There Will Be No More Death Or Sorrow Or Crying Or Pain

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There Will
Be No More
Death Or Sorrow Or Crying Or Pain



Scripture

Revelation 21

³ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.

 ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”

Observation

“Look, I am making everything new!”

I don’t know about you but I am ready for a “do over”!

Come Lord Jesus! Come! I am ready for verse 4, “…there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

When I was young I gave little thought about death, crying, or pain; life back then was a piece of cake! Boy has that changed!

Revelation, chapters 20-22 encourage me this morning. They could encourage you too.

Next year, 2017 comes with lots of uncertainty just like every new year does, but some things in my life are unshakeable.

God’s Word will be my anchor for next year. God’s Word will get me through whatever comes my way.

And it can do the same thing for you. Dig into God’s Word in 2017 and hold on to each and every Promise. 

Application

I will look forward to the New Year knowing that my God is in control. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how much pain I feel this morning for those around me that are going through such sickness and others that are dealing with broken relationships. I can’t fix them. But I take them to You in prayer because I know that You can do Mighty things. I lift them up in prayer to You because You alone can help them. They need healing, some need physical healing and others emotional healing. You are Healer. One day there will be no more pain, no more crying, and no more suffering! Lord, You know how I look forward to that day. Come Lord Jesus! Come!

Daily Bible Reading:  Revelation 19,20,21,22

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Hailstones Weighing As Much As Seventy-Five Pounds Fell From The Sky Onto People Below

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Hailstones
Weighing As Much As Seventy-Five Pounds
Fell From The Sky Onto People Below




Scripture

Revelation 16

¹⁷ Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air. And a mighty shout came from the throne in the Temple, saying, “It is finished!”
 
¹⁸ Then the thunder crashed and rolled, and lightning flashed. And a great earthquake struck—the worst since people were placed on the earth. ¹⁹ The great city of Babylon split into three sections, and the cities of many nations fell into heaps of rubble. So God remembered all of Babylon’s sins, and he made her drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his fierce wrath.
 
²⁰ And every island disappeared, and all the mountains were leveled. ²¹ There was a terrible hailstorm, and hailstones weighing as much as seventy-five pounds fell from the sky onto the people below. They cursed God because of the terrible plague of the hailstorm.

Observation

Do I believe in Climate Change? 

You bet, not necessarily man made climate change, but one day this earth will experience God made climate change and we can read all about it in chapter 16 of Revelation. 

I can’t even imagine a Seventy-Five Pound hailstone falling from the sky but one day it is going to happen. 

A great earthquake like never ever before will occur, and islands will disappear and mountains will be leveled. 

God’s wrath will one day be poured out on this earth. Real climate change is coming! 

Are you ready? Trust in the Lord while there is time!

Application

I will trust in and I will turn to the One who will one day pour out His wrath on this world and destroy it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I believe in climate change. I believe that You cause the sun and the moon to shine. I know that You created this world and everything in it. You sustain it. One day I know that You will destroy it. You will come in judgment. You are a God of Mercy and a God of Compassion, but You are also a Just God and everything that You promise You will do. Help those that may be reading this blog understand that You want to save them and not destroy them. Help them to turn to You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Revelation 15,16,17,18

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A Hot-Tempered Person Commits All Kinds Of Sin

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A
Hot-Tempered Person
Commits All Kinds Of Sin


Scripture

Proverbs 29

22 An angry person starts fights;
    a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

Psalm 37:8

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.

Proverbs 29:11

Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.

Proverbs 12:18 

Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.

 Observation

Nobody likes to be around an angry person. Nobody!

I have not gotten over my last encounter with an angry person yet. It happened weeks ago, but I still have not recovered from what this angry person unleashed.

But at least I do have a Biblical description of this person and a description of others that are like him or her.

I would have labeled and called that person a knucklehead, but my Bible has a better description, it calls them a FOOL.

I know that when I have lost my temper and vented at Kathy it is usually because I am angry with myself and I take it out on her.

If you easily lose your temper, I hope that you will memorize these verses or other verses like them that talk about self-control.

I have memorized Proverbs 12:18 and it has helped me with how I talk to Kathy.

Maybe it could help you too!

 Application

I will control my temper and I will ask for forgiveness from God and from the injured party when I mess up and let my temper get out of control. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for this angry person. Hurt and destruction follows this person so I pray for Your intervention. Do whatever it takes to help this person control his or her temper and exchange their anger with peace and self-control. You are God. Nothing is too hard for You!

Daily Bible Reading:  Revelation 10,11,12,13,14; Psalm 29, Psalm 129; Proverbs 29

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God Detests The Prayers Of A Person Who Ignores The Law

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God Detests The Prayers
Of
A Person Who Ignores The Law



Scripture

Proverbs 28

⁹ God detests the prayers
    of a person who ignores the law.

Observation

The Lord will not hear me if I hold on to sin in my heart. (Psalm 66:18) 

I am both shocked and amazed at Christians that think they can keep on sinning and still think that God is going to hear their prayers when they ask Him for help. 

The only prayer that God will hear and respond to coming from a person breaking the law (God’s or man’s) is a prayer of confession and repentance. 

When you choose to remain in sin (to keep on sinning) and you are a follower of Jesus Christ you my friend are in a very dangerous place. 

Don’t think that you can straddle the fence … there is no fence … you and I can walk in obedience and receive God’s blessings or we can choose to sin and walk out from under God’s umbrella of protection. 

Stupid is as stupid does! 

Let’s repent and confess our sins as we commit them. Lets walk in obedience. Lets live a blessed life!

Application

I will not ignore the law – neither man nor God’s. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, do not let me hold on to any sin. Help me to confess my sins just as soon as I commit them. Bring 1 John 1:9 to my memory every time I sin. (If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.) I want You to be able to hear my prayers every time I pray to You. I don’t want anything messing up our relationship. Help me to walk in obedience today and everyday. 

I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog. Help them to walk in victory today. Give them strength to say no to the temptations that come his or her way.

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Revelation 5,6,7,8,9; Psalm 28, Psalm 128; Proverbs 28



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Blessed Are Those Who Hear God’s Word And Take It To Heart

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Blessed
Are Those Who Hear God’s Word
And Take It To Heart



Scripture

Revelation 1

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. NIV

Revelation 1

3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. NLT

Observation

I don’t know anyone that doesn’t want to be blessed!

Not too many people I know go around hoping to be cursed – no people want to be blessed! Do you want things to change in your life?

Are you ready to be blessed? Are you tired of being cursed?

All you have to do is read the Bible and take to heart what you read! In other words all you and I have to do to live lives that are blessed is to read the Bible and obey what it says!

Simple as that! …

Pastor Rapley Armstrong shared this and I wrote it down in my Bible, “This Book (the Bible) will keep you away from sin and sin will keep you away from this Book.”

Blessing or Curse, the choice is ours to make!

 Application

I will read God’s Word everyday and I will put into practice what I read. How about you? Will you make that same commitment?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t ever let me go a day without reading Your Word and spending time with You. Don’t let me do it. I want to live a life that is blessed. I don’t want to live under a curse. Help me to obey and put into practice what I read. Help me to be a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only! I pray for anyone that may read this blog today. Give them the desire to devour Your Word. Bless them, as they are obedient to what they read. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Revelation 1,2,3,4

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Yes, The Lord Has Done Amazing Things For Us! What Joy!

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Yes, The Lord Has Done Amazing
Things For Us!
What Joy!

Scripture

Psalm 126

³ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
    What joy!

Observation

2016 is almost history and 2017 is right around the corner!

Are you going through a difficult time right now and are facing lots of uncertainty in 2017? If just thinking about it is frightening for you, then here is what I suggest we do (yes, this is what I plan to do).

 … It is pretty simple … nothing earth shattering … here it is:

“Let’s look back over our lives and think about all of the amazing things that God has done for us!

He was faithful to take care of us then and He will take care of us now and He will most certainly take care of us tomorrow!

It is my plan for facing 2017 and I think it is a good one for you too!

Jeremiah 29:11  

             

    For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2 Samuel 22:20 

 He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

Psalm 37:23

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

 Application

I will trust the Lord to take care of my family and me in 2017. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I think about the New Year that is approaching help me to do it with faith. Help me not to be afraid. I know that You delight in me. I know that Your plans for me are to prosper me and not to harm me. Help me not to do stupid sins that will bring grief and harm to my family and me. Help me to live a pure life. Help me to live by faith trusting every Word and every Promise that You have given me to live by. Help me to be bold and courageous. 

And I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog. Help them to trust You with what is coming in 2017. Help them to walk by faith!

Daily Bible Reading:  Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John 1; 3 John 1; Psalm 26, Psalm 126; Proverbs 26

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For The World Offers Only A Craving For Physical Pleasure, A Craving For Everything We See, And Pride In Our Achievements And Possessions.

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For The World Offers Only A Craving For Physical Pleasure,
A Craving For Everything We See,
And Pride In Our Achievements And Possessions.


Scripture

1 John 2

¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
 
¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. 

These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

1 John 5

21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

Observation

Merry Christmas! Waking up this morning after having a great time with a lot (but not all) of our extended family last night and after having experienced a wonderful Christmas Eve service with so many of our church family … Kathy and I are blessed!

These verses from 1 John are a reminder to me and hopefully a reminder to you that the Christmas is not receiving “Stuff”; it is not even about giving “Stuff”.

In fact, it is not about “Stuff” at all!

It is about Jesus Christ! It is about having a personal relationship with Him. Do you know Him?

If you don’t know Him as your Lord and Savior then you can’t experience Christmas.

It might be “Stuffmas” today, but it sure won’t be “Christmas”! 

 Application

I will put “stuff” in its proper place as I start out this day. I will enjoy the people that God has brought into my life! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for putting in our hearts the idea of celebrating the birth of Your Son. I know that we mess up this day with lots of stuff that doesn’t belong with the birth of Jesus and I confess that I am guilty of dragging lots of stuff into this holiday that really don’t belong. Help me not lose the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t let all the “stuff” rob me of its joy, its awe, and its wonder. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 John 1,2,3,4,5

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Jesus Knew That His Mission Was Now Finished

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Jesus Knew
That His Mission
Was Now Finished
 

 Scripture

John 19

²⁸ Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. ³⁰ When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Observation

Christmas as wonderful as it is does not tell us the whole story! 

The little baby of the Christmas story came into this world on mission. 

“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12) 

Is He your Savior? Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners – He came to save you and me. 

Do you know personally the Christ of Christmas? If you were to die today where would you spend Eternity? 

“… So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.” Romans 8:3

Application

I am going to enjoy Christmas this year no matter what! Jesus Christ is the Reason for the Season.  How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I wonder what You think about the way we humans celebrate the birth of Your Son. I know that it doesn’t surprise You. In the midst of all the glitter and lights, in the middle of all of the hustle and bustle, I am sure that You are able to find and spot true worshipers. Help me to be one of them! 

Daily Bible Reading:  John 19,20,21

 
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For Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing

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For Apart
From Me
You Can Do Nothing




Scripture

John 15

⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Observation

No real purpose, no meaning to life that is how most people around us pass each and every day! 

Can’t figure out what you are supposed to do in life? Do you want your life to really count?

 If what I just described sounds like you then you need to follow Jesus Christ and totally commit your life to Him. Your life and my life apart from Christ can be summed up with ONE BIG “0”! 

You and I can do nothing that is really important, nothing that has Eternal significance if we are not connected to Jesus Christ and living lives of obedience to Him. 

Lets get connected and then live in obedience. Let’s read God’s Word and do what it says! 

John 10:10 

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

Application

I will live as close to Jesus today as I possibly can. I will obey what God says in His Word. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want my life on earth to have Eternal significance. I want You to be able to say to me when I get to Heaven, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Help me to live out my life in obedience to Your Word. Show me when I sin. Don’t let me live with un-confessed sin in my life. Don’t let me mess up my life. You are Worthy of all Praise! Help me live in a way that brings You glory!

I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog this morning. Help them to live productive lives for You. Give them the desires of their hearts. Answer their prayers and make their plans successful. 

Daily Bible Reading:  John 15,16,17,18



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Love Each Other. Just As I Have Loved You, You Should Love Each Other.

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Love Each Other.
Just As I Have Loved You,
You Should Love Each Other. 





Scripture

John 13

³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Observation

We are commanded to love the people that God has brought into our lives. We are even commanded to love our enemies! 

Bummer! 

We can’t just write them off. Jesus has commanded us to love them. In fact, He said for us to love them just like He loves us. 

Ouch! He died for you and me! 

The Apostle Paul had some people that didn’t treat him well and his response was this, “I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.” (2 Corinthians 12:15) 

Jesus’ response to those who nailed Him to the cross was this, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

 Do you have some unlovely down right mean people in your life right now?

Do you have some people that have decided to be especially cruel to you even though you can’t understand why? 

Kathy and I can relate … with some no matter what we do or no matter how much we try to show them love they always still seem to find a way to be mad and upset with us.

But our job, our calling until the day we die is to continue to love them whether they love us, curse us, or treat us like the scum of the earth!

There is no getting off the hook! You and I are commanded to love!

Application

I will think about Jesus’ and the Apostle Paul’s response to hard to love people and I will keep on showing love. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know how much that I want everyone to love us like we love them. You know that I want to be treated with love and not hate. Help me to forgive our enemies and help me to love them. Help me to see their lives from Your perspective.

Give me Your heart for those who seem to want to hurt us. Bless them Lord. Help them to let go of the anger and the hurt that causes them to hurt those around them, those that love them.

You are the Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. I pray for healing of broken relationships. May they be able to experience Your love.

Daily Bible Reading:  John 12,13,14

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Everyone Who Lives In Me And Believes In Me Will Never Die. Do You Believe This?

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Everyone Who Lives In Me And
Believes In Me Will Never Die.
Do You Believe This? 


 Scripture

John 11

²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. ²⁶ Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Observation

Are you afraid to die? 

5 years ago I knew the very moment the pain hit me that I was having a heart attack. The pain was excruciating and I knew I was dying. 

At least 4 times in the hospital my heart stopped and they had to shock me back to life. During the past 5 years 2 times my heart has stopped and my defibrillator has brought me back to life. 

I said all of that to say this, one day I am going to stop breathing and my defibrillator is not going to work and I am going to die. 

The moment I die is when I really begin to live and I am going to live forever. 

Do you believe? Are you afraid to die?

Application

My heart attack did not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God would receive glory from it. So many people prayed for me to recover and they gave glory to God when He answered their prayers!

John 11

⁴ But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, John 11 means so much more to me now after my heart attack. Knowing what it feels like to be at the death’s door and experiencing Your peace gives me the assurance that You are going to take care of me all the way to Heaven. You will take care of my family. You are constantly at work in their lives to help them move closer to You. Thank You for taking care of the ones that I love. Show them that they can trust in You with their life and even with their death. 

Daily Bible Reading:  John 9,10,11



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The Godly Walk With Integrity

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The Godly
Walk
With Integrity





Scripture

Proverbs 20

⁷ The godly walk with integrity;
    blessed are their children who follow them.

Observation

My earthly father was not a man that cared about God at all. The only time I heard my Dad mention God’s name was when he was angry and swearing at me. Sad and painful to admit but my Dad was not a man of integrity.

I am grateful though that he had a Mom, my “Granny”, who was faithful to God and who was a person of integrity. So if your Mom and Dad don’t care about God at all, hopefully you will have grandparents that do.

Blessed are the children that follow after a godly father, mother, grandmother, or grandfather. It is our choice.

You and I can choose to live godly lives and be examples to our children and grandchildren. Or we can live sinful lives and be poor examples to follow.

I hope that my 5 grown children and my 10 grandchildren can see Jesus in me.

I don’t want them to say or even think about me that I was not a man of integrity.

Will you join me and make a commitment to God to live our lives in a way that pleases Him?

Application

I will strive to live a godly life and be a person of integrity. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that my Granny was not a perfect person. I remember in her old age just how mean that she could be. But I believe that the reason that I came a Christ follower is because my Granny prayed for me. She loved You and somehow it made a difference in my life. Help me to be able to make the same kind of difference in my grown children’s lives and especially in my grandchildren’s lives. Help them to see Jesus in me and see Jesus in Kathy. Nothing is more important to us than to see our children and our grandchildren living for You.  Please help that prayer of ours become a reality soon. 

I pray for my daughter Debby today on her birthday. Bless her Lord. Give her the desires of her heart. Answer all of her prayers. Make all of her plans successful!

Daily Bible Reading:  John 7,8; Psalm 20, Psalm 120; Proverbs 20

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I Can’t Sir

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I
Can’t
Sir



Scripture

John 5

³ Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. ⁵ One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

⁷ “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

⁸ Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

⁹ Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! 

Observation

I can’t! I hear it all the time. People may not actually say it, but their actions shout out the truth.

I can’t trust Jesus to take care of my situation. I can’t trust Jesus to heal me. Ruined marriage, out of control addiction, broken relationship, bad health, or the bad health of a loved one, which one of these is your “I can’t”.

Now before you begin to say, I can fix this problem myself (I hear this all the time too) you need to realize that you do have a Savior and you are not Him.

This man had been sick for 38 years – would you like to get well Jesus asked – “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

 Application

I will trust my Savior with all of my “I can’t’s”. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize today just how helpless I am to fix so many of the problems that I face. I am not God. You and You alone can fix and change my impossible situations. I am holding on to everything You have promised in Your Word. I believe what You have said. I believe. Help me with every one of my “I can’t” because I know that with You nothing is impossible. 

Daily Bible Reading:  John 5,6



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Everybody Is Going To Him Instead Of Coming To Us.

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Everybody Is Going
To Him
Instead Of Coming To Us. 




Scripture

John 3

²⁶ So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

²⁷ John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’

 ²⁹ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. ³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

Observation

Envy, competition, the desire to be recognized, the need to be top dog, the need to be rewarded ... the disciples of John, yes, they were just like us! Okay, I actually don’t know about you so I will only speak of myself. Sometimes it is hard to celebrate when others are successful. I have noticed that it is easy, at least for me, to be critical of those big television preachers (like Joel and others) when I don’t even no them at all.

John the Baptist was very successful at this time in his ministry and had throngs of people coming to him to be baptized. All of a sudden Jesus began His ministry and the people, even John’s disciples, were turning and following Jesus. John was able to see the big picture. He was able to see things from God’s perspective and so he said, “I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

When I think of some truly great contemporary Christian leaders like Billy Graham, Chuck Swindol, and Adrian Rogers I realize that they had an army of people that surrounded them and worked hard to make those leaders successful.

Application

I will strive to make those around me successful. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me this morning that this world is not my home. I belong to a Kingdom that is not made with hands. Don’t let me have a critical spirit. Help me to speak of others in a way that will build them up and not tear them down. When I don’t have anything good to say about someone help me to keep my mouth shut. Give me Your heart and Your eyes for those around me. Give me wisdom and discernment so that I may bring You glory and honor with the way that I live my life. 

Daily Bible Reading:  John 2,3,4

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By His Divine Power, God Has Given Us Everything We Need For Living A Godly Life.

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By His Divine Power,
God Has Given Us Everything We Need
For Living A Godly Life. 





Scripture

2 Peter 1

³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Observation

Everything … 

You and I, if we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, have been given EVERYTHING we need for living a godly life! 

Lets not make excuses for sinful living! We can’t blame our parents, a spouse, a boss, a physical condition, a traumatic childhood, the devil, anyone, or anything else for sinful living. 

God has given us great and precious promises in His Word and those promises enable us to live godly lives. 

So lets stop blaming and let’s stop making excuses and lets start living our lives to please God. 

Right now is a good time to start! 

Application

I have everything I need to live a godly life. I will not make excuses for any sin in my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for this day that I get to live. Help me to live it in a way that pleases You. I know that You have given me Your Holy Spirit. You live inside of me. I have everything that I need. Don’t let me sin. Show me when I do sin and don’t let me make excuses or try to blame someone else. 

I pray for those that may be reading this blog. Give them the desire, the strength, and the wisdom to live godly lives. Show them that they have everything they need to live their lives in a way that pleases You. Empower them today to live victoriously so that You may receive glory and honor by the way they live. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Peter 1,2,3; John 1




> If you are reading this simple blog this morning you are an encouragement to me!

> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.

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He Prowls Around Like A Roaring Lion, Looking For Someone To Devour.

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He Prowls Around
Like A Roaring Lion, 
Looking For Someone To Devour.

Scripture

1 Peter 5

⁷ Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

 ⁹ Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Observation

Pastor Bruce Moore I remember made the point once that what follows verse 7 of 1 Peter 5 was very important.

So important that you and I take all of our worries and cares to God, who cares about us, because we do have a great enemy that wants to destroy not only us but also our families.

Do you care about your family? If you do care about your family then live a godly life.

Stay close to God. Stand firm against the devil, and be strong in your faith.

If you are suffering right now let it be for suffering because you are living a godly life not because you have involved yourself in sinful living!

Turn from selfish and sinful living and turn to God. Give Him all of your worries and cares.

What burden are you carrying that you need to roll over on Him? Do it right now.

 Application


I am giving all of my worries and cares to God. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I take You at Your Word. And I believe that You care about me. You care about every detail of my life. I know that You want me to call on You with all of these things that are worrying me. And that is exactly what I plan to do. Don’t let me worry about anything, but help me to remember to pray about everything. Help to me remember to bring every one of my concerns to You with thanksgiving and then I know that I will experience Your peace that will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

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

   

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Peter 1,2,3,4,5

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When Troubles Of Any Kind Come Your Way, Consider It An Opportunity For Great Joy.

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When Troubles Of Any Kind Come
Your Way,
Consider It An Opportunity For Great Joy.

 Scripture

James 1

² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Observation

Kathy and I have had plenty of opportunities for great joy lately, maybe you have too! Trouble – Trouble – Trouble via People – People – People … maybe your faith is being tested too! James, the brother of Jesus, says that the testing of our faith by troubles gives our faith a chance to grow!

Lord, help me to remember this passage of scripture for the next time I encounter “trouble”.

Maybe He is chiseling, chipping, squeezing, molding, and working on your character too!

Remember God will always use people in your life as “Spiritual Sandpaper” and as they rub you the wrong way, God will use them (if we let Him) to make us more like His Son Jesus Christ!

Spiritual Sandpaper People – we all have them!

 Application

I will consider “troubles” and even those who may cause them as an opportunity for great joy! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be honest and I want You to know that I do not like being verbally abused or watching Kathy take abuse and You know how much I want to respond back and be ugly to those who are lashing out at us. But I also know that Jesus Christ took abuse all the way to the cross. I don’t understand why those we love so much choose to be unlovely but I know from Your Word today that we are to consider it an opportunity for great joy and an opportunity to grow. Help us to see the big picture. Help us to see our lives from Your perspective. More than anything else in this world I want to please You. Help me to do that by the way I love people no matter what they do to us. 

Daily Bible Reading:  James 1,2,3,4,5

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Let Us Strip Off Every Weight That Slows Us Down, Especially The Sin That So Easily Trips Us Up.

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Let Us Strip Off Every Weight That Slows Us Down,
Especially
The Sin That So Easily Trips Us Up. 

The life of faith is an endurance race, not a wind sprint. It is a marathon! So what is slowing us down? Lets strip off every thing that is holding us back, especially sin that so easily trips us up! Lets not keep doing the same thing, the same stupid sin over and over again and expect God to bless our lives. Lets run with endurance the race God has set before us!

Scripture

Hebrews 12

1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Observation

The life of faith is an endurance race, not a wind sprint. It is a marathon!

So what is slowing us down?

Lets strip off every thing that is holding us back, especially sin that so easily trips us up!

Lets not keep doing the same thing, the same stupid sin over and over again and expect God to bless our lives.

Lets run with endurance the race God has set before us!

 Application

I am running the race and I want to finish well! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want to be able to say like the Apostle Paul in  2 Timothy 4:6-7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Daily Bible Reading:  Hebrews 12,13; Jude

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It Is Impossible To Please God Without Faith.

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It Is
Impossible
To Please God Without Faith.


Scripture

Hebrews 11

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Observation

If Hebrews 11 were written today would you and I find our names in the list of the faithful?

Take a minute to read this great chapter and think about these men and women and what it took for them to live out their faith.

It was verses 35-38 that really got my attention this morning!

Hebrews 11:35-38 

    … Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. [36] Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. [37] They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- [38] the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

Just because we live by faith doesn’t mean that our lives will be problem free. It doesn’t mean that there will not be suffering, hardship, trials, and persecution. 

Life is cruel. It is brutal.

It was cruel and brutal back in Biblical times and it is brutal and full of drama today. Don’t expect life as a follower of Jesus Christ to be a rose garden!

We would never have the chance to get into the Hall of Faith if life didn’t cause us to look up and place our faith in God.

John 16:33

    "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."

 Application

I will look up today and life today by faith. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I read Hebrews 11 I am humbled by those listed in the chapter and the lives that they lived for You. Help me to live my life in a way that pleases You. I know that without faith I don’t have a chance of pleasing You. Help me to trust You in every area of my life. Direct and guide me today. Help me live in a way that makes You smile. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Hebrews 9,10,11

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This Hope Is A Strong And Trustworthy Anchor For Our Souls.

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This Hope
Is A Strong And Trustworthy
Anchor For Our Souls.

Scripture

Hebrews 6

¹⁴ “I will certainly bless you,
    and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
18 … Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Observation

God’s promise to Abraham is also His promise to us. In this crazy, upside down, dog eat dog, vicious, cruel, mean, and rude world you and I have an anchor. 

I don’t know about you and what has been going on in your world, but in my crazy world I definitely need an anchor for my soul. 

So I am holding on. I am taking refuge in God and with great confidence I am holding on to the hope that lies before me. How about you? 

Psalm 62:5
 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. 

Psalm 94:19
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Psalm 43:5
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

Psalm 39:7
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Psalm 31:24
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

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.

Application

I put my hope in the Lord this Monday morning. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my refuge. I put my hope in You. No matter what happens in this world I have an anchor for my soul. I hold on tightly to all of Your promises. I have confidence in Your Word. My only hope is in You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Hebrews 5,6,7,8

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