Go Down To The Lake And Throw In A Line. Open The Mouth Of The First Fish You Catch, And You Will Find A Large Silver Coin.

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Go Down To The Lake And Throw In A Line.
Open The Mouth Of The First Fish You Catch,
And You Will Find A Large Silver Coin.

Probably because I am going fishing with Darin Crofton in just a few minutes was the reason that this passage got my attention.

Scripture

Matthew 17

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! ²⁷ However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Observation

Probably because I am going fishing with Darin Crofton in just a few minutes was the reason that this passage got my attention. I have always enjoyed reading this story and it always speaks to my life.

My God has a million ways for providing for my family and me.

Jesus was teaching Peter a lesson. It was a lesson all about “trust”.

Peter was to go hook and line fishing rather than using a net and he was to open the mouth of the very first fish that he caught and he would find a coin in the fish’s mouth to take care of their taxes.

How strange is that?

I wonder how long Peter kept fishing after he caught the first one? I bet from then on he looked down in every fish’s mouth to see if there were any more surprises!

………….

Just got back from going out on the boat around the Causeway with Darin. The wind must have been blowing 25 miles per hour. Not a good fishing day but a great time out on the water with “D”. So glad that he and Stephanie are serving the Lord with us at Christ Fellowship!

Application

I will trust the Lord to take care of me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word this morning. Thank You for the stories like the one this morning that show me that I can totally trust You in every circumstance. Thank You for our young leaders at Christ Fellowship. Bless them. Show them Your love, Your power, and Your goodness! Protect them from the evil one. Keep them from stupid sins that would mess up Your call on their lives.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

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“Anyone Who Intends To Come With Me Has To Let Me Lead. You’re Not In The Driver’s Seat; I Am.”

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“Anyone Who Intends To Come With Me Has To Let Me Lead.
You’re Not In The Driver’s Seat;
I Am.” 

I am so proud of the Southern Baptist pastor that I saw yesterday on television who was being interviewed about the riots in Baltimore.

Scripture

Matthew 16

24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Message

Observation

Rules for Kingdom living are certainly different from the way we normally think! 

Jesus spent a lot of His time correcting His disciples who tended to think just the way we tend to naturally think today!

Jesus doesn’t want us to live the way the rest of the world lives! He wants us to be the salt and the light in this world.

I am so proud of the Southern Baptist pastor that I saw yesterday on television who was being interviewed about the riots in Baltimore. While he was protesting peacefully the night before with others and doing what he felt God wanted him to do the building that he has spent 10 years of his life building was burnt down. The building, a Center for Senior Adults was burnt down to the ground by rioters and looters. 

This Pastor exhibited no anger about the loss and no hate towards the thugs that committed this senseless crime. He was positive. His message was powerful. He shared that he used to be one of those kids on the street, but through the influence of a godly Mom and others his life had been transformed. Jesus was definitely in the driver’s seat of this pastor’s life.

Our church is so culturally diverse and so “all people friendly” that I forget sometimes that the world we live in is not at all like our church.

When I hear of the discrimination that still goes on in our country and in our own city it is hard for me to believe it. How dumb is that! Then this verse comes to my mind and reminds me of the condition of our hearts:

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

Application

I will help and encourage our church to take a stand against racial discrimination. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You love all the children of this world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are all precious in Your sight. Give us Your heart for those who are being discriminated against just because of the way that You created them. Give me Your heart for the people around me. Help me to be a person of compassion and action. Show us how to respond to social injustice.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

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How Precious It Is, Lord To Realize That You Are Thinking About Me Constantly!

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How Precious It Is, Lord
To Realize
That You Are Thinking About Me Constantly!

God is all around you and me, behind us and in front of us and He will hold us safe in His hand! Wow!

Scripture

Psalm 139

^17-18 How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!
I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me.
And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

Observation

I love Psalm 139. Take time to read it this morning and see if you don’t agree with me. 

Nothing that happens to us takes God by surprise! 

Before we were even born He was thinking about us. He watched us being formed in our mother’s womb. He knows our thoughts even before we do. 

 Psalm 139:5 says that God is all around us, behind us and in front of us and He will hold us safe in His hand! Wow!

You are all around me, behind me and in front of me.
    You hold me safe in your hand. Psalm 139:5 NIRV

Application

My application will come from Psalm 139:24a

I will ask God to point out anything He finds in me that makes Him sad. How about you?

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. ²⁴ Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 139:23-24

Prayer

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand. When far away you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I am going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.

 How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts.  Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 139:1-5, 17-18, 23-24

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15; Psalm 137-140

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“Lord, If It’s You,” Peter Replied, “Tell Me To Come To You On The Water.” “Come,” He Said.

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“Lord, If It’s You,”
Peter Replied,
“Tell Me To Come To You On The Water.” “Come,” He Said.

It is Monday … Get out of the stinking boat!

Scripture

Matthew 14

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Observation

Jesus gives you and me the opportunity to walk by faith. He wants us to get out of the stinking boat of doubt and live the life of faith.

Even though Peter floundered when he saw the big waves he did get out of the boat and he did walk on water. The other disciples stayed in the stinking boat.

God always is calling us to a life of faith a life of trusting in Him. He always is inviting us to walk by faith and not by sight.  

Every Monday we get to start a new week and here is the million-dollar question, will we step out this week by faith or will we stay where it seems safe to us?

Application

I will live this week by faith and not by sight. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, everything seems impossible when we look at them through our eyes of unbelief. Give me eyes of faith. Help me to see that I can trust You with every detail of my life. Nothing is too hard for You. You have always been working in my life to guide and direct me. Don’t let me mess up. Help me to finish well.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

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Children Are A Gift From The Lord

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Children
Are A Gift
From The Lord

Our children all work hard at what they do. I amazed at their abilities. I am very proud of them.

Scripture

Psalm 127

³ Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.

Psalm 128

⁶ May you live to enjoy your grandchildren..

Observation

I am so glad that God gave us five children and ten grandchildren! Kids are a gift from the Lord and grandchildren are the icing on the cake!

Kathy and I have a few rituals with our grandchildren when they come over to house. One of those rituals is playing Uno with them! They love it when they beat their grandparents.

Our children all work hard at what they do. I amazed at their abilities. I am very proud of them. Each one of them is of course unique. God made them all different in a good way.

Because they are a gift from God Kathy and I try to pray for them everyday. We want them to love the Lord with all of their hearts. We want them to experience life just the way God intended for it to be experienced – full of meaning and purpose … a rich abundant life.

Living to enjoy our grandchildren is without a doubt from of the greatest blessings from God.

 Application

I will continue to pray for my children and my grandchildren. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving me five super kids. Bless them. Help them make decisions in life that will draw them closer to You. Help them take good care of our grandchildren. Show them Your power, Your love, Your presence. Help them to see everyday that they can put their trust and their faith completely in You. You are Mighty God. You have blessed Kathy and I so much. We stand in awe of You.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13; Psalm 126-130

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I Was Glad When They Said To Me, Let Us Go To The House Of The Lord

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I Was Glad When They Said To Me,
Let Us
Go To The House Of The Lord

It’s Saturday, but Sunday is coming! Nothing else that you and I plan to do on Sunday can transform our lives like going to church for worship! Nothing!

Scripture

Psalm 122

¹ I was glad when they said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Observation

I look forward to Sundays! I look forward to being able to worship with my family and friends at Christ Fellowship! It is so exciting to see what God is doing!

It makes for a long day but there is no place that I would rather be!

How about you? How committed are you to being at church on Sunday?

Nothing else that you and I plan to do on Sunday can transform our lives like going to church and participating in worship! Nothing!

Application

I am looking forward right now to joining you tomorrow at church for worship!

Prayer

 Praise the Lord! 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven!  
Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!  
Praise him with a last of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp!  
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes!  
Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals.  

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Psalm 150

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 30,31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12; Psalm 120-125

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Come To Me, All Of You Who Are Weary And Carry Heavy Burdens, And I Will Give You Rest.

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Come To Me,
All Of You Who Are Weary And Carry Heavy Burdens,
And I Will Give You Rest.

Heavenly Father, my heart goes out to people who live everyday like You do not exist. I know that they should know better. Many of them grew up going to church.

Scripture

Matthew 11

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” NLT


28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (Message)

Observation

It is Friday. R U burned out?

Stop … Listen to Jesus. He is speaking to you and He is speaking to me this weekend!

.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (Message)


.
So if we keep company with Jesus then and only then will we learn to how to really live!

1 Peter 5:7

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

Psalm 55:22 

    Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.

 Psalm 68:19

    What a glorious Lord! He who daily bears our burdens also gives us our salvation.

Application

I will let the Lord carry my burdens today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, my heart goes out to people who live everyday like You do not exist. I know that they should know better. Many of them grew up going to church. 

Help those in my family who struggle everyday with life. I know how they feel. Until I totally trusted in You I felt the same way. 

They are worn out. They carry heavy loads. Show them somehow that they can turn all of life’s problems over to You. Don’t let them go through their entire lives depending on themselves when all they have to do is put their trust and faith in You. Change the direction of their lives Lord. Change the direction of their lives soon Lord they are missing so much. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

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So Don’t Be Afraid You Are More Valuable To God Than A Whole Flock Of Sparrows

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So Don’t Be Afraid
You Are More Valuable
To God Than A Whole Flock Of Sparrows

Sometimes when we are afraid or at least when I am afraid God shows me in His Word just how stupid that is! Today is one of those days!

Scripture

Matthew 10

But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Observation

Sometimes when we are afraid or at least when I am afraid God shows me in His Word just how stupid that is! 

Today is one of those days!

Not only does God when one tiny little sparrow falls to the ground He even knows the number of hairs that I still have on my head. 

It is so easy to forget on days when our faith is challenged that our God is both the Creator God and the Sustainer God. He not only created us but He has promised to take care of us. 

We are His prized possession!

James 1:18

He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Application

I will trust my Creator God to direct me today and take care of me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You say in Your Word, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 

You also say, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. 
Psalm 37:23

So I am clinging to Your promises for my family and me today. I am trusting in You.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

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When He Saw The Crowds He Had Compassion On Them

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When He Saw
The Crowds
He Had Compassion On Them

We have some outreach events coming up in May at Christ Fellowship! It is a chance for us to get out there in the crowd and make a difference!

Scripture

Matthew 9



³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
 
³⁷ He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
 
³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Observation

 Every time I read this passage I remember that the first sermon I ever preached was from Matthew 9:36-38. At that time, Kathy and I were serving in the bus ministry and we were helping bring in crowds of people to our church. It was Spencer Memorial Baptist church, the church that met where Christ Fellowship church now meets.

Every Saturday we would go out (about 50 people every Saturday) and talk to people in the neighborhood and invite them to church. There were some Sundays that we brought kids with no shoes, sometimes we had to help them get dressed before we could even get them on the bus. I believe our largest crowd was over 400 people coming on our buses on one high attendance Sunday!

What a crowd!

This passage is always a reminder to me that there is nothing wrong with the harvest. The harvest is great. The problem is a shortage of workers to bring in the harvest.

We have some outreach events coming up in May at Christ Fellowship! It is a chance for us to get out there in the crowd and make a difference! I hope that we all will take advantage of these opportunities.

Make a commitment now to participate in these events.

Application

I will pray for more laborers for the harvest and I will plan on participating in every outreach event. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You give me compassion for the crowds of people that live in our city. I pray that You send laborers into the harvest field. Use our church to help reach Tampa with the Gospel. Help us to be outward focused. Put a fresh vision on the hearts of our leaders to reach the crowds that are all around us.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

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“Foxes Have Dens To Live In, And Birds Have Nests, But The Son Of Man Has No Place Even To Lay His Head”

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“Foxes Have Dens To Live In,
And Birds Have Nests,
But The Son Of Man Has No Place Even To Lay His Head”

What excuse are you using for not following Jesus? 

Scripture

Matthew 8

¹⁹ Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

²⁰ But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

²¹ Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.

Observation

 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

The call for you and the call for me is the same this morning – Jesus is telling both of us – “Follow Me”. 

You and I can get distracted so easily from His call. It only takes missing church one Sunday, two Sundays, three Sundays, to "I am not going back there anymore". 

The distraction is small. Our heart that was once hungry for God has now grown cold. The world once again has its grip on us.

Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

I do think that Jesus is saying to us this morning, “Follow me”. No more excuses.

Lets follow Him with a pure heart. Lets leave all distractions behind. Lets once again put Him first in our lives. 

In this same chapter there is found a Roman soldier that did just that and here is Jesus’ commentary about that man:

“ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!  Matthew 8:10

I want to be a disciple that amazes Jesus with my faith. I don’t want to be a disciple that makes excuses for not following Him. 

How about you? 

Application

I will not give up on people who have become distracted and seem to have lost interest in putting the Lord first. I know that it could happen to me if I allow the things of this world to distract me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be someone who amazes You and not disappoints You. Give me mountain-moving faith! Don’t let my heart grow cold. Don’t let me become distracted with the things of this world. I pray for those that have seemingly lost interest in church and seem distant when they were so on fire for You. Help them Lord. Rekindle the fire in their hearts. Set them on fire again. 

I pray for my son Hugh today on his birthday. Bless him Lord. Show him Your love and Your power. May Your face shine on him and his family today.

Psalm 57

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
    May your glory shine over all the earth.

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

⁹ I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
    I will sing your praises among the nations.

¹⁰ For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
    Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
    May your glory shine over all the earth. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57,58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8

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The Highway To Hell Is Broad, And Its Gate Is Wide

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The Highway To
Hell
Is Broad, And Its Gate Is Wide

 The highway to hell is broad – it is our job as Christ Followers to share with people that there is a Way to get off that highway – His name is Jesus.

Scripture

Matthew 7 

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.

Observation

Only one highway leads to Heaven –

    Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

I am getting ready to talk to people at Mission Tampa this morning and as I talk to them about their relationship with Jesus the majority of those I have the pleasure to talk to think that they are going to go to Heaven through their own efforts.

The highway to hell is broad – it is our job as Christ Followers to share with people that there is a Way to get off that highway – His name is Jesus.

 At 19 years of age someone shared with me a different Way than the way I was heading. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and now I am on the only high Way to Heaven.

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ? Or are you still planning on reaching Heaven your own way?

It is not good people that go to Heaven and bad people that go to hell; no, it is forgiven people that go to Heaven. 

 

Application

I will share with everyone I can today that Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. How about you? Do you know the Way?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that there may be someone today that reads this little blog that has not yet surrendered his or her life to Jesus Christ. Show them that Jesus is the only way. Show them today that they can put their faith and trust in Him.

    That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. …

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-10,13

   

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31; Psalm 54; Matthew 7

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Seek The Kingdom Of God Above All Else

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Seek
The Kingdom Of God
Above All Else

Right now talk to Him and surrender your life to Him. Ask Him to be Lord over every area of your life … Yes, over every area of your life!

Scripture

Matthew 6

³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Observation

Do you want to experience life the way God meant for it to be? Do you want to experience an abundant life, a life full of purpose and meaning?

I hope in your heart you said, “YES”!

Okay! Here is how you can live life the way God intended

–        PUT HIM FIRST! –

Start today! Start right now! Put Him first!

It will change everything!

Put Him first!

Right now talk to Him and surrender your life to Him. Ask Him to be Lord over every area of your life … Yes, over every area of your life!

Application

I will surrender my life to God this morning - all of it. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, right now I yield my life to You. I surrender. I ask You to show me any area of my life that is still under my control. You are my Lord and my Savior. Help me please You by putting Your Kingdom first today.

Bless Pastor Bruce as he preaches your word. Protect him for the evil one. Bless the leaders of our church. Use them for Your honor and for Your glory. Help me to keep You and Your agenda the priority of my life.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 17; Psalm 35; Matthew 6

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The Angel Of the LORD Is A Guard; He Surrounds And Defends All Who Fear Him.

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The Angel Of the LORD
Is A Guard;
He Surrounds And Defends All Who Fear Him.

Whenever you and I face uncertainty and things ahead look difficult it is always important to look back and see how the hand of God has always taken care of us.

Scripture

Psalm 34

For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good.
    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
⁹ Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
    for those who fear him will have all they need.
¹⁰ Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
    but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Psalm 91

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.

Observation

Whenever you and I face uncertainty and things ahead look difficult it is always important to look back and see how the hand of God has taken care of us. You and I could write a book if we tried to include all the times in our lives where God watched over us.

A few weeks ago I once again had an episode of sudden cardiac arrest, but because I had a defibrillator implanted in my body in June 2012 it shocked me back into life. When the doctor placed the defibrillator in my chest he told Kathy and I that it would probably never go off and it was a good insurance policy. A month later July 2012 it went off for the first time. My heart doctor who I saw about 3 months ago made the comment that he didn’t think my defibrillator would ever go off again. Glad he didn’t take it out!

Both times I have fallen unconscious with absolutely no warning and never knew that it was getting ready to happen.

Both times when this has happened I have fallen and somehow I have not gotten seriously hurt and I have not caused harm to anyone else. This last time I was on the Skyway bridge fishing pier and for the life of me, I don’t know how I ended up with the back of my head lying against a high concrete curb with only a bruise on my shoulder and 3 small scrapes on my fingers. So grateful that it wasn’t when I was driving or climbing up to repair something around the house or at the church.

Now maybe if you didn’t believe that there is a God and you didn’t believe in a God who has ordered His angels to protect us then you would call what I just described as “luck”, but if you are a Christ Follower you know better!

Will he always protect us? No. No, we will also experience bad things in our lives. But even with those bad experiences God gives us a great promise.

    And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

And yes, one day we will die. Are you ready? When He is ready to take me home to Heaven I am out of here. How about you? If you die today do you know where you would spend eternity? If you are not sure, then I would love to talk to you about that.

Application

I am filled with gratitude today. My God is a gracious God. I will give Him thanks today for His goodness to me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You have rescued me many times that I am not even aware of. I have probably been close to death many more times than I know about. You are so good. All the time. I have no complaints. Not being able to drive and having some chest pain and fatigue are small potatoes compared to what other people have to deal with.

God, You are a God of mercy, a God of all comfort and all compassion. The things that You allow us to experience give us the opportunity to comfort others. You never waste a hurt. Show me who needs to be encouraged today. Help me brighten his or her day.

    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:  1 Samuel 20,21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

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People Do Not Live By Bread Alone, But By Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God

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People
Do Not Live By Bread Alone,
But By Every Word That Comes From The Mouth Of God

How much time do you allow for yourself to hear from God through reading His Word? Is it daily … a couple of times during the week … or just on Sunday? 

Scripture

Matthew 4

³ During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Observation

 I can remember soon after giving my life to Christ going to a Navigator’s Conference and at the conference I memorized Matthew 4:4. The Navigators are huge on scripture memory and studying the Word of God. 

Google them and check out all of their resources. Dawson Trotman started this ministry. 

It was an all men’s conference and when we sang during the worship time of the conference you would have thought that you had died and gone to Heaven. It was so powerful!

Living the Christian life is all about hearing the Word of God and putting His Word into practice.
How much time do you allow for yourself to hear from God through reading His Word? 

Have you taken the time today to open up your Bible to allow God to speak to you? 

You probably have your Bible on your phone, but have you slowed down to hear from God today?
Why not stop right now and read His Word! 

Jeremiah 15:16

¹⁶ Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me. How proud I am to bear your name, O Lord.

Application

I will enjoy God’s Word today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me. How proud I am to bear your name, O Lord.    I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119:11, 105

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

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There Was An Immediate Bond Between Them, For Jonathan Loved David.

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There Was An Immediate

Bond Between Them,

For Jonathan Loved David.

You and I can’t always be in the driver’s seat, but that doesn’t mean that we are not important in God’s great plan.

Scripture

1 Samuel 18

There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David.

³ And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. ⁴ Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt.

Observation

You would have thought that Jonathan would have been jealous of David yet somehow there was an immediate bond between them that caused Jonathan to willingly give up his position to be king and hand it over to David.

To the day he died Jonathan’s loyalty to David never changed. It is an incredible story of godly agape love.

Jonathan knew that David would one day become king of Israel but that didn’t bother him. It didn’t make him jealous of David. Jonathan was a great warrior, but he was also humble and able to serve under the leadership of other’s.

Without guys like Jonathan there would not be great leaders like King David!

You and I can’t always be in the driver’s seat, but that doesn’t mean that we are not important in God’s great plan.

Application

I will serve the best I can where God has placed me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for Pastor Bruce today. Bless him. I pray for Bruce’s family, his wife Heather, his children Gwen, Noel, and Titus. Thank You for their leadership. Protect them from the evil one. Continue to bring strong godly men and women along side of them to grow our church. Thank You for those that lead us at Christ Fellowship. Bless them. I especially pray for Brea today as she travels to see her very sick Mom. Use her in the lives of her extended family while she is making this trip. Open their hearts to Your love and the Gospel message.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3; Psalm 78-82

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You Come To Me With Sword, Spear, And Javelin, But I Come To You In The Name Of The LORD Of Heaven’s Armies

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You Come To Me With Sword, Spear, And Javelin,
But
I Come To You In The Name Of The LORD Of Heaven’s Armies

Enemies, obstacles, difficulties, opposition, or health issues, what giant is staring at you this morning?

Scripture

1 Samuel 17

⁴⁵ David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

Observation

David and Goliath is one of my favorite Bible stories and I bet it is one of your favorites too.

This story is recorded in the Bible for a reason. God has placed every story that is found in the Bible for a reason. The stories show us the awesome, powerful God we serve and how He can take care of us if we will only put Him first in our lives.

Just think about it … no other gods are even close to being like our God!

What giants are you facing? David didn’t even bat an eye as he went out to face Goliath. What Goliath do you and I need to take down today?

Enemies, obstacles, difficulties, opposition, or health issues, what giant is staring at you this morning?

Philippians  4:13 

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Psalm 56:9-11

⁹ My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
    This I know: God is on my side!
¹⁰ I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
¹¹ I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Application

I will trust in the LORD of Heaven’s Armies today about every challenging issue that comes up today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the faith that David had when faced Goliath. Help me to trust You with every problem that comes my way. Don’t let me shrink back. Don’t let me doubt Your power and Your strength. 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? Amen.

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

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Listen! Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice.

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Listen!
Obedience Is Better
Than Sacrifice.

God doesn’t want us just going through the motions. No, what He wants is for us to walk in obedience with Him everyday.

Scripture

1 Samuel 15

²² But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
    your burnt offerings and sacrifices
    or your obedience to his voice?

Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
    and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

Observation

If you and I want to please the LORD then we need to pay attention to what Samuel tells King Saul in 1 Samuel 15!

This is what God had commanded King Saul to do,

Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.” 1 Samuel 15:3

Obedience … Obedience … Obedience!

King Saul had let his ego get the best of him. God had told Saul to destroy everything, but King Saul decided not to follow God’s command. He had not killed the Amalekite King Agag and he had saved the best animals for himself. When Samuel confronted King Saul with his sin, King Saul excuse was that the animals would be sacrificed to God. And in 1 Samuel 15:12 we find King Saul after defeating the Amalekites went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself.

God doesn’t want us just going through the motions. No, what He wants is for us to walk in obedience with Him everyday.

But he said, “Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” Luke 11:28

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. John 14:21a

Application

I will strive to walk in obedience knowing that it is the only way to please my Heavenly Father.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that we all have the same tendency that King Saul had and that is to put ourselves on the throne of our lives. You must be Number One in my life. I know that I must walk each day surrendering my will to You. 

It is my desire to live for You today and not for myself. Direct my thoughts and control my mouth and my actions. Don’t let me do stupid sins that mess up my relationship with You. 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Samuel 15,16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1; Psalm 68-72

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