Thursday, August 31, 2017

You Have Seen My Troubles And You Care About The Anguish Of My Soul

You Have Seen My Troubles
And
You Care About The Anguish Of My Soul
Scripture
Psalm 31
1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection;
don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me, for you do what is right.
2 Turn your ear to listen to me;
rescue me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
a fortress where I will be safe.
3 You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
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.
Observation

I think that the Psalms were placed right smack dab in the middle of our Bibles for a good reason – so we could find them easily and go to them often!

I find myself reading a Psalm or two almost every single day!

King David wrote most of the Psalms while hiding from his enemies and most of his Psalms were from a heart crying out to an all powerful God for help.
King David put his faith and trust in the Lord and that is exactly what you and I need to do!
David was a man after God's own heart!
Acts 13:22
... God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
Psalm 34
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 37
23 The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Application
I will take my burdens to the Lord because He cares about the “anguish of my soul”. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You always do what is right. You are my refuge and my strength. You are an ever-present help in trouble. You will deliver me from all of my fears. You are my Rock and my Fortress. 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.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 12,13,14; Revelation 5; Psalm 31, Psalm 61, Proverbs 31



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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

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

Seventy Years Are Given To Us!
Some
Even Live To Eighty.
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.
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
Observation
Life is short! 
This Psalm of Moses says that we are like the grass that springs up in the morning and is dry and withered by evening. 
I can identify with this Psalm! Yes, life is very short! 
As I watch the people being rescued in Houston and now being rescued in Beaumont it is a reminder to me that life is fragile and life is very short. 
You and I need to take advantage of “today”. 
The important things in life are not things at all, they are the people that surround us, not anything else! Lord, teach me to realize the brevity of my life …
Application
I will invest my life in the people around me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know very well that I am getting closer and closer to Heaven all the time. My time on this earth is getting shorter and shorter. Teach me to realize the brevity of my life, so that I may grow in wisdom. I pray for those caught in the path of Hurricane Harvey. I pray for their safety. I pray for the first responder's and all of those involved in the search and rescue effort. May those in the storm's path be drawn to a closer relationship with You. Show them that they can depend on You for help.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 8,9,10,11; Revelation 4; Psalm 30, Psalm 60, Psalm 90; Proverbs 30




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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The Lord Rules Over The Floodwaters

The Lord
Rules
Over The Floodwaters
Scripture
Psalm 29
10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
Observation

Psalm 29:10 caught my attention this morning!
No doubt the 40+ inches of rain in parts of Houston was the reason.
This passage is a reminder to me that no matter what our God still reigns. He rules over the floodwaters! I pray for protection for the people caught in rising water.
I pray that the people of Houston and all the people in the affected areas of the hurricane will be drawn to a closer relationship with God through this terrible and devastating storm.
…
Proverbs 10:25
When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
Mark 4
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”


Application

I will trust God during the storms of life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the people in and around Houston that have been affected by this storm. May Your church be the salt and the light to these communities. I pray for the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams as they prepare to go and help. Give the leadership wisdom to know how to best help these people. You rule over these floodwaters and You will continue to reign as King forever!


Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 4,5,6,7; Revelation 3; Colossians 2; Psalm 29, Psalm 59; Proverbs 29




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Monday, August 28, 2017

This Is The Secret Christ Lives In You

This Is The Secret
Christ
Lives In You
Scripture
Colossians 1
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

16 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.

18 Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.

19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,

20 and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
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

Here is a thought for your Monday! The same Christ who created everything and the same Christ who sustains and holds everything together, God Himself, actually lives in me and can live in you! Amazing isn't it! If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ then the Creator of this entire Universe really does live inside of you! Yes, the same Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you!
Romans 8:10-11
10 Yet, even though Christ lives within you, your body will die because of sin; but your spirit will live, for Christ has pardoned it.

11 And if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in you, he will make your dying bodies live again after you die, by means of this same Holy Spirit living within you.

Application

As I face problems and difficult situations this week I will remember “Who” lives in me! … How about you?
Philippians 4:13
13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my strength. I know that You live inside of me. Your Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives within me. So I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. As I go through this week I will hold on tightly to every one of Your promises in Your Word. You are an Amazing God! Nothing is too hard for You!
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1,2,3; Revelation 2; Psalm 28, Psalm 58; Proverbs 28; Colossians 1



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Sunday, August 27, 2017

My Heart Has Heard You Say, “Come And Talk With Me.” And My Heart Responds, “Lord, I Am Coming.”

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

Observation

God is calling.

He is saying, “Come and talk with me.”

You and I need to slow down, stop, and listen.

God wants to talk with us. What God desires is fellowship. He created us for fellowship.

God is speaking. Can you hear Him?
He wants to talk with us this morning. And our hearts need to say to Him, “Lord, I am coming.”

…

I know that some of you are facing extremely difficult situations in your lives right now Psalm 27:14 and Psalm 57:1 are for you:

“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Psalm 57:1 “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by.”

Application
I will take time to listen to God this morning. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I was reminded early this morning that I need to talk to You about everything. You are interested in every detail of my life. It is overwhelming to think that You love me that much. I sure don't deserve Your love. I pray for those you are sick. I pray for healing. I pray for the loved ones that are taking care of them. Give them strength. Show them that they can depend and trust in You. Help them to be brave and courageous as they face difficult days.

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalms 143,144; Psalm 27, Psalm 57, Proverbs 27



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Saturday, August 26, 2017

I Could Have No Greater Joy Than To Hear That My Children Are Following The Truth.

I Could Have No Greater Joy
Than To Hear That My Children
Are Following The Truth.
Scripture
1 John 3
4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
Observation

What would l like to see before I die and go to Heaven? 
I would like to see all of my children and all of my grandchildren following the truth!
 I agree with the Apostle John that there is no greater joy than to hear that our children are following the truth! 
This of course would also include those “baby Christians” that God brings into our lives that we have the joy and awesome privilege of helping grow in Christ. 
When our flesh and blood kids (grand-kids) and our “spiritual kids” make good choices it brings Kathy and I tremendous joy! 
Nothing is more important to us! Nothing!
John 14:6
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Application

I will continue to pray for our Kids! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know that I woke up praying for my kids this morning. They are on my heart. Nothing is more important to me than seeing them walk close to You. Help them Lord to see and understand Your truth. Help them to fall in love with Jesus Christ and help them live their lives committed to Him. Give them the wisdom and the strength to make good choices. Keep them away from stupid sins that would hurt and destroy them. Guide and direct them. Bring strong Christians into their lives to help them to grow spiritually. Nothing is too hard for You! Nothing!
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 50,51; 3 John




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Friday, August 25, 2017

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

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

I am counting on Psalm 55:22 today. I am giving the Lord some heavy burdens.
And every time I catch myself carrying them again I am going to roll them back over to Him again and again and again!
If you are like me then you have some things going on that are humanly impossible to fix … and ...
… that is why we have verses like Psalm 55:22 to remind us that we were never designed to handle some of the things that life throws at us alone without God's help.
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
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Application
I am rolling my big concern over onto the Lord because there is no way that I can handle it. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that only You change a man's and woman's heart. So I am asking You to do just that. You know who I am thinking about right now. I want them to be able to love You with all of their heart, with all of their soul, and with all of their mind and strength! Change their hearts. Give them soft hearts. Give them hearts that will trust and love You and give them hearts that will have love for the people around them. I roll this burden over on to You Lord.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37,38,39; Psalms 79; 2 John; Psalm 25, Psalm 55; Proverbs 25



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Thursday, August 24, 2017

Dear Children, Keep Away From Anything That Might Take God's Place In Your Hearts.

Dear Children,
Keep Away From Anything
That Might Take God's Place In Your Hearts.
Scripture
1 John 5
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
Observation

Does God have the Number One place in our hearts? Just imagine a throne placed right in the center of your heart and God sitting on that throne!

We are to stay away from “anything” that “might” take Him off of that throne.

Because you and I are sinners we have a constant battle over who is going to sit on that throne!

“Me, Myself, and I” always wants to climb up and take possession and take control!

Satan doesn't help either because he is always tempting and enticing us trying to get us to go after that “thing” so God will be pushed out of His special place in our hearts.

…..

1 John 5
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
** 1 John 5:19 is a reminder to me why this world is not going to get better and better – it is under the control of the evil one (Satan)!
…..
Application

I will guard my heart. How about you?
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want You to have Your special place in my heart. I don't want to let anything bump You off or push You away from Your special place. Don't let me be in control of my life. I only mess things up. I yield the throne of my life, the throne of my heart to You. I want You to guide me today. Direct me. Help me please You in all that I do today. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You are worthy to be praised!

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33,34; Psalms 74; 1 John 5




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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

For If We Don't Love People We Can See, How Can We Love God, Whom We Cannot See?

For If We Don't Love People
We Can See,
How Can We Love God, Whom We Cannot See?
Scripture
1 John 4
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
Observation
People … do you have a problem loving people?
I have to admit that it is easier to love people that love me.
But how about people that act like we are the scum of the earth, that mistreat us and that look down on us?
What about people that smell different, look different, or talk different?
What about people who are Republicans or who are Democrats, maybe who are Alt right or Alt left, Neo-Nazi's or Communists?
People are a big problem for us, aren't they?
We may not agree with a person stand politically and we may not agree with his or her lifestyle, but God's Word teaches us that we are to love “people”. We are to even love our enemies!
Matthew 5
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
Application

I will not give up on the people that dislike me right now. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart. You know me better than anyone else knows me. Don't let there be one ounce of hate in my body for the people around me. Help me to always separate the sin from the sinner. Help me to never forget that I am also a sinner and that I am far from perfect. Give me Your heart so I can love the unlovely the way You want me to love them.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31,32; 1 John 4



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Tuesday, August 22, 2017

If We Love Our Brothers And Sisters Who Are Believers, It Proves That We Have Passed From Death To Life.

If We Love Our Brothers And Sisters
Who Are Believers,
It Proves That We Have Passed From Death To Life.
Scripture
1 John 3
11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
12 We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.
13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
Observation
Animosity is defined as a strong feeling of dislike or hatred, and it has no place in my life. And it has no place in your life either!
We have plenty of examples in Scripture of animosity and the damage it caused between brothers – Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, etc.
These are strong words for us in 1 John, “Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart.”
You and I are commanded over and over and over again in Scripture to “love one another”.
So lets reach out to any offended brother or sister and offer our love and offer them an apology.
“I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Application
I will not let animosity creep in to my life. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let hate and animosity creep into my life. Show me when I am unloving. Show me when I am unkind. I am a sinner. I know that I can build up animosity in my heart when someone is mean to me and when someone hurts me. Don't let me do it. Help me to keep my sins confessed up to date. Help me to guard my heart. Show me anything that is not right in my life so that I can confess it as sin. Help me to forgive.
Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 28,29,30; 1 John 3




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Monday, August 21, 2017

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

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.
17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Observation

The Powerball Jackpot is now estimated at 650 Million dollars … “a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions”!
If you have already bought a ticket to win this jackpot I guarantee you that you probably have already said that you would give some of it away. Then you probably have a long list describing all the other ways that you would spend all of that money … am I right?
Friend, if we were to win it the only thing that it would bring to our lives would be anxiety and misery!
Have you seen or heard the stories about people who win lotteries? It is not pretty!
Save your dollar!
If I needed 650 million dollars my Heavenly Father would give it to me.
Obviously I don't need it!
Philippians 4:11
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
1 Timothy 6:6
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Application

I will remind myself today that my God will supply all of my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus! How about you?

Philippians 4:19
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.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know that my eyes cause me a lot of trouble. I see things that attract me and they get my attention. This causes me to be discontented with what I have, when everything that I have I know You have provided for me. Help me to keep my focus on You and not on the things of this world. Thank You for taking such good care of us. We are blessed!
Heavenly Father, show anyone that may be reading this blog that they can trust in You to take care of everyone of his or her needs.

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 21,24,27; Psalms 118; 1 John 2




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Sunday, August 20, 2017

So We Are Christ's Ambassadors; God Is Making His Appeal Through Us. We Speak For Christ When We Plead, “Come Back To God!”

So We Are Christ's Ambassadors;
God Is Making His Appeal Through Us.
We Speak For Christ When We Plead, “Come Back To God!”
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5
14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
Observation

My Mom and Dad never took us to church, not once that I can remember!

But my Granny and I used to walk to church when I was a little boy and I went to something at church called R.A.'s, Royal Ambassadors for Christ!

It was like the Boy Scouts only we also learn about Jesus. It must have been during that time in my young life that the seed of the Gospel was planted in my heart.

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ then you are a “Royal Ambassador”

God makes His appeal to the entire world through us! He has given us the task of reconciling people to Him!

We speak for Christ!

He has no other plan for saving this world! We are it!
Application
I will share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone I can. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a good Ambassador for You. I know that I am part of Your plan to save this world. What our country desperately needs is more people in love with You. I pray for revival and renewal in our churches. Let it start with me. Show me this week who needs to hear about Your love. Help me to be an ambassador for Christ to those around me.


Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 48,49; Psalms 67; 1 John 1; 2 Corinthians 5



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