Let Me Say First That I Thank My God Through Jesus Christ For All Of You

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Let Me Say First
That I Thank My God
Through Jesus Christ For All Of You

Yesterday at church during our Bible study class one our new members and fairly new in his commitment to Christ shared with us that when he first started praying as a new Christian his prayers were almost all for himself, but now that he has grown in Christ his prayer requests are for others and now he prays very little for himself. When I heard him share that I was so proud of him and so delighted in how he has grown! You and I have been given the opportunity to intercede for others! In fact, I believe that it is one of the most important tasks we have been given, ranked right below sharing our faith!

Scripture

Romans 1

⁸ Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. ⁹ God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart…

Observation

Yesterday at church during our Bible study class one our new members and fairly new in his commitment to Christ shared with us that when he first started praying as a new Christian his prayers were almost all for himself, but now that he has grown in Christ his prayer requests are for others and now he prays very little for himself.

When I heard him share that I was so proud of him and so delighted in how he has grown!

You and I have been given the opportunity to intercede for others! In fact, I believe that it is one of the most important tasks we have been given, ranked right below sharing our faith!

First, I want you to pray for all people. Ask God to help and bless them. Give thanks for them. 1Timothy 2:1

 … It was Christ Jesus Who died. He was raised from the dead. He is on the right side of God praying to Him for us. Romans 8:34 NLV

How do we spend our time in prayer? 

Are we all consumed with “me, myself, and I”?  When we approach God is it with a “give me” mentality? 

The Apostle Paul knew how important and how powerful the ministry of intercession was that is why he said to those he wrote his letters to, “Please pray for me!” 

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Romans 15:30

Application

I will ask the Lord to help me to be faithful in the ministry of intercession. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, show me where I need to grow up! Don’t let me be satisfied with my life where it is right now. I want to always be growing in Christ. Thank You for what You are doing in the lives of those that I pray for. I love seeing them grow up in You. It is amazing to watch how You are working in so many lives. Put on my heart today those who You want me to pray for. Don’t let me be selfish. 

I pray for my friend John Seale today as he goes through treatment. Help the doctors to be successful. Give John and Jeanie peace of knowing that You are in control of every detail of today. Bless them. Help them through this long day filled with waiting rooms and possibly uncomfortable procedures. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Romans 1,2,3,4

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We Urge You In The Name Of The Lord Jesus To Live In A Way That Pleases God, As We Have Taught You.

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We Urge You In The Name Of The Lord Jesus
To Live In A Way That Pleases God,
As We Have Taught You.

I shake my head in unbelief at what some people who call themselves Christians put up on social media for fellow believers to read and see. For the life of me I just don’t get it. God’s will for us is for us to be holy, to stay away from all sexual sin. We are not to live like the pagans, in lustful passion. Pagans don’t know God or His ways. Lets live in a way that pleases God.

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you.

³ God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. ⁴ Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— ⁵ not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.

Observation

I shake my head in unbelief at what some people who call themselves Christians put up on social media for fellow believers to read and see. For the life of me I just don’t get it.

God’s will for us is for us to be holy, to stay away from all sexual sin.

We are not to live like the pagans, in lustful passion. They don’t know God or His ways.

Lets live in a way that pleases God.

If we go to church, if we read our Bibles then we should know that sexual immorality is totally wrong. No matter what kind of spin you and I might put on it, no matter how we might try to rationalize it God says that it is wrong.

As the Apostle Paul had to remind his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica I guess that you and I must be reminded too. Each of us must control his or her own body and we will all must live in holiness and honor.

As I write this I remind myself that I am a sinner. I am capable of any stupid sin just like anyone else. 

Application

I will pray and ask God to help me live in a way that pleases Him. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me show grace to those who are acting out and doing things that only pagans do. Help me correct them if I have the opportunity, but help me to do it in a way that helps them. Help me to have the right attitude and the right motive when I say anything to them. Keep me from stupid sins. Don’t let me do things that bring You displeasure. I want to live in a way that pleases You. Help me to do just that!

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Thessalonians 4,5; 2 Thessalonians 1,2,3

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Therefore Go And Make Disciples Of All The Nations

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Therefore
Go
And Make Disciples Of All The Nations

Jesus didn’t say, “Therefore, stay!” He said, “Therefore Go!” He said to make disciples all over the world! It is who we are. It is what we are to be about. The “Lottie Moon Christmas Offering” gives us a chance for all of us to make disciples throughout the world by supporting missionaries who are willing and eager to go. Want to know more about this offering? Just Google it and then give!

Scripture

Matthew 28

¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
 
¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
 
²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Observation

Jesus didn’t say, “Therefore, stay!” He said, “Therefore Go!” He said to make disciples all over the world! It is who we are. It is what we are to be about.

The “Lottie Moon Christmas Offering” gives us a chance for all of us to make disciples throughout the world by supporting missionaries who are willing and eager to go. Want to know more about this offering? Just Google it and then give!

It is a shame that in recent years the church (us) has been keeping and spending too much of our offerings on ourselves (buildings & events). Our missionaries are being brought home because of our lack of giving.

The Great Commission is for all of us.

If we can’t physically go then we should pray and give so that others can go.

Our job is to make disciples. We are to personally teach those disciples and help them to grow in Christ.

Application

I will give more to support our missionaries overseas. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, yesterday we watched people go crazy in shopping malls all over our country just to save some money on some Christmas presents that will break and wear out almost as soon as they get home. Help me focus on what is Eternal and what will never wear out. Don’t let me get caught up in the power and lure of all the ads, all the commercials that try to get me to go out and buy stuff that I don’t really need to buy. You know how weak I am when it comes to bargains.

I pray for our missionaries that are serving all over the world. Encourage them today. Help them to be successful. Bless their families. Let them sense Your Presence and Your Strength today.

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians 1,2,3; 

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Teach Me How To Live, O LORD

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Teach
Me
How To Live, O LORD

When I think of King David I tend to only think of him as a brave warrior King who was always successful in battle, fighting and defeating any giant that came against him. What was the secret of David’s success? What made him such a man of God? This verse gives us a good hint of why David had such great success!

Scripture

Psalm 27

¹¹ Teach me how to live, O Lord.
    Lead me along the right path,
    for my enemies are waiting for me.

Observation

When I think of King David I tend to only think of him as a brave warrior King who was always successful in battle, fighting and defeating any giant that came against him.

What was the secret of David’s success? What made him such a strong man of God?

This verse gives us a good hint of why David had such great success!

He was teachable. He was not a know it all.

He was humble.

He cried out to God for help.

You and I can do the same thing. We can pray the same prayer. We can be successful in life too.

Show me a man or woman who spends time with the Lord each day in prayer and I will show you someone who will be successful in life!

Do you want your business or your career to be successful? Do you want to have a great marriage?

Then lets ask God to teach us how to live!

Application

I will ask the Lord to teach me how to live. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I admit that I do not know it all. In fact, I am at a loss on how to fix so many things that seem to be going in the wrong direction. So I come to You and I am asking You to teach me how to live, and to lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.  You are my refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So I will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Keep me safely in the palm of Your Hand. Psalm 27:11; Psalm 46:1-3 Personalized

Daily Bible Reading:  Psalms 125; Matthew 26,27; Psalm 27; Proverbs 27

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I Come To Your Altar, O LORD, Singing A Song Of Thanksgiving

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I Come
To Your Altar, O LORD,
Singing A Song Of Thanksgiving

I come this morning to the same place where I always meet God (our dining room table) and I come this morning with a very thankful heart. I am very thankful that God has brought you into my life. I am also so thankful for my family and my friends this Thanksgiving morning! There is so much that I have to be grateful for! I have no complaints!

Scripture

Psalm 26

I come to your altar, O Lord,
⁷ singing a song of thanksgiving
    and telling of all your wonders.

Psalm 100
¹ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.
³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Observation

I come this morning to the same place where I always meet God (our dining room table) and I come this morning with a very thankful heart.

I am very thankful that God has brought you into my life.

I am also so thankful for my family and my friends this Thanksgiving morning!

There is so much that I have to be grateful for!

I have no complaints!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
   

   

Application

I will pray Psalm 100 back to the Lord this morning. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I shout with joy to You. I worship You with gladness. I come before You, singing with joy. I acknowledge that You are God. You made me and I am Yours. I am one of Your people, a sheep in Your pastures. I will enter Your gates with Thanksgiving; I will go into Your courts with praise. I give thanks to You and praise Your name. For You are good. Your unfailing love continues forever, and Your faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100 Personalized

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 23,24,25; Psalm 26, 100; Proverbs 26

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The Right Word Spoken At The Right Time Is As Beautiful As Gold Apples In A Silver Bowl

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The Right Word
Spoken At The Right Time
Is As Beautiful As Gold Apples In A Silver Bowl

If there were one thing that I would definitely go back and change looking back over our forty-six years of marriage it would be this. I would take back all of the words that have come out of my mouth aimed at my wife that hurt her. Even today it shocks me (and it is way too often) to hear the words and the tone of the words that come out of my mouth aimed at hurting my wife.

Scripture

Proverbs 25

11 The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. NCV

Observation

If there were one thing that I would definitely go back and change looking back over our forty-six years of marriage it would be this. I would take back all of the words that have come out of my mouth aimed at my wife that hurt her.

Even today it shocks me (and it is way too often) to hear the words and the tone of the words that come out of my mouth aimed at hurting my wife.

Kathy and I have learned a few things about communicating with each other. It only has taken us 46 years of being together.

Kathy has learned to let me know when what I say has hurt her. When she says to me with tears in her eyes, “You hurt my feelings.” It immediately makes me realize what a jerk I am and it gives me the chance to tell her, “I am sorry”.

I love her latest response to one of my latest ugly remarks, “Oh, are we going to be grouchy again?”

I want her to call me out when my words are not said in the right tone or when they are intentionally meant to hurt.

I am so glad that Kathy does not “usually” fire back with something meaner, uglier, louder than what I sent her way. She usually has a way of nicely letting me know that I am being a jerk!

 “Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Application

I will carefully choose the words that I use with my spouse. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how much help I need controlling my mouth and the words that come out of it. I know that it is a heart problem. So I pray and ask You for help. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
   


   



   

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 20,21,22;

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You Don’t Have Enough Faith

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You
Don’t
Have Enough Faith

Yet, even though we have been empowered, even though we have been promised that Jesus will always be with us, (Matthew 28:20b “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” we can do just like the disciples did, and not believe that our God is big enough to do what is being asked of us!

Scripture

Matthew 17

¹⁷ Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

¹⁹ Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

²⁰ “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible”

Observation

The disciples had earlier been given a commission by Jesus to heal the sick, and cast out demons, (Luke 10:17 “ When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”), but something happened.

You and I have been commissioned too! We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Yet, even though we have been empowered, even though we have been promised that Jesus will always be with us, (Matthew 28:20b “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” we can do just like the disciples did, and not believe that our God is big enough to do what is being asked of us!

Jesus, at the time of this lack of faith on his disciples’ part, was up the mountain talking with Moses and Elijah along with 3 of His disciples. Maybe it was because they couldn’t see Jesus, or maybe the disciples thought that the Divine power that Jesus had given them was only for that one mission trip. 

Whatever the reason for their lack of faith Jesus takes the opportunity of their failure to teach them this important truth. 

Here it is: 

It is not the size of your faith (it can be very small), but it is the size of Your God. 

The Apostle Paul expressed this kind of faith when he said, “

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”

 Philippians 4:13 Amplified

Application

I will walk by faith today and not by sight.

    2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.

   

   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t ever let me think that You cannot heal, or that You cannot save. You are Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. You are Creator God. You are Mighty to save. You are the source of my faith today. You are my Hope. My confidence is in You. Encourage those who have lost hope those who do not have faith. Show them Your Mighty Power. Show them that they can put their faith and their hope in You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 17,18,19

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Who Has Woe? Who Has Sorrow? Who Has Strife? Who Has Complaints? Who Has Needless Bruises? Who Has Bloodshot Eyes? Those Who Linger Over Wine

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Who Has Woe? Who Has Sorrow? Who Has Strife? Who Has Complaints?
Who Has Needless Bruises? Who Has Bloodshot Eyes?
Those Who Linger Over Wine

Nobody ever starts out saying that they want to be a drunk. Or to say it a bit more nicely nobody ever starts drinking, or doing drugs, with plans on being an alcoholic or a drug addict. Social drinking and so called recreational drugs can quickly turn into something very unsocial and totally destructive for you and for me and for our families. Let me suggest we think about these verses as we consider drinking, drugging, sexual immorality, or being a glutton.

Scripture

Proverbs 23

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaints?
    Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
³⁰ Those who linger over wine,
    who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
³¹ Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly!
³² In the end it bites like a snake
    and poisons like a viper.
³³ Your eyes will see strange sights,
    and your mind will imagine confusing things.
³⁴ You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
    lying on top of the rigging.
³⁵ “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
    They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
    so I can find another drink?”

Observation

Nobody ever starts out saying that they want to be a drunk. Or to say it a bit more nicely nobody ever starts drinking, or doing drugs, with plans on being an alcoholic or a drug addict.

Social drinking and so called recreational drugs can quickly turn into something very unsocial and totally destructive for you and for me and for our families.

I get calls from distressed church members desperately pleading for help when a social drinker is out of control and is destroying his or her family because they cannot control their drinking anymore.

If you want to drink alcohol and you want to defend the practice using Bible verses then you can certainly do that. Even though that first drink may not be a sin, you and I don’t know if and when we will cross over the line and be under the influence of what we are drinking or taking.

Let me suggest we think about these verses as we consider drinking, drugging, sexual immorality, or being a glutton.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:17-18

I have found for my life that a good indicator of whether I should do or not do something is by asking myself this question, 

“Will what I am doing or getting ready to do bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ?” Will what I am doing or what I am thinking about doing make God smile? 

Application

I will continue to try to help people who are destroying themselves and those around them with their addictions. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know how easy it is for me to yield myself to things that are not good for my family or me. Help me to do the things that bring You glory and honor and help me to let go of anything that disappoints You. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Nothing is too hard for You. If someone is reading this blog and is struggling in the area of alcohol, drugs, sex, or over eating give them the strength to say “no”. Help them to live their lives in a way that makes You smile.  

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 14,15,16; Proverbs 23



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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. 

I talked to one of my friends recently and he shared with me that he cares for his very sick wife. It is a 24/7 round the clock task. He can’t leave her alone for very long because her health is so fragile. My sister Linda takes care of her son Jonathan. He has been in a coma like state since an automobile accident unable to care for himself. For the past 8 years she has taken care of him at home 24/7, night and day by herself. I can’t even imagine what it takes to be able to do this on a daily basis.

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.”

Observation

I talked to one of my friends recently and he shared with me that he cares for his very sick wife. It is a 24/7 round the clock task. He can’t leave her alone for very long because her health is so fragile. My sister Linda takes care of her son Jonathan. He has been in a coma like state since an automobile accident unable to care for himself. For the past 8 years she has taken care of him at home 24/7, night and day by herself. I can’t even imagine what it takes to be able to do this on a daily basis.

To them and to all of us who are tired and weary Jesus speaks these words to us this morning, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Take time with Jesus this morning in prayer. Give Him that huge load that you are carrying and He will give you rest.

Too often these days I go to bed exhausted and wake up feeling just as tired as when I went to bed. I feel worn out. Some of the blame I can certainly put on my damaged heart, but I know it also could be from carrying heavy burdens that are not mine to carry.

My kids’ problems, my friends’ problems and all the troubled marriages of those around me are not my burdens to carry.  I must continually slide them off of my shoulders and onto the Lord’s. And you must do the same. 

Pastor Rapley Armstrong, a great man of God, shared this quote a lot, “You must come apart before you come apart!” Spend time in prayer today and roll off your burdens onto Jesus and let Him lighten your load.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22


So, humble yourselves under God’s strong hand, and in his own good time he will lift you up. You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern. 1 Peter 5:6-7 PHILLIPS

Application

I need to come to Jesus, get in His yoke, and let Him lighten my load. And so do you!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I cannot fix all these things that load me down with concern and wear me out. You alone are capable of the healing that needs to be done. All of my worrying and all of my concern have only burdened and weighed me down. I give all of these cares to You. I put them into Your hands. I pray and I ask You to do a Mighty work in the lives of those who are on my heart. Touch them today with Your Mighty Power. Strengthen those who are weak. Give energy to the tired and the weary. Help them come to You for rest.

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 11,12,13

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The Godly Love To Give!

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The
Godly
Love To Give!

How godly are you? How godly am I? Here is a verse that helps us know just how godly are! Generosity! It is a reflection of godliness! We are most like God when we are generous! “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son …” John 3:16a

Scripture

Proverbs 21

²⁶ Some people are always greedy for more,
    but the godly love to give!

Observation

How godly are you? How godly am I? Here is a verse that helps us know just how godly are!

Generosity! It is a reflection of godliness!

We are most like God when we are generous! “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son …” John 3:16a

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38

 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. Proverbs 11:24

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Application

I will ask the Lord to help me to be more generous. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be a cheerful giver! Give me the faith to believe Your Word and to hold on to Your Promises. Don’t let me be stingy. Help me to be generous. Help me to be generous just like You are with me. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 8,9,10; Psalm 21; Proverbs 21

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Seek The Kingdom Of God Above All Else, And Live Righteously, And He Will Give You Everything You Need.

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Seek The Kingdom Of God Above All Else,
And Live Righteously,
And He Will Give You Everything You Need. 

If you read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5,6, & 7 it takes only about 15 minutes, but it will take you and it will take me a lifetime to put everything that we read in those 15 minutes into practice. To be honest though, when I look around at what some other people have I sometimes catch myself wanting what they have and I catch myself feeling a little bit deprived. Do you ever do that?

Scripture

Matthew 6

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

Observation

If you read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5,6, &7 it takes only about 15 minutes, but it will take you and it will take me a lifetime to put everything that we read in those 15 minutes into practice.

Matthew 6:33 was one of my first scripture memory verses that I learned when I first started growing as a Christian. Of course, I learned it in the King James Version, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Looking back on my life I realize that I could have dedicated myself to becoming wealthy, accumulating and having lots of money, living in a large house that is paid for, driving a new car and having lots of toys to play with. I could have made that my life mission. I could have done that and maybe even succeeded, but I am so glad that I didn’t.

To be honest though, when I look around at what some other people have I sometimes catch myself wanting what they have and I catch myself feeling a little bit deprived. Do you ever do that?

To correct my sinful attitude all I need to do is to look around me at all that I do have.

I have a place to call home. I have a wonderful wife. She is the best wife a man could ever hope to have by his side. God has blessed Kathy and I with 3 sons and 2 daughters who have given us 10 grandchildren that we love like crazy! I have the best friends that a man could ever want and though they are scattered across several different countries and spread all over the United States, they are always very close to me in my heart. I never lack for food to eat and have more clothes than any one man should own. I am blessed.

If you have determined in your heart to live out Matthew 6:33 then I can safely say that you are blessed too! God doesn’t lie. If we put Him first and seek to live for Him then we will not lack.

He will take care of our needs.

Application

I will thank my God today for all that He had done for me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let my eyes get fixed on what I don’t have. Don’t let me covet the junk that others have accumulated. You have provided so much for me. I am blessed. You have given me all that I need and even more than I need so that I can help others. Help me to be more generous. Help me to be filled with gratitude for all that I have and help me to not be concerned or worried about what others have. Help me to seek Your Kingdom above all else and help me to put You first. Remind me when You need to that You are all that I need.

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 5,6,7

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Look! The Virgin Will Conceive A Child! She Will Give Birth To A Son, And They Will Call Him Immanuel Which Means “God Is With Us.”

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Look! The Virgin Will Conceive A Child!
She Will Give Birth To A Son,
And They Will Call Him Immanuel Which Means “God Is With Us.”

During a time like this with ISIS (or ISIL) threatening to destroy us it is wonderful to read this morning that God sent Jesus to save us. The meaning of the name Jesus is “The Lord Saves”! In this same passage we also find that Jesus is called Immanuel which means “God is with us.” Today’s Bible reading is also a reminder to us that Joseph and Mary lived under even more dangerous circumstances than we have today, living during the time of a crazy king named Herod.

Scripture

Matthew 1

20 … “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

Observation

During a time like this with ISIS (or ISIL) threatening to destroy us it is wonderful to read this morning that God sent Jesus to save us. The meaning of the name Jesus is “The Lord Saves”!

In this same passage we also find that Jesus is called Immanuel which means “God is with us.”

Today’s Bible reading is also a reminder to us that Joseph and Mary lived under even more dangerous circumstances than we have today, living during the time of a crazy king named Herod. King Herod had his soldiers brutally kill “all” of the boy babies under the age of two years old in and around the city of Bethlehem in an attempt to destroy the Christ Child!

It is also a reminder to me that we have just entered into the very best time of the year – Christmas --!

The Christmas Season is when the people around us are more open to spiritual things than any other time of the year. They are more apt to attend church with us. They will come over to our house if we work out a time to invite them. It is a time to build bridges and strengthen friendships/relationships with our neighbors, coworkers, and family members.

Lets make this Christmas the very best! It is up to us!

Application

I will work hard at taking advantage of the opportunities that Christmas brings to strengthen my relationships with my neighbors, my friends, and my family. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for putting it on the heart of our leadership to have a Mission’s Conference at our church this year. It seems normal to me but I know that most churches don’t have a “Christmas for Christ” and don’t collect a mission’s offering like we did last night. Thank You for our missionaries. Bless them. Open the doors wide open in the places where they will return to serve. I pray that our offering will be worthy of You, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Daily Bible Reading:  Matthew 1,2,3,4

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Be Joyful. Grow To Maturity. Encourage Each Other.

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Be Joyful.
Grow To Maturity.
Encourage Each Other. 

Grow to maturity. Babies are cute when they are babies, but growing up is huge! Our granddaughter Amelie turned two years old on November 7^th. She got to go to Disney World! You only turn 2 years old once in your life! She had a party here at our house and she got to celebrate with all of her cousins. It was a lot of fun. Amelie is growing up. And we really don’t want her to stay a baby. We want her to grow to maturity! God has a plan and a purpose for her life just as God has a plan and a purpose for your life. 

Scripture

2 Corinthians 13

¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Observation

Grow to maturity. Babies are cute when they are babies, but growing up is huge! Our granddaughter Amelie turned two years old on November 7^th. She got to go to Disney World! You only turn 2 years old once in your life! She had a party here at our house and got to celebrate with all of her cousins. It was a lot of fun.

Amelie is growing up. And we really don’t want her to stay a baby. We want her to grow to maturity! God has a plan and a purpose for her life just as God has a plan and a purpose for your life and for my life.

God never wants us to stop growing. He wants us to grow to maturity.

It is sad when I see people that have stopped growing. When I run into a “know it all” or when I run into someone who has quit challenging themselves to grow! Going to church and being involved in a life group and digging into God’s Word help us grow in Christ!

Life at least for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is all about growing and being stretched.

So I close this short blog with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Application

I will never quit learning and growing. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me look for someone to encourage today. Help me to push them to be all that God wants them to be. Help them to grow in maturity. Don’t let today’s circumstances rob me of joy.  Help me to only glance at them and help me to gaze at You. You are all that I need. I pray for our missionaries as they prepare to speak to us tonight. Give them the words that they need to challenge our church. Use them to help us to grow. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Psalms 124; 2 Corinthians 11,12,13

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Remember This --- A Farmer Who Plants Only A Few Seeds Will Get A Small Crop. But The One Who Plants Generously Will Get A Generous Crop.

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Remember This ---
A Farmer Who Plants Only A Few Seeds Will Get A Small Crop.
But The One Who Plants Generously Will Get A Generous Crop. 

It is so easy to forget the “law of the harvest”! In fact, being stingy comes so natural and so easy for me! How about you? The Apostle Paul reminds us of this simple truth – the more we give the more receive! If the farmer plants just a few seeds then he can only expect a small crop. It is common sense; even I should be able to understand this principle!

Scripture

2 Corinthians 9

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

Observation

It is so easy to forget the “law of the harvest”! In fact, being stingy comes so natural and so easy for me! How about you?

The Apostle Paul reminds us of this simple truth – the more we give the more receive! If the farmer plants just a few seeds then he can only expect a small crop. It is common sense; even I should be able to understand this principle!

Here are a few truths about giving that you and I should take to heart and put into practice!

• We harvest in proportion to what we sow.

If we sow a lot we will harvest a lot, but if we sow only a little then our harvest will be smaller.

• We harvest more than we sow.  Plant generously = a generous crop!

• We harvest later than we sow.

• We harvest the same “kind” – Sow apple seed you will harvest apples!

 Sow love you will receive love in return. Sow discord and hate you can expect to receive discord and hate right back to you!

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal for our church is $20,000! Lets pray about how much we should give!

Application

I will pray about my giving. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know the generous grace of my Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for my sake He became poor, so that by his poverty He could make me rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9) Give me a more generous heart. Being stingy is a total lack of faith in You. You promise to bless me if I am generous so help me put Your Word and Your promises into practice. 

    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

   


   


    

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Corinthians 7,8,9,10



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We Ourselves Are Like Fragile Clay Jars Containing This Great Treasure

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We Ourselves
Are Like Fragile Clay Jars
Containing This Great Treasure

Our granddaughter Sierra used to say of her Great Grandmother “MeMaw” (Kathy’s Mom, Hazel Bearden) that she was “breakable”. We all laughed when Sierra said it, but it was so true! It is also very true of you and it is very true of me. What happened in Paris should be a reminder of just how fragile and short life on this planet really is! Life is fragile no matter what our age and no matter where we live! It was not the elderly that died in the Paris attack. It was the young.

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4
⁷ We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Observation

Our granddaughter Sierra used to say of her Great Grandmother “MeMaw” (Kathy’s Mom, Hazel Bearden) that she was “breakable”. We all laughed when Sierra said it, but it was so true! It is also very true of you and it is very true of me. We are extremely breakable!

The older that we get the more “breakable” we become!

What happened in Paris should be a reminder of just how fragile and short life on this planet really is! Life is fragile no matter what our age and no matter where we live! It was not the elderly that died in the Paris attack. It was the young.

We are breakable!

In fact, we are not only breakable we are already broken. Sin has already damaged the fragile clay jar! Our earth suits are wearing out!

We have the light of Jesus Christ shining in our lives! We have this great treasure shining out from our breakable-fragile clay jar bodies! So that there is no mistake that our power is from God, not from ourselves.

 This is the time for Christians to shine with the power of Jesus Christ!

Application

I will live out this week confident of the Great Power, God’s Holy Spirit, Who lives within me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this world is not my home. I am just passing through. I realize that evil is constantly at work all around me, but I am not afraid. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world. Our faith will be tested. We will experience persecution. But as I am under attack I will hold on to all of Your promises.

    "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

   

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Corinthians 3,4,5,6

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You Are Helping Us By Praying For Us.

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You
Are Helping Us
By Praying For Us.

Praying for someone may seem like a small thing. You may think that your prayers for others don’t do much good. Well according to God’s Word your prayers and my prayers when they are for someone else are super powerful! God loves to answer our prayers!

Scripture

2 Corinthians 1

¹¹ And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Observation

Praying for someone may seem like a small thing. You may think that your prayers for others don’t do much good. Well according to God’s Word your prayers and my prayers when they are for someone else are super powerful! God loves to answer our prayers!

I pray for some folks it seems like everyday. I try to pray for my family, for Kathy, my kids, and my grandkids everyday. I pray for my nephew Jonathan who is in a coma and his Mom who takes care of him 24/7 everyday. And I pray for some of you that read this little blog every time I see your name.

I believe that “intercession” for others is our biggest task while we are here on earth. In fact, it is one of the two most important tasks that God has given us. Our main job is sharing the Gospel and our second task is interceding for others.

Who needs our help today? Who needs for us to pray for them?

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16b

Application

I will keep praying for people as the Lord puts them on my heart because I know that He wants to work in their lives and He wants to answer my prayers.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have given me so many verses about how important it is to pray. I know that You hear me. Don’t let me give up. Don’t let me stop praying for people even though I don’t see their lives changing yet. Don’t let me give up on praying for those who are sick. Don’t let me give up on praying for those who need a personal relationship with You. Don’t let me give up on praying for friends who are living lives of disobedience and who need to repent and come back to You. I hold on to Your Word today. I believe what You say about prayer. I know that You want me to pray for those around me. Hear my prayer Lord and help them! 

Daily Bible Reading:  Job 41,42; 2 Corinthians 1,2

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