I Urge You, First Of All, To Pray For All People. Ask God To Help Them; Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them.

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I Urge You, First Of All,
To Pray For All People.
Ask God To Help Them; Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them. 

Scripture

1 Timothy 2

1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Observation

Here is how to start my week. Not a bad idea for you too, to pray for all the people that God brings to mind and ask God to help them. Who are we going to pray for this week?

If God tells us to pray for people telling us to pray for Him to help them then God must plan on helping them.

When God puts someone on our heart for us to pray for him or her it is because God wants to show that our prayers will be answered.

Why would God tell us to talk to Him on behalf of other people if He wasn’t going to answer our prayers? Lets make sure that we thank God for them too!

Before I got out of bed this morning God had already brought some people to my mind and I had the opportunity to pray for them.

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.               I Timothy 2:1 MESSAGE

Application

I will pray for everyone that the Lord brings to my mind today and I will thank my God for him or her.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is so much I don’t know about life, but this one thing I do know and it is this; You love people and You want them all to be saved and I know that You want me to pray for them! Help me to stay focused on people and their needs and don’t let me think only about myself. Give me the strength to live out this day in a way that pleases You. Bring to my mind the people that need for me to pray for them today. I don’t know how You can hear so many prayers from so many believers at the same time but I am sure glad that You can. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayers. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 4,5; Psalms 83; 1 Timothy 2

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May God The Father And Christ Jesus Our Lord Give You Grace, Mercy, And Peace.

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May God The Father And Christ Jesus Our Lord
Give You
Grace, Mercy, And Peace.

 Scripture

1 Timothy

2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Observation

Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve. Peace is what the whole world is desperately searching for and which can only be found in Jesus Christ. In fact, it is only in a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ that we can find and experience all three!

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16

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. Philippians 4:7

Application

I will pray that God gives you grace, mercy, and peace. How about you? Who are you praying for this morning?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the God of grace, mercy, and peace. Thank You for allowing me to experience all three. You are so very good to me. I pray for anyone who may be reading this blog this morning. Give them all three. Give them the strength and the desire to get up and get to church today. Help us to focus on You and Your goodness. Help us worship You with all of our hearts! You alone are worthy of praise!


Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 1,2,3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1

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Wherever Your Treasure Is, There The Desires Of Your Heart Will Also Be.

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Wherever Your Treasure
Is,
There The Desires Of Your Heart Will Also Be.

Scripture

Matthew 6

¹⁹ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.
 
²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
 
²¹ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Observation

What do you have here on earth that you treasure the most? I am not talking about your spouse or your family. What material possession or possessions do you treasure the most like your house, car, boat, hunting lodge, property, 401k, or other savings or checking accounts.

If you and I aren’t careful we will let money and material possessions become the driving force in our lives, they will become the main focus and desire of our hearts.

I hate to say it but I sometimes catch myself wanting something or wanting to do something that financially is totally out of my reach. Where do those thoughts come from?

Lets simplify our lives so we can focus on where our treasures should be stored! Lets quit worrying about what everybody else has and what we don’t have and lets focus on kingdom stuff – lets focus on people and building great relationships with them and helping them know our Savior Jesus Christ!

My most treasured possession is an old King James study Bible that Kathy gave me when God called me into the ministry. It is not much to look at but it is my greatest earthly possession. When I die I want someone to use that Bible or at least the notes that I have written in it to preach my funeral.

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? Matthew 6:25-27

Application

I will strive to be content and I will focus on building stronger relationships with the people that God has brought into my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be content with all that You have blessed me with. Don’t let me spend my time thinking about or worrying about stuff that doesn’t matter. Show me what is important. Show me how and where to invest my time and energy. I am blessed. You have been so good to me. You alone are worthy of praise!

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4; Psalm 18, Psalm 118, Proverbs 18, Matthew 6

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Let The Message About Christ, In All Its Richness, Fill Your Lives.

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Let The Message
About Christ, In All Its Richness,
Fill Your Lives.

Scripture

Colossians 3

¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Observation

I hear Christians say, “I don’t read the Bible everyday, or say, “I don’t read the Bible like I should” or “I don’t read the Bible very much” and I am thinking to myself and often I tell them, “You are missing out on what God has for your life!”

No wonder we are struggling with everything.

No wonder we can’t live a victorious Christian life! I wouldn’t have a chance living like God’s wants me to live if I wasn’t in His Word everyday.

Why not make this commitment to the Lord today and say to Him, “I will read Your Word everyday and if I forget to read Your word and I remember after I am already in bed I will get back up and read.

Making a commitment to the Lord is serious business but this is one commitment that you and I have to make!“

Help us Lord to faithfully dig into your Word everyday so we can grow in Christ.”

Application

I will continue to encourage men and women to read God’s Word everyday so they are able to grow into strong vibrant followers of Christ. And I will read God’s Word every day so that I can do the same!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. I love it. Help me not to miss one day this year of being challenged by what You say to me in Your word. Your Word says, “How can a young {and even an old} person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. {Personalized and words in italics are mine} Psalm 119:9,11,105

I pray for Kathy today on her birthday! I am so thankful that You brought her into my life. She is the best. No person on earth is more important to me than Kathy. Nobody even comes close! Bless her today. Continue to bless her with good health. Answer all of her prayers. Give her the desires of her heart. Make all of her plans successful. (Psalm 20:1-4)
   

   


   

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 20,21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

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I Know The LORD Is Always With Me.

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I Know
The LORD
Is Always With Me. 

Scripture

Psalm 16

⁸ I know the Lord is always with me.
    I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Observation

King David was able to deal with his life, a life that was filled with continual crisis, war, rebellion and treachery because he knew that the Lord was always with him.

If we are living our lives like God doesn’t exist then we should be pitied.

Suicide, divorce, drugs, alcohol, murder, fighting, anger, rage, immorality, loneliness, death, financial collapse, if you are living without God by your side then where is your hope?

Jesus Christ is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He lives inside of me! How about you?

Application

I will not be shaken, for Jesus Christ lives inside of me. How about you? 

… And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, 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! Amen   Psalm 139:7-14 {Personalized}


Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 17,18,19; Colossians 2; Psalm 16, Psalm 116, Proverbs 16

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Though His Disease Was Severe, Even In His Illness He Did Not Seek Help From The LORD, But Only From The Physicians

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Though His Disease Was Severe,
Even In His Illness He Did Not Seek Help From The LORD,
But Only From The Physicians

Scripture

2 Chronicles 14

⁹ Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots. They advanced to the town of Mareshah, ¹⁰ so Asa deployed his armies for battle in the valley north of Mareshah.


¹¹ Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!”

¹² So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians in the presence of Asa and the army of Judah, and the enemy fled.
 
2 Chronicles 16

“…Though his {Asa} disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.” 

Observation

King Asa trusted God to deliver and save him from a million man army and God did, but in the later part of his life King Asa wouldn’t even talk to that same mighty God to heal his diseased foot, he only sought help from physicians!

What a fool!

Careful it may be happening to you too! Drifting away from the One who created us. Trusting in everything and in everyone except the One that can really help us is our natural tendency.

In Max Lucado’s book, “Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear” he says, Sin is “God-less” living, centering life on the center letter of the word sIn. The sinner’s life is me-focused and not God-focused.

How stupid it was for King Asa to not to depend on the mighty power of God! It is even more tragic for us to do the same thing.

We have a Heavenly Father who loves us. He wants us to depend on Him for every detail of our lives – the big things, little things, everything.

Application

I will talk to the Lord today about everything. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to do like King Asa did and trust in everything else but You. “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help me, O Lord our God, for I trust in you alone.”

Let this always be my prayer. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1



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Celebrate God All Day, Every Day. I Mean, Revel In Him!

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Celebrate God
All Day, Every Day.
I Mean, Revel In Him!

Scripture

Philippians 4

4 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!   MESSAGE

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, “Rejoice!” KJV

Observation

I love Philippians chapter 4! I could have written about so much today from this chapter! This is the chapter that I go to when I begin to worry. I have memorized Philippians 4:6-7 and you probably have too. Philippians 4:19 is also one of my favorite verses. Do you know that verse by heart? How about Philippians 4:8?

But this morning I am reminded to “Rejoice in the Lord” and that is what I plan to do!

It is a choice that you and I can make this morning! It is a choice!

The Apostle Paul is sitting in a jail cell not knowing if he will be executed or set free and instead of worrying about it he uses his time to encourage you and encourage me by telling us to “Rejoice in the Lord”. Amazing!

No matter how deep you are in “circumstances”, no matter if today finds you in a swamp knee deep in alligators “Rejoice in the Lord and again I say Rejoice!”

Application

I will celebrate God today. I will rejoice in the Lord. It is what I choose to do. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for Your goodness. You are worthy of my praise! I will rejoice in you today. I will revel in You.  

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!” Psalm 139 13-18



Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

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Forgetting The Past And Looking Forward To What Lies Ahead, I Press On To Reach The End Of The Race And Receive The Heavenly Prize

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Forgetting The Past
And Looking Forward To What Lies Ahead,
I Press On To Reach The End Of The Race And Receive The Heavenly Prize

Scripture

Philippians 3

¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Observation

Mass murder and acts of terrorism were all in the Apostle Paul’s past. It was part of his culture just like it is part of ours. The Apostle Paul became a believer in Jesus Christ and everything changed. It is hard to imagine that Saul with such a past could become Paul that wrote most of the New Testament.  

The Apostle Paul was in jail when he wrote to the church in Philippi, as he was when he wrote most of his letters to the churches. But neither his present circumstances nor his past caused him to be depressed.

His secret – he knew his future! 

He knew what was ahead for him. He knew that there was a heavenly prize waiting for him. His goal was to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. 

No matter what you and I go through today it is nothing compared to what we will experience when we see Jesus face to face. 

If yesterday’s horrific event scares you and causes you to be depressed. Let me remind you of this promise:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Application

I will stay focused on the finish line today! I have a heavenly prize waiting for me. How about you?

Prayer

Here is my prayer for you today!

 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.  

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11
Heavenly Father, I pray for all of the families that are dealing with grief from yesterday’s terrible tragedy. I pray that these families will turn to You for the help that they need. You are the God of all comfort and compassion. Be with all of the first responders as they deal with the emotional trauma of trying to help so many people and seeing so many that were killed. 

I pray for my son Eddie today on his birthday. I pray that You would help him to be strong and courageous. Help him to be all that You have created him for. Don’t let him settle for anything less than Your best for him. Help him be a positive influence to those around him. May he bring You much glory and honor. Bless him as he puts You fist in his life. 

Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

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For God Is Working In You, Giving You The Desire And The Power To Do What Pleases Him

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For God Is Working In You,
Giving You The Desire
And The Power To Do What Pleases Him

 

Scripture

Philippians 2

¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Observation

I see God working in so many lives today. So many young people at church are surrendering their lives to the Lord. It is exciting to see God at work!

But God is also working in us older folks too. God is giving us the desire and the Power to do what pleases Him. 

So please, lets not make excuses! 

What is God putting on your heart? 

If God is working in our hearts and He puts in our hearts a desire to do something then He will give us the power to see it through.  

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:13

 Application

Here I am Lord send me! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to have the same attitude as Jesus Christ. I want to put others first. I don’t want to live my life to impress others. I want to think of others as better than myself. Help me to be more concerned with the interest of others and less concerned with my own interest. Thank You for giving me Eternal life. I have everything that I need. You are Mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. .


Daily Bible Reading:  1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

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Every Time I Think Of You, I Give Thanks To My God.

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Every Time
I Think Of You,
I Give Thanks To My God.

Scripture

Philippians 1

³ Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.\
 
⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, ⁵ for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.
 
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Observation

When I first starting putting my blog up on Facebook it was really just a way to hold myself accountable to read God’s Word everyday and have my quiet time. 

What it has turned into for me is an opportunity and a ministry for me to be able to pray for you.
Every time a person like you clicks “like” or makes a comment about what I have shared you can be sure that Eddy is going to take the time to pray for that person. 

I understand what the Apostle Paul says in verse 4, “Whenever I pray, I make requests for all of you with joy.” 

I never would have had this opportunity if God had not allowed the massive heart attack nearly 5 years ago and slowed me down. Now every morning I look forward to seeing who God has for me to pray for. 

I don’t write you every time I pray for you because I don’t want to drive you crazy, but you have my promise that everyday that I see your name you can be sure that you and your family are being lifted up by me in prayer. I appreciate how some of you have shared specific requests with me and that has helped me in praying for you.

Application

I look forward to praying for you. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, nothing brings You more honor than me spending time in prayer with You. It is a relationship with us that You created us for. Help me to talk to You about every detail of my life. Help me pray on behalf of those that You bring into my life. It is with great joy that I pray for those who read this simple blog. I gladly stand in the gap for them. Do a mighty work in each one of their lives today. Show them that they can completely trust in You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Song of Solomon 5,6,7,8; Philippians 1

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We Are Not Fighting Against Flesh-And-Blood Enemies, But Against Evil Rulers And Authorities Of The Unseen World, Against Mighty Powers In This Dark World

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We Are Not Fighting Against Flesh-And-Blood Enemies,
But Against Evil Rulers And Authorities Of The Unseen World,
Against Mighty Powers In This Dark World

Scripture

Ephesians 6

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
 
¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
 
¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Observation

Marriage and family are under attack. 

Families are being ripped apart. 

Relationships are being destroyed. 

And you think it is your spouse’s fault. You think he or she is the enemy. You are wrong. 

Take time to read Ephesians 6 this morning. You and I do have an enemy. 

And we better put on the whole armor of God to be able to stand against his strategies. 

His ultimate goal is to destroy you, destroy your marriage, destroy your family, and destroy your 
 life in general. 

How is he doing so far? 

Are you ready to make a change?

 Application

I will put on the whole armor of God this morning to protect me from my real enemy – Satan.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will put on Your armor today so that I can resist the enemy and so that I can stand firm. I will put on the belt of truth and the body armor of Your righteousness. My shoes will Your peace that I received with the Good News about Jesus Christ. I will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. I will put on salvation as my helmet and I will take the sword of Your Holy Spirit, which is the word of God. And I will pray in the Spirit all the time, praying for believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:13-18 personalized)



Daily Bible Reading:  Song 1,2,3,4; Ephesians 6



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Using A Dull Ax Requires Great Strength, So Sharpen The Blade. That’s The Value Of Wisdom; It Helps You Succeed.

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Using A Dull Ax Requires Great Strength,
So Sharpen The Blade.
That’s The Value Of Wisdom; It Helps You Succeed.

I just came back from a 6 am breakfast meeting with some of the men of our church. Pastor Larry Chadwell is guiding us as we work together to come up with 8 transferable concepts or tools that one day soon we want every man in our church to be able to use with other men. As I came back to the house to have make daily quiet time and read my Bible this verse in Ecclesiastes 10 jumped out at me! To be with these men this morning was a blade sharpening experience for Eddy Williams. 

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 10

10 Using a dull ax requires great strength,
    so sharpen the blade.
That’s the value of wisdom;
    it helps you succeed.

Observation

I just came back from a 6 am breakfast meeting with some of the men of our church.

Pastor Larry Chadwell is guiding us as we work together to come up with 8 transferable concepts or tools that one day soon we want every man in our church to be able to use with other men.

As I came back to the house to have make daily quiet time and read my Bible this verse in Ecclesiastes 10 jumped out at me! To be with these men this morning was a blade sharpening experience for Eddy Williams.  

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2

Are you part of a small group? It is a great place to “sharpen your blade”!

 Application

I am grateful for guys like Larry Chadwell that God uses in my life to help me be more like Jesus!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as Pastor Larry shared this morning. I want to commit everything that I know about myself to everything that I know about Jesus. I want to yield everything to You this morning. I pray for the men of our church. Help them to have a Spirit open to spiritual things. Help them to grow. Give them the desire and the mindset to grow. Thank You for what You are doing in our church. Thank You for what You are doing right now in my life.

Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 10,11,12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5

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Do Not Bring Sorrow To God’s Holy Spirit By The Way You Live

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Do Not Bring Sorrow
To God’s Holy Spirit
By The Way You Live

Scripture

Ephesians 4

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
 
³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Observation

What you and I decide to do with our time; what you and I decide to involve ourselves in or with does matter to God.

The way we live can bring sorrow to God or we can make Him smile. So how are we going to live this day out?

It is up to you and me. It is an everyday, every time we get out of the bed decision … are we going to live today to please God or are we going to live it just trying to please ourselves. 

Application

It is my desire to live this day in a way that makes God smile. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Help me to be kind to others. Help me to be tenderhearted. Help me to forgive others, just as You through Christ have forgiven me. Help me make You smile today by the way I treat those around me. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 7,8,9; Ephesians 4

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I Pray That From His Glorious, Unlimited Resources He Will Empower You With Inner Strength Through His Spirit

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I Pray That From His Glorious, Unlimited Resources
He Will Empower You
With Inner Strength Through His Spirit

Scripture

Ephesians 3


¹⁴ When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
 
¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
 
¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
 
¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
 
¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
 
²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

If you and I are honest where we need help is with “inner strength” because that is where most of our battles are fought!

The Apostle Paul gives us two powerful prayers in the book of Ephesians that we can pray for people. One is found in Ephesians 1:15-21 and here in Ephesians 3:14-21.

This is my prayer for you today! It is found in Ephesians 3:14-21!

Application

I will pray this prayer for everyone that reads my blog.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is nothing more important for me to do in life than to pray for the people that You place on my heart. You place them on my heart because You plan to do a work in their lives and You want me to be a part of it. I pray for Wendy and James that I met today. I pray that You not let them rest until they are attending church. And I pray that You direct them to ours. I pray for Yvette who put her faith in Jesus today. I pray that Kathy has the opportunity to help her grow. Protect her for the evil one.

Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 4,5,6; Psalms 18; Ephesians 3

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Salvation Is Not A Reward For The Good Things We Have Done

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Salvation Is Not A Reward
For The Good Things
We Have Done

Scripture

Ephesians 2

⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Observation

How good do you have to be to get into God’s Heaven? Let me quickly say that you and I can never be good enough to get in. There was only One who was and only One who still is good enough and His name is Jesus. 

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12 

 For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13    

In just a few minutes Kathy and I will go to Mission Tampa to share with the people that come there for help. 

The vast majority of the people today will tell us that they think that they are good enough or they will say that if they are good enough then God will let them into His Heaven.

You may think that too. Maybe you have been trying to sin less these days thinking that if you sin less you will somehow squeak into God’s Kingdom. 

I don’t mind a bit popping your bubble if that is the way you have been thinking! Here is a verse that tells us what our sin(s) earn us and it is not Heaven. 

When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
   
   
It is our job as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to clearly share with others that only through a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ can a person find forgiveness of their sins and be saved. 

    For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.  Romans 10:9-10

Application

I will do my best to share clearly the Good News about Jesus to the folks that come this morning to Mission Tampa. How about you? Who needs to hear about Jesus Christ?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You protect the people today that have to venture out in possibly bad weather. I pray for those who will come to Mission Tampa for help this morning. I pray that their hearts be open so they can clearly understand the Gospel message. I pray for our team that serves each week. Give us Your strength. Give us Your heart and Your compassion for the people that come in the rain today to get help. You are Mighty. Nothing is too hard for You.  

Daily Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 1,2,3; Psalms 45; Ephesians 2

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I Also Pray That You Will Understand The Incredible Greatness Of God’s Power For Us Who Believe Him.

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I Also Pray
That You Will Understand The Incredible Greatness
Of God’s Power For Us Who Believe Him.

Scripture

Ephesians 1 

¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³ And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Observation

As I read God’s Word I pick up on the excitement, I feel the urgency of God’s message of salvation and I hold on tightly to all of God’s promises!

How about you?

Jesus Christ is over all things for the benefit of the church!

He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else – not only in this world but also in the world to come.

The incredible greatness of God’s power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead resides in us – his church!

As you and I share our faith this week, as we deal with perhaps difficult people and difficult circumstances we can rely on the incredible greatness of the power of God in us!

Application

I will face this week confident in the incredible greatness of my God and the power of His Holy Spirit that is in me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, with Your help I will do mighty things, for You will trample down my foes. (Psalm 60:12) I know that the very same incredible great power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in me. Help me to live out my faith today. I pray for anyone that might be reading this blog this morning. I pray that You help them to totally trust You. Show them that they can totally rely on You. Give them the courage to believe. 


Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 30,31; Psalms 33; Ephesians 1 

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With God’s Help We Will Do Mighty Things

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With
God’s Help
We Will Do Mighty Things

Scripture

Psalm 60

12 With God’s help we will do mighty things,
    for he will trample down our foes.

Observation

This would be a great motto for a business! “With God’s Help We Will Do Mighty Things!”

What about this verse as a motto for my house and maybe even for your house?

How about for our church?

How big is our God?

On Sunday mornings when I see all of the young people that make up the majority of our congregation I really excited and I am filled with emotion.

Even though I am not the Senior Pastor of our church (that responsibility belongs to Pastor Bruce Moore and he is doing a great job!) as one of the pastors trying to lead these young people, my task and the challenge for all of us pastors is to help these young people grab hold of and run with this great promise found in Psalm 60:12!

Maybe you are one of those “young people” that make me so proud with the way that you are growing in Christ! Would you put this verse on your refrigerator or maybe even better than that would you memorize it and guard it in your heart?

Now for all of us that are not so young anymore this verse is also still true for us too! God is not finished with us yet.

Application

With God’s help I will do mighty things! How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me quit. Don’t let me pull myself out of the race. Excuses are just that they are excuses. Don’t let me use any excuse for not serving You. I claim and hold onto Your Word this morning that says that “With Your Help We Will Do Mighty Things” and that “We” includes “Me”. 


For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13


   

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 28,29; Psalms 60; Romans 16



> 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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I Pray That God, The Source Of Hope, Will Fill You Completely With Joy And Peace Because You Trust In Him.

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I Pray That God,
The Source Of Hope,
Will Fill You Completely With Joy And Peace Because You Trust In Him.

Scripture

Romans 15

¹³ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation

This is my prayer for you today on this Friday morning! Maybe you have had a rough week. Maybe you are dealing with some really difficult stuff. Here is my prayer for you. I want you to overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the way that I want you to go into this weekend – overflowing with hope! If hope is something that you have been missing in your life then why don’t you take some time and camp for a while in God’s Word. If is full of hope! It is loaded with promises for you and me!

Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:22

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 84:19

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18

Application

This will be my prayer for everyone that God brings to my mind today to pray for and especially for anyone that may take a minute to read this blog. Who will you pray for this morning that may need to be reassured of God’s hope?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this is my prayer for any person that may be reading this blog this morning:

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. And I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:18 and Romans 15:13 

Give them hope this morning. Help them to believe, help them to have faith in You and in all of your promises today! Show them just how powerful and mighty You are! Don’t leave them with any doubt about how much You love them!


Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 25,26,27; Romans 15

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The Godly May Trip Seven Times, But They Will Get Up Again.

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The Godly
May Trip
Seven Times, But They Will Get Up Again.

Scripture

Proverbs 22

¹⁶ The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.

Observation

Failure, blowing it, messing up, getting tripped up, it may happen to the godly but they will get up again!

You and I if we have made the decision to put God first in our lives doesn’t mean that we are not going to mess up!

Striving to live a godly life does not mean that our lives are going to be perfect.

It does mean though that we have a God who is willing to pick us back up when life trips us up or when we mess up and totally blow it!

God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Application

I will strive to live a godly life and when I trip up I will get back up again. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your design for me was for me to live in a relationship with You. I mess our relationship up all the time when I choose to do things that do not please You. I am so glad that You forgive me every time I mess up and every time I come to You and ask for Your forgiveness.

Each and every time I trip up, and every time I fall down You are there to pick me back up. You are faithful to forgive me even though I do not deserve Your forgiveness. It is only because of Your mercy and Your grace that I am still here today. Thank You for Your unfailing love and kindness towards me. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 22,23,24; Romans 14; Psalm 2, Psalm 102

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And Don’t Let Yourself Think About Ways To Indulge Your Evil Desires.

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And Don’t Let
Yourself
Think About Ways To Indulge Your Evil Desires. 

Scripture

Romans 13

¹³ Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Observation

Sin is enjoyable (this is not earth shattering news) and that is why the Apostle Paul has told us not to think about ways to indulge our evil desires. 

Our motive or our reason to stay away from sinful thoughts and sinful activities should not be just for the negative consequences of sin and what it does to us personally or what it does to those close to us, but just as important is the terrible harm it does to our witness as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

He or she is a Christian and they do that ________? (You fill in the blank).

We must live decent lives for all to see.

Drinking, smoking, drugging, pornography, gambling, immoral living, over eating, lying, gossip, and you can keep adding to this list whatever evil desire that entices you the most. Satan knows where to attack us. He knows our weak spot(s).

Here is the test: Would what I am doing or thinking about doing bring God glory and honor? Would it make God smile? If the answer is yes, then indulge yourself, but if the answer is no or if the answer is I am not sure, then don’t do it!

Application

I will indulge myself in things today that make God smile. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy for me to sin. It is so easy for me to think about things that are not pleasing to You. Don’t let me yield to the temptations that come my way. Don’t let me think about ways to indulge my evil desires. I want to clothe myself with the presence of Jesus Christ. I want to live a decent life for others to see. Give me the strength to live out this day in a way that pleases You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Proverbs 19,20,21; Romans 13

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