Lead Them By Your Own Good Example

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Lead Them
By Your
Own Good Example

Scripture

1 Peter 5 

² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
 
³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
 
⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Observation

Our kids are all grown they have their own families and tomorrow our oldest granddaughter Lyric will be twenty years old!

Kathy and I want to continue being an influence in each one of their lives.

We have talked about this a lot.

We have decided that the best way to influence our children and our grandchildren is to be good examples to them.

We desperately want them to see Jesus in us.

The most important flock that God has entrusted us to care for is our family.

Are we setting a good godly example for them to follow?

 Application

I want to be a godly influence. I want my children, my grandchildren to see Jesus in me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have fallen very short when it comes to being the best Dad for my kids. I made so many mistakes that I wish that I could do over, but I can’t. What I can do is live in a way that helps them to see Jesus in my life. Help me to be a godly influence. Help Kathy and I to be good examples to our children and our grandchildren. I pray for those believers close to me that just don’t seem to understand that how they are living now and acting out has a negative damaging impact on their kids who are watching them, and others around them. Open their eyes. Help them to get it. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 46,47,48,49; 1 Peter 5

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Do You Have The Gift Of Helping Others? Do It With All The Strength And Energy That God Supplies.

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Do You Have
The Gift Of Helping Others?
Do It With All The Strength And Energy That God Supplies.

The majority of Christians I believe I have been given the spiritual gift of “helps”. When I see people at a major event I can easily pick out people that are using the gift of helps like God intended for it to be used! For example: Kathy and I got to our church’s beach baptisms yesterday late because I was speaking at another church. As soon as Kathy and I walked up Bobby Baker came up to us and said to us, “Let me make some sandwiches for you” and he began showing us where everything was and helped us get our sandwiches. He even got some ice tea for us and had it ready for us at a table. You couldn’t ask for better service than that and this was a picnic not Bern’s Steakhouse!

Scripture

1 Peter 4

¹⁰ God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
 
¹¹ Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. 

Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

The majority of Christians I believe I have been given the spiritual gift of “helps”.

When I see people at a major event I can easily pick out people that are using the gift of helps like God intended for it to be used! Of course, you can too!

Kathy and I got to our church’s beach baptism yesterday late because I was speaking at another church. As soon as Kathy and I walked up Bobby Baker came up to us and said to us, “Let me make some sandwiches for you” and he began showing us where everything was and helped us get our sandwiches.

He even got some ice tea for us and had it ready for us at a table. You couldn’t ask for better service than that and this was a picnic not Bern’s Steakhouse!

Bobby didn’t serve us because I am a pastor or because he and I are very good friends, even though both of those things are true, he did it because he was exercising the spiritual gift that God had given to him.

Others were doing the same thing yesterday and it was a neat thing to watch. I heard someone else talking to people getting them to help financially to take care of meals of a church member who had experienced a bad injury and her family needed our help!

I could go on and on. By the way, have you ever noticed Justin Elwell and what a hard worker around the church he is? Wow! He volunteers and is ready to work at the drop of a hat! So proud of him and so many others like him!

There were also people who got out to Ft Desoto early to set up for the event and I am sure that people stayed and cleaned up after the event. Most people that serve go unnoticed, but no church can function without them!

My thanks to every person that had a part in making yesterday’s event a big success!

 Application

I will look for ways to serve this week. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to serve You with all the strength and energy that You supply so I can bring glory to You through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to You forever and ever! Amen.


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 43,44,45; 1 Peter 4

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Don’t Be Discouraged, For I Am Your God. I Will Strengthen You, And Help You.

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Don’t Be Discouraged,
For I Am Your God.
I Will Strengthen You, And Help You.

Scripture

Isaiah 40

³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41

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

Observation

It takes very little to discourage us these days just turn the television and listen to the news or open up a Newspaper and read the headlines. 

And it seems like the least little thing can ruin my day and spoil a pretty good positive attitude.

And that is why it is so important to start out in God’s Word everyday.

These are two of my favorite verses. They speak to me this morning. How about you?

This is the God that I serve and these verses are a reminder of how much He loves me. I hope they do the same thing for you!

Application

God is on my side I will not be discouraged. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You encourage me. I take You at Your Word. Because I trust in You I will find new strength. I will soar high on wings like eagles. I will run and not grow weary. I will walk and not faint. I will not be afraid because You are with me. I will not be discouraged because You are my God. You will strengthen me and help me. You will hold me up with Your victorious right hand.
 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 40,41,42; 1 Peter 3

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What’s More, You Are His Holy Priests; So Come To Him And Offer To God Those Things That Please Him

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What’s More,
You Are His Holy Priests;
So Come To Him And Offer To God Those Things That Please Him

Jesus Christ is the Corner Stone. You and I are God’s holy priests. We are the living-stones in the Kingdom that God is building. What do you and I have that we can offer God? A priest in the Old Testament offered sacrifices for the people of God. Jesus Christ our High Priest offered His body as a sacrifice for our sins. God has called us to offer ourselves to Him as “living sacrifices”. God says that you and I are “priests” – we have a living sacrifice to offer Him – ourselves – our very own lives! Lets make Him smile by the way we live our lives. It is a choice that we must make every single day – lets live for Him today and lets make it a habit!

Scripture

1 Peter 2 

5 And now you have become living building-stones for God’s use in building his house. What’s more, you are his holy priests; so come to him—you who are acceptable to him because of Jesus Christ — and offer to God those things that please him.

Observation

Jesus Christ is the Corner Stone. You and I are God’s holy priests and we are the living-stones in the Kingdom that God is building. What do you and I have that we can offer God?

A priest in the Old Testament offered sacrifices for the people of God. Jesus Christ our High Priest offered His body as a sacrifice for our sins.

God has called us to offer ourselves to Him as “living sacrifices”. 

 “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” Romans 12:1 MSG

God says that you and I are “priests” – we have a living sacrifice to offer Him – ourselves – our very own lives! Lets make Him smile by the way we live our lives. It is a choice that we must make every single day – lets live for Him today and lets make it a habit!

Application

I will strive to offer God those things that please Him. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me put into practice what I have read today from Your Word. I want to be a living sacrifice to You. Help me live this day in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me be conformed to the world around me. I want to make You smile today. Show me anything in my life that is not pleasing to You. Let me the moment that I sin so I can confess it and stay right with You. I pray for the people in my life that are struggling to change the direction of their lives. Give them victory over the old habits, over the old empty way of life and help them to offer their bodies as living sacrifices. Help them to bring You honor and glory with the way they live. 


Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2

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So Live As Outsiders During Your Time Here

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So Live As Outsiders
During
Your Time Here

Scripture

1 Peter 1

¹⁷ You call on a Father who judges each person’s work without favoring one over another. So live as outsiders during your time here. Live with the highest respect for God. 

¹⁸ You were set free from an empty way of life. This way of life was handed down to you by your own people of long ago. 

You know that you were not bought with things that can pass away, like silver or gold. 

¹⁹ Instead, you were bought with the priceless blood of Christ.

Observation

Like no other time in my life I am extremely aware of and I sense and feel the pressure of the world around me trying to squeeze me into its mold.

Folks, I was set free from that empty way of life. I was bought with a price. I have been redeemed. I have been set free.

That empty way of life will never be okay for anyone that has been set free by the precious, priceless blood of Jesus Christ.

Even though I believe there is truth in the saying “we cannot legislate morality, I don’t think that means that we stop being a moral voice in our community. You and I are called to be the “Salt and Light” to the world around us. The cost of speaking out, the cost of being “Salt and Light” gets higher and higher each and every day!

I am not saying that we should ever be mean or ugly and viciously attack people. Jesus Christ died for them just like He died for me, but we never should condone or make excuses for immorality.

And everyday I am more and more aware that I am an outsider! This is not my final home. This life is a journey and I am not home yet!

Romans 12: 1-2

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Application

I will strive to be “Salt and Light” to those around me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I have to admit that I am not encouraged with the direction that our country and our world seem to be heading. If I didn’t have Your Word filled with all of its promises I would be very discouraged right now. I don’t know how people that don’t have a relationship with You can face these days of uncertainty. I have an Anchor and His name is Jesus. My salvation is secure. I know that You have all of this planned out and I know that all of us who have our faith and trust in You will be just fine. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1

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Anyone Who Lives The Way God Wants Can Pray, And Great Things Will Happen

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Anyone Who Lives The Way God Wants
Can Pray,
And Great Things Will Happen

Scripture

James 5

¹³ Are you having troubles? You should pray. Are you happy? You should sing.
 
¹⁴ Are you sick? Ask the elders of the church to come and rub oil on you in the name of the Lord and pray for you.
 
¹⁵ If such a prayer is offered in faith, it will heal anyone who is sick. The Lord will heal them. And if they have sinned, he will forgive them.

¹⁶ So always tell each other the wrong things you have done. Then pray for each other. Do this so that God can heal you. 

Anyone who lives the way God wants can pray, and great things will happen.
 
¹⁷ Elijah was a person just like us. He prayed that it would not rain. And it did not rain on the land for three and a half years! ¹⁸ Then Elijah prayed that it would rain. And the rain came down from the sky, and the land grew crops again. 

Observation

The prayer of a godly person is powerful. Things happen because of it. A godly person is a person that lives the way God wants. It is a person that strives to put God first in his or her life everyday. Godly doesn’t mean perfect.

Elijah was a person just like us (I am quoting James 5:17) and look what happened when he prayed. 

This is how you and I can have a prayer life that is powerful and effective, by living our lives the way God wants. 

When we do great things will happen! We have God’s Word on that!

I also read this morning in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles how King Hezekiah prayed and asked for God’s help. Sennacherib, the great king of Assyria, had taunted King Hezekiah and had insulted and ridiculed the nation of Judah’s dependence on their God, ridiculed them for trusting in their God to save them. 

King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed and in one night the angel of the Lord went into the camp of the Assyrians and he put to death 185,000 people.  So the Lord defeated the Assyrian army and King Sennacherib returned to his palace where his two sons murdered him just as the prophet Isaiah said would happen. 

Application

I will strive to live the way God wants me to live. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, when I read Your Word I marvel at how You worked in and through the lives of people like Isaiah, King Hezekiah, and James the brother of Jesus. And I know that You can work in my life just like You did in their lives if I will live the way You want me to live.

 Help me to live my life in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me do stupid sins that keep me from experiencing all the good things that You have for me to experience. I want to pray to You knowing that great things will happen when I pray. 


Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 18,19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5




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Do You Know Where Your Fights And Arguments Come From?

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Do You Know
Where
Your Fights And Arguments Come From? 

Scripture

James 4

Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you.

Observation

I snapped at Kathy yesterday (yes, I did) and she said back to me, “Are we grouchy this morning?” No matter what excuse I could give and I can probably think of quite a few dozen excuses to blame my ugliness on in a nana-second but the truth is that the meanness is coming from a selfish heart. Just so you know, I did say that I was sorry for being grouchy a few minutes later.

Kathy has learned that the best way to handle me when I am ugly and mean is to respond back to me in a way that lets me see my remark for what it is – Thank goodness she doesn’t usually return my hurtful remark back with something even more hurtful.

Fights and arguments, we are all going to have them. Why? You and I are sinners that’s why! You and I are selfish! “Me, Myself, and I” is my problem. The problem is “ME”. It is not the person I love!

I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?

Three phrases that you and I better memorize and use each and every time we get into a fuss or a spat. Even when we are right – we need to learn to say them. The person we love is more important than you and I always having to be right. 

Application

I will not make excuses for my bad selfish behavior. I will confess it as sin. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is the Fruit of the Spirit that I want showing in my life, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You and I both know that my heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked and my life needs to be under Your control. I yield my life to You. Take control of my tongue, my eyes, and my heart, help me live out this day in a way that pleases You. 


Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 29,30,31; James 4 

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God Is Our Protection And Source Of Strength He Is Always Ready To Help Us In Times Of Trouble

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God Is Our Protection And Source Of Strength
He Is Always
Ready To Help Us In Times Of Trouble

Scripture

Psalms 46

God is our protection and source of strength.
    He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.

² So we are not afraid when the earth quakes
    and the mountains fall into the sea.

³ We are not afraid when the seas become rough and dark
    and the mountains tremble.

Observation

Always and Never are two words that we should not use when we are talking about our spouse!

When and if we use them it is almost “always” to complain about what he or she has done or not done - He always does that or she never does that! He never picks up his clothes. She is always late! He never does anything around the house! She always brings stuff up from 5 or 10 years ago when we have a fight she never forgets one thing!

But when we use “always and never” to describe our God or when the Bible uses them to describe the attributes and character of God they are “always” used in a positive way aren’t they?

Psalm 46:1 is a great verse for us today!

God is on our side and He is always ready to help us in times of trouble!

 Application

God is my source of strength and protection. How about for you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I can count on You. Others may let me down and I may let someone else down but I know that will never happen with You. All of Your promises are “Yes”. You keep Your Word. You are faithful even when we are not. Great is Your Faithfulness. You are Perfect. Yes … always means yes when it comes from You and No always means no. I pray for those going through times of loss. Give them Your strength. Help them. You are the God of all comfort and all compassion.  

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalms 46; James 3

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You believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

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You believe that there is one God.
Good for you!
Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
 

Scripture

 

James 2:14

¹⁴ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

¹⁹ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
 
²⁰ How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Observation

It is so easy to say, “I believe in God”. Demons not only believe that there is one God, they know it and they fear and tremble. Believing in your head, in your mind that there is a God does not save us even the demons know that.

It is only when we put our faith and our trust in what God did for us through His Son Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary that we are saved.

The most important 18 inches in the world for you and me is the distance from our brain to our heart! Some of us have the head knowledge about God. We believe that He exists, but we have never exercised the faith to trust in Him as our Lord and Savior.

What kind of belief in God do you have? Head knowledge or has it moved to your Heart?

Application

I will look for ways to show that my faith in Jesus Christ is genuine. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live out my faith this week. Help me to be more concerned for those around me and less concerned about myself. I pray for opportunities to show that my faith is real.

Hebrews 10:24-25

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
 
²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 32,33,34,35; James 2

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When Troubles Of Any Kind Come Your Way, Consider It An Opportunity For Great Joy.

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When Troubles Of Any Kind
Come Your Way,
Consider It An Opportunity For Great Joy.

Scripture

James 1

² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Observation

Trouble, we are either in the middle of it, just getting through it, or we have some heading our way! James says that when it comes our way, consider it an opportunity for “great joy”! 

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.  James 1:2-4 MESSAGE

You and I usually aren’t able to see troubles, when they come, as opportunities but the Bible says that is just what they are! 

So lets think about that today!

Application

I will do my best to remember that troubles are opportunities for “great joy”. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that some of the people that may be reading this blog this morning are dealing with major issues. Many of them are overwhelmed with what is facing them. I pray for them right now. Help them to see Your hand right in the middle of all the trouble. Use this to help them grow. Help me deal with trials and troubles in a way that brings You glory and honor. Help me to see them as a gift sent to help me and not to hurt me.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 29,30,31; James 1 

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May He Equip You With All You Need For Doing His Will

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May He
Equip You With All You Need
For Doing His Will


Scripture

Hebrews 13

²¹ may he equip you with all you need
    for doing his will.

May he produce in you,
    through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
 
    All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

This is my prayer for you today!

I will pray this prayer for every one of you that take the time to read this simple blog.

Nothing could be more important for me to do today than to pray for you. I believe that – do you! If we really believe in the God of the Bible then interceding for others has to be the most important “job” we have! It is what makes God smile! Take time this morning or sometime today and pray for those that God brings to your mind.

Application

I will pray for every person that God brings to my mind. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I do believe that the most important thing that I can do for someone is to pray for them. I can’t fix people, but You can. There are so many people that are going through things so difficult and so complicated that there is no way that I can help them except to pray.
Nothing is too hard for You. I come to You because You are more than capable of transforming the lives of the people I pray for. They need Your touch. 

So I pray that You equip them with all they need for doing his will. May You produce in them, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to You. All glory to You forever and ever! Amen.


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 25,26,27,28; Hebrews 13

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Let Us Run With Endurance The Race God Has Set Before Us.

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Let Us
Run With Endurance
The Race God Has Set Before Us.


.

Scripture

.

Hebrews 12

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
 
² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

.

Observation

This is no wind sprint; this is no 5k, 8k, 10k, or even a 15k the race that followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have signed up for, oh no, this is a marathon! So let us run with endurance! 

I like what the writer of Hebrews says in verses twelve and thirteen, “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet …” 

As I read Hebrews 12:1-2 I know and am reminded that there are a lot of people watching me as I run this race – this Christian marathon! 

I sense excitement in the writer’s words as he shifts from the roll call of the “Hall of Faith” in chapter 11 to our participation in chapter 12! -- “Therefore”!

So lets run this Christian race with all of our heart, mind, and soul! 

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

 Application


I will work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 {Personalized}.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to finish running this race in a way that pleases You. Don’t let me give up. Don’t let me be a slacker. Don’t let stupid sins trip me up. I want to run this race with endurance. Give me the strength, the energy, and the wisdom to run all the way to the finish line. I worship You this morning with holy fear and awe.  You alone are worthy of my praise!


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 22,23,24; Hebrews 12

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It Was By Faith That …

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It Was
By Faith
That … 

Scripture

Hebrews 11

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

4 It was by faith that … 

⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Observation

Impossible! It is impossible to please God without faith. I can’t see God. You can’t see God. If God wanted to be seen He could sure make that happen, but then trusting in Him and being dependent on Him would not require the faith like it does now. Would it?

We can look at nature, all of creation, and the entire universe that we live in and we can see God’s handiwork, but we can’t see God. God has designed us; He has hard wired us with a void in our lives that only He can fill.

This void or this emptiness in our lives can only be filled when we place our faith in God who we cannot see! God has set this whole thing up so that the only way we can please God is by “faith”.

If all of our prayer requests got answered at the very moment we prayed then our faith and our trust in God would never have the chance to grow. Think about that!

Take a few minutes today and take a walk through the “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11!

 Application

I will trust and put my faith in God today. I will hold on to all of His promises.

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 20:29

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the opportunity to know You and for giving me the ability to trust in You. Thank You for opening up my spiritual eyes and allowing me to believe in You. I pray for those that may read this blog today. Help them to have faith in You. Show them Your Power. Give them spiritual understanding and faith to believe. 

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 19,20,21; Hebrews 11 

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Let Us Think Of Ways To Motivate One Another To Acts Of Love And Good Works

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Let Us Think
Of Ways To Motivate One Another
To Acts Of Love And Good Works

This past Sunday Pastor Bruce Moore and Pastor Brian Elliott challenged us to go out and show radical extravagant love to someone this week. This past Sunday was our first message in our new sermon series "Love, Sex, & Lasting Relationships: 5 Secrets For Every Relationship!" If you need help in the area of relationships (and who doesn’t) why don’t you come join us this Sunday! Our church has two locations: Seminole Heights and downtown at Channel Side! Lets make a difference by being different than the rest of the world. Who needs your attention this week? Who needs mine?

Scripture

Hebrews 10

²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Observation

This past Sunday Pastor Bruce Moore and Pastor Brian Elliott challenged us to go out and show radical extravagant love to someone this week.

This past Sunday was our first message in our new sermon series "Love, Sex, & Lasting Relationships: 5 Secrets For Every Relationship!" If you need help in the area of relationships (and who doesn’t) why don’t you come join us this Sunday!

Our church has two locations: Seminole Heights and downtown at Channel Side!

All of us need to think of ways to motivate each other to acts of love and good works.

We have a world that has gone completely crazy and evil seems to reign. Hate, anger, violence, and indifference seem to be the American way of life.

Lets make a difference by being different than the rest of the world.

Who needs your attention this week? Who needs mine?

 Application

I will look for someone who needs to be encouraged this week, someone that needs some radical extravagant love shown to them. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, there is so much hate in this world. There is so much meanness. Violence seems to reign in the hearts of so many. People seem to be so angry and so discouraged. I pray that You help me to find someone that needs to be encouraged so that I can help to motivate them and lift them up. You are the lifter up of my head. Nothing is too hard for You. Your Word is full of promises to me and to anyone else that put their faith and their trust in You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 15,16,17,18; Hebrews 10

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He Will Come Again, Not To Deal With Our Sins, But To Bring Salvation To All Who Are Eagerly Waiting For Him.

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He Will Come Again, Not To Deal With Our Sins,
But To Bring Salvation
To All Who Are Eagerly Waiting For Him.

Scripture

Hebrews 9

²⁷ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,
 
²⁸ so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

Observation

I talked to a fascinating man yesterday at Mission Tampa. When I asked him the 2 questions that I always ask someone who is new or at least they are someone that I haven’t yet had the chance to talk with he answered those 2 questions just like most people.

He said that he would go to “Heaven” when he died and he said that he had definitely been good enough since he got out of prison and he thought that since he was now being very good that God would let him into Heaven.

You see he had been really bad as a youth (those were his words) and had murdered someone.

Since he got out of prison since 2002 he has been a really good person. Of course, you know what I told him. I told him that neither of us could ever be good enough to get into Heaven. We are guilty of sin and the punishment we deserve is death, both physical death and spiritual death.

I told him what God offers us is like someone telling the judge that they would take the punishment for what he did wrong and the judge setting him free because someone else was willing to pay the penalty.

Everyone is destined to die and after that comes judgment.

Are your sins forgiven? Have you received Christ’s gift of forgiveness?

Unless you and I receive Christ and His gift of forgiveness then you can be sure that you and I will die in our sins and the only thing we have to look forward to is a terrible judgment.

    "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24

Application

I am not afraid to die. I know that what I have in store for me is far greater than I could ever imagine! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I do pray for this man and I ask that You give him spiritual understanding so that he can put his faith and his trust in Jesus Christ for his salvation. Help him to understand that he needs to be set free from the penalty of his sins. Thank You for giving me Eternal life. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9

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Don’t Call Everything A Conspiracy, Like They Do, And Don’t Live In Dread Of What Frightens Them.

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Don’t Call Everything A Conspiracy,
Like They Do,
And Don’t Live In Dread Of What Frightens Them. 

Scripture

Isaiah 8

¹¹ The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said,

¹² “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do,
    and don’t live in dread of what frightens them.

¹³ Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life.
    He is the one you should fear.
He is the one who should make you tremble.

¹⁴     He will keep you safe.

Observation

The Prophet Isaiah wrote this almost 3,000 years ago. And as I read this in Isaiah chapter eight I had to smile, some things never change!

Don’t miss Isaiah’s point. It is found in verses 13 & 14.

Take a minute to check these verses out. Lets start out our week on the right foot!

Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us something that we can really believe with 100% certainty.

And the truth of Isaiah 9:6-7 trumps any conspiracy theories that might have you living in dread.

Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life.  He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.  He will keep you safe. Isaiah 8:13-14

 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7

Application

I will seek to make the Lord Holy in my life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, our world seems to get crazier and crazier by the minute. It makes what You say in Isaiah 8:11-14 so relevant for me today. I will trust in You. You will keep me safe. I will hold on to Your Word. I will believe all of Your promises. You are my Shepherd. I have everything that I need.

    God, my shepherd!

        I don't need a thing.

    [2] You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

        you find me quiet pools to drink from.

    [3] True to your word,

        you let me catch my breath

        and send me in the right direction.

    [4] Even when the way goes through

        Death Valley,

    I'm not afraid

        when you walk at my side.

    Your trusty shepherd's crook

        makes me feel secure.

    [5] You serve me a six-course dinner

        right in front of my enemies.

    You revive my drooping head;

        my cup brims with blessing.

    [6] Your beauty and love chase after me

        every day of my life.

    I'm back home in the house of God

        for the rest of my life. Psalm 23:1-6

   

   

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 8,9,10; Hebrews 8

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Therefore He Is Able, Once And Forever, To Save Those Who Come To God Through Him. He Lives Forever To Intercede With God On Their Behalf.

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Therefore He Is Able, Once And Forever, To Save Those Who Come To God
Through Him.
He Lives Forever To Intercede With God On Their Behalf.

Scripture

Hebrews 7

²⁴ But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. ²⁵ Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Observation

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road narrow, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

But once you and I enter into the Kingdom of God our life is “huge”, a life that is rich and abundant and a life that will last forever!

For you and I if we have received Jesus Christ into our lives as our Lord and Savior have Jesus forever interceding with God on our behalf.

Choose Jesus today! Get off that broad, easy road and take the narrow gate!

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

Application

I know that I have Jesus Christ interceding for me today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am so glad that someone showed me the narrow gate and I am so glad that I chose to trust in Jesus as my Savior. Thank You for giving me Eternal Life. Thank You for giving me such a rich and abundant life here on earth. You are an Awesome God. You alone are worthy of my praise!

Daily Bible Reading:  Micah 5,6,7; Hebrews 7

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Let Them Curse Me If They Like, But You Will Bless Me!

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Let Them Curse
Me If They Like,
But You Will Bless Me!

Scripture

Psalm 109

²⁸ Then let them curse me if they like,
    but you will bless me!
When they attack me, they will be disgraced!
    But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!

Observation

You and I will at times have people that decide to hurt us and usually it is with hurtful words and at times it might even be to the point of physical harm.David prayed an interesting prayer in Psalm 109 about his enemies.

But rather than that prayer I would recommend what Jesus Christ says about how to deal with our enemies. 

Who is our enemy? 

An enemy is anyone that for what ever reason has chosen to be against us. 

Of course, from the very start you and I must first make sure to ask for forgiveness if we have done anything to hurt the person whether it was intentional or unintentional. 

Jesus says to do this, 

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.”  Matthew 5:44 ff MESSAGE

Our natural tendency is to hurt the person right back to hit them with even more hurtful words than they hurled at us, but that is not the way to respond if we are believers in Jesus Christ. 

I am always reminded when I run into people who are rude, cruel, hurtful, mean, ugly, vicious, and on and on and on, that these people are spiritual sandpaper that God has placed in my life to make and shape me to be more like Jesus. 

And if they were not causing me grief then there would be someone else just like them to continue sanding off my rough edges! Think about that when you encounter your next difficult person(s)!

Application

I will forgive. I will try hard to recognize “spiritual sandpaper” when it comes my way and I will pray for those who hurt me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we live in a crazy world. I am reminded and I am glad that this is not my home. I am only passing through this place called earth! Help me to love people even when they are not lovable. Help me to be Christ like no matter what. Give me Your heart for the people around me.

Psalm 109

³⁰ But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord,
    praising him to everyone.
 
³¹ For he stands beside the needy,
    ready to save them from those who condemn them.

Daily Bible Reading:  Micah 1,2,3,4; Hebrews 6, Psalm 9, Psalm 109, Proverbs 9

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