You Are Spiritually Dull And Don’t Seem To Listen

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You Are
Spiritually Dull
And Don’t Seem To Listen

Scripture

Hebrews 5

¹¹ There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. ¹² You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.

Observation

Big spiritual babies, that’s what we are! If we aren’t in God’s Word everyday and if we aren’t putting it into practice and living out what we read, then verse eleven exactly describes us down to a “T”! The writer of Hebrews was writing to believers that should have been mature in their faith, but they were not. 

Our youngest grandchild, Amelie, was told by her parents and her grandma that her pacifier’s were going to be given to her younger cousin Mason because she was a big girl (2 ½ years old) now and she didn’t need pacifier’s any more. 

Maybe it is time we grew up too. 

 We say that we are Christ followers but we never or seldom attend church. If you and I are believers and that describes us then we are certainly big babies. 

If we go days and maybe even all week without opening up our Bible’s = Babies ‘R Us!

Can’t forgive, mad at the pastor, don’t go to worship because the music is too loud, or maybe because we don’t get to sing the old hymns like we used to – if any or all of those describe us then you guessed it = Babies ‘R Us!

Let’s grow up! 

Let’s make a commitment to be in God’s Word everyday. Let’s commit to attending and participating in church on a weekly basis. Let’s give the gift of forgiveness to that person that has hurt us and let’s support our pastor and lets pray for him and his family! 

Application

I will be in God’s Word everyday and I will guard my heart and I will strive to keep my attitude right. How about you – baby or mature believer – the choice is ours to make?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to grow everyday. Help me not to be a mean old grouchy “baby” believer in my old age.

I pray Psalm 100 back to You this morning!

¹ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
²     Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.
³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Amen

Daily Bible Reading:  Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100,101,102; Hebrews 5

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My Health May Fail, And My Spirit May Grow Weak, But God Remains The Strength Of My Heart; He Is Mine Forever.

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My Health May Fail, And My Spirit May Grow Weak,
But God Remains The Strength Of My Heart;
He Is Mine Forever. 

Scripture

Psalm 73

²³ Yet I still belong to you;
    you hold my right hand.

²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    leading me to a glorious destiny.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

Observation

Paddling out yesterday in my kayak in one more futile attempt to catch that infamous “Walter” I was quickly reminded by my body that I am no longer a young man!

By the way, I did see 2 sharks that were about 6-7 feet long and they would have qualified to be my “Walter” but I couldn’t get them to take the bait!

If they had of taken the bait I might still be out there somewhere in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico!

But seriously even though my health is obviously slowly failing and I am now definitely a lot weaker than I used to be I can and I will proudly boast that my God remains the strength of my heart!

How about you?

Can you and I give God some praise today!

 Application

I will give my God praise today! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your word is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes my innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from You. Everything is naked and exposed before Your eyes, and You are the One to whom we are accountable.

So then, since I have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, I will hold firmly to what I believe.  This High Priest of mine understands my weaknesses, for Jesus faced all of the same testings I do, yet He did not sin.  So I will come boldly to the throne of my gracious God. There I will receive his mercy, and I will find grace to help me when I need it most.

But as for me, how good it is to be near You! I have made You, the Sovereign Lord, my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

Hebrews 4:12-16, Psalm 73:28 {Personalized}

Daily Bible Reading:  Hosea 10,11,12; Psalms 73; Hebrews 4


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

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

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

Oh, That We Might Know The LORD!

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Oh,
That We Might Know
The LORD!

Scripture

Hosea 6

³ Oh, that we might know the Lord!
    Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
    or the coming of rains in early spring.”

Observation

Maybe you are like me and have been a Christian a long time. If so I hope that this verse stirs up something in you and speaks to your heart like it did mine. 

It reminds me of what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead…” 

Kathy and I just walked back up from having a cup of coffee at the beach! 

What a Great and Mighty Creator God we serve! 

Today I can say with Hosea,  “Oh, that I might know the LORD!” 

Philippians 3:8-9, 12-14

⁸ Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ⁹ and become one with him.

¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 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.

Application

I will press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating this beautiful world for us to enjoy. It was especially designed for our enjoyment! Thank You for our family and our friends. Help them to walk with You. Help all of us to know You better every day! 


Daily Bible Reading:  Hosea 6,7,8,9; Hebrews 3

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Listen To My Voice In The Morning LORD

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Listen To My Voice
In The Morning
LORD



Scripture

Psalm 5

³ Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Observation

It seems like every morning I wake up with something else on my heart that I share with the Lord. Do you do the same thing? 

This morning as I was praying for my children, who are the parents of our 10 wonderful grandchildren my heart’s desire for them is that they would understand that nothing is more important than having a personal relationship with God and growing each day closer to Him. 

I am glad that some of my children care about politics and some of them want to talk about their political positions and our country’s desperate need for the right person in the White House.  But I will be even happier when they want to talk about spiritual things and want to share about what God is doing in their lives. 

I do want to be able to help them to see our country’s dire situation from God’s perspective. 

This world and for sure our country is spinning out of control, and if not spinning at least flying in the wrong direction and no matter what you and I believe about our future political leaders not one of them is going to change the direction of this spin, or change the speed of our ultimate destruction as a nation. 

The truth is that unless a godly leader takes office and unless he or she calls our nation to repentance there is no hope of seeing things change for the better. 

How do I know that? It is not difficult to see if you and I just open up and read God’s Word. 

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. Proverbs 29:2 

The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. Proverbs 29:7
 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding. When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish. Proverbs 28:12

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Application

I will put my trust in the Lord today and I will pray for our leaders. I know that God is Sovereign and He sets up world leaders and He takes them down.

He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. Daniel 2:21

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are in control. You are Sovereign. No person takes a place of leadership over a nation without Your okay. You alone control the course of world events. I pray for the leaders of our country. Give them wisdom to lead. I pray that a godly leader would emerge to lead our country and call our nation back to You. You alone are All-Powerful. Nothing is too hard for You. 


Daily Bible Reading:  Hosea 2,3,4,5; Hebrews 2, Psalm 5, Psalm 105, Proverbs 5


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

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

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

Angels Are Only Servants – Spirits Sent To Care For People Who Will Inherit Salvation

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Angels Are Only Servants –
Spirits Sent
To Care For People Who Will Inherit Salvation

Scripture

Hebrews 1

14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Observation

What do you believe about Angels?

I know some people seem to worship Angels. You may even think that the angel statue in your house brings you good luck.

It is easy to get sidetracked and begin to worship the created rather than the Creator!

The book of Hebrews makes the point that Jesus Christ, God Himself, is the only One worthy of worship. He is both Creator and Sustainer of everything and everyone!

Angels are created beings that have their purpose. Their purpose is to care for us – those of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. Hebrews 1:3

Application

I will pray directly to my Heavenly Father this morning. I get to do that because Jesus Christ has provided me direct access to the Father through His death on the cross for my sins. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have created us for a relationship with You, that is why we have breath today. You want us to know You intimately. Thank You for giving me Eternal Life. Thank You for allowing angels to take care of me and all others that call on Your name.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 15,16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

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Here I Am. Send Me.

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Here
I Am.
Send Me. 

I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. This was Isaiah’s response to seeing the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. We have a problem. You and I have a problem. It is a sin problem. And you and I need to be forgiven. Have you ever asked God to forgive your sins?

Scripture

Isaiah 6

⁵ Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. ⁷ He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

⁸ Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Observation

I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. This was Isaiah’s response to seeing the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. We have a problem.

You and I have a problem. It is a sin problem.

And you and I need to be forgiven. Have you ever asked God to forgive your sins? Have you asked Him to be your Lord and your Savior? If the answer to those 2 questions is “no” then why don’t you ask Him right now?

Isaiah saw the Lord, Isaiah realized what a sinful person he was, and then Isaiah was cleansed of his sin. Once Isaiah was forgiven he was ready to volunteer to be used by God.

Are you ready if the Lord speaks to you? Are you ready to go to China, India, or Cuba? Are you ready to go to your neighbor, your coworker, or a family member?

Are you willing to say, “Here I am? Send me.”

Application

I am willing to go wherever God wants to send me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, here I am. Send me! I pray for those who are reading this blog who have yet surrendered his or her life to You. Give them the courage and the boldness to say “yes” to You. Open up their hearts today to Your message of salvation!

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 6,7; 2 Chronicles 26,27; Philemon

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May The LORD Richly Bless Both You And Your Children

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May The LORD
Richly Bless
Both You And Your Children

Scripture

Psalm 115

¹⁴ May the Lord richly bless
    both you and your children.

¹⁵ May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

Observation

I have come to realize that my most important work is to pray for you! I know that you may think that is a ridiculous thing to say, but I believe it is true.

If God is God and He is, and if what God says in His Word is true and it is, then nothing could be more important than me praying for you.

Think about it!

You and I get to ask our Heavenly Father to work in people’s lives and He will do it.

We can pray and ask God to bless someone and He will.

It is not because we have some special power! It is because we are related to Someone who does!

My Heavenly Father wants to bless those that I pray for! It is amazing! He is Amazing!

    'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'  Jeremiah 33:3

 Application

When I pray and I ask God to bless someone I know that I am doing something that pleases my Heavenly Father!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that there is someone reading this simple blog that has not put their faith and their trust yet in You. Show them today that they can believe. Bless them with the ability to understand spiritual things. Open up his or her spiritual eyes and their hearts so that they can see and understand that You are real. Give them the privilege of knowing You in the same way that I do. You are mighty.

 I love You Lord because You hear my voice and my prayer for mercy.
 Because You bend down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1-2 {Personalized}


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 4,5; Psalms 115,116; Jude

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He Saved Us, Not Because Of The Righteous Things We Had Done, But Because Of His Mercy

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He Saved Us,
Not Because Of The Righteous Things We Had Done,
But Because Of His Mercy

Scripture

Titus 3:5-7

⁵ He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
 
⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
 
⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Observation

Maybe you are like most people in this world and you think that you have to be good and do good things to get God’s approval and if you are good enough and get God’s approval then He will let you into Heaven.

If that is the way you believe then you believe just like most people out walking on any street in America. It might sound logical, but the Bible instructs us that there is another way; in fact the Bible tells us that there is only one way – Jesus!

You and I are not perfect. No matter how good you are and know matter how good I am we are not perfect. The Bible says that you and I are sinners. Maybe you sin less than me and maybe I sin more than you, but we are both sinners.

It only takes “one sin” in our lives for us to be “sinners”.  “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” James 2:10

So if we can’t be good enough to get into Heaven or good enough to have a relationship with God then how can we ever get into Heaven, and how can we ever have a personal relationship with God?

Jesus Christ came to planet Earth to fix that problem. He came to do something for us that we cannot do for ourselves. He came to live a sinless life and that is just what He did.

For the 33 years that Jesus Christ walked this earth He never sinned one time. He was perfect. He allowed Himself to be arrested, tortured, and killed on a cross. He died as a “Perfect Sacrifice” and He died in our place.

You and I deserve death, both physical and spiritual death because of our sinful lives, but Jesus Christ has died in our place to pay the penalty (the death sentence) for our sins.  His sinless life in exchange for our sinful lives.

So Jesus saves us, not because of the righteous things that we have done, but because of His mercy. His “Mercy” means that He does not give us what we deserve. We all deserve to go to Hell.

His “Grace” gives us what we don’t deserve. None of us deserve to go to Heaven or have Eternal Life!

Does that make sense to you?

If you have questions – send me a private message and let’s talk!

Application

I am thankful that God open my spiritual eyes to understand what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross. How about you? Do you know Him?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Eternal Life. I don’t deserve it. I know that I am a sinner. Thank You Lord for forgiving me of all my sins and giving me what I don’t deserve – Eternal Life and thank You for not giving me what I do deserve – Eternal judgment – Hell. Open the spiritual eyes of anyone that may be reading this blog this morning and help them to see that Jesus has provided the Way for them to have a personal relationship with You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 1,2,3; Titus 3



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Turn From Godless Living And Sinful Pleasures

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Turn From Godless Living
And
Sinful Pleasures

Scripture

Titus 2

¹² And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Observation

Sinful pleasures! You know it and I know it. We know that there is pleasure in those sinful things that we are tempted to do. So why not do them if they are pleasurable?

Here is why!

I will explain with this short story: On Saturday Kathy and I are going out to the beach for a week to be with our extended family. It is an unofficial family reunion!

We have been doing this for over 20 years. It is a great tradition! We are grateful to our two daughters and other family members for helping us with most of the cost of this week at the beach. We couldn’t have gone without their help.

While we are out at the beach I always fish for Walter! (Actually I gave him a break last year and I didn’t take my kayak but this year I am back.)

I have been fishing for that giant fish all of these years and I haven’t caught him yet.

But this year I plan to catch him. I have caught a 5-foot shark in my kayak and cut him loose when I got him reeled in but he was nowhere near the size of famous mythical Walter!

How do I plan on catching him?

I plan to put bait out there that he cannot refuse or resist. I plan on enticing him and tempting him to take the bait. Hidden inside that delicious looking bait is a razor sharp hook waiting for him!

You and I are being enticed just like that every day with sinful pleasures. Satan dangles the bait in front of us and he knows our weaknesses. He knows just where to tempt us. Inside that temptation, inside that sinful pleasure is a razor sharp hook

When we yield to his temptation, when we begin to enjoy the sinful pleasure that he places before us he then sets the hook. Some of us are hooked right now and even though the sin is not as pleasurable as it once was we can’t break free. He has us hooked. We are addicted.

Jesus Christ gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own.

Don’t be a fool! Every sinful pleasure comes with its own special razor sharp hook!

How foolish Walter will be if he looks at that bait and takes it, but oh how even more foolish you and I are if we take the bait!

 Application

I will stay in God’s Word so I don’t sin against Him. I will watch out for Satan and his schemes because he is a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. How about you? Psalm 119:9&11, 1 Peter 5:8

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for rescuing me from my old sinful life. Help me to live a godly life. Help me to live my life in a way that pleases You. Thank You for allowing us this week at the beach with our family. Bless those that helped us be able to go!

I pray for each and every family member. Help each one of them to see and understand that You are real, that You love them and that You have a special plan for their lives. I pray that You soften and that You open their hearts so that all of our family and extended family can accept and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And if You let me hook Walter please don’t let him carry me out to sea!

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38


Daily Bible Reading:  Amos 7,8,9; Psalms 104; Titus 2



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Listen To Me You Fat Cows …

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Listen
To Me
You Fat Cows … 

Scripture

Amos 4

Listen to me, you fat cows ... 

Titus 1

¹⁶ Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

Observation

When Amos, the shepherd prophet prophesied against Israel’s neighbors and then against Israel and Judah he did not worry about being politically correct! 

We live in a strange world where national and world leaders are afraid to take a stand on any moral issue or to even call evil – evil! 

I pray that God calls out an Amos or two that will not be afraid to speak out and lead our nation in the right direction. In Amos 3:7 God says, “Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.”

Titus reminds us that some people may claim to know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. And Titus goes on to say that these people are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. 

Application

Would you join me in asking God to raise up godly leadership across our nation? Will you also join me in making a commitment to live our lives in a way that honors and glorifies our God?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, fat cows, plenty of them running our country right into the ground. I am responsible for voting them into office. I certainly take part of the blame. I ask You to raise up godly leaders that we can support, godly leaders that will lead our country in the right direction. I know that we have sinned. I know that I have sinned. And I know that our country cannot continue in the ungodly direction it is heading without coming under Your judgment and correction. So I cry out to You for help!


Daily Bible Reading:  Amos 4,5,6; Psalms 86,87; Titus 1

 

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Patiently Correct, Rebuke, And Encourage Your People With Good Teaching.

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Patiently Correct,
Rebuke,
And Encourage Your People With Good Teaching.

Scripture

2 Timothy 4

² Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Observation

The Apostle Paul is now an old man. He knows that he will soon be put to death. He is writing to one of his favorites, his son in the faith, young Timothy. He exhorts Timothy to preach the word of God in every situation – good or bad! Then he says for Timothy to be patient with his people, “patiently” correcting them, rebuking them, and encouraging them with good teaching.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get frustrated and impatient with the people I know who are still being held captive to the old life, living like what God and a godly life offers is not enough.

To be honest I have a hard time being patient with them. I am impatient because I can see how God could use them for His Kingdom if they would just completely give their lives to Christ.

As long as they have one foot in the world and one foot in God’s Kingdom all they are doing is damaging the cause of Christ. 

So here is what I have been doing. I have been asking God to give me patience and I have been asking Him to help me with my attitude towards them. I am not God. God can do a work in their lives if I will just pray for them.

So if you happen to one of those people that have one foot in the world and trying to keep one foot in the Kingdom I want you to know that I am praying for you.

I am turning you over to my Heavenly Father and I am asking Him to do what only He can do! Can’t wait to see what happens!

Application

As a pastor, I will patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage the people that God brings into my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the Shepherd and I am just one of your sheep. Sheep are helpless. They need a Shepherd. I pray today for those that may read this blog today that still are holding on to the old life. Set them free. Help them totally surrender there lives to You. Give them the strength and the courage to be men and women of God today. Set them free. I pray that they could live the rest of their lives totally surrendered to You bringing You much glory. Use them for Your Kingdom Lord. Only You can change their hearts. Only You can set them free!

Daily Bible Reading:  Amos 1,2,3; Psalms 80; 2 Timothy 4

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All Scripture Is Inspired By God

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All Scripture
Is
Inspired By God

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Hebrews 4:12

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. MESSAGE

Observation

Any other book is just a book, but the Bible is not like any other book! It is living and powerful!
It transforms lives. I know because God’s Word changed my life! 

No other book comes close! I looked up on the web Guinness world records and found out that at least 5 Billion copies of the Bible have been printed since 1815 in more than 349 languages; and 2123 languages have at least one book of the Bible in that language! 

And you aren’t reading it everyday?  – don’t be scared of the Bible. Read it every day in a translation that you can understand like the NIV or the NLT versions. 

Start reading the Gospel of John or the Gospel of Mark. Read a little bit each day and ask God to help you understand what you are reading! God’s Word can and will change your life! 

Personally I think it is helpful to write down something that God shows you from what you read each day. That is why I write this simple devotional blog. You can do the same thing. 

 Application

I will read God’s Word everyday this year! How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible. Nothing is more important to me than Your Word. You speak to me every day through it. Help me to always think of Your Word like Job did when he said, “… I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.” {Job 23:12} Don’t let me ever get tired of reading, studying, and meditating on what You have said to me in the Bible. It is Alive and Powerful! You are Mighty and You alone are worthy of my Praise!


Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 13,14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3  

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Run From Anything That Stimulates Youthful Lusts

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Run 

From Anything 

That Stimulates Youthful Lusts

Scripture

2 Timothy 2

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Observation

Drinking, drugging, running around with women or men (sexual immorality), gambling, pornography, anything that stimulates youthful lusts – RUN! Get away from it! And instead make the decision to hang out and enjoy being with people who love the Lord and pursue what has God’s approval.

RUN from anything else!

I remember my high school days. I am not proud of the things that I did. Thank goodness that at 19 years of age God brought someone into my life that told me about Jesus Christ. It was then, when I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that I was able to begin having victory over those youthful passions.

I am still very much a sinner. I still deal with youthful desires, but I choose to pursue what has God’s approval. How about you?
It is a daily choice!

Application

I am still tempted, but I choose to pursue what has God’s approval. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, nothing is too hard for You. I pray for those right now who are struggling with youthful evil desires and can’t seem to break free of them. Help them to pursue only what has Your approval. Show them how to have victory over these things that destroy their witness and keep them from being what You planned for them to be. Give them strength today to walk in victory. 

I pray for those who have loved ones close to death. Help them to walk through this difficult time. Give them strength. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jonah 1,2,3,4; 2 Timothy 2

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God Has Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear And Timidity, But Of Power, Love, And Self Discipline.

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God Has Not Given Us
A Spirit Of Fear And Timidity,
But Of Power, Love, And Self Discipline.

Scripture

2 Timothy 1

⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
⁸ So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

Observation

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 CEV 

You and I might make excuses why we are not serving the Lord like we should but you can be sure of this God has given us everything we need to be His witnesses. 

 God’s Holy Spirit gives us the power, the love, and the self-control. 

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us!

We can talk and share the Good News about Jesus with people. God has given us everything we need to be His witnesses! 

Look out world here we come!

We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" 2 Corinthians 5:20 

So {let’s} never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.  *Italics are mine! -            2 Timothy 1:8

 Application

I will look for opportunities this weekend to talk to people about my Savior! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a good ambassador for You and Your kingdom. Don’t let me be a coward to share my faith. Give me opportunities to witness this week. I know that Your Holy Spirit gives me the power, the love, and the self-discipline to share my faith effectively. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Joel 1,2,3; 2 Timothy 1

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Godliness With Contentment Is Itself Great Wealth

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Godliness With Contentment
Is
Itself Great Wealth

Scripture

1 Timothy 6

⁶ Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
 
⁷ After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
 
⁸ So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Observation

Always wanting more, always wanting something bigger, better, shinier, or newer isn’t that the American way life?

 Don’t deny yourself! You deserve it! 

Your family deserves it! 

At least that is what the advertisers pound into us day after day after day! 

But you know and I know that stuff no matter how much we accumulate it is not satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts! 

It actually seems to work just the opposite - the more I have the more I seem to want. So do our families have enough food and clothes for today? 

If the answer is “Yes” then God’s message through the Apostle Paul to us today is this – Be Content!

Application

I will be grateful for all that God has provided Kathy and I. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I think that what You are reminding me this morning is that my bucket list should not be full of stuff that cost lots of money. I know that my days left on this planet need to be focused on Kingdom stuff – people, relationships, not on myself and for sure not on “stuff”. Help me to keep my eyes off anything that causes me to lust, crave, and/or desire things that take my eyes off the really important stuff in life – the people around me! Thank You for blessing me with so much. I know that I am rich. Now just help me to stay content. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 11,12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6

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I Was Glad When They Said To Me, Let Us Go To The House Of The LORD.

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I Was Glad When They Said To Me,
Let Us
Go To The House Of The LORD.

Scripture

Psalm 122

¹ I was glad when they said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Observation

Do we go to church most Sundays? Why do we do that?

Is there anything wrong with attending just once every month or once every 5 or 6 weeks or just every once in awhile?

Why is regular church attendance so important anyway?

Here is why; our church attendance is a reflection of your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Can you pick up the attitude of the Psalmist in Psalm 122:1? He couldn’t wait until he the chance to be back in the house of the Lord.

It is all about the health of our relationship with your Father in Heaven.

Kathy and I are in love. We have been in love for over 47 years. I would rather be with her than any other person on the planet. And I would rather be in church on Sundays worshiping my Savior with the body of Christ – (His church) than doing anything else. 

I love fishing, but not on Sunday when there is a chance to be at church. I love going to Disney, Busch Gardens and a million other places, but I don’t love those places more than being with God’s people and having a chance to worship our Savior with them.

Why?

Here is why, I know that me worshiping on Sunday morning with my fellow believers is what pleases my Heavenly Father. It is all about attitude and whom do I want to please the most – my Heavenly Father or myself!

Application

I look forward to this Sunday. It is Thursday but Sunday is coming!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for what You are doing in the lives of the people close to me. Thank You for working in the lives of the men that You have put in my circle of influence. Help them to be mighty men of God. Give them the boldness and the courage to make huge commitments to You. Work mightily through them. Help them in their marriages and relationships. Help them to be good Fathers and especially help them to know how to love the mothers of their children. Bless anyone who may read this blog today. Help them with their attitude, especially if they have been missing church without understanding that inconsistency is a reflection of their relationship with You.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22,23; 1 Timothy 5; Psalm 22, Psalm 122

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Train Yourself To Be Godly. Physical Training Is Good, But Training For Godliness Is Much Better, Promising Benefits In This Life And In The Life To Come

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Train Yourself To Be Godly.
Physical Training Is Good, But Training For Godliness Is Much Better,
Promising Benefits In This Life And In The Life To Come

Scripture

1 Timothy 4

… Train yourself to be godly. ⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

Observation

How do you and I train ourselves to be godly? Just showing up at church on Sundays is definitely not enough. But faithful consistent church attendance and participation is a good first step.

A godly person is not a perfect, but it is a person striving to put God first in his or her life. Every morning as they start their day they make the daily choice to put God first.

And as they mess up during the day and do something that doesn’t please God (called sin) they don’t hesitate to quickly ask their Heavenly Father for forgiveness.

Do you want to grow in Christ? I hope you answered “yes”! 

If so you and I need to be intentional. We need to train ourselves! We must discipline ourselves for godliness!

The first step is to surrender our lives voluntarily to the Lord Jesus Christ, asking Him to be Lord over our lives.

I know someone very close to me that has just joined the military reserves. I admire him for making that decision especially in today’s crazy world of terror and war. He is making a commitment to the training that they will require, both to the mental and physical training that will prepare him for his assignment.

His life is in their hands. He has voluntarily given his life to them during the time he is in the military. You and I need to make the same kind of commitment when it comes to knowing Christ! We need to put Him first! Only when God has first place in our lives are we able to live lives that are godly and pleasing to Him.

Maybe you have been thinking about becoming a Christ Follower, but so far you have been unwilling to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. I understand your struggle. I have been right where you are.

But I can tell you from personal experience that without a doubt it was the best and the most important decision that I have ever made. It will be the best decision that you ever make in your life too!

Be bold and courageous. Do not be afraid! If God is Who He says He is and I know from personal experience that He is, then You can trust Him with your life!

Application

I will continue to challenge men and women to live for Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help anyone that may be reading this blog that is trying to decide whether or not to put their faith and their trust in Jesus Christ. Open their spiritual eyes so that they can believe. Help all of us grow in Christ. Don’t let me be lazy. Don’t let me go in the wrong direction. I want to grow as a Christian every single day. I want to live a godly life. I know that it will help me in my life right now and I know that it will help me in the life that is yet to come!

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 8,9; 2 Chronicles 21; 1 Timothy 4

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Don’t Be Afraid! For There Are More On Our Side Than On Theirs!

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Don’t Be Afraid!
For There Are More
On Our Side Than On Theirs!

Scripture

2 Kings 6

¹⁴ So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.

¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. 

“For there are more on our side than on theirs!”
 
¹⁷ Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” 

The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Observation

Ever feel out numbered? 

Ever feel like everybody is against you?

 Ever feel overwhelmed by the odds that are stacked up against you? 

Elisha’s servant looked and saw the enemy. He saw troops, horses, and chariots everywhere and he began to panic! 

Then Elisha asked God to open up his servant’s spiritual eyes so that he could really see the situation and he saw the hillside filled with God’s army - horses and chariots of fire! 

Maybe we need to see our bad situation from an Elisha’s perspective! 

If you and I are King’s kids then the same Owner of those chariots of fire that protected Elisha and his servant surrounds and protects us too! 

So lets not be afraid! “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

Application

I will not be afraid. The very Power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave lives in me!  {Romans 8:11} How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You surround me with Your love. Even though I don’t deserve it You surround me with Your love and Your protection. Open up my spiritual eyes today so that I can see things from Your perspective!

God, You are my refuge and strength. You are always ready to help in times of trouble. So I will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.  Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is my fortress.
Psalm 46:1-3,11 {Personalized}


Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 6,7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3

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