LORD, Do Not Let Evil People Have Their Way.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

LORD,
Do Not Let
Evil People Have Their Way. 

Are you praying for the persecuted church? Our brothers and sisters are dying because they are “People of the Cross.”

Scripture

Psalm 140

Lord, do not let evil people have their way.
    Do not let their evil schemes succeed,
⁹ Let my enemies be destroyed
    by the very evil they have planned for me.
¹⁰ Let burning coals fall down on their heads.
    Let them be thrown into the fire
    or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.

Observation

I just came home from the Chris Tomlin, “Love ran red concert” and had to write this. During the concert I began thinking about all of the Christians that have been recently killed for being “People of the Cross”, and sadness came over me.

Here I stand worshiping with thousands of “People of the Cross” in the freedom and luxury of the USF Sundome while hundreds of Christians are being held prisoners by evil men in Syria and I am sure that they know that they will probably die as martyrs.

My heart goes out to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ that live in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other predominately Muslim countries who are facing fierce persecution and death.

King David’s prayer for his enemies in Psalm 140 sounds like a good one to me. God will avenge. God will wipe out those doing these evil deeds. And they could not commit these terrible acts if God did not allow them to do it. God is Sovereign. God is in control. 

Vengeance is the Lord’s. 

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.  Romans 10:19

Payday will come for them and I pray that it comes soon.

Application

I will pray for the persecuted church especially those being held right now in Syria. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have given us Your word. And the world hates us because we do not belong to the world.  Jesus said in John 17 as He prayed for us, “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” 

Lord, I pray that You keep safe those Christians who are living in places where evil men have taken control. Rescue them from harm. I know that nothing can separate them from the love of Christ. May the evil men that took Christians as prisoners be totally destroyed. Let these enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for us.


Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 24,25,26,27; 1 Corinthians 13; Psalm 137-140

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

But Jesus Said, “You Feed Them.” “With What?” They Asked.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

But Jesus Said,
“You Feed Them.”
“With What?” They Asked.

What is God asking you to do today? 

Scripture

Mark 6

³⁷ But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“With what?” they asked.
….

³⁸ “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”
They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”
…

⁴³ and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. ⁴⁴ A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed.

Observation

I can imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus told them to feed all of those people! It was an impossible task! How much food did they have between them? They only had five small loaves of bread and two small fish. It was a boy’s lunch. And they were looking out over a crowd that could have numbered as many as 20,000 people.

What is the lesson that you and I can learn from this story today?

What we have is more than enough to accomplish whatever God places on our hearts to do - when all that we have is surrendered to Him.

If we could do it in our own strength with our own resources then it would not require faith. It would not require the Supernatural hand of God!

So …

What has God placed on your heart? What has He asked me to do?

Let’s bring all of our resources to Jesus and put them in His hands and watch what happens.

    “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”

 Philippians 4:13

“Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!” Psalm 23:1

 

Application

I have all I need to do whatever God puts on my heart to do.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, why does it always seem that I lack the resources to accomplish the dreams that I think You have placed on my heart. Now I know that it is by faith that I must surrender everything that I have to You. When everything I have is in Your hands then I will lack nothing. Help me to walk in faith. Give me the ability to believe You for great things. Don’t let me settle for less than Your best for my life. Help me to dream big. Show me that I can trust in You.

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

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 21,22,23; Mark 6,7

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

“Don’t Be Afraid. Just Have Faith.”

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

“Don’t
Be Afraid.
Just Have Faith.”

When impossible situations slam into our lives …

Scripture

Mark 5

³⁶  …. “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Observation

It was his 12-year-old daughter that was close to death and Jairus had gone to get Jesus so Jesus could heal her. A sick woman who touched Jesus in the midst of a crowd delayed Jesus and Jairus on their way to Jairus’ home and Jesus took time to heal her.

It was at this moment when friends of Jairus came up and announced that Jairus’ daughter had died and they told Jairus not to bother the “Teacher” anymore. It was at this moment when Jesus turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

You and I are going to experience some Jairus’ moments in the years ahead.

Sickness, tragedy, death, financial disaster, and other impossible situations are heading our way. When those impossible days arrive – Let’s remember and hold onto the words of Jesus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

    “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." John 16:33

    Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

   

 Application

When impossible situations slam into my life I will not be afraid. I will have faith. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to You, and You answered me from Your holy mountain. I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for You Lord were watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. (Taken from Psalm 3)

You are my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? You are my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?  When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. (Taken from Psalm 27)

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 19,20; Psalms 28; Mark 5

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

The Message Is Crowded Out By The Worries Of This Life, The Lure Of Wealth, And The Desire For Other Things, So No Fruit Is Produced.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

The Message Is Crowded Out
By The Worries Of This Life,
The Lure Of Wealth, And The Desire For Other Things, So No Fruit Is Produced. 

Lets evaluate our lives and lets ask some hard questions.

Scripture

Mark 4

¹⁸ The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, ¹⁹ but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. NLT

Observation

All of us face the danger of having God’s Word crowded out of our lives. It seems so easy these days to replace our relationship with our Heavenly Father with:

1. The attractions of this world.
2. Delights of wealth.
3. Search for success.
4. Lure of nice things.

¹⁸ “The thorny ground represents the hearts of people who listen to the Good News and receive it, ¹⁹ but all too quickly the attractions of this world and the delights of wealth, and the search for success and lure of nice things come in and crowd out God’s message from their hearts, so that no crop is produced. LIVING

These are the things that crowd out the power of the Word of God in our lives. The things listed above consume our lives causing us to produce no fruit. We are sterile. When those things are the priority of our lives then no one gets to go to Heaven because of our witness. We are left sterile.

Crowded out! Crowded out! Crowded out!

Lets not let these things choke the Life out of us! Lets evaluate our lives and lets ask some hard questions:

 Have we been putting God first?

 Have we let our relationship with God be crowded out and choked out by the things of this world?

    He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. Matthew 6:33

 Application

I will evaluate my life today to make sure that my God is not being crowded out of my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy for me to put other things ahead of my relationship with You. Help me today to examine my life and to get every thing in the right priority. Help me to keep Your Kingdom as my primary concern. Help me to keep You first in my life. Show me what needs to change and give me the strength to make those changes. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 17,18; Psalms 29; Mark 4

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Joyful Are People Of Integrity

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Joyful
Are People
Of Integrity

Scripture

Psalm 119

¹ Joyful are people of integrity,
    who follow the instructions of the Lord.

Observation

I looked up the definition of the word, “integrity” and found that it means honest and fair. 

It means someone who is moral. “Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way. 

It's a personality trait that we admire, since it means a person has a moral compass that doesn't waver. It literally means having "wholeness" of character.”(vocabulary.com/dictionary/integrity)

If you are a dishonest, immoral scoundrel, then of course you are not a person of integrity. (vocabulary.com/dictionary/integrity)

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. Proverbs 2:7

“Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald is apologizing for falsely claiming that he once served in the military's special forces.” "'I have no excuse,' McDonald told The Huffington Post, when contacted to explain his claim. 'I was not in special forces.'"

I don’t think Robert McDonald realized how much that “one lie” tarnishes his entire career. But before you and I jump to conclusions and criticize him for his shortcoming we must ask ourselves, “How are we doing in the area of integrity?”

Application

I will ask God to give me a “treasure of common sense” and I will ask Him to be my shield and I will ask Him to help me be a man of integrity. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for VA Secretary Robert McDonald. Help him be a man of integrity. Help him to do his job effectively in a way that will help our veterans and not harm them. Give me wisdom so that I can walk in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me mess up and cause You to be disappointed in me.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 14,15,16; Mark 3; Psalm 119:1

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Follow Me And Be My Disciple

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Follow
Me
And Be My Disciple

Are you a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you? 

Scripture

Mark 2

¹³ Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him.

 ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵ Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) ¹⁶ But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

¹⁷ When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Observation

 I love this story. Jesus goes to the most hated, the most despised group of people that His enemies, the Pharisees could imagine and goes and has dinner with them. The Pharisees asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with such scum?”

Why does Jesus bother pursuing you and me?

I don’t know either but I am sure glad that in my case He did.

Jesus is pursuing you today. He wants you to have an abundant life here on this earth and He wants you to live forever with Him. He wants you to follow Him right now.

If you are reading this and you have been running from God let me encourage you to stop running. Matthew was a tax collector. He was the worst of the worst, but when he turned from his life of sin and turned to Christ God was able to use him and Jesus’ other disciples to change the world.

He wants to do the same thing with you. Don’t look around at someone else. He wants to do the same thing with you. That’s right – You!

Application

Today when I speak to the folks at Mission Tampa I will share with them this story. I will pray and ask God to open up their spiritual eyes and their spiritual hearts so that they can become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to become a Christ follower. I know that I don’t deserve it. I know that I am a sinner. I pray for anyone reading this blog today that knows that God is pursuing him or her. I pray that they will surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and become disciples of Jesus today.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 12,13; Psalms 90; Mark 2

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Jehovah What A Holy, Awe-Inspiring Name That Is.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Jehovah
What A Holy,
Awe-Inspiring Name That Is.

Which of the many names of God gives you strength or hope this morning? 

Scripture

Psalm 111

9 He has paid a full ransom for his people; now they are always free to come to Jehovah (what a holy, awe-inspiring name that is).

Observation

Two words jumped out at me this morning as I read Psalm 111: The words “Ransom” and “Awe-inspiring or Awesome”.

For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

We were ransomed. God paid a high price for us – His only Son’s death on the cross. Because we have been ransomed we can now freely come to our Heavenly Father any time we want. We have immediate access. We are blood bought. 

The other word is Awe-inspiring or awesome! 

We are to keep God’s name(s) Holy or Hallowed. We are not to use any of His names flippantly. 

All of His names describe who He is. For instance (I will just mention a few):

El Shaddai -All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

El Elyon - The Most High God

Adonai - Lord, Master

Yahweh - Lord, Jehovah

Jehovah-Raah- the Lord shepherds me

Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord Will Provide

His names are Awesome! God is Awesome! He is worthy of all Praise.

 “Father” – this name for God is used 245 times in the New Testament.

    “So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Philip. 2:10

Application

I will pray to my Heavenly Father using the Awesome name of Jesus who has ransomed me from a life of sin and destruction.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is because of Jesus and what He did for me that I am Yours. You bought me with the blood of Your only Son. You are Awesome, Lord. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your name(s) are all awe-inspiring to me. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Come, Let Us Sing To The LORD! Let Us Shout Joyfully To The Rock Of Our Salvation.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Come, Let Us Sing To The LORD!
Let Us
Shout Joyfully To The Rock Of Our Salvation.

Are you already thinking about Sunday? SUNDAY IS COMING!

Scripture

Psalm 95

Come, let us sing to the Lord!
    Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
 
² Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
    Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
 
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    a great King above all gods.

Observation

Are you already thinking about Sunday? Sunday is coming! Are you excited about getting to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? 

SUNDAY IS COMING!

“Let us sing psalms of praise to Him!”

Why? 

“For the LORD is a great God, a great King above
 all gods.”

We have the freedom to worship in a public place! Let’s take advantage of that freedom!
So thankful for our worship and praise team! They do such a great job helping us to worship each and every Sunday!

Application

I will get myself ready for Sunday starting today. Never too early to get my heart and my soul ready to praise Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will sing to You! I will shout joyfully to the Rock of my salvation.
I will come to You with thanksgiving. I will sing psalms of praise to You. For You Lord are a great God, a great King above all gods.


I will worship and bow down. I will kneel before the Lord our maker, for You are my God. I am someone who You watch over, I am part of the flock under Your care. (Psalm 95:1-3,5-6 personalized)

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27; Psalm 93-97

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Do You Think You Can Persuade Me To Become A Christian So Quickly?

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!


Do You Think
You
Can Persuade Me To Become A Christian So Quickly? 

Real friends don’t let their friends go to Hell …Will someone be in Heaven because of you? 

Scripture

Acts 26

²⁸ Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

²⁹ Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

Observation

Those were two quotes from Rick Warren’s “Transformed” Bible study series. Last night in our life group one of our men shared with us that this was heavy on his heart; he wanted to be able to answer, “yes”, to the question, “Will someone be in Heaven because of you?”

How about you and me? Will someone be in Heaven because we shared our faith with him or her? Do you need to learn how to share your faith? Let’s talk.

The Apostle Paul when standing before kings did not miss a chance to tell them about Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection.

Application

I will start taking men and or couples out to teach them how to share their faith. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that now is the time to get out and talk to people about Jesus. Going out and sharing the Good News is what You made us for. Help me to develop in my routine time to be to take people out and train them how to share their faith. Thank You for what You are doing in the lives of those involved in our life groups. It is exciting Lord to see what You are doing. 

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 5,6; Psalms 22; Acts 26

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Seventy Years Are Given To Us! Some Even Live To Eighty, But Even The Best Years Are Filled With Pain And Trouble;

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Seventy Years Are Given To Us!
Some Even Live To Eighty,
But Even The Best Years Are Filled With Pain And Trouble; 

Teach us to realize the brevity of life …

Scripture

Psalm 90

10 Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away.

¹² Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 92

¹² But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
¹⁴ Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.

Observation

Reading Psalm 90 this morning reminded me that life is short and I am on the short end of the stick. I am glad that I kept on reading and had the chance to read Psalm 92. 

Even though Kathy and I (or at least me) are in the 4^th quarter of life God gives us a great promise for these “golden years”. It is found in Psalm 92:12 & 14. Here is my paraphrased & personalized version:

12 “But Eddy and Kathy will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.”

 Application

I will look for ways to produce fruit today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, life is so short. Every week, every month, every year goes by so quickly. So teach me to realize the brevity of life, so that I may grow in wisdom. And may You show us Your approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! Psalm 92:12,17 (personalized)

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 3,4; Acts 25; Psalm 88-92

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

For Your Love For Me Is Very Great. You Have Rescued Me From The Depths Of Death.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

For Your Love For Me
Is Very Great.
You Have Rescued Me From The Depths Of Death.

I hope that you realize that very soon headlines could read, “21 Christian men in the United States beheaded simply for the fact that they were Christians.” 

Scripture

Psalm 86

¹³ for your love for me is very great.
    You have rescued me from the depths of death.

Observation

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, also expressed outrage over the killings on Monday.

"Their only words were: 'Jesus, help me!' They were killed simply for the fact that they were Christians," Francis said. "The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out be heard. It makes no difference whether they be Catholics, Orthodox, Copts or Protestants... The martyrs belong to all Christians."

I don’t think that I have ever quoted the Pope before but today I quote him to make this point, 

“God does not always choose to rescue us.”

Three years ago God rescued me from death and everyday that I wake up to live another day I give Him thanks. He rescued me from certain death.

Today, I think of those 21 Christian men standing before their executioners knowing that they would soon face death and I think of how God chose not to rescue them. These men will join the other thousands of martyrs that die each year for calling Jesus Christ their Lord and their Savior. 

I hope that you realize that very soon headlines could read, “21 Christian men in the United States beheaded simply for the fact that they were Christians.” 

Application

I will pray for the persecuted church today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the families of those men who were martyred for being called Christ Followers. I don’t know if they had a personal relationship with You through the Lord Jesus Christ, but they died because they were identified as Christ Followers. 

I pray for persecuted Christians today who live each day not knowing if it will be their last. I know that their faith makes You smile. Give me the faith of the Apostle Paul. Don’t let me lose sight of those being persecuted in so many countries in our world today. Give me the strength and the health to go to those places where Christians need to be encouraged and people desperately need to hear the Gospel.

Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 1,2; Acts 24; Psalm 83-87

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

So The Next Generation Would Know Them, … Then They Would Put Their Trust In God

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

So The Next Generation Would Know Them,
… Then
They Would Put Their Trust In God

Our church is all about reaching the “next” generation! 

Scripture

Psalm 78


⁶ so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.

Observation

Loud contemporary (and wonderful) music reminds me every Sunday that our church is all about reaching the younger generation. It is also all about reaching those who have never attended Christ Fellowship.

It is definitely not a perfect place, but that is because we are a church made up of imperfect people!

I love seeing how God is changing the lives of those that we are reaching, but I think that this is just the beginning!

It is going to get even better!

Application

I will support my church in every outreach event that God puts on our hearts to reach the next generation. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, show our leadership team ways to reach those in Tampa who do not yet know You. Help us reach the next generation. Don’t let us rest. Don’t let us slow down. Give Pastor Bruce and his team the energy and the vision to see many people come to Christ in 2015. Show us how to reach the next generation. 

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 26,27; Acts 23: Psalm 78-82

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Love Never Gives Up, Never Loses Faith, Is Always Hopeful, And Endures Through Every Circumstance.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Love Never Gives Up,
Never Loses Faith,
Is Always Hopeful, And Endures Through Every Circumstance.

It is Valentine’s Day. I had to write about LOVE! How much do you love your spouse?  

 

Scripture

I Corinthians 13

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  

⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Observation

Kathy I Love You!

Love never gives up … I watch so many people give up on their marriages so quickly. Love never gives up. Kathy has loved me now for over 45 years! She deserves some kind of a medal!

Love never loses Faith … Does your spouse have faith in you? Kathy thinks I can hang the moon. She has so much faith in me that it is scary! I know that I can’t do all of the things that she thinks that I can!

Love is always hopeful … even though my heart attack has left me way less than 100% Kathy and I are both still very hopeful about our future.

Love endures through every circumstance … Kathy has lived through a very difficult time. She went through a time when the doctors thought I would not survive, then through a long recovery, now living with someone who struggles everyday with pain and fatigue. She never has complained. She has endured through every circumstance.

 The Bible says that three things are going to last forever, “—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 

Do more than just tell your spouse that you love him/her today! Show him/her love like we find described in 1 Corinthians 13!

Application

I love Kathy more than all the grains of sand on all the seashores in the world. 

So I will try to be patient and kind. I will try hard not be boastful or proud or rude. I will not demand my own way. I will try my best not to be irritable, and I will keep no record of being wronged. I Corinthians 13:4-5

How much do you love your spouse? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I could have never asked You for a more precious gift than I received when You brought Kathy into my life. Everyday it is a joy to be able to be in her presence. She is wonderful. I can’t believe that You love me so much that You gave me such a wonderful gift. Bless her today on Valentine’s Day. I pray that she would sense Your Love, Your Power, and Your Presence today. May Your Hand of favor be on Kathy. May Your Face shine on Kathy. You have blessed me so much for bringing her into my life. 

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 23,24; Psalms 24; Acts 21; I Corinthians 13

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

May God Be Merciful And Bless Us. May His Face Smile With Favor On Us.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

May God Be Merciful And Bless Us.
May
His Face Smile With Favor On Us. 

The power of a blessing. This could change your marriage!

Scripture

Psalm 67

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

Observation

This is what I encourage all married men to do before you go out the door to go to work. Give your wife a kiss goodbye and then pray a prayer of blessing over her (out loud so she hears your prayer!).

Kathy and I attended a Family Life Seminar a few years ago and one of the speakers encouraged all the men to pray a blessing over their wife before they went out the door to work. I had never been challenged to do that before.

I can tell you that as I prayed for Kathy each day I struggled to find a different, creative way to pray this morning blessing.

It was hard not to pray the same thing each morning and we laughed at some of the things that I came up with like, “Lord, give Kathy a great day today, or Lord, smile on Kathy today, or Lord, may Your face shine on Kathy today, etc.”

I can tell you it made a huge difference in our relationship. It probably did more for me than Kathy.

So kiss your wife before you go out the door, but also take a second and pray a short quick blessing over her. It can change your marriage!

Application

I don’t go out the door each morning to go to work. My bad heart is messing that up at the moment. So I think I will start praying a blessing on Kathy each night when I give her a good night kiss before we go to sleep.   

How about you what are you going to do? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, bless Kathy today. May Your face shine on her. Fill her with Your Presence and Your Power and Your Love. She is the greatest gift that You have ever given to me. Smile on her today. Thank You for bringing her into my life. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 20,21,22; Acts 20; Psalm 62-67

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Stand Up In The Presence Of The Aged, Show Respect For The Elderly And Revere Your God. I Am The LORD.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Stand Up In The Presence Of The Aged,
Show Respect For The Elderly
And Revere Your God. I Am The LORD. 

Do you have people standing up when you walk into their presence? What is the matter with these people! :)

Scripture

Leviticus 19

³² “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.

Observation

I will admit that getting old(er) has proved to be pretty challenging!

I don’t know what it will be like when I get as old as you! :)

Living to be a “good old age” is a quote from the Bible about the life of King David:

²⁸ And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.

 I love this verse about how God will take care of me in my old age:

Isaiah 46

⁴ I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
    until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
    I will carry you along and save you.

As I young pastor many years ago I remember making the mistake of telling Kathy’s grandmother that she was blessed because God had allowed her to live to be 95 years old. I was visiting her after she had broken her hip and I was trying to encourage her. She reprimanded me saying, “Sonny this is no blessing. I am ready to be with the Lord.” She went on to live to be 105 years young. She was one tough cookie!

Every time I say to Kathy, “Man I am getting old!” she says, “Eddy, you are not getting old, you are old!” You got to love that kind of encouragement!

Application

So I will hold on to God’s promise found in Isaiah 46:4, “ I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You will be my God throughout my lifetime – as my hair turns gray and turns loose. You made me, and You will care for me. You will carry me along and You will save me. Thank You for all of Your promises.

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 18,19; Psalms 13; Acts 19

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

This I Know God Is On My Side.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

This I
Know
God Is On My Side.

Some days are filled with stuff that is just too tough to handle. Had one of those days lately?

Scripture

Psalm 55

²² Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 56

But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.
⁴ I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

This I know: God is on my side!
¹⁰ I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
¹¹ I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Observation

Some days are filled with stuff that is just too tough to handle. These are the days when I talk non-stop to the Lord. Recently God has allowed me to experience some of those days!

Maybe you have too!

If so then Psalm 55 and Psalm 56 are just what we need this morning!

Application

I am taking a few burdens to the Lord this morning. I can’t handle them and I know that He can. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I give you my burdens this morning. You will take care of me. You will not permit me to slip and fall. When I am afraid, and frustrated, I will put my trust in you. I praise You for what You have promised. I trust in You, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? 

This I know: You are on my side! I praise You for what You have promised: yes I praise You for what You have promised. I trust in You, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 55 & 56 personalized) Amen


Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 15,16,17; Acts 18; Psalm 52-56

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

He Marked Out Their Appointed Times In History And The Boundaries Of Their Lands.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

He Marked Out
Their Appointed Times In History
And The Boundaries Of Their Lands.

So glad that I was born in the USA and get to serve the Lord here. How about you? 

Scripture

Acts 17

²⁶ From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

²⁷ God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

Observation

I am so glad that I was not born in the early 1800’s and especially glad that I was not born a thousand years ago. I am glad that I was born in the 1900’s and I am really glad that I was born in the USA. How about you?

We were born at the appointed time in history for a reason. When we were born and where we were born is no accident. It is part of God’s plan.

He wants us to be the salt and light to our generation. He wants us to influence the people around us and point them in His direction.

It is an exciting time to be alive!

Application

I will remind those around me that God is not far from them and I will remind them that God wants to radically transform their lives.

    "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.    John 10:10

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to be here on planet earth right now. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your kingdom. I loved living in Spain and Mexico, but thank You for allowing me the awesome privilege of being born and raised in the USA.

Daily Bible Reading Leviticus 13,14; Acts 17

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Around Midnight Paul And Silas Were Praying and Singing Hymns To God, And The Prisoners Were Listening.

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

Around Midnight Paul And Silas Were
Praying and Singing Hymns To God,
And The Prisoners Were Listening.

I would have liked to have heard Paul and Silas prayers that night!

Scripture

Acts 16

²³ They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. ²⁴ So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

²⁵ Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. ²⁶ Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
 

Observation

They were severely beaten and thrown into prison. They were put into the inner dungeon and their feet were clamped in stocks.

Then at midnight they began to sing and pray and the other prisoners were listening.

Paul and Silas, bloody, bruised, and broken began to pray and sing!

I would have liked to have heard their prayers.

God allowed something very bad to happen to Paul and Silas so something very good could happen to the jailor and his family and possibly the other prisoners inside the jail. The jailor and all of his family became believers that night.

I believe that they prayed for the other prisoners that night. I believed that they prayed for the jailor and his family. God answered their prayer with an earthquake. The earthquake was not sent to free Paul and Silas. The earthquake was for the jailor and those prisoners.

The jailor and the prisoners knew that God was in that place! They were on holy ground!

Application

I will pray for those around me just like Paul and Silas did. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the faith to pray like Paul and Silas. I want those around me to be saved. Do whatever it takes for them to come to Jesus. If it takes an earthquake then bring it on. You are the Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You.

Daily Bible Reading Leviticus 10,11,12; Acts 16

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

There Was Great Joy Throughout The Church

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!

There Was
Great Joy
Throughout The Church

Sunday is a day of worship and celebration! It is a day of Joy!

Scripture

Acts 15

³⁰ The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. ³¹ And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

Observation

The church at Antioch had just received word from the Apostles in Jerusalem that they were accepted as equals. Gentiles were welcomed into their fellowship and they didn’t have to go through the ritual of circumcision. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was all that they needed! There was great joy throughout the church that day.

Our church accepts everybody! There is great joy in our church when we meet together!

I love what God is doing at Christ Fellowship!

Application

I look forward with great joy being in worship today! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to live to see what You are doing at Christ Fellowship! It is exciting to see so many young people committing their lives to the Lord. I pray for them this morning. I pray for our lead team. Bless them today.

Daily Bible Reading Leviticus 7,8,9; Acts 15

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!