And Pleasant It Is When Brothers Live Together In Harmony!

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How Wonderful And Pleasant It Is
When
Brothers Live Together In Harmony!

 I hope you are fortunate enough to have the kind of friends like we have.

Scripture

Psalm 133

¹ How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!

Observation

Today we buried a very good friend of mine, Dick Whittleton. Dick and I had some very good talks together over the past year and a half. Dick had cancer and he also had a bad heart. We thought that it would be the bad heart that would take him since he had many heart attacks and his heart was not real strong.

Before the cancer became such an issue we would just talk about each other’s aches and pains that we both had because of our damaged hearts.

Every visit I made to Dick’s home to see him after he had gotten so sick actually made me feel better when I left. We talked about death quite a bit. We didn’t know which one of us would go first. But we both knew that we were on the short list!

Dick planned out what would happen today (his funeral) quite a long time ago. Both of us, since we both had already come close to death, we both already planned out our funeral services. We both wanted our funerals to be a time of celebration! We didn’t want it to be sad.

The cancer had caused Dick a lot of pain over the past several weeks, but even with the pain and weakness he was still able to smile. He had amazing strength in those last days. He faced his approaching death with faith and confidence. I hope I am able to do the same.

Over the years Dick Whittleton was way more than my mechanic; he was my friend.

I hope you are fortunate enough to have the kind of friends like we have.

Application

I will try to laugh and enjoy my friends more during the days ahead. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love to see what You are doing at Christ Fellowship. I love to watch the young people as they grow in Christ. I pray for them. I pray that they will make life long friends. Friends are so important. Help them make friends like Kathy and I have made. Help them love people deeply. Help them make those great friendships that will carry them through tough times, even the death of a friend. 

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 17,18,19,20; Acts 3; Psalm 131-136

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I Am Counting On The LORD.

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I
Am
Counting On The LORD.

Who are you counting on this week? 

Scripture

Psalm 130

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

Observation

It is Monday! Who are you going to count on to get you through this week? How is this week going to go for you? How is it going to go for me?

I don’t know about you but I am going to count on my Lord to get me through.

What are you going to do? Who are you going to count on?

 Application

I will put my trust and hope in His word. I am going to depend on Him to get me through this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I read this morning how You parted the Red Sea and the Hebrew children walked across on dry ground. I read how You gave them food everyday while they were in the wilderness. I am counting on You to get me through this week. I want to see You work powerfully in the lives of those around me. Work miracles in their lives this week. Show them that they can trust You. You are the Mighty God. Nothing … Absolutely nothing is too hard for You.

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 14,15,16; Acts 2; Psalm126-130

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Didn’t Our Hearts Burn Within Us As He Talked With Us On The Road And Explained The Scriptures To Us?

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Didn’t Our Hearts
Burn Within Us
As He Talked With Us On The Road And Explained The Scriptures To Us? 

I love this story – don’t you? 

Scripture

Luke 24

¹³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. …

²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. ³⁰ As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Observation

I love this story - don’t you? Have you ever been in a conference, revival meeting, worship service, or a Bible study when you were filled with the warmth and excitement of knowing and experiencing the presence and power of Jesus Christ?

I remember being at a Navigator conference as a young married man, and a brand new Christian. When those men sang I thought the building was going to explode! It was so powerful, so awesome!

I remember being on my knees in prayer with about a million other men on the Mall at our Nation’s Capitol and it was so very quiet as all of us men humbled ourselves before God on our knees in prayer.

Goose bumps! 


That is what those men on the road to Emmaus experienced and they experienced way more than just goose bumps! They experienced being in the presence of the Wonderful Living Christ.

As I read the Bible this morning I sensed the excitement in the life of Moses and in the lives of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus!
 
Application

I want to experience all that God has more me. I don’t want to miss anything. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the God who delivered the Hebrew children from the evil Egyptians. You are so powerful! Nothing is too hard for You. Help me to read Your Word and not miss a thing. 

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 9,10,11; Luke 24

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Pardon Your Servant, Lord, Please Send Someone Else

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Pardon Your Servant,
Lord,
Please Send Someone Else

Lets stop making excuses and lets just do what God has told us to do!

Scripture

Exodus 4

¹³ But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Observation

Take time to read Exodus 3 and Exodus 4 and you will see that Moses tried to explain to God why he wasn’t the right person to deliver the Hebrews from slavery out of Egypt.

Excuses!

All of us can think of reasons why God should pick someone else to do the job that He wants us to do.

Lets quit making excuses. Lets do what God has put on our hearts to do!

Application

Today I will work on what God wants me to do. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, nobody knew You like Moses knew You. The relationship started out a little rough but in the end Moses led the people out of bondage. Help me trust You like Moses did. Help me to have the kind of relationship with You like Moses had. Help me lead my family and those around me in a way that makes You smile. Help me to be a man of prayer and a man of God like Moses was.

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 3,4,5; Luke 22; Psalm 108-112

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She Out Of Her Poverty Put In All She Had To Live On.

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She Out Of Her Poverty
Put In All
She Had To Live On.

Have you thought much about this story? 

Scripture

Luke 21

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Observation

He saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins! Jesus watched a widow put in all the money she had into the offering.

She didn’t have to do that! A tithe is 10% of what she would have made, but she put in 100% of everything she had to live on. When she walked home she had nothing to live on! She had given everything!

I wonder what ever happened to that widow? I don’t know what happened to her, but I do know this, my God blessed her. I know that my God took very good care of her. How do I know? Here is why!

    If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you."  Luke 6:38

    Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!  Malachi 3:10

The widow gave way more than a tithe. A tithe would have been doing only what was required and she gave everything. Now if God blesses so generously those that give a tithe what do you think He does for folks that give everything!

Application

I will look for ways to be more generous because I know that my God is watching and I know that it pleases Him!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, the widow in this story made You smile. Help me to do the same. Don’t let me be stingy. None of what I have is my own. Show me how to be generous today.

Daily Bible Reading Exodus 1,2; Psalms 88; Luke 21; Psalm 103-107

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I Will Lead A Life Of Integrity

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I Will
Lead A Life
Of Integrity

It is so easy for me to read the Bible and think about how to apply it to others and their problems when what God really wants me to do is read His Word for me!

Scripture

Psalm 101

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
    I will praise you with songs.

² I will be careful to live a blameless life—
    when will you come to help me?

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

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

I hate all who deal crookedly;
    I will have nothing to do with them.

Observation

It is so true isn’t it?

It is so easy for us to read the Bible and think about how to apply it to others and their problems and their situations when what God really wants us to do is read His Word for ourselves!

I will lead a life of integrity. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. 

Application

I will spend time in God’s Word so God can change my life and I will focus on what His Word says to me.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be a man of integrity in my home. Help me not to worry about the speck in someone else’s eye when I have a beam in mine. Guide me today. I pray that You direct my thoughts. Show me what I should do today. Help me to be totally obedient to You.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 49,50; Psalms 8; Luke 20; Psalm 98-102

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“For The Son Of Man Came To Seek And To Save The Lost.”

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“For The Son Of Man
Came
To Seek And To Save The Lost.”

Is anybody going to Heaven because of you? 

Scripture

Luke 19

¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Observation

Rick Warren made this comment during the first session of our life group curriculum “Transformed”. He said,

“You’re going to go to Heaven because somebody told you about Jesus Christ. And somebody told the somebody who told you. And somebody told the somebody who told the somebody who told you.

Is the chain going to break with you?

Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of you? If you don’t tell somebody, then who is going to tell them? Jesus said to be a disciple you must pass on the Good News.” Great word Pastor Rick!

It is our task!

Application

I will look for every opportunity to share my faith. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to see one person come to faith in Christ this year because I shared Jesus with them. Help me not to miss the opportunity to tell someone the Good News. Thank You for everyone in the life group that meets at our home. Bless them. Help them all to grow stronger in their faith through our time together.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 47,48; Psalms 10; Luke 19

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If Your Brother Or Sister Sins Against You, Rebuke Them, And If They Repent, Forgive Them.

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If Your Brother Or Sister Sins Against You, Rebuke Them,
And If They Repent,
Forgive Them. 

Brokenness, a repentant heart, and forgiveness are the keys to all successful relationships.

Scripture

Luke 17

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Observation

Brokenness, a repentant heart, and forgiveness are the keys to all successful relationships.

Three of the most important phrases for any successful relationships are: I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?

One of our best life long friends crossed the line late in his marriage and committed adultery with a co-worker and left his wife to live with this younger woman. His wife, also one of our life long best friends waited for her husband. She waited a year and a half. I can remember my friend’s phone call when he called me to tell me that he had decided to go back with his wife if she would have him back.

Today my friend and his wife have a wonderful relationship. They help couples that are struggling in their marriages. They serve out of brokenness.

I marvel at what God can do when a man and woman humble themselves, come to a place of repentance and brokenness, and learn the lesson of forgiveness.

I heard this week of another man who is communicating with his wife and saying that he would like to come back home to her if she would have him back.

My counsel to her would be this:

1. Let him come home if you detect and see true brokenness and repentance in his life.
2. Is he willing to do everything and anything to make your marriage work? This would include going to marriage preparation classes or counseling sessions.
3. He would commit to getting help with any addictions that have hurt their relationship.
4. Is he willing to commit to being involved in ministry together, not just church attendance.

Evidence of true repentance is brokenness. I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?

 Application

I will practice these 3 phrases with Kathy this week. I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have watched You heal marriages. This year we have witnessed a miracle in a young couple’s marriage. Marriage is Your idea. Relationships work when there is repentance and forgiveness. Help those that I am thinking about right now. Heal their relationships. I pray that they would put You first in their lives. Help them reach the point of brokenness so they can experience all that You want them to experience. I pray for a miracle. I pray for healing. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 42,43; Psalms 5; Luke 17;

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If You Are Faithful In Little Things, You Will Be Faithful In Large Ones.

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If You Are Faithful
In Little Things,
You Will Be Faithful In Large Ones. 

Dr. Waylon B. Moore, pastor Bruce Moore’s Dad taught me the lesson of this verse in a way that changed my life... True story!

Scripture

Luke 16

¹⁰ “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.

Observation

Dr. Waylon B. Moore, pastor Bruce Moore’s Dad taught me the lesson of this verse in a way that changed my life.

Dr. Moore was my pastor and Kathy and I were newly married way back in the early 1970’s. My commitment to spiritual things, let’s just say, was not where it should have been.

He asked me to ride on a bus and help bring people children and adults to church. I told him that I would ride on the bus that Sunday. But when I woke up on that Sunday morning it was raining in Land O’ Lakes where Kathy and I were living so instead of going to church I decided to sleep in. I got a phone call that morning from guess who? That’s right … Dr. Waylon B. Moore and he asked in a very strong powerful voice why I wasn’t at church to ride the bus. To which I replied, “It is raining and I decided not to come.”

What he said next forever changed the way I viewed spiritual commitments. He said, “Well it is not raining here and you said that you would be here. The kids were depending on you and I expect you to keep your word.”

The next Sunday I was on that bus. I then later became Director of our entire bus ministry. We had over 50 people involved in this ministry and we averaged bringing in about 300 children and adults to church every Sunday. Our largest Sunday was 440 on our buses.

I owe my entire ministry to Dr. Waylon B. Moore. He held me accountable to the small commitment I made to be on that bus one rainy Sunday morning!

Application

I will strive to be faithful in the small things.  How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how much I would like to be able to do in ministry. There is so much that I would like to see happen. But I know my limitations so help me to be faithful in the small things that I am able to do today. I don’t want to let You down. I want to finish well. So I pray for strength today to accomplish what is most important for me to do today. Thank You for allowing me to experience all that Kathy and I have experienced. Thank You for the godly men You placed in my life. Thank You for bringing Bro. Moore into our lives at just the right time. You are an awesome God.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 39,40,41; Luke 16; Psalm 78-82

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My Health May Fail, And My Spirit May Grow Weak, But God Remains The Strength Of My Heart, He Is Mine Forever.

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My Health May Fail,
And My Spirit May Grow Weak,
But God Remains The Strength Of My Heart, He Is Mine Forever.

 Do you ever wonder why everybody else seems to be doing better than us? Read Psalm 73 

Scripture

Psalm 73

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

Observation

Take a minute to read Psalm 73 and I am sure that you will agree that you have thought the same thing about all the wicked evil people and why they seem to have it so good.

Maybe you are struggling financially or maybe you are struggling with health issues and are wondering why people that don’t love the Lord seem to have it so good.

You and I are blessed. Just because we are suffering financially or just because our health is faltering doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us and that He isn’t blessing us.

The evil wicked people that seem to have everything don’t really have anything! Payday Some day!

So let’s not become bitter about what we don’t have! Let’s celebrate what we do have! If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you have everything. God’s word says that we are heirs of the King. We are King’s kids!

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:24

And we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. ! Peter 1:4

Application

I will thank the Lord for His goodness today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Kathy and I will never forget those days when we didn’t have food to eat or money to pay our bills. Those were some of the best days of our lives. You taught us so much during those days. Help us to be content with what we have. Help us enjoy the goodness of the Lord. We are blessed. Thank You for loving us so much. Thank You for Your unfailing love and Your kindness that we do not deserve.

You guide me with your counsel,
    leading me to a glorious destiny.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever. Psalm 73:24-26

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 37,38; Psalms 7; Luke 15; Psalm 73-77

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Now That I Am Old And Gray, Do Not Abandon Me, O God. Let Me Proclaim Your Power To This New Generation

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Now That I Am Old And Gray,
Do Not Abandon Me, O God.
Let Me Proclaim Your Power To This New Generation

This was the Psalm that my son Tim held onto and shared with me when I had my heart attack.

Scripture

Psalm 71

9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
    Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.

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.

²⁰ You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
    but you will restore me to life again
    and lift me up from the depths of the earth.

Observation

I am glad that my son Tim went to the word of God to find comfort and strength when his Dad was close to death. So glad that he has made the decision to be a man of God and that he knows where to find help in time of need.

I am old and gray, but I still want to be used by God to change lives.

How about you? Maybe you are not old yet, but do you have a desire to be used by God? Do you have a desire to see men and women’s lives transformed?  I hope you do.

I am so proud of the young men and women at Christ Fellowship. They have such a desire to lead. I want them to be successful. I want God to bless their ministries.

I can remember serving the church that used to meet in this exact spot that Christ Fellowship now meets at over 40 years ago and as a young person having the awesome privilege to see hundreds of people come to Christ. It was so exciting for Kathy and I. And I now sense that same excitement in our young men and women who are serving at Christ Fellowship.

Application

Even though I am old and gray I will do my best to encourage and be an example to these young leaders so they can be all that Christ wants them to be!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to do my best to be an encouragement to the men at our church. I pray that You will use them to change our city. I pray that they will be totally sold out to You … 100%.

Keep them away from dumb stupid sins that would destroy them. Help them to grow and help them to be strong and courageous. Be glorified through them. Use them in a mighty way for Your kingdom! Amen.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 34,35,36; Luke 14; Psalm 68-72

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“Lord, Will Only A Few Be Saved?”

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“Lord,
Will
Only A Few Be Saved?”

Have you ever been in a crowded place and wondered, “How many of these people are going to Heaven?”

Scripture

Luke 13

²³ Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

Observation

As I look around my neighborhood I wonder how many of them know Jesus. I think about my family and friends and I wonder, “How many of them will be saved?” Do you ever do that?

Have you ever been in a crowded place and wondered, “How many of these people are going to Heaven?”

Am I the only person that does that?

I often wonder and I often ask the question to myself, “Why me?” Why did I have the wonderful opportunity of knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior?” Why me?

Am I the only person that ask these kinds of questions?

I want to see my neighbors; my family and my friends come to faith in Christ in 2015. How about you?

What do we need to do different to see that happen?

 Application

I will pray and ask God to show me what I need to do to see more people come to Jesus in 2015. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me Your heart for the people around me. Don’t let me give up on them. Show me what I need to do to be a better witness to my neighbors. Show me what I need to do differently to reach my family and my friends with the Gospel. I want them to have eternal life. I want them to experience a life full of meaning and purpose right now. Rescue them. Save them. Give them the opportunity that I had to place their faith in Jesus.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 31,32,33; Luke 13; Psalm 62-67

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A Person Is A Fool To Store Up Earthly Wealth But Not Have A Rich Relationship With God.

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A Person Is A Fool
To Store Up Earthly Wealth
But Not Have A Rich Relationship With God.

How foolish are you? 

Scripture

Luke 12

¹⁶ Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.
 
¹⁷ He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’
 
¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

²¹ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Observation

What a knucklehead! What a fool! Life is not measured by how much you own.

Maybe you are catching yourself today worrying about all that you don’t have?

Maybe you are worrying about lots of other things today.

Mondays tend to be a day for that kind of stuff.

Read Luke 12:6-22 Jesus tells us, “Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—“

 Application

This week I will concentrate my attention on my relationship with God and when I catch myself worrying I will give those concerns to Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to put into practice Philippians 4:6-7 this week.

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And help me live out Luke 12:31 

“ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.“
Daily Bible Reading Genesis 29,30; Luke 12; Psalm 57-61

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Keep Asking Keep Searching And Keep Knocking

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Keep Asking
Keep Searching And
Keep Knocking

Lord, teach us to pray!

 Scripture

Luke 11

⁹ “So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Observation

There is so much that I need to learn about prayer!

How about you?

I know this much about prayer – God tells us to be persistent and not give up! Keep asking, keep searching, and keep knocking … are we doing that?

Unanswered prayers – let’s keep asking, let’s keep searching and let’s keep knocking until we see God work! Don’t give up!

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

Application

I am praying for God to save some folks and heal some folks and I will never give up. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will do just as You say for me to do and I will not give up on people. I pray for them right now and I know that You have commanded me to never give up. You are Creator God. Nothing is too hard for You.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 27,28; Psalms 4; Luke 11

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Come Everyone! Clap Your Hands! Shout To God With Joyful Praise! For The LORD Most High Is Awesome.

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Come Everyone!
Clap Your Hands! Shout To God With Joyful Praise!
For The LORD Most High Is Awesome.

Sunday is coming! Let’s get ready today!

Scripture

Psalm 47 

Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
    Shout to God with joyful praise!
² For the Lord Most High is awesome.

Observation

Awesome = causing feelings of fear and wonder! 

5 God has ascended with a mighty shout.
    The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring.
⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises!

God, You are awesome!

 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. Psalm 50:23

Application

I will praise the Lord today and I will give Him thanks! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are Awesome! You are Worthy of Praise! I give You thanks today for everything. I am blessed. Thank You for my family. Thank You for my health. Thank You for my salvation. You are Awesome! Thank You for Your unfailing love.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 25,26; Psalms 6; Luke 10; Psalm 47-51

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Stop Your Fighting – And Know That I Am God

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Stop Your Fighting –
And
Know That I Am God

Do you want to know the secret to a having a great marriage?

Scripture

Psalm 46

10 “Stop your fighting—and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Holman - HCSB)

Observation

So many couples seem to be fighting 24/7 and they don’t want to or they don’t know how to turn to God. If they would just turn their lives over to the Lord and seek His face they could live blessed lives. They could enjoy each other!

It makes me so sad that they just won’t give God a chance. Marriage is God’s idea and it won’t work like it should if you leave God out.

So to all of the couples that might be reading this I say, “Stop your fighting – and know that He is God.”

Kathy and I had the awesome privilege to place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ about one year after we got married. Our marriage would not have lasted very long if our relationship with Christ had not become the most important thing in our lives.

We owe it all to a man named Charles and his wife Patsy who wanted us to know Jesus. They invited us to their Bible study and our lives were transformed.

I love Kathy today more than I ever have. She is the love of my life. I wish the couples that I am thinking about right now would just be able to experience love like God intended for them to experience. Love like Kathy and I have for each other.

So …

Stop your fighting and turn your lives over to God. Put Him first and you will have the opportunity to have the marriage that God wants you to have!

Application

I will continue to urge couples to put God first in their lives. How about you? Do you need to put Him first?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, so many couples are fighting. So many people need to realize the answer to a great marriage and the answer to having a great relationship is Jesus. I pray for healing. I pray for those in relationships where there is no joy and only strife. I pray for changed hearts.

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 23,24; Luke 9; Psalm 42-46

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Where Is Your Faith?

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Where
Is
Your Faith?

Going through a storm? 

Scripture

 Luke 8

Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. ²⁴ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 

“Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. ²⁵ Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Observation

In 2015 you and I will go through some storms. Life is full of storms. How you and I handle those storms when they come will depend on our relationship with the One who can bring peace in the midst of the storm.

Remember these verses?

John 16:33

    I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Philippians 4:6-7

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Application

I will trust in Jesus during the storms that come my way in 2015. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You say in Your Word:

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

    Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20

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. Psalm 91:1-4

So I know that I can trust in You know matter what comes my way. Amen. 

Daily Bible Reading Genesis 20,21,22; Luke 8; Psalms 36-41

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