Lesson in Prayer
1 Chronicles 22; 1 Chronicles 23; 1 Chronicles 24; 1 Thessalonians 3
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Thessalonians 3
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
Observation
Are most of your prayers selfish and concern mainly you and only your own needs? Paul spent most of his prayer time it seems praying for those that he had won to Christ and other believers. I don’t think he had much time to be self-centered. Why was it so important for Paul to pray for other believers? How much of our prayer time should be set aside to pray for others? From the example that Paul gives us we see that intercessory prayer is our biggest task. How much time have you spent this week praying for others?
Application
I will spend more time praying for others this week than myself.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to come to You on the behalf of others. Thank You for hearing me as I pray for them and thank You for working in their lives. I pray for Martha Floyd today and I ask that You heal her. I pray for my pastor friends Michael Miller, Tim Encinosa, Greg Floyd, and Jeff Holley and I ask that You give them the desires of their hearts, that You answer their prayers, and that You make their plans successful. I pray for Kathy that You give her strength and energy for this day and help her as she takes care of her mom.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Joy … Joy …Joy!
2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 30
4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Observation
Joy is one of those imperishable seeds that God plants in the hearts of those that follow Him. Yes, there will be sorrow and sadness, but it will only last for a time then joy will come like every sunrise.
There is something special about mornings isn’t there. It is always a new day when you wake up in the morning. The joy of the Lord is our strength! God is always willing to start over with us. Each new day is full of God’s promises.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Ps. 16:11
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Ps. 28:7
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Ps. 47:1
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Ps. 90:14
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 1 Th. 2:19
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 5:4
Application
J.O.Y. = Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last
I will put Jesus first today; others second, and myself last because I want to experience God’s joy!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep You first today, others second, and myself last!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 30
4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Observation
Joy is one of those imperishable seeds that God plants in the hearts of those that follow Him. Yes, there will be sorrow and sadness, but it will only last for a time then joy will come like every sunrise.
There is something special about mornings isn’t there. It is always a new day when you wake up in the morning. The joy of the Lord is our strength! God is always willing to start over with us. Each new day is full of God’s promises.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Ps. 16:11
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Ps. 28:7
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Ps. 47:1
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Ps. 90:14
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 1 Th. 2:19
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 5:4
Application
J.O.Y. = Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last
I will put Jesus first today; others second, and myself last because I want to experience God’s joy!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep You first today, others second, and myself last!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
How Did He Do That?
2 Samuel 21; 2 Samuel 22; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Thessalonians 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Samuel 23
8 These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.
Observation
We read the Bible sometimes without really thinking about what we are reading don’t we! Jashobeam the Hacmonite was the mightiest warrior of the most famous thirty- seven top warriors in David’s army. How did he kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle? How could one guy do that?
He could do that the same way David killed Goliath, the same way Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. One guy killed 800 warriors, Eleazar and David stood together fighting against an entire army. How did they do that without getting killed?
Answer: God fought with Jashobeam the Hacmonite. God fought with Eleazar and David. It is a lesson that you better not trust in numbers or in weaponry or in your own strength, but you better trust in the Lord. One + God = victory!
Dependence on God gives us the victory!
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7
“I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory” Psalm 44:6
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5
Application
I will trust the Lord today to be on my side!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You are all I need to meet the challenges of today. Sometimes those challenges seem overwhelming, but then I read about a guy that fought and killed 800 warriors by himself in one battle then I realize that I serve a Mighty God. You will fight our battles for us if we will only trust in You. Give me the faith today to trust You to fight my battles. I pray that You would lead me in victory. Thank You for stories like this one that make me think about Your Mighty Power. You are my Rock and my Fortress.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 21; 2 Samuel 22; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Thessalonians 1
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
2 Samuel 23
8 These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.
Observation
We read the Bible sometimes without really thinking about what we are reading don’t we! Jashobeam the Hacmonite was the mightiest warrior of the most famous thirty- seven top warriors in David’s army. How did he kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle? How could one guy do that?
He could do that the same way David killed Goliath, the same way Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. One guy killed 800 warriors, Eleazar and David stood together fighting against an entire army. How did they do that without getting killed?
Answer: God fought with Jashobeam the Hacmonite. God fought with Eleazar and David. It is a lesson that you better not trust in numbers or in weaponry or in your own strength, but you better trust in the Lord. One + God = victory!
Dependence on God gives us the victory!
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7
“I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory” Psalm 44:6
“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5
Application
I will trust the Lord today to be on my side!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You are all I need to meet the challenges of today. Sometimes those challenges seem overwhelming, but then I read about a guy that fought and killed 800 warriors by himself in one battle then I realize that I serve a Mighty God. You will fight our battles for us if we will only trust in You. Give me the faith today to trust You to fight my battles. I pray that You would lead me in victory. Thank You for stories like this one that make me think about Your Mighty Power. You are my Rock and my Fortress.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Are You Burdened Down?
2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 55
22 Give your burdens to the LORD,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Observation
What are you supposed to do with burdens? All of us have burdens and sometimes the weight of those burdens become so heavy that we don’t have the energy to keep on going especially on Monday mornings. Did you wake up during the night thinking about something that has you bummed out and burdened down? Give it to the Lord. Don’t carry it all day today. Give it to the Lord right now and He will take care of you.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
Pile your troubles on God's shoulders— he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm 55:22 (Message)
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30
Application
I am casting my burdens on the Lord today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for offering to take my burdens and offering to help me. I accept Your offer.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 19; 2 Samuel 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 55
22 Give your burdens to the LORD,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Observation
What are you supposed to do with burdens? All of us have burdens and sometimes the weight of those burdens become so heavy that we don’t have the energy to keep on going especially on Monday mornings. Did you wake up during the night thinking about something that has you bummed out and burdened down? Give it to the Lord. Don’t carry it all day today. Give it to the Lord right now and He will take care of you.
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (KJV)
Pile your troubles on God's shoulders— he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. Psalm 55:22 (Message)
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30
Application
I am casting my burdens on the Lord today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for offering to take my burdens and offering to help me. I accept Your offer.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
But When I Am Afraid I Will…
2 Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 56
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
Observation
What makes you afraid? What do you do when you are afraid? David was afraid and evidently was struck with fear a lot, but he knew what to do with his fear.
What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of dying, or maybe your financial situation has struck fear into your heart, or maybe you afraid of losing someone that you are in a relationship with, or maybe you are afraid of failing. What should you do when you are afraid? David tells us what he did; he put his trust in God.
David had people always trying to kill him and he admitted that it sometimes made him afraid. So when he was afraid he trusted in God. He also praised God and trusted in God’s promises and that is exactly what we should do too.
Application
I will trust God and all His promises when I am afraid.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I will praise You for Your promises. I will trust in You, and have no reason to be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
I pray for all Moms today on Mother’s Day. I especially pray for Kathy and her Mom. I pray that You give them both strength today. Touch Kathy’s Mom with health and help her to get well enough to communicate with us. Give Kathy and her brothers and sisters strength to be able to take care of their Mom.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 56
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
Observation
What makes you afraid? What do you do when you are afraid? David was afraid and evidently was struck with fear a lot, but he knew what to do with his fear.
What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of dying, or maybe your financial situation has struck fear into your heart, or maybe you afraid of losing someone that you are in a relationship with, or maybe you are afraid of failing. What should you do when you are afraid? David tells us what he did; he put his trust in God.
David had people always trying to kill him and he admitted that it sometimes made him afraid. So when he was afraid he trusted in God. He also praised God and trusted in God’s promises and that is exactly what we should do too.
Application
I will trust God and all His promises when I am afraid.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I will praise You for Your promises. I will trust in You, and have no reason to be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
I pray for all Moms today on Mother’s Day. I especially pray for Kathy and her Mom. I pray that You give them both strength today. Touch Kathy’s Mom with health and help her to get well enough to communicate with us. Give Kathy and her brothers and sisters strength to be able to take care of their Mom.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, May 09, 2009
He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels
2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 26
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.
53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
Observation
We need to remember today that Jesus could have called ten thousand Angels to come and rescue Him but He chose to die for you and for me. Did you notice that He said that He could have called for thousands of angels to protect “us”? He didn’t say to come to protect “me”.
We have angels that do protect us today. At least I believe that we do have their protection. Jesus was probably surrounded by thousands of angels at the moment that He was arrested but they were not permitted to come to His aid.
Angels do God’s bidding. They are not free to do what they want. If they had been free to act on their own they probably would have rescued Jesus and then we would have died in our sins. Jesus wrestled all night with the decision to be obedient to the Father’s will and that obedience was His death on the cross.
When we are asked by God to take up our cross it means to do His will and not our own. He says that we need to take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Application
I will seek to do the Lord’s will today and not my own.
Prayer
" Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 26
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.
53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
Observation
We need to remember today that Jesus could have called ten thousand Angels to come and rescue Him but He chose to die for you and for me. Did you notice that He said that He could have called for thousands of angels to protect “us”? He didn’t say to come to protect “me”.
We have angels that do protect us today. At least I believe that we do have their protection. Jesus was probably surrounded by thousands of angels at the moment that He was arrested but they were not permitted to come to His aid.
Angels do God’s bidding. They are not free to do what they want. If they had been free to act on their own they probably would have rescued Jesus and then we would have died in our sins. Jesus wrestled all night with the decision to be obedient to the Father’s will and that obedience was His death on the cross.
When we are asked by God to take up our cross it means to do His will and not our own. He says that we need to take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Application
I will seek to do the Lord’s will today and not my own.
Prayer
" Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Friday, May 08, 2009
You Are My Hiding Place
2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 32
7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Observation
Have you ever noticed how much of King David’s life was spent in hiding from his enemies? A good portion of his life was spent hiding from King Saul and then from his son Absalom. Through all of this he learned that his true hiding place was with the Lord.
Have you gone through the Psalms and looked for where David described God as his protector. He described God as his rock, his fortress, and his shield just to name a few. I am sure that you could go on and on with the list because there are many more words that David used to describe God’s protection.
Is God your hiding place? Are you under the protection of His wings? If not why don’t you humble yourself and go to Him right now and ask Him to be your protector.
How foolish not to call on Him when He tells us, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
and He says,
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God” Isaiah 43:1-4
Application
I will allow God to be my hiding place today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are my hiding place you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory. Amen
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Psalm 32
7 For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Observation
Have you ever noticed how much of King David’s life was spent in hiding from his enemies? A good portion of his life was spent hiding from King Saul and then from his son Absalom. Through all of this he learned that his true hiding place was with the Lord.
Have you gone through the Psalms and looked for where David described God as his protector. He described God as his rock, his fortress, and his shield just to name a few. I am sure that you could go on and on with the list because there are many more words that David used to describe God’s protection.
Is God your hiding place? Are you under the protection of His wings? If not why don’t you humble yourself and go to Him right now and ask Him to be your protector.
How foolish not to call on Him when He tells us, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
and He says,
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God” Isaiah 43:1-4
Application
I will allow God to be my hiding place today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are my hiding place you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory. Amen
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Sin will be rampant everywhere! National Day of Prayer
2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 24
12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
Observation
It seems like sin is out of control. This week we have witnessed horrendous crimes, a few months old baby being thrown out of a car on the interstate to its death, a father shooting his five month old child, his seven year old, his wife, and chasing down his thirteen year old son but failing to kill him, and then to only kill himself. These crimes were just a few that happened this week in the Tampa Bay area. Sin is rampant; it seems out of control.
Today is the day of National Prayer. Our country needs prayer like never before. I understand that our President has decided not to support this call to prayer. It is just another sign of how bad things have become.
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 heal their land. 2 Chronicles. 7:14
Maybe our President needs to read and take heed to 2 Chronicles 7:14!
Application
I will pray for our country today that God will have mercy on us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are so far away from You as a Nation. I know it must break Your heart. The terrible crimes that are being committed in our streets just shows us that sin is completely out of control. I pray for our nation. I pray that You would have mercy on us. I pray that You would call out godly leadership to guide us strong men and women of God that would call us to repentance. I pray that our nation would turn back to You and seek Your face.
I pray for our President and his family. Turn his heart towards You. Help him to make wise decisions. Give him the wisdom he needs for guiding our nation. Surround him with godly men that will help him lead and keep him from leading us further away from You.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 24
12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
Observation
It seems like sin is out of control. This week we have witnessed horrendous crimes, a few months old baby being thrown out of a car on the interstate to its death, a father shooting his five month old child, his seven year old, his wife, and chasing down his thirteen year old son but failing to kill him, and then to only kill himself. These crimes were just a few that happened this week in the Tampa Bay area. Sin is rampant; it seems out of control.
Today is the day of National Prayer. Our country needs prayer like never before. I understand that our President has decided not to support this call to prayer. It is just another sign of how bad things have become.
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 heal their land. 2 Chronicles. 7:14
Maybe our President needs to read and take heed to 2 Chronicles 7:14!
Application
I will pray for our country today that God will have mercy on us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are so far away from You as a Nation. I know it must break Your heart. The terrible crimes that are being committed in our streets just shows us that sin is completely out of control. I pray for our nation. I pray that You would have mercy on us. I pray that You would call out godly leadership to guide us strong men and women of God that would call us to repentance. I pray that our nation would turn back to You and seek Your face.
I pray for our President and his family. Turn his heart towards You. Help him to make wise decisions. Give him the wisdom he needs for guiding our nation. Surround him with godly men that will help him lead and keep him from leading us further away from You.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
God’s Love and Protection
2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 23
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Observation
This is the same word picture that God used in the Old Testament to describe His love and protection for us.
“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7
“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” Psalm 57:1
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Selah Psalm 61:1
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7
There is no safer place to be than in the center of His will under the protection of His wings.
Application
I will take refuge in the shadow of His wings today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You would love to protect everyone under the protection of your wings just like a hen protects her chicks but not everyone lets You. Thank you for giving me the desire to follow You. It is my desire to stay in the center of Your will. I pray for Rapley today that You comfort him, as he has to do the funeral of his best friend. Give him strength. I pray for energy to do everything I need to do today. May I do them in Your strength. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 23
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Observation
This is the same word picture that God used in the Old Testament to describe His love and protection for us.
“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7
“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” Psalm 57:1
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Selah Psalm 61:1
“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7
There is no safer place to be than in the center of His will under the protection of His wings.
Application
I will take refuge in the shadow of His wings today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You would love to protect everyone under the protection of your wings just like a hen protects her chicks but not everyone lets You. Thank you for giving me the desire to follow You. It is my desire to stay in the center of Your will. I pray for Rapley today that You comfort him, as he has to do the funeral of his best friend. Give him strength. I pray for energy to do everything I need to do today. May I do them in Your strength. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Can You Hear Me Now?
2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 22
41 Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
They replied, “He is the son of David.”
43 Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said,
44 ‘The LORD said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’
45 Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”
46 No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Observation
The Pharisees could never hear Jesus well enough to understand what He was saying. Others in the crowd could understand Him but most of the Pharisees just were never able to really hear Him.
We hear God clearly when we allow Him to be on the throne of our lives. The Pharisees were not willing to do that and so they could not hear the message of Christ. The Messiah was the Son of God. The Messiah was Jesus God Himself come down from Heaven as Man, but the Pharisees did have the spiritual understanding to see the Truth.
God is speaking to us all the time but we don’t always hear Him because we are not in the right position to be able to hear Him. Andy Stanley shared last night on video during our small group time that we need to move off the center of our lives and allow God to be in the center.
When God is at the center of our lives then we will not have a problem hearing Him. When we are able to say “Yes Lord” before we even hear the question or the command then we are in the position to hear from God. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…” When we are able to sincerely say, “Thy will be done” then and only then will we be able to hear God’s voice clearly.
Application
I will allow God to be at the center of my life so I can hear Him clearly when He speaks.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I surrender my life to You. I want You to take center stage in my life. It is my desire for You to be number One today in my life. Help me not to allow anything else to take Your place. I want to hear Your voice clearly today as You speak to me. Guide me in everything that I do. Help me be totally obedient to You.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 22
41 Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
They replied, “He is the son of David.”
43 Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said,
44 ‘The LORD said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’
45 Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”
46 No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Observation
The Pharisees could never hear Jesus well enough to understand what He was saying. Others in the crowd could understand Him but most of the Pharisees just were never able to really hear Him.
We hear God clearly when we allow Him to be on the throne of our lives. The Pharisees were not willing to do that and so they could not hear the message of Christ. The Messiah was the Son of God. The Messiah was Jesus God Himself come down from Heaven as Man, but the Pharisees did have the spiritual understanding to see the Truth.
God is speaking to us all the time but we don’t always hear Him because we are not in the right position to be able to hear Him. Andy Stanley shared last night on video during our small group time that we need to move off the center of our lives and allow God to be in the center.
When God is at the center of our lives then we will not have a problem hearing Him. When we are able to say “Yes Lord” before we even hear the question or the command then we are in the position to hear from God. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…” When we are able to sincerely say, “Thy will be done” then and only then will we be able to hear God’s voice clearly.
Application
I will allow God to be at the center of my life so I can hear Him clearly when He speaks.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I surrender my life to You. I want You to take center stage in my life. It is my desire for You to be number One today in my life. Help me not to allow anything else to take Your place. I want to hear Your voice clearly today as You speak to me. Guide me in everything that I do. Help me be totally obedient to You.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, May 04, 2009
Children and Babies Know How To Praise Him!
2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 9; 1 Chronicles 18; 1 Chronicles 19; Matthew 21
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 21
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.
Psalm 8:2
“You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise…”
Observation
Children and babies have been taught by God to give Him praise. It is natural for them. Jesus let the religious leaders know that it shouldn’t surprise them because it was mentioned in Psalm 8.
I am amazed at how many times Jesus would quote scriptures like Psalm 8.
I love to hear children sing about Jesus. How about you?
Application
I will work on scripture memory today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the heart of a child when it comes to worshiping You. Help me to worship You with all of my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. You are worthy of praise. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 9; 1 Chronicles 18; 1 Chronicles 19; Matthew 21
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 21
14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”
But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.
Psalm 8:2
“You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise…”
Observation
Children and babies have been taught by God to give Him praise. It is natural for them. Jesus let the religious leaders know that it shouldn’t surprise them because it was mentioned in Psalm 8.
I am amazed at how many times Jesus would quote scriptures like Psalm 8.
I love to hear children sing about Jesus. How about you?
Application
I will work on scripture memory today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the heart of a child when it comes to worshiping You. Help me to worship You with all of my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. You are worthy of praise. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Jesus is Still Asking, “What Do You Want Me to Do For You?”
2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 20
29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.
Observation
These two blind men were smart. They were calling out for help from the only person that could open their eyes. What do you need for Jesus to do for you? Humble yourself and ask Him. He is waiting for you to call out to Him. All of us need help so what is it that you need for Jesus to do for you?
He is my help. I am constantly calling on Him to help me. This morning as soon as I woke up I began to ask Him to help me.
Pride is the only thing that keeps us from getting help. Trying to do everything on our own and not call on Him for help is nothing more than pride and it is also very stupid.
Application
I will continue to call on Him for help all day today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, there are so many places where I have been blinded and I need Your help to be able to see clearly. Help me today as I lead Your people. I pray for people to be saved today and I pray that lives will be changed during our worship service. Be glorified in Your church today. I pray that people will come expecting to meet You. Thank You for being my God and my Savior. You are worthy of praise!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 20
29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”
33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.
Observation
These two blind men were smart. They were calling out for help from the only person that could open their eyes. What do you need for Jesus to do for you? Humble yourself and ask Him. He is waiting for you to call out to Him. All of us need help so what is it that you need for Jesus to do for you?
He is my help. I am constantly calling on Him to help me. This morning as soon as I woke up I began to ask Him to help me.
Pride is the only thing that keeps us from getting help. Trying to do everything on our own and not call on Him for help is nothing more than pride and it is also very stupid.
Application
I will continue to call on Him for help all day today. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, there are so many places where I have been blinded and I need Your help to be able to see clearly. Help me today as I lead Your people. I pray for people to be saved today and I pray that lives will be changed during our worship service. Be glorified in Your church today. I pray that people will come expecting to meet You. Thank You for being my God and my Savior. You are worthy of praise!
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Proclaim The Good News That Jesus Saves!
1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Chronicles 16
23 Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Observation
David tells Israel that they were to proclaim to the whole world the good news that the Lord saves. In a day when all we hear is bad news it is good to remember that our task is to share the Good News to the entire world that Jesus saves.
I met with a young man this week that had given his life to Jesus the week before. He had heard the Good News and today he is proof that Jesus saves. He is so excited about his new relationship with Christ. He said to me, I read God’s Word before I go to bed, I read His Word when I get up in the morning. I don’t want to live just to work anymore. I am tired of just chasing the all mighty dollar. He asked if we could meet and work on a “First Steps” Bible study together. He is serious about his new relationship with Christ.
Who needs to hear this Good News from you today? Who can we tell about Jesus?
Application
I will look for someone today that needs to hear the Good News that Jesus saves.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Thank you for saving my friend. I pray for more a more people to be saved. Help our people to invite people to church. Give us opportunities to bring people to Jesus.
1 Chronicles 16
28 O nations of the world, recognize the LORD,
recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.
29 Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.
30 Let all the earth tremble before him.
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
33 Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise,
for the LORD is coming to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation!
Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank your holy name
and rejoice and praise you.”
36 Praise the LORD, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the LORD.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
1 Chronicles 16
23 Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Observation
David tells Israel that they were to proclaim to the whole world the good news that the Lord saves. In a day when all we hear is bad news it is good to remember that our task is to share the Good News to the entire world that Jesus saves.
I met with a young man this week that had given his life to Jesus the week before. He had heard the Good News and today he is proof that Jesus saves. He is so excited about his new relationship with Christ. He said to me, I read God’s Word before I go to bed, I read His Word when I get up in the morning. I don’t want to live just to work anymore. I am tired of just chasing the all mighty dollar. He asked if we could meet and work on a “First Steps” Bible study together. He is serious about his new relationship with Christ.
Who needs to hear this Good News from you today? Who can we tell about Jesus?
Application
I will look for someone today that needs to hear the Good News that Jesus saves.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Thank you for saving my friend. I pray for more a more people to be saved. Help our people to invite people to church. Give us opportunities to bring people to Jesus.
1 Chronicles 16
28 O nations of the world, recognize the LORD,
recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.
29 Give to the LORD the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.
30 Let all the earth tremble before him.
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
32 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
33 Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise,
for the LORD is coming to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
35 Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation!
Gather and rescue us from among the nations,
so we can thank your holy name
and rejoice and praise you.”
36 Praise the LORD, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting!
And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the LORD.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Forgiveness and Restoration of a Relationship Are Not The Same!
1 Chronicles 14; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 18
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Observation
Forgiveness is so important to both our spiritual and physical health. Unforgiving-ness can destroy a person. When we decide to hold on to hurts and when we hold on to grudges because someone has done us wrong we are the one that suffers not the other person. In fact, as long as we don’t forgive them they control us. Until we forgive them they will continue to hurt us. But once we let it go then they no longer have a hold on us.
I just had a person tell me about an upcoming event, “Well if so and so is going then I am not going.” This person had been hurt by this person recently and the wound is still obviously open and maybe still festering.
But I don’t know for sure if what I said is actually true or not, maybe this person has forgiven the other person. The reason that I say that is because even though the offended person may have forgiven the other person that does not mean that the offended person can now trust the other person and work with them.
Just because you forgive someone does not mean that you can hang out with him or her or serve with them. Trust takes a long time to rebuild. Restoration of a relationship after there has been a betrayal takes time.
Paul and Barnabas could be examples of what I am talking about. We don’t know for sure but we do know that their disagreement was so severe that they could no longer work together anymore. At least from what we read in scripture it doesn’t look like they ever worked together again.
The danger for us is unforgiving-ness and what it robs us of. The offender controls us until we let what they did to us go. It is a hard thing to do but we have to do it. Let it go. You may have to go to God several times a day asking Him to help you let it go, but let it go.
We do have evidence that Paul and Barnabas must have patched things up or at least Paul and John Mark did. Later in his ministry Paul requested that they send John Mark to come help him.
Application
I will try to help people see the need to forgive and the need to work on fractured relationships.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are imperfect people. We get our feelings hurt so easily and find it so difficult to forgive when we have been wronged. I am a sinner. Help me forgive people and not hold on to grudges. Help me work with people so they can mend broken relationships. Thank you for forgiving me and not holding my sins against me. I don’t deserve your kindness. Help me have that same kind of love for others around me. Help this person that has been hurt to let it go.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Chronicles 14; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 18
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. 30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.
31 “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. 32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Observation
Forgiveness is so important to both our spiritual and physical health. Unforgiving-ness can destroy a person. When we decide to hold on to hurts and when we hold on to grudges because someone has done us wrong we are the one that suffers not the other person. In fact, as long as we don’t forgive them they control us. Until we forgive them they will continue to hurt us. But once we let it go then they no longer have a hold on us.
I just had a person tell me about an upcoming event, “Well if so and so is going then I am not going.” This person had been hurt by this person recently and the wound is still obviously open and maybe still festering.
But I don’t know for sure if what I said is actually true or not, maybe this person has forgiven the other person. The reason that I say that is because even though the offended person may have forgiven the other person that does not mean that the offended person can now trust the other person and work with them.
Just because you forgive someone does not mean that you can hang out with him or her or serve with them. Trust takes a long time to rebuild. Restoration of a relationship after there has been a betrayal takes time.
Paul and Barnabas could be examples of what I am talking about. We don’t know for sure but we do know that their disagreement was so severe that they could no longer work together anymore. At least from what we read in scripture it doesn’t look like they ever worked together again.
The danger for us is unforgiving-ness and what it robs us of. The offender controls us until we let what they did to us go. It is a hard thing to do but we have to do it. Let it go. You may have to go to God several times a day asking Him to help you let it go, but let it go.
We do have evidence that Paul and Barnabas must have patched things up or at least Paul and John Mark did. Later in his ministry Paul requested that they send John Mark to come help him.
Application
I will try to help people see the need to forgive and the need to work on fractured relationships.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are imperfect people. We get our feelings hurt so easily and find it so difficult to forgive when we have been wronged. I am a sinner. Help me forgive people and not hold on to grudges. Help me work with people so they can mend broken relationships. Thank you for forgiving me and not holding my sins against me. I don’t deserve your kindness. Help me have that same kind of love for others around me. Help this person that has been hurt to let it go.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
You Don’t Have Enough Faith!
2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 17
14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”
17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.
19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”
20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.
Observation
Even Jesus must have a limit to His patience because it seems like He is about to lose it with His disciples …or was He?
It was a teaching moment. Jesus got their attention! He was very patient with His disciples. He taught them some of the same lessons over and over again just like He does with us.
What is He trying to teach you today? I was reminded early this morning as I met with a group of men from our church that God can work in anybody’s life. Nothing is impossible.
One of the guys that has started meeting with us told me this morning that he had accepted Christ last Thursday after we had met together. He told me that he has been reading his Bible in the morning and in the evening. It is so neat to hear him say that Jesus is Lord of his life.
Application
I will not give up on guys just because they don’t have much faith!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You must get frustrated with me a lot. Help me to be patient with guys that frustrate me because of their lack of faith or their lack of commitment to spiritual things.
Thank you for the guys that meet on Thursdays. Thank you for what you are doing in their lives. You are amazing. It is incredible to see how they are growing. Bless them. I pray that you provide for them and for their families during this difficult time. Show them that they can trust in you! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 17
14 At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”
17 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.
19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”
20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.
Observation
Even Jesus must have a limit to His patience because it seems like He is about to lose it with His disciples …or was He?
It was a teaching moment. Jesus got their attention! He was very patient with His disciples. He taught them some of the same lessons over and over again just like He does with us.
What is He trying to teach you today? I was reminded early this morning as I met with a group of men from our church that God can work in anybody’s life. Nothing is impossible.
One of the guys that has started meeting with us told me this morning that he had accepted Christ last Thursday after we had met together. He told me that he has been reading his Bible in the morning and in the evening. It is so neat to hear him say that Jesus is Lord of his life.
Application
I will not give up on guys just because they don’t have much faith!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You must get frustrated with me a lot. Help me to be patient with guys that frustrate me because of their lack of faith or their lack of commitment to spiritual things.
Thank you for the guys that meet on Thursdays. Thank you for what you are doing in their lives. You are amazing. It is incredible to see how they are growing. Bless them. I pray that you provide for them and for their families during this difficult time. Show them that they can trust in you! Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Is Anything Worth More Than Your Soul?
2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 16
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Observation
Psalm 139
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
There is more to us than just this skin and bones, more than just this body that we live in. We are made for eternity. The real us, our soul, is what we need to worry about. We need to look at things from God’s point of view and not from ours. We are selfish. Jesus had to go to the cross. He had to die for us. It was God’s plan. But Peter was trying to get Him to not do God’s will.
God has a plan for your life and He has a plan for my life. He saw us before we were born. He knew our names before we were born. He has created us for His purpose. We need to live for Him and not for ourselves.
Application
I will try to look at the events of this day from God’s perspective.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me see what is happening around me from Your point of view. I get so wrapped up in problems and situations that I fail to see Your hand at work in them. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Show me what is really important today.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 16
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. 28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Observation
Psalm 139
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
There is more to us than just this skin and bones, more than just this body that we live in. We are made for eternity. The real us, our soul, is what we need to worry about. We need to look at things from God’s point of view and not from ours. We are selfish. Jesus had to go to the cross. He had to die for us. It was God’s plan. But Peter was trying to get Him to not do God’s will.
God has a plan for your life and He has a plan for my life. He saw us before we were born. He knew our names before we were born. He has created us for His purpose. We need to live for Him and not for ourselves.
Application
I will try to look at the events of this day from God’s perspective.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me see what is happening around me from Your point of view. I get so wrapped up in problems and situations that I fail to see Your hand at work in them. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Show me what is really important today.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Heart Problem
2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 15
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
Observation
Garbage in, Garbage out … so goes the condition of our hearts! That is why it is so important to wake up in the morning and go immediately to God’s Word and start the day with a full course meal. And then we should guard our hearts the rest of the day. When you get home from work don’t drop down in front of the television and watch one load of garbage right after the other and expect to have a clean heart.
Application
I will guard my heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be like the Pharisees putting on a good front on the outside but living a lie. Help me not to sin. Help me to watch what goes into my heart. Give me the strength to not watch stuff that is not good. Give me an even greater love for Your Word. Help me to meditate on Your Word today. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to people yesterday about Jesus. I pray for Chip, Charles, and Becky that all three of these folks would say “yes” to you and that they would be saved. I pray for Equilla that prayed to receive Christ yesterday I pray that she grow in her faith and that she would find a church that would help her grow.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 15
19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
Observation
Garbage in, Garbage out … so goes the condition of our hearts! That is why it is so important to wake up in the morning and go immediately to God’s Word and start the day with a full course meal. And then we should guard our hearts the rest of the day. When you get home from work don’t drop down in front of the television and watch one load of garbage right after the other and expect to have a clean heart.
Application
I will guard my heart.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be like the Pharisees putting on a good front on the outside but living a lie. Help me not to sin. Help me to watch what goes into my heart. Give me the strength to not watch stuff that is not good. Give me an even greater love for Your Word. Help me to meditate on Your Word today. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to people yesterday about Jesus. I pray for Chip, Charles, and Becky that all three of these folks would say “yes” to you and that they would be saved. I pray for Equilla that prayed to receive Christ yesterday I pray that she grow in her faith and that she would find a church that would help her grow.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Why Did Peter Get Out of The Boat?
2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 14
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Observation
Why did Peter want to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Have you ever thought about it before? The disciples are in a storm and the waves are fierce. These guys are fisherman for the most part and they are used to storms and heavy waves, but they are not used to seeing someone walking on water towards them. It must have terrified them.
You would have thought that the safe place was in the boat. You would have thought that the first thing that would have been said to Jesus by His disciples was “Jesus, come get into the boat with us”, but it wasn’t. Simon Peter blurted out the first thing when he yelled, “Jesus, if that is really You then let me come out to You.” Think about that for a minute …the safest place is always with Jesus. The boat was not the safe place, the safe place was out walking on the water with Jesus.
Peter walked on the water.
As far as we know no one has ever done that again. It was a short walk of faith. Yes, he did take his eyes off of Jesus during his short walk and he began to sink, but at least he got out of the boat. You would have thought that the other disciples would have seen him walking on the water and you would have thought that they would have jumped out of that boat and headed for Jesus too, but they didn’t. They just sat in the boat and watched Peter and Jesus.
Stepping out in faith is lonely. Don’t expect everyone to follow you. They won’t. Once you step out don’t worry because even if you stumble Jesus will be there to pick you up! But at least get out of the boat!
I wonder what the other disciples said to Peter later about his water walking experience? I am sure that in the back of their minds they wished that they had jumped out of that boat that night too.
Application
I will get out of the boat. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith. Show me what You want me to do and help me to step out in faith to do it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 14
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Observation
Why did Peter want to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Have you ever thought about it before? The disciples are in a storm and the waves are fierce. These guys are fisherman for the most part and they are used to storms and heavy waves, but they are not used to seeing someone walking on water towards them. It must have terrified them.
You would have thought that the safe place was in the boat. You would have thought that the first thing that would have been said to Jesus by His disciples was “Jesus, come get into the boat with us”, but it wasn’t. Simon Peter blurted out the first thing when he yelled, “Jesus, if that is really You then let me come out to You.” Think about that for a minute …the safest place is always with Jesus. The boat was not the safe place, the safe place was out walking on the water with Jesus.
Peter walked on the water.
As far as we know no one has ever done that again. It was a short walk of faith. Yes, he did take his eyes off of Jesus during his short walk and he began to sink, but at least he got out of the boat. You would have thought that the other disciples would have seen him walking on the water and you would have thought that they would have jumped out of that boat and headed for Jesus too, but they didn’t. They just sat in the boat and watched Peter and Jesus.
Stepping out in faith is lonely. Don’t expect everyone to follow you. They won’t. Once you step out don’t worry because even if you stumble Jesus will be there to pick you up! But at least get out of the boat!
I wonder what the other disciples said to Peter later about his water walking experience? I am sure that in the back of their minds they wished that they had jumped out of that boat that night too.
Application
I will get out of the boat. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to step out in faith. Show me what You want me to do and help me to step out in faith to do it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Stories, Illustrations, and the Gospel
2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 13
34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.
Observation
People in Jesus’ day learned great truths through the art of story telling. The Bible says that Jesus always used stories and illustrations to speak to the large crowds. He never spoke to them without using stories.
It is a reminder to me that people are going to remember our stories and our illustrations that we make in our sermons if they remember anything at all so we better make good use of stories that help people understand the points we are trying to make.
What do you remember about last week’s message? Do you remember any stories, any illustrations, and/or any points? Do you even remember who preached?
Application
I will use stories and illustrations today as I preach so hopefully someone will remember what I said and hopefully they will apply Your word to their lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak through me today. Help me share some good stories that will help illustrate the message. I pray that people would respond to Your word. I pray that they will be moved to action. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fall on our congregation during our worship service so that people will make life-changing decisions. I pray for revival. Be gloried today in our hearts. This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 13
34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. 35 This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.
Observation
People in Jesus’ day learned great truths through the art of story telling. The Bible says that Jesus always used stories and illustrations to speak to the large crowds. He never spoke to them without using stories.
It is a reminder to me that people are going to remember our stories and our illustrations that we make in our sermons if they remember anything at all so we better make good use of stories that help people understand the points we are trying to make.
What do you remember about last week’s message? Do you remember any stories, any illustrations, and/or any points? Do you even remember who preached?
Application
I will use stories and illustrations today as I preach so hopefully someone will remember what I said and hopefully they will apply Your word to their lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, speak through me today. Help me share some good stories that will help illustrate the message. I pray that people would respond to Your word. I pray that they will be moved to action. I pray that Your Holy Spirit fall on our congregation during our worship service so that people will make life-changing decisions. I pray for revival. Be gloried today in our hearts. This is the day that the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Hope For This World is Jesus!
1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 12
21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Observation
Our hope will not be found in the name of our President; no matter what you think about him he is not the hope of this country or this world. But there is a name, a name that is above every name, that name is Jesus. He is our hope!
"There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12
"Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Philip. 2:9-10
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed." Rev. 15:4
"No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." Rev. 22:3-5
Application
I will keep my hope focused on Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, even though our country seems like it is spinning out of control and there is less and less that we can take for granted there is one thing that will not change and that is You. Our hope is found in You Lord. Our hope is found in You. You never change. You will be the same tomorrow as You are today. Your promises give us hope. We can count on You. At the name of Jesus this world will one day bow and I know that He is in control even though there is so much chaos. He is my Hope. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12
Click Here To Read Or Listen To Today’s Daily Bible Reading
Scripture
Matthew 12
21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Observation
Our hope will not be found in the name of our President; no matter what you think about him he is not the hope of this country or this world. But there is a name, a name that is above every name, that name is Jesus. He is our hope!
"There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." Acts 4:12
"Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," Philip. 2:9-10
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed." Rev. 15:4
"No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." Rev. 22:3-5
Application
I will keep my hope focused on Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, even though our country seems like it is spinning out of control and there is less and less that we can take for granted there is one thing that will not change and that is You. Our hope is found in You Lord. Our hope is found in You. You never change. You will be the same tomorrow as You are today. Your promises give us hope. We can count on You. At the name of Jesus this world will one day bow and I know that He is in control even though there is so much chaos. He is my Hope. Amen.
Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)