Saturday, January 11, 2020

In Peace I Will Lie Down And Sleep, For You Alone, O Lord, Will Keep Me Safe.


In Peace
I Will Lie Down And Sleep,
For You Alone, O Lord, Will Keep Me Safe.
Scripture
Psalm 4
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Observation
Do you have trouble sleeping at night? A while back Kathy was having trouble sleeping and was letting fears keep her awake. I noticed one day that she had Psalm 4:8 written down on a piece of paper on the night stand by her side of the bed.
She told me that she had memorized that verse and would pray it back to God when she began to think about things that would keep her awake.
God has given us thousands of promises in His Word for us to hold on to because He knew that this world was a scary place to live in and He knew that we would constantly need to be reminded that He would take care of us.
Here is another great promise that was also in today's Bible reading. It is found in Luke 11:5-13.
Luke 11
5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 
6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 
7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 
8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 
10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 
12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 
13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Whatever you and I are going through God has a promise for that … and we can find a promise for every need in our life if we will just spend time in His Word every day.
Application
Every day I will read God's Word because I know that it is filled with wonderful promises for me.
How about you? Would you join me every day this year digging into the riches of what He has for us?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have called me to live by faith. It is impossible for me to live my life by faith if I am not in Your Word every day. Don't let me miss a day. Don't let me sleep in and miss time with You. Thank You for the promises that I read today. I know that I can sleep well at night because You are going to take care of me. I know that if I call on You and ask You for something that You will hear me and You will give me what I ask for. I know from Luke 11:5-13 that it doesn't bother You if I am persistent. In fact, You tell me that I should keep asking and never give up. And that is just what I plan to do.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 27,28; Psalms 4; Luke 11



Friday, January 10, 2020

“Lord, Doesn't It Seem Unfair To You That My Sister Just Sits Here While I Do All The Work? Tell Her To Come And Help Me.” Luke 10


Lord, Doesn't It Seem Unfair To You
That My Sister Just Sits Here While I Do All The Work?
Tell Her To Come And Help Me.”
Scripture
Luke 10
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 
42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Observation
This is a big problem for me. I don't know if it is for you or not, but I need to remind myself all the time to not worry about what the people around me are doing or not doing and just focus on what God has called me to do.
It is so easy for us to compare our selves with those around us. It is also very easy, at least for me, to see what other people could do or should be doing.
There is only one thing that I should be concerned about and that one thing is to serve the Lord with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my might.
I serve an Audience of One. And His name is Jesus!
Application
When I am tempted to critique what someone else is doing or not doing I will remember the story of Martha, Mary, and Jesus in Luke 10:38-42.
How about you? Will you serve an Audience of One?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to keep my eyes on You and not worry about what everybody else is doing or not doing. Give me a servant's heart. Help me to make those around me successful in all that You have called them to do.
I pray for every leader at our church. Bless them, Lord. Give them a fresh vision for the work that You have called them to do. Meet the needs that they have so they can totally focus on what You want them to do. Keep them away from stupid sins that will mess up their walk with You.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 25,26; Psalms 6; Luke 10



Thursday, January 09, 2020

“I Will Follow You, Lord; But First Let Me Go Back And Say Goodbye To My Family”


I Will Follow You, Lord;
But First Let Me Go Back
And Say Goodbye To My Family”
Scripture
Luke 9
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Observation
I will follow you, Lord; but …” Excuses for why you and I may not be following Jesus are just that … excuses! I can make excuses for everything … but that is just what they are – excuses!
What is God saying to me? What is God saying to you? What He wants from me is obedience – what is He asking us to do that we have been ignoring or that we have been making excuses about?
Think about these verses … Luke 5:11, “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Matthew 19:27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Being a disciple of Jesus is costly but the benefits are out of this world!
Let's not make excuses!
Application
I will ask the Lord to help me be obedient and not let me make excuses.
How about you?
Psalm 51:16-17
16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
    You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to be a disciple like Peter, James, and John. I want to be willing to follow You without hesitation just like they did. Don't let me make excuses when I fail to be obedient. Convict me and help me get back on track.
I pray for any person who may read this blog. Help them to be 100% committed to You. Help them to put Proverbs 3:5-6 into practice today!
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 23,24; Luke 9



Wednesday, January 08, 2020

He Replied, “My Mother And Brothers Are Those Who Hear God's Word And Put It Into Practice.”


He Replied,
My Mother And Brothers Are Those Who
Hear God's Word And Put It Into Practice.”
Scripture
Luke 8
19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 

20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Observation
I wonder if Jesus' mother and His brothers heard what He said? We do know that two of His brothers became believers, His brother James and His brother Jude.
You and I can have a very close relationship with Jesus if we will just hear God's Word and put it into practice.
Going to church and being part of a community group helps us apply Luke 8:21.
Have you been missing church? Have you gotten lax in your participation in a small group? This Wednesday (today) our community groups and our children and youth ministries crank back up. Come join us! 5:30 PM for dinner. 6:30 PM for community groups. We meet at the church 300 E. Sligh Ave.
Application
I am looking forward to being a part of our men's community group that meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM.
How about you? Why don't you come and join us on Wednesday evenings?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me hear Your Word and help me to put it into practice. I want to be close to Jesus. Help me to have faith like Abraham, even though he was 100 years old, he never quit believing that You were going to give him a son. And later he was willing to sacrifice his son on the altar because he believed that if his son died that You would bring him back to life. Give me that kind of faith, Lord.
I pray for healing for my friends and family members who are going through sickness. Encourage them today, Lord. Give them strength.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 20,21,22; Luke 8



Tuesday, January 07, 2020

“Therefore, I Tell You, Her Many Sins Have Been Forgiven – As Her Great Love Has Shown. But Whoever Has Been Forgiven Little Loves Little.”


Therefore, I Tell You, Her Many Sins Have Been Forgiven –
As Her Great Love Has Shown.
But Whoever Has Been Forgiven Little Loves Little.”
Scripture
Luke 7
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 
37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 
38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 
42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 
45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 
46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Observation
I hope that you took time to read Luke 7:36-50. In fact, I hope that you had time to read all of Luke chapter 7 and the other chapters that I read in Genesis and Psalm 3.
There was so much that I could have written about from these chapters, but since I had to pick just one thing to write about this is what I decided to go with.
Here in Luke 7 we find a woman who had previously been a very sinful woman. Her reputation must have been known to everyone and yet Jesus allowed this sinful woman to anoint him with her tears of repentance and genuine brokenness., After her encounter with Jesus she left as completely different woman. Her faith had saved her and she left in peace!
I see this happen all the time at our church. I hear testimony after testimony of lives that have been forever changed. The incredible, wonderful stories of how God has forgiven them gives me “goose bumps”.
In fact, it happened again this past Sunday, when a young woman in our Bible study class, shared how Jesus had changed her life. I don't know about you, but I never get tired of hearing how God has changed someone's life.
Are your sins forgiven?
Application
I would love to hear how God changed your life. No one has a story exactly like your story!
How about you? How has Jesus Christ changed your life?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am a sinner saved by Your grace. This woman didn't deserve salvation and neither do I. Thank You for forgiving my sins. Thank You for allowing me to hear all these stories of lives that have been forever changed. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of a church that focuses on reaching people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 18,19; Psalms 3; Luke 7



Monday, January 06, 2020

“So Why Do You Keep Calling Me 'Lord, Lord'! When You Don't Do What I Say?”


So Why Do You Keep Calling Me 'Lord, Lord'!
When
You Don't Do What I Say?”
Scripture
Luke 6
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 
47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 
48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 
49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
Observation
2020 will be a great year for each one of us if we will just do what the Lord tells us to do! Obedience is the key to experiencing a blessed life and that is not just me saying that … it is exactly what God says in His Word.
Here are just a few verses, but I am sure that you could find a lot more:
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 
3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
(I wanted to put this one in just in case one of my grown kids or one of my grandkids happens to read this blog.)
Psalm 128:1
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2 Chronicles 31:21
21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
Luke 11:28
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Application
I intend to read God's Word every day this year and put what I read into practice the best that I can.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that the key to living a blessed life is to obey what You say. I know that I can't call Jesus the Lord of my life if I am living in disobedience. Help me to live in a close relationship with You. Don't let me do stupid sins that mess up my walk with You and mess up my relationship with those around me. Show me when I sin and help me confess that sin as soon as I commit it.
I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help them live lives of obedience this year. Bless them, Lord, as they put You first in their lives.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 15,16,17; Luke 6



Sunday, January 05, 2020

Why Do You Eat And Drink With Such Scum?


Why
Do You Eat And Drink
With Such Scum?
Scripture
Luke 5
27 Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. 

28 So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

29 Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. 
30 But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”
31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 
32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Observation
Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus' answer to that question, “Healthy people don't need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
So until we realize that we are sinners who are in need of a Savior, until we realize we are sick with a terminal illness called sin, we will never repent and turn to Christ for salvation.
Kathy's Dad, Clayton Bearden, is a great example of this. You couldn't ask for a better man than Clayton, “Mr. Clean” as he was known by his fellow pipefitters and friends. He was a good man. He didn't go to church, but he made sure that all of his kids went to church. He had a rule in his house, “If you didn't go to church then you couldn't go out and do anything else on Sunday!”
I remember sharing the Bridge of Life with him. I drew out the Gospel presentation on a paper towel and told him to look at it and think about it. At that time he thought that being “good” was going to get him to Heaven.
Kathy's Dad at 67 finally started going to church. Kathy and I were in Seminary in Texas preparing for the mission field and we had come home to Tampa for a visit.
We were talking to Clayton about his attending church and he told us that they had just had the Lord's supper at church, but he did not take it. He said, “The deacon passed the plate to me and gave me a look when I didn't take it, he should have known that I wasn't a Christian.”
When we heard him tell that story it made us very excited because we knew that he now realized that he was lost and that being good wasn't going to get him to Heaven.
It was a few months later during a Revival service at the church that Kathy's dad surrendered his life to Jesus. And WOW, what a changed man he was after that!
Until someone realizes that they are lost and in need of a Savior they will never repent and turn to God.
Application
I will continue to share the Good News of Jesus with people. I will not give up on them.
How about you?
Ephesians 2:8-9
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.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for opening up the spiritual eyes of my father-in-law and saving him. I pray that if anyone reading this blog thinks that they can be good enough to earn his or her way into Heaven show them that they are lost and that they are in need of a Savior. I pray for their salvation.
John 5:24
24 “I tell you the truth, 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.
1 John 5:11-12
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
Romans 10:9-10
9 If you openly declare 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 openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 12,13,14; Luke 5



Saturday, January 04, 2020

The Spirit Of The Lord Is Upon Me, For He Has Anointed Me To Bring Good News To The Poor. He Has Sent Me To Proclaim That Captives Will Be Released …


The Spirit Of The Lord Is Upon Me,
For He Has Anointed Me To Bring Good News To The Poor.
He Has Sent Me To Proclaim That Captives Will Be Released …
Scripture
Luke 4
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.
Observation
After Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 from the scroll that day in the synagogue and declared that He was the fulfillment of that Messianic promise, the people got angry and wanted to kill him.
You and I, as followers of Jesus Christ, have also been called to share the Good News, to set captives free from sin, and to help the spiritually blind to see.
God's plan to bring light into this dark evil world is centered around us! We are God's hope for this lost and dying world! God's plan to change this world is to use us to do it. He has no plan “B” if plan “A” doesn't work.
And plan “A” is going to work. I know because I just read the book of Revelation last week and I know how all of this is going to end!
Application
I want God to use me to help someone know and accept the Good News of Jesus Christ.
How about you? It is a great prayer for 2020 – “Lord, use me to help someone come out of spiritual darkness this year and into the light!”
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to be used by You in 2020. I want You to place me in the path of those who are living in spiritual darkness so I can help them to walk in the Light. Jesus is the Light of the world. The world is so dark right now. It desperately needs the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Give me boldness, Lord. Give me Your heart for the people around me. Open up doors of ministry both to me and to any person that may be reading this blog today. Use us, Lord. Put us right where You want us and then help us be the light that You want us to be.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 9,10,11; Luke 4



Thursday, January 02, 2020

It Was The Woman You Gave Me Who Gave Me The Fruit, And I Ate It.


It Was The Woman
You Gave Me
Who Gave Me The Fruit, And I Ate It.
Scripture
Genesis 3
8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 
9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”
12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”
The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”
14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
16 Then he said to the woman, I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
17 And to the man he said, Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.
18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you,though you will eat of its grains.
19 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
Observation
If you have the tendency to blame other people for your present circumstances then my friend you are not alone. The blame game started all the way back in the Garden of Eden.
Oh, let's not be too hard on Adam and Eve, they might have been the first couple who started it, but you and I are just as guilty.
The biggest step in recovery and the biggest step in getting a relationship back on the right track is admitting that “I” have a problem, and admitting that “I” messed up.
It is amazing how easy it is for me to see the tiny speck in someone elses eye, but for some reason I can't see the log that is in my own.
You and I have a serious “I” problem. If we want to place blame on somebody, let's blame it on Adam and Eve and not on our spouse!
Application

When Kathy and I have an argument (yes, we do have arguments), I will be quick to say, “I love you. I am sorry. I was wrong. Will you forgive me?” I will not play the blame game.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You know my heart. I like to be right just as much as anyone else. Help me to love my wife and help me not worry about always having to be right. Don't let me blame other people when I mess up. Help me to own up to my own shortcomings.

I pray for couples who are constantly fighting and arguing with each other. Help them, Lord. Help them to grow spiritually. Help them to admit their faults to each other so they can have a great relationship. Don't let them get caught up in the blame game.
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 3,4,5; Luke 2



Wednesday, January 01, 2020

For With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible.


For
With God
Nothing Shall Be Impossible.
Scripture
Luke 1
37 For the word of God will never fail. NLT
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. KJV
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
Observation
Genesis 1:1 starts out “In the beginning God...” and that is exactly how we should start out 2020 ... in the beginning of each day we should start it out with time with God … in His Word! Happy & Prosperous New Year to you and to your entire family! God is so good!
This year is going to be a great year (Jer. 29:11)! Yes, it is going to be filled with many exciting challenges, but it is also going to be a difficult year because we know that life is also filled with trials and troubles (John 16:33).
And that is why you and I need to develop and maintain the wonderful habit of spending time reading God's Word every day.
I don't know about you but I am looking forward to finding all of God's thousands of promises that He has for me in His Word.
Luke 1:37 is great promise in no matter what translation we read it in!
And Luke 1:77 reminds me that it is not good people that go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell. It is only forgiven people that go to Heaven. And forgiveness is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ!
Application
I optimistically look forward to 2020! I serve a Great and Mighty God! With God's help, I will read the Bible every day.
How about you?
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
John 16:33
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, As I start out this new year I want You to know that I am counting on You. This is going to be a great year because I serve You and You are a great and mighty God. You are a God of mercy and grace. You love me so much. And I know that I don't deserve it.
I pray for my friends who take time to read this very simple blog. Bless them, Lord. Help them to walk by faith in this new year. Show them that they can totally trust You for every detail of their life. You are so good. You have been so good to me and my family. Thank You for Your goodness and Your loving kindness!
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 1,2; Luke 1