Sunday, March 31, 2019

We All Come To The End Of Our Lives As Naked And Empty-handed As On The Day We Were Born. We Can't Take Our Riches With Us.

We All Come To The End Of Our Lives As Naked
And Empty-handed As On The Day We Were Born.
We Can't Take Our Riches With Us.
Scripture
Psalm 49
16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich
    and their homes become ever more splendid.
17 For when they die, they take nothing with them.
    Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.
18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate
    and are applauded for their success.
19 But they will die like all before them
    and never again see the light of day.
20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;
    they will die, just like animals.
Ecclesiastes 5
15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
Observation
Today's Sunday School Lesson for the Bible study that I usually lead on Sunday mornings is titled, “The Problem With Wealth.” And the point of the lesson is that contentment comes from Christ, not our wealth.
This morning I have asked someone else to lead the class because I was away visiting with my brother and my two sisters in Shalimar, Florida for the past several days.
I say a person who has family and enjoys being around them and enjoys spending time with them is rich. Like the Bible says, “we will all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born.”
So today lets hold on to our family a little bit tighter. Let's freely give lots of hugs. Let's leave love notes all over the house for them to see.
They are our true riches!
Application
I will enjoy my family.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for my family. Thank You for giving me the opportunity this week to spend time with my brother and my sisters and my sisters' families. I pray for anyone reading this blog that has let something come between them and someone in their family. Help them to restore that relationship. Nothing is more important than family. Help them to forgive.
Daily Bible Reading: Judges 9,10; Psalms 49; 1 Corinthians 16; I added: Ecclesiastes 5



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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

But Now Let Me Show You A Way Of Life That Is Best Of All.

But
Now Let Me Show You
A Way Of Life That Is Best Of All.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 12
31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 

3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Observation

My brother Rick has been sick for the past couple of weeks. The doctors think that it might be a gall stone stuck in a bile duct even though he had his gall bladder removed when he was a teenager! Today he goes in for tests and hopefully the doctors will find and fix Rick's problem.

If the doctor is able to do that today then tomorrow Rick and I plan to drive up to Destin, Florida to be with our two sisters Bea and Linda. So I share all of this to say that today might be my last blog for a few days.

So today I am sharing part of 1 Corinthians 13 (part of tomorrow's daily Bible reading) because I may not have a chance to share it with you tomorrow.

1 Corinthians 12:31 ends with “But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all” which leads us right into 1 Corinthians 13!

Let me sum up the first few verses in 1 Corinthians 13 by saying, “no matter what you may achieve in life if you don't love the people that God has placed in your life then you are to be pitied because you have nothing!”

Here is the kind of love that you and I must have for our spouse and our children if we are going to have a healthy family and a strong marriage,

“ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
Guys, the best way that you can show love for your kids is to love their Mom with 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love!
I just got a text message from Rick. He moved his doctor's appointment to next week … so we will be leaving in the morning to see my two sisters and their families in Destin!
Application
I will meditate on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 during the day today.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to love people with 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. Show me how to do that. Don't let me be selfish. Give me the ability to love people deeply.
I pray for husbands that don't seem to understand how to love their wives. Help them, Lord. I pray for wives that don't seem to understand how to love their husbands. Help them too, Lord. I pray for the children caught in the middle of Moms and Dads fighting with each other. Protect them, Lord.
Help the person reading this blog today to love people deeply with 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love!
Daily Bible Reading: Judges 1,2,3; 1 Corinthians 12



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Tuesday, March 26, 2019

“But As Me And My Family, We Will Serve The Lord.” And You Should Imitate Me, Just As I Imitate Christ.

“But As Me And My Family,
We Will Serve The Lord.”
And You Should Imitate Me, Just As I Imitate Christ.
Scripture
Joshua 24
15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 11
1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
Observation

Men, God doesn't want us to be a bunch of wimps! He wants us to take a stand for Him. He wants us to set an example for our family.

It is not do as I say. Plenty of us can talk big. And we might fool people on Sunday! But no, it is do as I do.

Both Joshua and the Apostle Paul were men who walked the walk and not just talked the talk. I cry out to God on a daily basis for some of the men I know … I am praying and asking God to help them, man, up!

I pray that they will act like men of God. Whatever it is that is keeping us from being an example of godliness for our wife and our kids lets let it go.

If you need help letting some bad habit go then I suggest you ask for help. Celebrate Recovery meets at our church at 5 pm on Sundays. If you don't live close enough to attend our CR group then look up other locations on the internet. There is a CR group that meets close to your house.
Application
If my kids and my grandkids choose not to walk with the Lord. If they choose to reject God. I don't want it to be because their Dad or their Grandpa did not live a godly life in front of them.

How about you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I can't find one negative thing in scripture about Your servant Joshua. While he led the nation of Israel they lived in a close relationship with You. He was a powerful influence. He was a leader. Help me to be like Joshua. Help me to be like the Apostle Paul. I want to be a godly influence. Keep me away from stupid sins that mess up my walk with You.
I pray for any man that may be reading this blog today. Help him, Lord, to be a man of integrity. Help him be an example to his family. Help him to run from sin. Help him to quit anything that does not bring You glory and honor. Help him to walk in victory!
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 23,24; Psalms 44; 1 Corinthians 11



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Monday, March 25, 2019

So Whether You Eat Or Drink Or Whatever You Do, Do It All For The Glory Of God.

So Whether You Eat Or Drink Or Whatever
You Do,
Do It All For The Glory Of God.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 10
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Observation
What I do. What I say. What I eat and even what I drink should all bring God glory!
The Apostle Paul talks about disciplining his body in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, “So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”
This is a reminder to me that I am serving an Audience of One. God is the One who I need to be pleasing, not myself or anyone else!
So here is the bottom line for me … would what I am doing, what I am saying, what I am eating, or what I am drinking make my Heavenly Father smile?
Application
I will think about everything I say and do today in light of 1 Corinthians 10:31!
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is not one thing that I do or even think about that escapes Your attention. Nothing gets by You. You know my thoughts before I do. You know everything about me. Help me to please You today. Show me anything in my life that needs to go.
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 21,22; Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10



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Sunday, March 24, 2019

I Have Become All Things To All People So That By All Possible Means I Might Save Some.

I Have Become All Things To All People
So That By All Possible Means
I Might Save Some.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 9
22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 
26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Observation

Everything that the Apostle Paul did was to see others come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ! He challenges us to do the same thing. Our lives are a race. It is not a wind sprint. It is a marathon!

Here is an important question!

When we finish the race and cross the finish line who did we help to cross the finish line with us? Who is going to be in Heaven because of me? Who is going to be in Heaven because of you?

Application

I will look for people to help so they can cross the finish line with me.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to keep my focus on the people around me and not on myself. I want to help someone else have a relationship with You. Give me the boldness and the love to tell someone about You. Bring people into my life that I can help. Give me the opportunity to share with people the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 18,19,20; 1 Corinthians 9



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Saturday, March 23, 2019

Even When I Walk Through The Darkest Valley, I Will Not Be Afraid

Even When I Walk
Through The Darkest Valley,
I Will Not Be Afraid
Scripture
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.
Observation
King David had good reason to be afraid. He had King Saul's army continually trying to find him to kill him. Yes, he had good reason to be afraid.
The 23rd Psalm is probably one of your favorite passages in the Bible. It is one of mine. It is like John 3:16, we all know it. But sometimes, it is good to stop and think about Psalm 23 in light of everything going on in our life.
Maybe we all could take a few minutes today to slowly read and reread these six verses and let them sink into our heart and right into our circumstances.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”
Application
Because the Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

How about you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that there may be people reading this blog today who are dealing with some very hard and very difficult circumstances in their lives. Some possibly have recently lost a loved one, others are facing a life-threatening illness, or have a loved one who is very sick. Give them Your strength. I pray that Your Word touches their lives today. May they read and may they hold on tightly to Your promises found in Psalm 23 today!
I pray for my brother Rick today on his birthday. Bless him, Lord! May Your face shine brightly on him today. Meet all the needs of his life. Thank You for allowing me to be his brother!
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 15,16,17; 1 Corinthians 8; I added: Psalm 23, Psalm 53; Proverbs 23



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Friday, March 22, 2019

The Husband Should Fulfill His Wife's Sexual Needs, And The Wife Should Fulfill Her Husband's Needs.

The Husband Should Fulfill His Wife's Sexual Needs,
And
The Wife Should Fulfill Her Husband's Needs.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7
3 The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. 
4 The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Observation

Yes, this is what I read this morning so I thought I would go ahead and share it with you! My, my!!! The Bible doesn't ever tiptoe around delicate issues!

And no, no, no, I didn't decide to write about this passage to send my wife Kathy a message either! She keeps me very happy!

But if you are married maybe this passage will help you rethink and maybe even kindle or rekindle a little fire and passion with your 'hubby' or with the 'Mrs.' this weekend!

Men, make sure that you continue to date your wife! Do something fun and special with her once a week! Don't let the sparkle, the romance, the excitement and the fire fade in your relationship! Treat her special! Treat her like the Queen that she is!

Women, praise your husband for every little positive thing that he does! Let him know that you think that he can do anything! Don't nag him! Don't nag him about what he doesn't do! Praise him for the things that he does do and watch how that changes the way he treats you!

Okay … a word for all of us married folks straight from the Bible … “Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer.”

Application
I will treat Kathy like a Queen today!
How about you? How are you going to treat your spouse?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, it seems like we have a way of messing up everything good thing that You give us to enjoy. Sex is one of those things so special and yet it gets misused all the time. You created marriage to be so special and so intimate. Help me to keep my marriage strong and vibrant. Don't let me ever take Kathy for granted. May Your face shine brightly on her today. Meet every need in her life. Help me to be the husband that I need to be for her today. She is a special gift from You.

I pray for those who are having trouble in their relationship with their spouse. Help them rekindle the love, the sparkle, and the excitement for each other. Give them the desire and the strength to make their marriage work.

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 12,13,14; 1 Corinthians 7



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Thursday, March 21, 2019

Run From Sexual Sin!

Run
From
Sexual Sin!
Scripture
1 Corinthians 6
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 
20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Observation
Run 'Forest' Run! You and I need to run! And we need to run faster than Forest Gump did when it comes to sexual sin.
Satan wants to destroy your marriage. His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy! One of his favorite tools in his arsenal that he uses in his attempt to destroy us is sex outside of marriage.
Broken and wrecked families, that is Satan's goal. Your spouse is not your enemy.
The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. Once you cross over to the other side of the fence things will never be the same!
Don't believe Satan's lies. “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”
I personally know what it felt like as a child when my father was unfaithful to my mother. I know and will never forget what it felt like when my father divorced and mistreated my mother. It is a pain that never goes away. Run! Run! Run!
Let's honor God with our bodies!
Application
I will continue to pray for marriages to be restored that have been destroyed by sexual immorality.
How about you? Have you established and are you maintaining guardrails to protect your marriage?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would open up the eyes of those who are believing Satan's lies. I pray for those who have crossed the line and are committing adultery. Open up their eyes. Help them to see all the hurt and misery that is going to happen to their family because of this sin. Give them the courage to run! Help men and women reading this blog, help them, Lord, to be men and women of integrity.
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 9,10,11; 1 Corinthians 6



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Wednesday, March 20, 2019

I Wasn't Talking About Unbelievers Who Indulge In Sexual Sin … You Would Have To Leave This World To Avoid People Like That.

I Wasn't Talking About Unbelievers Who Indulge In Sexual Sin …
You Would Have To Leave
This World To Avoid People Like That.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 5
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 
10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 
11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
Observation
The church at Corinth had lots of problems. One of the problems, among many, that the Apostle Paul addresses in this letter (and in a previous letter which we do not have) is the problem of sexual immorality in the church.
Evidently, a church member there in Corinth was openly living with and having sex with his own stepmother. Maybe this man's father had passed away. And maybe the stepmother and her stepson might have been close to the same age. We don't know any of those details. We do know that it was obviously wrong and the church wasn't addressing the issue.
The Christians who in the city of Corinth obviously lived in a very ungodly city and sexual immorality inside the church had become an issue that whether they wanted to or not it was an issue that had to be dealt with.
Sexual immorality in our churches today is a big issue. And like the church in Corinth, it is also an issue that has to be addressed.
I have the opportunity to talk with couples in our church who are presently living together and are not yet married. It is amazing to watch these couples as they grow in their relationship with Christ realize that this live-in relationship (which someone recently described to me as having a friend with benefits) is not what God intended for them.
And many of these couples begin meeting together with me for 'marriage preparation' classes and I encourage them to set a date (in the near future) for the wedding so they can get married.
Plain and simple all sexual immorality is wrong. It doesn't matter what the culture around our church accepts or says, it is always wrong for us as followers of Christ.
Application
I will help couples move towards marriage when I discover that they are just living with each other.
How about you?
Will you walk in sexual purity?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it seems that people think that they can justify living ungodly while at the same time claiming to be one of Your followers. Help them walk in sexual purity. Help our couples make a marriage commitment to each other and a commitment to You to walk in purity. Don't let them miss out on life the way that You intended for them to experience it.
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 7,8; Psalms 69; 1 Corinthians 5



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Tuesday, March 19, 2019

For The Kingdom Of God Is Not Just A Lot Of Talk; It Is Living By God's Power.

For The Kingdom Of God
Is Not Just A Lot Of Talk;
It Is Living By God's Power.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 4
20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 
Observation
On Sunday I think that you and I can fool just about anybody. For a few hours, we can fake out the crowd. we can greet people with a big smile, we can talk the talk, but are we walking the walk.
What are we like from Monday to Saturday? Are we living the other six days a week by God's power? What is different about us from those who do not even profess a relationship with God?
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:16, “So I urge you to imitate me.”
Can you and I say that to the people around us? Can we say to them, “imitate me”?
If not, what needs to change? What bad habit(s) need to go? What good habit(s) need improvement?
Application
I want to live my life by God's power. I want people to be able to imitate me.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I want people to see Jesus in me. I want people to be able to imitate me. Take anything away from my life that is not a good witness for Christ.

I pray for anyone reading this blog today. Help them to walk the walk and talk the talk. Help them be an example to those around them.

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 3,4,5,6; 1 Corinthians 4



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Monday, March 18, 2019

Be Strong And Courageous! Do Not Be Afraid Or Discouraged. For The Lord Your God Is With You Wherever You Go.

Be Strong And Courageous!
Do Not Be Afraid Or Discouraged.
For The Lord Your God Is With You Wherever You Go.
Scripture
Joshua 1
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Observation
Joshua 1:8 tells you and me how to be successful in life. Joshua 1:9 tells us how to face each and every day! Over and over and over again the Lord told his servant Joshua to be strong and courageous.
You and I are just like Joshua. You and I need to be constantly reminded that our God can handle whatever we are facing and that is why we need to be continually in God's Word.
It breaks my heart when I hear that a couple is giving up on their marriage, that they are calling it quits on their relationship. As I talk with them I often discover that either one or maybe even both of them have drifted away from the Lord and are no longer reading God's Word on a daily basis. 
In a marriage, for it to work as God intended, it must always be God first and your spouse second. Anytime we mess up that order it is disastrous for any relationship.
I think it is impossible to keep God first in your life if you are not spending time with Him in His Word on a regular basis.
If you only pick up your Bible when you go out the door on your way to church on Sunday and the rest of the week it just sits there unopened – you, my friend are missing the most important ingredient for a successful marriage and a successful life!
Application
I will always encourage people to develop the habit of spending time in God's Word every day.
How about you? Have you developed the habit of a daily quiet time with the Lord?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for any person reading this blog today. Help them to have the discipline of spending time with You every day in Your Word. Help them to see how important it is for them to spend time with You every day. Give them victory if this has been a struggle for them. I remember when it was a struggle for me to have a consistent quiet time. You didn't give up on me and I know that You are not going to give up on them. Help them to start over today.
I pray today for the sick. I pray for healing. May their sickness cause them to draw close to You and not push them away. May they sense Your presence, Your power, Your strength, and Your love today!
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 1,2; Psalms 37; 1 Corinthians 3
> 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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Sunday, March 17, 2019

“No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard, And No Mind Has Imagined What God Has Prepared For Those Who Love Him.”

“No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard,
And No Mind Has Imagined What God
Has Prepared For Those Who Love Him.”
Scripture
1 Corinthians 2
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.”
Observation

You and I can't even begin to imagine what God has prepared for us who love Him. It is so good that it is beyond our wildest imagination. I don't know about you but I can imagine some really good things so what is in store for us must be something really, really, really, good. And sadly, I think for those who reject the message of Christ, totally rejecting God, what lies ahead for them is something so bad, so terrible that no one can even imagine how terrible it is going to be.
We get a small glimpse of how bad Hell is when we read about the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16:22-24,
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
We get a better description of Heaven and what it is going to be like in Heaven than what it is going to be like in Hell, but both places are beyond our imagination.
I don't know about you, but if Hell is going to worse than I could ever imagine then I sure don't want to go there and I sure don't want any of my loved ones going there either.
How about you?
Application
I will continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone I can. I don't want anyone going to Hell.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You have prepared a place for me that is beyond my wildest dreams. I can't even begin to imagine what is in store for me. I know that Hell will be just the opposite of what we will experience in Heaven. I can't imagine suffering forever but that is just what those who reject You have in store for themselves. Open their eyes, Lord, open their eyes!
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32,33,34; 1 Corinthians 2



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Saturday, March 16, 2019

The Message Of The Cross Is Foolish To Those Who Are Headed For Destruction!

The Message Of The Cross
Is Foolish
To Those Who Are Headed For Destruction!
Scripture
1 Corinthians 1
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 
19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 
21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 
Observation

The message of the cross, is it foolishness to you? Two atheists Lee Strobel and Josh McDowell set out to intellectually prove that Christianity was a hoax and that God didn't exist. They both set out to prove that the claims about Christ were not true and they both became believers in Jesus Christ. Here are two quotes from these former atheists:
"Jesus Christ did not come into this world to make bad people good; he came into this world to make dead people live." - Lee Strobel
“After I set out to refute Christianity intellectually and couldn't, I came to the conclusion the Bible was true and Jesus Christ was God's Son.” Josh McDowell
You and I can say that God doesn't exist. We can say that there is no Heaven and no Hell. We can say that we will just cease to exist after we die. We can say whatever we want to say, but that doesn't make it true.
I can say that I believe with all of my heart that I could jump off of the Empire State building and not get hurt. I could jump saying that I don't believe in the law of gravity … but only once!
Instinctively you and I know that if we jump off of the Empire State building or any other building that has multiple stories or is very high at all, we know that it is not going to look pretty when we hit the ground and we go splat.
Instinctively we also know that there is a God.
“They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:19-20
You and I are free to reject the message of the cross. We can say that it is foolishness. Or … We can receive the message of the cross. We can receive God's forgiveness for the penalty of our sins.
Jesus Christ died on a cross to save you. He died on a cross to save me.
I am putting all of my trust in Him.
How about you?
Application
I will share the message of the cross with everyone that I possibly can.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, there are very few people that actually say that they don't believe in You, but there are many people who live their lives like You do not exist. They do not worship You. They may say they believe, but they do not worship You. Give me the words to say when I talk with people. Help me share the message of the cross clearly so they can understand how much You love them. I want them to be saved. Don't let me be a stumbling block to them. I want them to be able to see Jesus in me. I pray for their salvation.
Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 30,31; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 1



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