When The Wicked Are In Authority, Sin Flourishes, But The Godly Will Live To See Their Downfall.

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When The Wicked Are In Authority,
Sin Flourishes,
But The Godly Will Live To See Their Downfall.

Scripture

Proverbs 29

² When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.
    But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
¹⁶ When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes,
    but the godly will live to see their downfall.

Observation

Everyday as I watch and listen to the news and read about so called leaders that are aspiring to lead our country the sick feeling in my gut grows worse.

What in the world is wrong with us?

Is this the best we have in our nation to run for the highest office in the world?

My hope is not based on any one of these candidates?

This point in our history, what you and I see happening right now, reminds me of the children of Israel when they demanded a king. God gave them what they wanted even though He warned them that they were not going to like it!

I don’t think we are going to like what we get either!

I don’t have an answer for all this craziness, but I do know this, my God is in control. He is Sovereign. And I do know that the godly will see the downfall of the wicked that are in authority.

I have that on the authority of God’s Word.

It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall. Psalm 75:7

Application

I will pray for our President and our leaders. And I will trust totally in the authority of God’s Word. For me there is no king but King Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that this craziness does not catch You by surprise, but it does not make me feel good at all. I know from reading Your Word what happens when more and more wicked people are placed in positions of authority. So I pray for our current President today. I pray that You direct his heart and his thoughts. I pray that You surround him with godly men that can help him make good decisions. You tell me to pray for him and that is exactly what I am going to do. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Psalms 29; Proverbs 29

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

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

Love is more than an emotion. It is a choice. I don’t love him any more or I don’t love her any more really means, “I am choosing not to love him or her anymore.” Forget the “for better or worse” I am out of here. 1Corinthians 13 is all about “agape love” a love that only is available when someone has a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. If a person does not have Jesus Christ in his or her life as Lord and Savior then it is impossible to love like God describes in this chapter. 

Scripture

1 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

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. … ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is more than an emotion. It is a choice. I don’t love him any more or I don’t love her any more really means, “I am choosing not to love him or her anymore.” Forget the “for better or worse” I am out of here. 

1Corinthians 13 is all about “agape love” a love that only is available when someone has a relationship with God. If a person does not have Jesus Christ in his or her life as Lord and Savior then it is impossible to love like God describes in this chapter.  

“Most of the world operates by this simple premise: Love those who love you. Most people only get into relationships for what they can gain from them.  So if a relationship doesn’t give you what you want, you simply move onto a new relationship.” (Gleaned from my Sunday School material for today’s lesson.)


The kingdom of God does not operate the way the world does. 

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

Application

I will strive to love those around me with 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you tell me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. You tell me to never give up, and to never lose faith. You tell me to always be hopeful and to endure through every circumstance. And with Your help I plan to do just that. Rejoice in the Lord! Again I say rejoice! I am going to rejoice in You today! Help me to love people with Your kind of selfless, sacrificial love.

I pray for my sister Bea today on her birthday. Bless her and her family. May Your face shine brightly on her and I pray that You give her many more years of life to be able to serve You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 24,25,26,27; 1 Corinthians 13



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Grow Up. You’re Kingdom Subjects. Now Live Like It.

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Grow Up.
You’re Kingdom Subjects.
Now Live Like It. 

Scripture

Matthew 5 

⁴⁸ “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” MESSAGE

Observation

Men, put on your big boys pants and ladies put on your big girl panties! Grow Up!

What was Jesus talking about when He said this in Matthew 5:48? He was talking about how we should love everyone, both enemies and friends!

It is so easy to love people that love us. Anyone can do that, but loving someone that has become your enemy now that takes things to entirely different level.

I have watched too many people in the different churches that we have been a part of just pick up their toys and move to a different church when they had a conflict with someone else. Whenever they got their feathers ruffled, or got into a conflict with someone, they bailed. Grow up!

Jesus says, “Love them.”

We are to love unconditionally!

In a marriage relationship it is for better or worse. Yes, over time a spouse who was once easy to love can become an enemy. Love them. Do everything you can to make your marriage work. Don’t give up!

Application

I will strive hard to love the unlovely. I will not give up on them. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word says, “ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Help me to love people with this kind of selfless, agape love. Give my children and my grandchildren this kind of love for those in their lives. 

Help me to love those who have determined in their hearts that I am an enemy. Show me how to love them in spite of how they treat me. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 21,22,23; Mark 6,7; Matthew 5:

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Don’t Be Afraid Just Have Faith

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Don’t Be
Afraid
Just Have Faith

Scripture

Mark 5

³⁵ While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
³⁶ But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Observation

There may be times when we come to the end of all hope. Jairus had just heard people say, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

I couldn’t imagine how Jairus felt when he heard those words, “Your daughter is dead.”

Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

People laughed at Jesus with scorn as He entered the house. Their laughter of unbelief and ridicule quickly changed as Jesus raised the 12-year-old girl back to life again.

Unbelief. Maybe you are at the point in your life where you just don’t really know if Jesus is all that the Bible says that He is. Maybe you are at a point of unbelief in your life and question whether Jesus Christ is God Himself?

Fair enough, but would you at least take the time to read God’s Word and ask God to show you whether or not His claims are true?

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are good starting points for your spiritual journey.

Today’s Bible reading for me took me to the Gospel of Mark. Chapter five of Mark’s Gospel shows us just how powerful Jesus Christ is!

Application

As I read this chapter I was reminded me that Jesus is constantly changing lives and that I should never give up on anyone!

When I find myself in a bad, sad, and totally impossible situation His word to me comes in verse 36, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith”.

Maybe that is the same Word that you need today!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for those today who lack the faith to believe in You. They are searching, but they are living their lives as unbelievers. Help them to see. Give them spiritual understanding. Help them to be people of faith today. Show them that they can put their trust in You. Show them that You Word is true. Open up their spiritual eyes. Give them spiritual understanding so they can believe. 

Today I walk by faith and not by sight. You are my Lord and my Savior. Nothing is too hard for You. 



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

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The LORD Gives His People Strength

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The LORD Gives
His
People Strength

Ever had one of those really rough terrible days when the crisis that is going on in the lives of those you love has left you totally wiped out, drained, and helpless? Nothing is more frustrating! You are left with the excruciating feeling of total helplessness! Now for the Good News … I opened up my Bible this morning and I read Psalm 29:11 that says to Eddy, “The LORD gives you strength. The LORD will bless you with peace.” Why can I say that … because I am a child of God.  I have been bought with a price. I am the LORD’s.

Scripture

Psalm 29

¹¹ The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Observation

Ever had one of those really rough terrible days when the crisis that is going on in the lives of those you love has left you totally wiped out, drained, and helpless?

Nothing is more frustrating! You are left with the excruciating feeling of total helplessness!

Now for the Good News … I opened up my Bible this morning and I read Psalm 29:11 that says to Eddy, “The LORD gives you strength. The LORD will bless you with peace.” Why can I say that … because I am a child of God. 

I have been bought with a price. I am the LORD’s.

Application

He will give me strength. He will give me peace!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You tell me in Your Word,

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. [7] If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:29

“O Sovereign Lord, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do?” Deuteronomy 3:24

Today I will cling to Your Word. I will believe Your Promises. You are my strength!

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength!” Habakkuk 3 17-19

Amen

   

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

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A Home Filled with Strife And Division Destroys Itself

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A Home
Filled with Strife
And Division Destroys Itself

Scripture

Mark 3

25 A home filled with strife and division destroys itself.

Observation

Marriage is supposed to be a reflection of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. There is no institution more important on the face of the earth than that of marriage.

It beaks my heart when I see marriages torn and ripped apart.

For a marriage to work the way that God intended for it to work a couple must put God first and must put the spouse second.

People try to make marriage work without a relationship with God. Who do we think we are? God Himself created us and He created the idea of a husband and a wife. And marriage will only work if we follow His marriage instruction manual – the Bible. 

²³ For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. ²⁴ As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

²⁵ For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ²⁶ to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. ²⁷ He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
 
²⁸ In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. Ephesians 5:23-28
Quit fighting. Put God first. Put your spouse second. Go quickly to a godly marriage counselor if your marriage needs help.

Application

I will pray for those going through difficult times in their marriage. I will continue to counsel couples looking to get married. I will continue to try to get them to put their relationship with God as the Number One Priority in their lives.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart. You know how I feel. You know that it breaks my heart when couples fight and don’t get to experience marriage as You want and intend for it to be. Help them. I pray that You give them a desire to put You first in their lives. I pray that they would get help and not give up. Give them wisdom. Give them patience and love for each other. Heal their relationships. Nothing is too hard for You. 

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

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Seventy Years Are Given To Us! Some Even Live To Eighty. Teach Us To Realize The Brevity Of Life

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Seventy Years Are Given To Us!
Some Even Live To Eighty.
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.

¹¹ Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
    Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.

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

Observation

Dirt Naps, we are all going to take one! This is what my good friend James Hartley calls it when we die, our “dirt nap”.

In March, less than a month away I will be 65 years old. And I am reminded as I read Psalm 90 this morning just what that means for me. It means that I am moving closer and closer to a “dirt nap”.

Dying does not scare me. Not finishing well during the last years of my life does bother me. How about you?

Maybe you are not quite as old as I am but as we sadly learned with the Kalamazoo, Michigan random shootings that we never know when we will meet death!

Application

Teach me to realize the brevity of my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live knowing that my days are numbered. You hold my very breath in Your Hand. Help me to finish well. 

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.  

You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. You spread out our sins before you— our secret sins—and you see them all. 

We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan. Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty.  Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,  so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:1-10,12, 14

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



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My Heart Has Heard You Say, “Come And Talk With Me.” And My Heart Responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

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My Heart Has Heard You Say, “Come And Talk With Me.”
And
My Heart Responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

Scripture

Psalm 27

⁷ Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
    Be merciful and answer me!

⁸ My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Observation

What God wants is for you and me to be in a relationship with Him.

He wants to talk to us and He wants us to talk to Him. God wants us to spend time with Him. He wants us to depend on Him.

Let’s stop right now and listen and maybe we will hear Him say, “Come and talk with me.”

If you have turned from sin and from selfish living and have asked the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from your sins, then you have God’s Holy Spirit living within you.

The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead resides in you!

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. John 16:13

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. I Kings 19:11-13

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? I Corinthians 3:16

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Application

I will listen for God’s still small voice today. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You say in Your Word, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Help me to be still. Help me to hear Your voice when You speak. Open up my heart. Don’t let me miss what You want me to hear. I want my heart to hear You say, “Come and talk with me.” And I want my heart to respond back to You, “Lord, I am coming.”

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 10,11; Psalms 27; Mark 1

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If A Soldier Demands That You Carry His Gear For A Mile, Carry It Two Miles

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If A Soldier
Demands That You Carry His Gear For A Mile,
Carry It Two Miles

I heard a sermon during a chapel service when I was attending Dallas Baptist University and the preacher was preaching on going the “second mile”. I don’t remember exactly what he said about it, but I know that when I got home I told Kathy that I was always would wash the dishes at our house. It was going to be my job! Now when we our kids were young they took their turn washing dishes, but now that they are out of the house I got my job back. Doing more than what is expected. Doing more than what you have to do.

Scripture

Matthew 5

41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.

Observation

A Roman soldier legally could make a Jew carry his gear, weighing 60/70 pounds for one mile. Of course, this was degrading and I am sure that the unfortunate Jewish man that had to do it hated every inch of the journey! Jesus said that the way to turn this bad situation around was to keep on going once you walked the mile and carry the guys stuff another mile!

I heard a sermon during a chapel service when I was attending Dallas Baptist University and the preacher was preaching on going the “second mile”. I don’t remember exactly what he said about it, but I know that when I got home I told Kathy that I was always would wash the dishes at our house. It was going to be my job! Now when we our kids were young they took their turn washing dishes, but now that they are out of the house I got my job back.

Doing more than what is expected. Doing more than what you have to do.

This week two men that attend our church helped me with a project that I am doing here at the house. It is hard “back breaking” kind of work. These guys went the second mile to help me and I will never forget what they did! They went the second mile for me!

Application

I will try to do more than what is expected of me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I do not handle interruptions very well. You know this more than anyone else. I am so glad that I can come to You and I can ask Your forgiveness when I mess up. Help me to be able to cheerfully go the second mile for those who sometimes make demands on me that change my schedule. I don’t want to be a grouch. I don’t like it when I am. Thank You for Kathy who takes the brunt of all my shortcomings. Thank You for giving me a wife that goes the second and third mile for me.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 8,9; Acts 28; Psalm 21; Proverbs 21; Matthew 5:33-42

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The LORD Is My Shepherd I Have All That I Need.

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The LORD Is My Shepherd
I Have
All That I Need. 

Contentment! You and I live in a culture where everyday we are bombarded with advertisements that have one purpose in mind: to make us feel like we need something newer, shinier, better, and if we don’t get it quickly then we are really missing out on life. Then they say something crazy like, “You deserve this!” Just go into a McDonald's restaurant order your food, and tell your young child that they can’t have a “Happy Meal” and just see what happens! The entire family will be “Unhappy” unless that kid gets that “Happy Meal”.

Scripture

Psalm 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.

Observation

Contentment! You and I live in a culture where everyday we are bombarded with advertisements that have one purpose in mind: to make us feel like we need something newer, shinier, better, and if we don’t get it quickly then we are really missing out on life. Then they say something crazy like, “You deserve this!”

Smart phones, now smart watches, laptops then there were tablets, and then there were laptops that came apart to be either a laptop or a tablet.

Skateboards then there were hoverboards!

Just go into a McDonalds restaurant order your food, and tell your young child that they can’t have a “Happy Meal” and just see what happens! The entire family will be “Unhappy” unless that kid gets that “Happy Meal”.

It is so easy to be tricked into living life unhappy and feeling discontented.

Say these words with me this morning:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
Period. End of story!

Application

The Lord is my shepherd. I have all that I need.

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. I Timothy 6:8

Prayer

Heavenly Father, because You are my shepherd; I have all that I need. You let me rest in green meadows; You lead me beside peaceful streams. You renew my strength. You guide me along right paths, bringing honor to Your name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23 Personalized 


Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27

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May The LORD Bless You And Protect You. May The LORD Smile On You And Be Gracious To You. May The LORD Show You His Favor And Give You His Peace.

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“May The LORD Bless You And Protect You.
May The LORD Smile On You And Be Gracious To You.
May The LORD Show You His Favor And Give You His Peace.”

Scripture

Numbers 6

²⁴ ‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
²⁵ May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’

Observation

I believe God wants us to pray a blessing on the people that He places in our lives like: neighbors, coworkers, family, friends, children, and especially our spouse!

Your prayer life and my prayer life should be primarily about them and not about me, myself, and I!

Who are you praying for? Are you asking BIG?

Some people in my life need some pretty big miracles! I am asking God to come through for them. He has their very life, their very breath in His hands.

Application

So if you happen to be reading this simple blog this is my prayer for you:

²⁴ ‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
²⁵ May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray these verses back to You:
How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19 

May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Psalm 67:1 

May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.  May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 115:14-15

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. Jeremiah 17:7

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3 

 Amen.



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

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To The Faithful You Show Yourself Faithful; To Those With Integrity You Show Integrity.

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To The Faithful You Show Yourself Faithful;
To
Those With Integrity You Show Integrity.

Scripture

Psalm 18

²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
    to those with integrity you show integrity.

Observation

We have a good reason to be people of integrity! We have good reason to show ourselves faithful.

Why?

Because God blesses those who are faithful and He blesses people of integrity!

²⁷ You rescue the humble,
    but you humiliate the proud.
²⁸ You light a lamp for me.
    The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
²⁹ In your strength I can crush an army;
    with my God I can scale any wall.
³⁰ God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
³¹ For who is God except the Lord?
    Who but our God is a solid rock?
³² God arms me with strength,
    and he makes my way perfect.

Application

God is my shield of protection. All of His promises prove true. Psalm 18:30 Personalized

Prayer

 I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.
 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.
 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! 

Psalm 18:1-3,46


Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 3,4; Acts 25; Psalm 18; Proverbs 18

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I Am Praying To You, Because I Know You Will Answer, O God

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I Am Praying
To You,
Because I Know You Will Answer, O God

Scripture

Psalm 17

⁶ I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
    Bend down and listen as I pray.
⁷ Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.

Observation

It was about 3 o’clock this morning when I woke up and was having trouble getting back to sleep. I have learned and maybe you have learned to that when you wake up in the middle of the night it is a great time to pray.

I began praying for some of you.

I actually ask the Lord, “Whom I should pray for” and as God brings people to my mind I pray for them.

I do that because I know that my God will answer me. So if you don’t already do this when you can’t sleep at night I heartily recommend that you begin a new habit and use the time to intercede for those God brings to your mind. 

Application

I will continue to pray to God because I know that He answers me when I pray.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word is full of Your promises that remind me that when I pray you listen and respond to my requests. 

    'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3

²³ At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. ²⁴ You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:23-24

    This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. [15] And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 

    I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 1 Tim. 2:1 

Help me to keep my prayers focused on those around me and not on myself. I pray today for those who are struggling with health issues. Give them strength. Heal their bodies. I pray for those who are struggling with relationships. Give them wisdom. For those who are struggling with addictions give them victory. Bring good friends into their lives that will help them to walk in sobriety.

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 1,2; Acts 24; Psalm 17; Proverbs 17

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God Cares About Honesty In The Workplace; Your Business Is His Business.

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God Cares About
Honesty In The Workplace;
Your Business Is His Business.

I finished reading a book a few weeks ago about the life of Christian businessman R.G. LeTourneau. The title of the book is  “Mover of Men and Mountains” and I highly recommend it for anyone seriously thinking of going into business. Here are just a few quotes that he makes in the book: “You will never improve unless you blame yourself for the troubles you have. Then when you realize your troubles are your own, you can take them to the Lord and He will give you guidance. Just don’t make the mistake of asking Him to believe the other fellow was to blame. When a man admits his mistakes, and is willing to learn from them with the Lord’s help, new worlds can open up.”

Scripture

Proverbs 16

¹¹ God cares about honesty in the workplace;
    your business is his business. (MESSAGE)

Observation

I finished reading a book a few weeks ago about the life of Christian businessman R.G. LeTourneau. The title of the book is  “Mover of Men and Mountains” and I highly recommend it for anyone seriously thinking of going into business.

Here are just a few quotes that he makes in the book: 

 You will never improve unless you blame yourself for the troubles you have. Then when you realize your troubles are your own, you can take them to the Lord and He will give you guidance. Just don’t make the mistake of asking Him to believe the other fellow was to blame. p. 147

When a man admits his mistakes, and is willing to learn from them with the Lord’s help, new worlds can open up. p. 154

When the Lord has a job for you to do, He’ll give you the strength and the ability to do it. p. 206




As a multi-millionaire, LeTourneau gave 90% of his profit to God's work and kept only 10% for himself.

If I was going into business or if I was an owner of a business I would definitely read this book. 

But even for us who are not in business for ourselves this verse still holds true, God cares about honesty and our business is His business no matter what we are involved in.

Application

I will not blame someone else when I mess up. I will strive to be a Mover of Men. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to blame someone else for my failures and my shortcomings. Help me to man up and confess when I do things that are wrong. I pray for my friends who are in business. Help them to be godly examples of how to trust in You. Show them that they can rely on You. Help them to be honest. Help them to do things in the right way. Give them wisdom. Show them how to take care of their employees. Bless them as they put You first in everything that they do.

Daily Bible Reading:  Leviticus 26,27; Acts 23; Psalm 16, Proverbs 16

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A Glad Heart Makes A Happy Face

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A Glad
Heart
Makes A Happy Face

Scripture

Proverbs 15

¹³ A glad heart makes a happy face;

15 … for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

Observation

Life comes at us with all kinds of stuff – both good stuff and bad stuff! But you and I have a choice with how we let life affect us!

Over the past week one of my friends experienced a very difficult surgery. It was a difficult surgery for any healthy person to have to deal with but this friend had other serious health issues unrelated to this surgery that she was already waiting to go through other major surgeries for.
I am not sure how she will handle all of this.    

But I hope that she makes the decision to have a “glad heart” in spite of all of her health issues.

I have noticed that for those who have a happy heart, life is a continual feast!

So as we start out this week we have a choice to make:

Happy Heart or Despondent Heart? Choice is ours to make!

Application

I choose “Happy Heart”.  How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friend who is recovering from surgery. Thank you for bringing her through it successfully. Now I pray that You help her trust You totally with her life. I pray for a complete recovery. I pray for healing. I pray for her attitude. Give her strength. Give her a trusting, believing, and happy heart in spite of all the hard things that she has endured and still has ahead of her. Do a mighty work in her life. You are All Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You. 


Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 25; Psalms 25,26; Acts 22; Psalm 15; Proverbs 15 

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Who Is The King Of Glory? The LORD Of Heaven’s Armies --- He Is The King Of Glory

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Who Is The King Of Glory?
The LORD Of Heaven’s Armies ---
He Is The King Of Glory

Scripture

Psalm 24

⁷ Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.
⁸ Who is the King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty;
    the Lord, invincible in battle.
⁹ Open up, ancient gates!
    Open up, ancient doors,
    and let the King of glory enter.
¹⁰ Who is the King of glory?
    The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—
    he is the King of glory.

Observation

No matter who wins the election for the Presidency of our country he or she will not compare to the King of glory!

I don’t know about you but I am not very encouraged when I hear our politicians’ debate about how they are going to save our country! For some reason it does not make me feel safe at all.

Good thing that there is a King that is above all other kings and this King of glory knows my name!

When He returns He is going to straighten this mess out once and for all! His promises are all true. He keeps every one of them!

¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. ¹² His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. ¹³ He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. ¹⁵ From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. ¹⁶ On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Revelation 19:11-16

Application

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is hard to listen to politicians and to know if they even believe one word of what they are saying. They promise the moon. They are not sincere. I pray for our President today and the others that lead our country. Work through them in spite of what they believe or don’t believe about You and Your Word. Use them to guide our country in the right direction. Heavenly Father, You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You and You alone are worthy of Praise! Help me live this day in a way that brings You glory and honor. 

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

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But My Life Is Worth Nothing To Me Unless I Use It For Finishing The Work Assigned Me By The Lord Jesus

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But My Life Is Worth Nothing To Me
Unless
I Use It For Finishing The Work Assigned Me By The Lord Jesus

Scripture

Acts 20

²⁴ But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Observation

What gives your life purpose and meaning? What makes it worthwhile for you to live each and every day?

You can pour yourself into the lives of your kid(s) or your family! You can be successful at making money. You can live your life for your spouse or your significant other! So many people try to find fulfillment in life by doing these good and noble things.

But … if you and I really want to live our lives and have them be filled with meaning and purpose then we must put the Lord Jesus Christ first in our life!

If you are pouring your life into any thing else except the calling assigned to you by the Lord Jesus Christ then you are missing out on life!

    But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Why not start today!

Go to bed early tonight and get up in the morning and go to the church that you have been thinking about attending.

Maybe you have been going to church, but you have refused or you have been afraid to volunteer and serve. Go up and tell someone that you are ready to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. You are no longer going to make excuses for not serving Him.

I am looking forward to Sunday morning! I am looking forward to seeing many of you at church in the morning! Kathy and I will be in the 10 am worship service. Why don’t you come and sit with us? Christ Fellowship Church 300 E. Sligh Ave. (right next to Bo’s Ice Cream)

   

Application

My Life Is Worth Nothing To Me Unless I Use It For Finishing The Work Assigned Me By The Lord Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to live my life in a relationship with You. I know that life is not worth living unless it is lived out in obedience with You. Help me to walk in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me do stupid sins. Don’t let me get off course. I want to finish well. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Leviticus 20,21,22; Acts 20; Proverbs 13

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