All That I Know Now Is Partial And Incomplete, But Then I Will Know Everything Completely, Just As God Knows Me Completely.

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All That I Know Now Is Partial And Incomplete,
But
Then I Will Know Everything Completely, Just As God Knows Me Completely. 



Scripture

I Corinthians 13

¹² Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Observation

Have you ever said to yourself or to someone else, “When I get to Heaven I am going to ask God why this happened?” I sure have! 

There are so many things in life that I just don’t get. They just don’t seem right!

1 Corinthians 13:12 tells me that one day God is going to let me understand everything. One day God is going to clue me in and all the “whys” in my life will be answered.  

Wow! I can’t wait! How about you? 

What are some of you biggest “whys” or “how comes”? 

Why do people suffer? Why would a child get cancer or die in an accident? Why do people even have to die? Why does God allow our loved ones to get sick? Why don’t our children follow, trust, and live for God? Why am I or why is someone I love going through all of this pain and suffering? 

I have a million “whys” and so do you!

One day we will have all of those questions answered! Until then may I suggest that we cling and hold onto all the attributes of God and all of His promises in His Word. 

God is beyond measurement. God is All-Powerful. God is love. God is kind. He is transcendent—existing beyond and above the created universe. God is just. God is Holy. God is self-sufficient. God is compassionate. God is wise. God is a God of grace. I could go on and on, but you get the idea! These are just a few of the attributes of God!

Application

One day we will have all of the answers. One day everything will be crystal clear to me! I know because God says so!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I cannot see Your Hand in something that is happening to me or to someone I love I will trust Your Heart! There are so many things that I do not understand right now. But I have the assurance that one day I will completely understand why things happened the way they did. I have Your promise that I will have complete understanding. Help me in the mean time just to trust You with all of my heart!

I pray today for my sister Bea on her birthday. I pray for healing as she battles cancer. I pray for strength for her and her husband Norm. Show them Your power and Your goodness. Meet every need in their lives. Bless them Lord. May Your face shine on them today with Your Favor!

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

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As Iron Sharpens Iron, So A Friend Sharpens A Friend

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As Iron Sharpens Iron,
So
A Friend Sharpens A Friend

Kathy and I had the awesome privilege of attending a special Celebrate Recovery meeting last night at our church. Celebrate Recovery is a 12 step program that has Christ at the center and heart of recovery, surrounded by a group of friends committed to walking with you through the journey. Kathy and I had the joy of hearing the testimonies of those who had finished their steps. I am both humbled and encouraged to see and hear how the mighty power of God has changed their lives.



Scripture

Proverbs 27

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend.

Observation

I had the awesome privilege of attending a special Celebrate Recovery meeting last night at our church. Celebrate Recovery is a 12 step program that has Christ at the center and heart of recovery, surrounded by a group of friends committed to walking with you through the journey.

Kathy and I had the joy of hearing the testimonies of those who had finished their steps. I am both humbled and encouraged to see and hear how the mighty power of God has changed their lives.

Talk about the importance of community!

You can really see the importance of community and friendship when you see the transformation that has happened within this group! It is truly amazing!

Kathy and I are so proud of Orville and Linda Renner and their faithful, unyielding, and unapologetic leadership. Out of their brokenness God has given them a ministry that is rich and rewarding (and difficult). A ministry of helping those that need and want to break free of their hurts, hang-ups, and habits. 

They meet every Sunday @ 5 pm at Christ Fellowship in Building “D”. Need more information about this ministry contact Linda Renner – she is on Facebook, or private message me and I will get Linda or Orville to contact you!

 Application

I will pray for Celebrate Recovery and everyone that makes up this amazing ministry!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the lives that have been forever changed through the ministry of Celebrate Recovery. I pray for Orville and Linda Renner as they lead this group. Give them the strength, the energy, and the wisdom to lead this group well with integrity and with the tough love necessary to see more lives transformed in the future.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 21,22,23; Mark 6,7; Psalm 27, Psalm 57, Proverbs 27

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That Is Why We Never Give Up. Though Our Bodies Are Dying, Our Spirits Are Being Renewed Every Day.

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That Is Why We Never Give Up.
Though Our Bodies Are Dying,
Our Spirits Are Being Renewed Every Day.

 Scripture

2 Corinthians 4 

¹⁶ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. ¹⁷ For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
 
¹⁸ So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Observation

Feel like giving up, then you need to take time to read 2 Corinthians 4 and let God’s Word pick you up and get you back on track!

The Apostle Paul says, “What’s important right now is not what we can see. What we can see is not going to last very long, but what we can’t see that is going to last forever!”

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.
⁸ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. ⁹ We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. ¹⁰ Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

Perspective is everything! 

The Apostle Paul was able to endure a lot of hardship because he knew that there was something better waiting for Him. 

The writer of Hebrews puts it this way in Hebrews 12:1-2

“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. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up.”

Lets keep our eyes on Jesus and lets never give up!

 Application

I will fix my eyes on Jesus and I will never give up! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to always look to You and never give up! I pray for those that may be reading this blog that find themselves depressed and maybe wanting to give up. I pray that You encourage them with Your Word. Show them that they have a lot to live for. Show them that what is important still lies ahead of them. Show them that You plan to take care of them. Nothing is too hard for You. Thank You for encouraging me every time I open up and read Your Word. You have filled my life with so many great and wonderful promises. My future is bright. It is in Your Hands. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 19,20; Psalms 28; Mark 5; Psalm 26, Psalm 36, Proverbs 26; 2 Corinthians 4

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Give Your Burdens To The LORD, And He Will Take Care Of You

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Give Your Burdens To The LORD,
And
He Will Take Care Of You

Scripture

Psalm 55

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

Observation

Take a minute to read Psalm 55 so that you can take and understand Psalm 55:22 in the context that King David was writing it in. 

This is what David says in verses 4-8 & 11: 

“ My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking. Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.  How quickly I would escape—far from this wild storm of hatred. Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.”

Though King David is surrounded and hunted down by his enemies and has evidently been betrayed by a close friend just listen to the confidence that David has in his God in verses 16-19:

^“ But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. God, who has ruled forever, will hear me and humble them.”

Whatever you and I are going through, getting ready to go through, or have just been through hopefully has or will cause us to depend more on the Lord to take care of us. 

Burdened? Stressed out? Want to get away? Okay, fair enough, but here is the answer – Do just what King David did – Pray!

Philippians 4:6-7

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

1 Peter 5:7

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

Matthew 6:25

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life …”

Application

I will pray and I will put my trust in the Lord today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, over and over again You tell me in Your Word to trust You. In fact, Your Word is full of stories that tell me that the only way to live this life here on earth is by walking close to You. King David knew how to live a victorious life. Even though he lived most of his life surrounded by enemies he learned to trust completely in You. This world is not my home. I am just passing through. Help me learn how to live each day trusting totally in you.

I will give my burdens to You, Lord, and I know that You will take care of me. You will not me slip and fall. (Psalm 55:22 personalized)

 

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 17,18; Psalms 29; Mark 4; Psalm 25, Psalm 55; Proverbs 25



> 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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O LORD, What Are Human Beings That You Should Notice Them - Trappist-1

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O LORD,
What Are Human Beings
That You Should Notice Them

Traveling at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second, it would take us 39.5 light years to travel the 237 trillion miles to reach Trappist-1 where scientists say there are 7 planets with 3 that could support life!  When I heard the news about this discovery I just smiled! What a great and mighty God we serve!

Scripture

Psalm 144

³ O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them,
    mere mortals that you should think about them?
⁴ For they are like a breath of air;
    their days are like a passing shadow.

Observation

Traveling at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second, it would take us 39.5 light years to travel the 237 trillion miles to reach Trappist-1 where scientists say there are 7 planets with 3 that could support life!  

When I heard the news about this discovery I just smiled! What a great and mighty God we serve! How Big is Our God!

And to think that He just spoke all of this into existence! 

And even more amazing than that is that this Creator God would choose to love us and be concerned about us. 

Oh, so Amazing!

----  ---- ---- ----

Psalm 147
⁴ He counts the stars
    and calls them all by name.
⁵ How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
    His understanding is beyond comprehension!

Psalm 36
6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.

Psalm 8
³ When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
⁴ what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?

Isaiah 40
Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.


Isaiah 45
¹¹ This is what the Lord says—
    the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:
“Do you question what I do for my children?
    Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?
¹² I am the one who made the earth
    and created people to live on it.
With my hands I stretched out the heavens.
    All the stars are at my command.

Colossians 1
¹⁵ Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.¹⁷ He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
 
Application

I will thank my Lord, the Great Creator God for thinking about me.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 

You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. 

You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! 

I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. 

To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. 
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (Psalm 139:1-14 personalized)

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 14,15,16; Mark 3; Psalm 24, Psalm 44, Psalm 144, Proverbs 24

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Follow Me And Be My Disciple

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Follow Me
And
Be My Disciple

 Scripture

Mark 2

¹³ Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

Observation

Jesus’ call on our life is that we follow Him and be His disciple. Everyday you and I are supposed to be becoming more and more like Jesus Christ! When we first received Christ into our lives we were spiritual babies! But once we have surrendered our lives to Him as our Lord and our Savior we need to start the process of growing up as followers of Christ.

Here are a few things that stunt our spiritual growth:

1. Not going to and not participating in church.
2. Not belonging to and not participating in a small group.
3. Not reading the Bible on a daily basis.
4. Involving oneself in a particular sin(s) and being unwilling to repent of that sin(s) and refusing to ask God for forgiveness.

Here is the good news. All of us can change the direction of our lives at any moment. For Matthew it was when Jesus walked up and asked Matthew to follow Him and be His disciple. Maybe today is the day for you to start following Jesus Christ as your Lord and your Savior.

Why not say Yes to Jesus right now? 

Matthew 16:24 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Application

I will be an obedient follower of Jesus Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that there may be someone reading this blog that right now that needs to surrender his or her life to You and become a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Open up his or her heart right now. Give them the courage and the boldness to say Yes to Your call on his or her life. As they surrender their life to You give them the boldness and the courage to find a church where they can grow. Help them find a small group of believers to join. As they begin to read Your Word I pray that it becomes life changing for them. Help them to confess all known sin to You and show them that they can walk in victory. Bless them Lord. Bless them and show them that they can trust in You. 

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

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Wait Patiently For The LORD Yes, Wait Patiently For The LORD.

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Wait Patiently For The LORD
Yes,
Wait Patiently For The LORD. 


Scripture

Psalm 27

¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Observation

If you and I are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we belong to a Kingdom that cannot be seen and that is not made with human hands. Rules for living life in God’s kingdom are explained in God’s Word – the Bible.

Our tendency as followers of Jesus Christ is to act and live just like everyone else, but we are not like everyone else. Jesus Christ lives in us! So the game plan for the way we do life is totally different than for most of the folks around us. Let me see if I can explain.

If someone does not have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ then they are living life on his or her own without any help from the very God who created them. How very sad and tragic!

But if you and I have a relationship with God through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and our Savior then everything we do in life is to be done trusting in Him and asking Him for help – Everything! It is the way we are supposed to live right now in God’s Kingdom.

I don’t know about you but there are many times when I forget that I belong to the Kingdom of God and I do things, I make decisions, just like a person that has no relationship at all with a Heavenly Father. How stupid is that? I am a child of the King of Kings!

You and I, if we are believers in Jesus Christ should live our lives totally dependent on Him. Just look in the Book that holds the game plan for our lives and it tells us over and over and over again – to trust, to have faith, to depend, and to wait on Him.

Psalm 5:3

 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. 

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.

Application

I will do my best to take everything to the Lord in prayer and depend on Him as my Heavenly Father to take care of me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that trusting totally in You is a day-by-day learning experience for me. You have shown me over and over again that I don’t need to worry about my every day life and that You are going to take care of me, but I keep forgetting. I am so glad that You do not give up on me. Your love for me is higher than the heavens. It has no limits. Thank You that You are a God of mercy and grace and so very patient with me. Help me to live today in a way that pleases You. Help me to act like I am a part of the Kingdom of God today. You are my Hope!

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

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Watch Your Tongue And Keep Your Mouth Shut

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Watch Your Tongue
And
Keep Your Mouth Shut


Scripture

Psalm 141

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 

Proverbs 21:23

²³ Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
    and you will stay out of trouble.

Observation

Have you ever noticed how much the Bible talks about keeping our mouths shut?

Kathy shared Proverbs 21:23 with me the other day. And no, she wasn’t telling me to shut up! Although she has probably memorized that verse now and will probably quote to me at the next dumb and mean thing that comes out of my mouth!

What we say, how much we say, the way we say it, and when we say it, is so important if we want to maintain great relationships!

I don’t know about you but my mouth gets me in trouble all the time with the one that I love the most – in my case it is with my girl friend Kathy!

‘’’’’’’’’

Proverbs 13:3

 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Proverbs 12:18 

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

Ephesians 4:29

Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 

Proverbs 18:21 

Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.

Proverbs 15:1 

 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. 

Application

I will ask the Lord to help me to keep my mouth shut and listen more. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to think about what I say before I say it. Help me to give gentle answers instead of being so harsh. Help me to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Help me to keep my mouth shut so they can tell their story. 

I pray for those who feel neglected and beaten down today. Give them strength. Bring people into their lives that will build them up. Help me to say and use words that build people up and not tear them down.

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 8,9; Acts 28; Psalm 21, Psalm 41, Psalm 141; Proverbs 21


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Because The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Have Everything I Need!

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Because The Lord
Is My Shepherd,
I Have Everything I Need!

Scripture

Psalm 23

 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

^2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.

⁴ Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.

⁵ You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!

⁶ Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.

Observation

This morning as I read my daily Bible reading in the books of Numbers, Psalms, and Acts I skimmed over Psalm 23 very quickly, I guess because it is so familiar.

Maybe you tend to do the same thing with passages that you know real well. So I went back and read it in a different translation.

I love verse one of Psalm 23 in the Living Bible!

Because the Lord is my Shepherd I have everything I need! Maybe you are weak this morning, then verse three is for you, “He gives me new strength’!

Here are some verses that come to my mind that go along with verse 1 and verse 3:

Philippians 4

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 40:31 

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Isaiah 41:10

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Application

Because the Lord is my Shepherd I have everything that I need to get me through this week! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me meet all of the problems that come my way this week with all of Your Promises that You have given me in Your Word. Help me to trust totally in You.

I pray for those who are going through difficult times right now. I pray for my family and my friends who are dealing with sickness and disease. Give them strength. I pray that they will hold on tightly to all of Your promises. Show them that they can trust You. Renew their strength Lord. Renew their strength!

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27; Psalm 20, Psalm 140; Proverbs 20


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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

This is my prayer for you this morning!

If you read this simple blog and click “like” it gives me the opportunity to pray for you!

It has been a joy for me to pray for so many of you over the past couple of years.

I know that God has given me this ministry and nothing is more important to me than praying for you and asking God to bless you.

And when I pray for you the only thing that I ask is that you return the favor and pray for my family and me when God brings us to your mind. 

 Application

I will pray this blessing found in Numbers 6 on every person that takes the time to read this simple blog and clicks “like”. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, bless those that read this blog and protect them. Smile on them Lord and be gracious to them. Show them Your favor and give them Your peace!

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

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The LORD Will Work Out His Plans For My Life

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The LORD
Will
Work Out His Plans For My Life

Scripture

Psalm 138

⁷ Though I am surrounded by troubles,
    you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.

You reach out your hand,
    and the power of your right hand saves me.

⁸ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

Observation

How are things going? What does the future look like for you? And what does the future look like for me?

I love King David’s outlook on life and I think it is the way that you and I should think about our future too!

During most of King David’s life he was surrounded by trouble. Most of his life was spent running and hiding from people that wanted to kill him. Goliath moments in his life were actually few and far between.

If you take time to read the Psalms you will find David, broken, humbled, and crying out to his God in almost every Psalm. But in spite of all his hardships, in spite of having so many enemies, in spite of always being surrounded by trouble, King David knew that God was working out a God size plan for his life. He knew that God was on his side!

Psalm 138:8 reminds me of 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. 

My future, as I look at it, looks very interesting. If God were not on my side and if God were not for me it could look down right frightening… but He is here right beside me! And I know that the Lord will work out His plans for my life. I know that He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me. He plans to give me hope and a future!

   

 Application

I will look forward to the future because I know that God is on my side. He will not abandon me because He created me! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that not only my future but also my very next breath is in Your Hands. So I cling to Your promises that You have given me in Your Word. I know that You delight in every detail of my life. And I know that I do not deserve Your love, Your mercy, or Your grace. I know that You hold me in the palm of Your hand. Nothing can touch my life that is not filtered by You and even if what comes into my life is bad You promise to turn it around for my good! What an awesome God You are! It is a win-win proposition to trust in You!

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 3,4; Acts 25; Psalm 18, Psalm 138, Proverbs 18

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And This Is the Secret Christ Lives In You

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And This Is the Secret
Christ
Lives In You



Scripture

Colossians 1

27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Observation

Are we in Christ? Then lets act like it! If we have surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we have asked Him to forgive us of our sins, trusting Him as our Lord and our Savior, then guess what, Christ lives in us right now! And the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. 

Jesus says in Matthew 28:18-20 that “all power” has been given to Him. Now Jesus, who is All-Powerful, lives in every follower of Christ and He will never leaves us! 

And that is why on this Friday morning you and I can say with confidence what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Romans 8:11 ^“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.” 

Let me say it again, “Are we in Christ? Then lets act like it!”

1 John 2:27

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Matthew 28

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:7 

    God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 

 Application

I will live like the All-Powerful Jesus Christ lives in me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have not given me a Spirit of fear, but You have given me a Spirit of Power and Love, and Self-control. Help me to act like it today!

Daily Bible Reading:  Numbers 1,2; Acts 24; Psalm 17, Psalm 137, Proverbs 17; Colossians 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.

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

God Who Takes Care Of Me Will Supply All Your Needs From His Glorious Riches, Which Have Been Given To Us In Christ Jesus.

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

God Who Takes Care Of Me
Will Supply All Your Needs From His Glorious Riches,
Which Have Been Given To Us In Christ Jesus. 


 Scripture

Philippians 4

¹⁷ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.
¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
²⁰ Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

Kathy told me that I should pray about it! She told me to hold off and just pray about it. But … I jumped the gun and decided to go ahead and do what she told me to wait on! 

Now I will share the lesson learned, or at least what I hopefully should have learned!

I will try to keep this story as short as I can because I know that just because it was a good learn for me it might not be very interesting to you! It all started out by me trying to save $10 on some TurboTax software on sale at Sam’s Club. 

I bought it. Brought it home and it would not run on either of our 2 computers because the operating systems were too old (XP and Vista). So I bought Windows 7 software off of Ebay and went to do an upgrade on Kathy’s computer. 

As simple as it usually is to do an upgrade there was a glitch. Looking on the Internet for help I followed all the instructions on how to fix the glitch and whatever I did caused Kathy’s old computer to give up and die! It was a fatal crash! So this brings me to Kathy. 

I told Kathy that it looked like we were going to have to buy another computer. This is where Kathy tells Eddy, “Eddy, I think you need to pray about it.”

 Okay, here is the lesson: I find an old computer on Ebay for $49. I make an offer of $43 and they accept my offer. In totally amazement I immediately buy it. 

Of course it was an old computer exactly like Kathy’s except with Windows 7 already installed. No, getting the old computer for $43 is not the lesson. 

Here is the lesson! 

I go to church that night and at the end of our men’s small group said, “Hey, do you know anybody that needs a computer, I have one that I am not using.” 

Oh, but wait there is more. 

The next day I was telling someone about Kathy’s old computer crashing and me ordering another one on Ebay for $43 and this person later sent me a Facebook private message saying, “I want you to go to Best Buy and get a computer and I will pay for it.”  I did let this person know that if my $43 computer didn’t work I would take them up on their offer. 

(To my total amazement and God’s grace the $43 computer works just fine so far!)

So what is the lesson? 

The lesson for Eddy is found in 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.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Application

I need to tell God what I need and thank Him for all that he has done and wait until He answers!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this was a great lesson for me. You are a God of grace. You love me and You provide for me even when I jump the gun and impatiently act - even when I should have waited on You. Thank You for the lesson. Hopefully I won’t forget it. Burn it into my brain. Don’t let me forget it. You are the King of Kings. You are the Lord of Lords. You own everything and You have given us all spiritual riches in Christ Jesus. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Leviticus 26,27; Acts 23; Psalm 36, Psalm 136, Proverbs 16; Philippians 4

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A Bowl Of Vegetables With Someone You Love Is Better Than Steak With Someone You Hate.

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A Bowl Of Vegetables
With Someone You Love
Is Better Than Steak With Someone You Hate.


Scripture

Proverbs 15

¹⁷ A bowl of vegetables with someone you love
    is better than steak with someone you hate.

Observation

Valentine’s Day at the Williams’ house was pretty simple. We dined out. 

We dined outside on a card table decorated with a plastic heart tablecloth with a heart shaped candle providing some light. 

Love songs serenaded us, provided by Pandora on my I pad. No we didn’t just eat a bowl of vegetables together, it was way better than that! 

But what made it special was not the food that we were eating. No, what made it special for me was the lady that was in my presence! 

Celebrating special days never grows old at our house! Kathy loves making special days, special! 

Our next special day – we are going to the State Fair on Friday!

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.

Proverbs 5:18

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Ephesians 5

25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her

Application

I will enjoy spending time with the wife of youth this week!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I realize that what I have is very special. You have given me a special gift. I don’t deserve a wife like Kathy. You really are a God of grace. Thank You for blessing me with such a wonderful partner. I would rather eat a bowl of vegetables with Kathy than have steak dinner with anyone else. I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog this morning. Help them to have this kind of love for his or her spouse. You modeled for us how we are to love one another. Help us to love others, especially our spouse, with Your Agape love.

Daily Bible Reading:  Leviticus 25; Psalms 25,26; Acts 22; Psalm 15, Psalm 115; Proverbs 15

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Always Be Full Of Joy In The Lord. I Say It Again – Rejoice!

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Always
Be Full Of Joy In The Lord.
I Say It Again – Rejoice!


Scripture

Philippians 4

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Observation

Happiness –here one minute and gone the next, but JOY in the Lord can and will sustain us!
Paul is writing this letter from prison to one of his favorite churches. Paul … chained, scarred, broken, whipped, beaten, stoned and left for dead, hated, and misunderstood, pens a letter to us about JOY! 

I just counted that Paul used the word “Rejoice” eight times and the word “Joy” seven or eight times in this short 4-chapter love letter to the church of Philippi! 

No matter what you and I are going through this morning, no matter how beat up or sick we are, no matter how much pain we are in lets put this verse into practice right now – lets “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!” 

I don’t know about you but I think that I need to camp out in the book of Philippians awhile longer and memorize more of these powerful verses and these wonderful promises! 

Philippians 2:17-18

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Philippians 3:1

Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

Psalm 31:7

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

Application

I will rejoice and celebrate with the wife of my youth on this Valentine’s Day! How about you? 


Proverbs 5:18

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth

Prayer

Daily Bible Reading:  Leviticus 23,24; Psalms 24; Acts 21; Psalm 14, Psalm 114, Proverbs 14; Philippians 4

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But Life Is Worth Nothing Unless I Use It For Doing The Work Assigned Me By The Lord Jesus –

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But Life Is Worth Nothing
Unless I Use It
For Doing The Work Assigned Me By The Lord Jesus – 

Scripture

Acts 20

24 But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love.

Observation

Are we being obedient? Are you and I doing the work assigned to us by the Lord Jesus Christ?

No matter what condition life finds us in right now, no matter how beat up we are, no matter how worn out we are, no matter how sick we are, or how old we are, we can still live our lives for Jesus Christ and we can serve Him with all of our heart!

We have no excuse!

True, we are not all evangelists like the Apostle Paul, but each of us has God’s calling on our lives.

The question is this: are you and I fulfilling that calling? God has equipped you and He has equipped me for a special work. Are we doing it?

Life is worth nothing unless we do the work that God has assigned for us to do?

Don’t know or not sure what that work is? Need direction right now for your life?

Okay fair enough, here is the solution; Dig into God’s Word and spend time with Him, and be willing to say Yes to Him when He tells you what to do! And yes, it is as simple as that!

Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 119:105 come to my mind, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. “ “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” 

   

Application

I will put Proverbs 3:5-6 into practice this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about Your mighty kindness and love. Help me to trust You with all of my heart. Help me not to depend on my own understanding. I want to seek Your will in all that I do so that You will direct my path. May Your Word be a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Acts 20:24, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 119:105 personalized)

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

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