May They Experience Such Perfect Unity That The World Will Know That You Sent Me

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May They Experience
Such Perfect Unity
That The World Will Know That You Sent Me

It is a lot easier to fuss, fight, argue, and be critical of one another! Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17 is that we experience something different in our lives and that difference will make the world take notice!

Scripture

John 17

²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Observation

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:1-2

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Romans 12:16

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14
    … be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 

It is a lot easier to fuss, fight, argue, and be critical of one another! It is our old nature: 

“Galatians 5:19-21 

    When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.  

To live in harmony with each other we must allow ourselves to be controlled by God’s Holy Spirit:  

[22] But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Application

I will ask the Lord to take control of my life today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy for me to be critical. It is so easy for me to see the speck in someone else’s eye and not see the beam in mine. I want Your Holy Spirit to be in control of my life today. Show me when and where I am critical and when I am only thinking of myself. Give me your heart for the people around me.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 18,19,20; Psalms 93; John 17

 

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The Human Heart Is The Most Deceitful Of All Things, And Desperately Wicked.

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The Human Heart Is The Most Deceitful Of All Things,
And
Desperately Wicked.

What comes out of my heart and then out of my mouth shocks me many times! How can I say such hateful things, how can I say such mean things to the one that I love the most? Yes, our spouse gets the misfortune of seeing and feeling our heart at its worst!

Scripture

Jeremiah 17:9

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
    and desperately wicked.
    Who really knows how bad it is?
¹⁰ But I, the Lord, search all hearts
    and examine secret motives.

Observation


I don’t like what this verse says about my heart! But I have to admit that it is so true. 

What comes out of my heart and then out of my mouth shocks me many times! How can I say such hateful things, how can I say such mean things to the one that I love the most? 

Yes, our spouse gets the misfortune of seeing and feeling our heart at its worst!

You and I are capable of “any” sin. 

Don’t kid yourself! You and I are capable of any sin. That is why when we see someone else caught up in a certain sin the Bible warns us to be careful because we could do the very same thing. 

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1

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

These are 3 phrases that you and I need to use a lot with our spouse and our children. It is also the 3 things that the Lord needs to hear from us when we sin. 

Our spouse is not our enemy. Satan is our enemy and he has help from an ally. And what ally does he have you ask? He has the help of our desperately wicked hearts. 

Application 

I will ask the Lord to guard my heart today. How about you?

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23

Prayer

Heavenly Father, How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:12,14. Help me to guard my heart above all else, because I know that it determines the course of my life. Proverbs 4:23 (personalized)

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 16,17; Psalms 96; John 16

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Come And Listen, All You Who Fear God, And I Will Tell You What He Did For Me.

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Come And Listen, All You Who Fear God,
And
I Will Tell You What He Did For Me.

Yes, I am living because of God’s wonderful grace. The story of how God answered your prayers and God brought me back from physical death to life is amazing to me. But just as amazing is your story and my story of how God brought us from a life of sin, a life of selfish living, lives headed for certain destruction Please keep reading …

Scripture

Psalm 66

¹⁶ Come and listen, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell you what he did for me.
¹⁷ For I cried out to him for help,
    praising him as I spoke.
¹⁸ If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
¹⁹ But God did listen!
    He paid attention to my prayer.
²⁰ Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
    or withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Observation

Have you watched the TV show “Answered Prayers”?

It made me cry Sunday night as people shared the miracles that God performed in their lives! It went right along with Pastor Bruce’s message about Grace when he said, “Suffering activates your faith and faith activates a miracle!”

But there is another miracle that amazes and inspires me and gives me hope it is the miracle of a life rescued from selfish living.

When a man or woman turns from a life of selfish living and finally turns and puts his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and when a believer who has been living as though God doesn’t exist suddenly changes and puts God first in his or her life it is a miracle just as amazing as someone being brought back from the dead.

It gives me so much hope!

You see I am praying for people that need to turn from sin and self and turn to God.

Yes, I am living because of God’s wonderful grace. The story of how God answered your prayers and God brought me back from physical death to life is amazing to me. But just as amazing is your story and my story of how God brought us from a life of sin, a life of selfish living, lives headed for certain destruction

Your life changing stories amaze me. And for some of you who I am praying for (whose lives are still centered on me, myself, and I) your life-changing story will amaze me very soon.

Application

I am confident that I will soon hear about a life that is forever changed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have done so much for me and I love to tell about it. I cried out to You for help. I praised You. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, Lord, You would not have listened. But You, my God did listen! You paid attention to my prayer.  Praise God, You did not ignore my prayer or withdraw Your unfailing love from me. (Psalm 66:16-20 personalized)

I pray for those who may be reading this that may need to turn from sin and self. Empower them today to say “no” to sin and self and “yes” to You.

 

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 13,14,15; John 15; Psalm 62-67

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So Correct Me LORD, But Please Be Gentle

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So Correct Me
LORD,
But Please Be Gentle

I had to smile when I read Jeremiah’s prayer. I had to share it with Kathy! You and I are like the Prophet Jeremiah and we just like Jeremiah tend to drift off course. If that is where we find ourselves this morning then this is a great prayer than can turn us back in the right direction. This blog is very short this morning so take a minute to read on …

Scripture

Jeremiah 10

²³ I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own.
    We are not able to plan our own course.
²⁴ So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.
    Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.

Observation

I had to smile when I read Jeremiah’s prayer. I had to share it with Kathy!

You and I are like the Prophet Jeremiah and we just like Jeremiah tend to drift off course.

We tend to naturally drift away from God and not toward Him. Maybe sin has caused us to make a major detour in our lives.

If that is where we find ourselves this morning then this is a great prayer than can turn us back in the right direction.

“So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle.”

God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to let us stay just the way we are! He is our Heavenly Father. He is going to discipline those He loves.

Application

I will ask the Lord to gently correct me every time I go off course. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You say in Your Word, “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.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Every time I get off course would You please correct me, Lord, but please be gentle!

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 10,11,12; John 14

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

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Obey Me, And I Will Be Your God, And You Will Be My People. Do Everything As I Say, And All Will Be Well!

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Obey Me, And I Will Be Your God,
And You Will Be My People.
Do Everything As I Say, And All Will Be Well!

I tell people when I get a chance to talk to them about their relationship to the Lord that God does want to bless them. He wants to bless me. I share with them an illustration that helps me and maybe it can help you when it comes to this thing of “obedience”. Please take a minute to read what God has taught and is still teaching me …

Scripture

Jeremiah 7

²³ This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’

Observation

I tell people when I get a chance to talk to them about their relationship to the Lord that God does want to bless them. He wants to bless me.

I share with them an illustration that helps me and maybe it can help you when it comes to this thing of “obedience”.

Obedience (to God and obeying what God tells us in His word) is like being under an umbrella. 

When we walk in obedience to what God has told us in His word then we are under His protection and we are under his blessing. When we decide to disobey God, when we walk in disobedience then we are no longer under His umbrella of protection and blessing. It is a painful and dangerous place for a Christian to be. I know this by experience!

I love what King David says to God after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to try to cover up his sins. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12 

Using my illustration I think that King David was telling God, “make me willing to stay under the umbrella of your protection and make me willing to stay under your umbrella of blessing.” David had sinned. He had decided in his heart to sin against God. 

But … King David turned … he repented … he got back under the umbrella so God would bless him and protect him. 

Maybe you and I need to say to God, “make me willing to obey you”? Maybe we need to say to God, “make me willing to stay under the umbrella”? 

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Exodus 20:6

When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Proverbs 29:18

…We can come to God with bold confidence. ²² And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. 1 John 3:21-22

Application

Make me willing to obey You. Make me willing to stay under Your umbrella of blessing!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I will call on You, and You will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and You hear my voice. I will give my burdens to You Lord, and You will take care of me. You will not permit me to slip and fall. Psalm 55:21-22 (personalized)


Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 7,8,9; John 13; Psalm 52-56

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The LORD Says: “Stop At The Crossroads And Look Around. Ask For The Old, Godly Way, And Walk In It. Travel Its Path, And You Will Find Rest For Your Souls.”

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The LORD Says: “Stop At The Crossroads And Look Around.
Ask For The Old, Godly Way, And Walk In It.
Travel Its Path, And You Will Find Rest For Your Souls.”

Living your life like God doesn’t exist – how is that working out for you? Take a minute to keep reading …

Scripture

Jeremiah 6

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
    Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

Observation

It is amazing how hardheaded that I can be! And maybe you are just like me.

Everyday God offers us a choice. This morning the choice is once again ours.

This week can be or I should say, “could be” so different for us if we decide to take the old, godly way, and we walk in it.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

²³ But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.
    They have turned away and abandoned me.
²⁴ They do not say from the heart,
    ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God,
for he gives us rain each spring and fall,
    assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’
²⁵ Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings.
    Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. Jeremiah 5:23-25

 ¹⁵ But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? 

But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Application

I admit that I am hardheaded but I am smart enough to know that putting God first in my life is the right thing for me to do. I will serve the Lord with all of my heart. How about you? Living your life like God doesn’t exist – how is that working out for you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that everyday that I have a choice. I either live my life for You or I live life like You do not exist. I know that I am a sinner and I know that many times I do things that break Your heart, but You are the most important Person in my life. Help me to serve You with all of my heart.

I pray for anyone reading this blog that has been living life for his or her own self and they know that life as they are living it is not bringing them meaning, purpose, or joy. I pray that this morning that they decide to take the old, godly way, and walk in it. Now is the time for them to make the change. Give them the power and strength and willing hearts today to put You first.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 5,6; John 12

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O Lord, God Of Heaven, The Great And Awesome God Who Keeps His Covenant Of Unfailing Love With Those Who Love Him And Obey His Commands

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O Lord, God Of Heaven, The Great And Awesome God
Who Keeps His Covenant
Of Unfailing Love With Those Who Love Him And Obey His Commands

You will respond to my prayers not because of my goodness, but because of Your great and mighty promises. I stand on Your promises. I read them everyday in Your word and I know that You are faithful. You can be trusted. You will keep every single promise that You have given me in Your word. It is because of Your unfailing love for me that I can come to You with confidence this morning. “Don’t Stop Reading…”

Scripture

Nehemiah 1

[5] Then I said, "O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands,

Observation

The book of Nehemiah is a great book on leadership and chapter one of Nehemiah is a great lesson on how to approach our God in prayer! Take a couple of minutes and read chapter one this morning.

Nehemiah starts out with praise in verse five, “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God …” and that is just what we ought to do – Give Him Praise!

Next Nehemiah went directly to confession of the sins (penitence) of the children of Israel but he also confessed that he was a sinner just like them. 

Then Nehemiah reminded God of all of His promises that He had made to His children.

Nehemiah was willing to be the answer to his prayers.

He asked God to show him favor when he went before the King to ask him to let him go to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

He prayed and fasted for 4 months and then he approached the King with his request.

Praise! Penitence! Promises!

Application

I will try this week to follow Nehemiah’s example as I pray for others.  How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are a great and awesome God! You are worthy of all praise! I come to you this morning realizing that I am a sinner just like those that I am continually praying for. I know that we don’t deserve Your mercy. We don’t deserve anything. 

Father, I pray for those that You have placed on my heart and I ask that You do a mighty work in their hearts and in their lives. I am confident that You will respond to my prayers not because of my goodness, but because of Your great and mighty promises. 

I stand on Your promises. I read them everyday in Your word and I know that You are faithful. You can be trusted. You will keep every single promise that You have given me in Your word. It is because of Your unfailing love for me that I can come to You with confidence this morning.

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 3,4; John 11; Nehemiah 1

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The Thief’s Purpose Is To Steal, And Kill, And Destroy. My Purpose Is To Give Them A Rich And Satisfying Life.

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The Thief’s Purpose Is To Steal, And Kill, And Destroy.
My Purpose
Is To Give Them A Rich And Satisfying Life.

He is our enemy. Our spouse is not our enemy. Satan is our enemy. He wants to destroy our marriage, our relationships, and he is constantly at war against the most important, the most valuable things in our lives. Please Read On …

Scripture

John 10

¹⁰ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Observation

Satan is a thief and a liar. The scriptures also describe him as a deceiver, angel of light, destroyer, adversary, enemy, accuser, murderer, tempter, wicked one, and the list goes on but I have given him enough attention.

He is our enemy. Our spouse is not our enemy. Satan is our enemy. He wants to destroy our marriage, our relationships, and he is constantly at war against the most important, the most valuable things in our lives.

So wake up!

Jesus Christ’s purpose is just the opposite. He wants us to enjoy a rich and satisfying life, a life filled with meaning and purpose.

So wake up!

Stop believing Satan’s lies.

What does God say? What does God say in His Word? Just look at all of God’s promises!

If you have been believing lies whispered into your head and you think that you are better off believing them rather than believing the Truth then you have been hoodwinked, you have been tricked and the great deceiver has you right where he wants you.

It is the thief’s purpose. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy you and your family.

Today you and I have a choice. We turn to God and trust what He says in His Word or we listen to the enemy’s lies, reject God’s Word and we continue on the road to destruction.

Application

I can be pretty hardheaded sometimes but this choice even for this knucklehead is a no-brainer I choose to live for Jesus Christ and follow His Word the best that I can.

How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it breaks my heart to watch men make terrible choices day after day after day. I will continue to pray for them. I will never give up. They have been deceived by the evil one. They have given in to his temptations. They actually believe that they are better off living for him rather than living for You. It is crazy. 

You tell me in Your Word to pray for them, (If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. 1 John 5:16) so I will continue to pray. Open up their eyes Lord soon before they completely destroy themselves and everyone else around them. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Jeremiah 1,2; John 10

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God Doesn’t Listen To Sinners, But He Is Ready To Hear Those Who Worship Him and Do His Will.

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God Doesn’t Listen To Sinners,
But
He Is Ready To Hear Those Who Worship Him and Do His Will.

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her, as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. KEEP READING...

Scripture

John 9

31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.

Observation

Does God hear everyone’s prayers? Of course He does, He is God, but He doesn’t answer or pay attention to everyone’s prayers.

    If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,

        my Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18

When you and I hold on to and continually commit a particular sin and we refuse to repent and confess our sin then God does not listen, God does not pay attention to our requests.

The Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 3:7

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her, as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

Are you treating your wife as you should? Are you committing adultery with another woman (maybe at the moment only in your thoughts)? Are you verbally or physically abusing your wife? Are you treating her with understanding?

If you are not treating her, as you should then your prayers whatever those prayers may be are not getting to the heart of our Heavenly Father.

I could have mentioned many other sins but the sin of sexual immorality seems what our enemy Satan is using to damage and destroy the lives of so many Christ followers.

… For all these worldly things, these evil desires—the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance—these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. 1 John 2:16

Okay lets now look at the positive side of this verse … “but He is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.”

When you and I with a clean heart, a heart that has every sin confessed, come to our Heavenly Father in prayer we will always find Him ready and willing to answer our requests. 

    You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:13-14

And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15

 Application

I want God to hear and respond to me when I pray to Him so I will confess my sin as I commit them. I will ask Him to show me any sin in my life that I have not confessed. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am a sinner. I am broken. I realize that I am just as capable to committing any type of sin as anyone else. So don’t let me hold on to a sin. May Your Holy Spirit convict me of sin as soon as I commit the sin and don’t let me continue living in that sin. Help me to keep a clean heart. I pray especially for men today who have allowed themselves to yield to the temptation of sexual sin. Give them the strength to say no to sin and yes to You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Zephaniah 1,2,3; John 9

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There Is Not An Iota Of Truth In Him. When He Lies, It Is Perfectly Normal, For He Is The Father Of Liars.

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There Is Not An Iota Of Truth In Him.
When He Lies,
It Is Perfectly Normal, For He Is The Father Of Liars. 

Politicians … tonight they will tell us what they think we want to hear. Most of them will … Yes … even LIE to get elected. Liar … Liar … Pants on Fire!

Scripture

John 8

44 … there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars.

Observation

Politicians … tonight they will tell us what they think we want to hear. Most of them will … Yes … even LIE to get elected. Liar … Liar … Pants on Fire!

But before you and I begin to throw stones at them we need to search our hearts and we need to search our souls to look and see how the evil one has crept into our hearts and distorted the Truth.

We also can lie, we can compromise, we can rationalize, and we can try to justify the sin in our lives, and when we do we have become slaves to sin. 

    Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

I read this week in my daily Bible reading about King Josiah. 

In 2 Kings 22:2 and 23:25 God stated about Josiah, 

“He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.” ²⁵ Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.

   

Application

Lord, give us a President that would lead us with integrity like King Josiah! Help me to be honest and help me to be a man of integrity.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that You would help me not to lie or compromise the truth. Help me to be a man of integrity. Don’t let us be deceived by lies that sound like the truth. Raise up godly leaders in our church, in our city, in our state, and in our country. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are Sovereign. You are in control.

Daily Bible Reading:  Habakkuk 1,2,3; John 8

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Because The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Have Everything I Need!

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Because The
Lord Is My Shepherd,
I Have Everything I Need!

Contentment … so easily lost with one click of a mouse button, or by seeing one television commercial, or reading an ad that arrives in the mail! We are bombarded daily with such great offers, deals that are so terribly hard to resist! Amazon … New Egg … Groupons … Automobile commercials etc. they are always luring us to add on to our collection of junk.

Scripture

Psalm 23

1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!

Observation

Contentment … so easily lost with one click of a mouse button. We are bombarded daily with such great offers, deals that are so terribly hard to resist! Amazon … New Egg … Groupons … Automobile commercials etc. always luring us to add on to our collection of junk.

When it rains like it did for 20 plus days here in Florida I was reminded that my car is showing its age. Kathy and I get soaked because our windshield has decided to leak and of course the leaks are right above both of us. We are usually able to stay dry if we remember to carry towels with us.

I have to admit that I have been tempted to crack that windshield just so my insurance company could replace the windshield and fix the leak. I have not yet yielded to that temptation!

But this car has been one of the best cars that we have ever owned. God has kept that car running for us over all these years. It is an amazing vehicle.

I am so glad to have a car and to have my own beautiful chauffer to drive me around.

Our discontentment is a slap in our Lord’s face! 

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11

Application

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have been so good to Kathy and I; five great kids, ten wonderful grandchildren, and a super church to be a part of what else could we ask for! Help me be content. Don’t let me be lured into wanting something new, something different. Don’t let me believe the lies of the enemy.

Because You Lord are my Shepherd I have everything I need. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, You find me quiet pools to drink from. 

True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.  Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when You walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.    

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

 Psalm 23:1-6

   

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7;  Psalm 21-25

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We Want To Perform God’s Works, Too. What Should We Do?

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We Want To Perform
God’s Works, Too.
What Should We Do? 

His response to their request was this, “The only work God wants from you is for you to believe in me!” 

Scripture

John 6

²⁶ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. ²⁷ But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

²⁸ They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
²⁹ Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Observation

John 6 contains one of my favorite stories and it is probably one of your favorites too! It is where we find the feeding of the 5,000! After Jesus has fed the 5,000 (actually the number could be as high 15,000 to 20,000 if you count the women and children) with a boy’s lunch - 2 tiny fish and 5 small loaves of bread.

The next day after this spectacular miracle the people were once again following Jesus hoping that He would perform other miracles especially if they involved food! They also wanted to do stuff for God like Jesus was doing. They wanted to do the same kind of “good works”.

His response to their request was this, “The only work God wants from you is for you to believe in me!”

It reminds me of the story found in Acts 16 when the jailer falls on his knees before the Apostle Paul and Silas and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” I love their answer to this terrified jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household!”

You and I must “believe” in Jesus Christ. We must turn from sin and self. We must put our faith and trust in Him. We must surrender our lives to Him asking Him to forgive us of our sins.  Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. He voluntarily died on a cross to pay the penalty of our sins. He was buried and on the third day He came back to life.

Do you believe? Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? 

If you were to die today where would you spend Eternity?

Application

I will continue to share my faith every chance I have! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I love the stories found in Your Word. No matter how many times I read them I never get tired of them and they always speak to my heart. I know that Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the Living Water. He is the Great I AM! I know that You can take care of every one of my needs. Nothing is impossible for You. I pray for anyone that may be reading this blog that is still trying to do good things to be able to go to Heaven. Show them that the only work that they need to do is to just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34; John 6

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They Will Never Be Condemned For Their Sins, But They Have Already Passed From Death Into Life.

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They Will Never
Be Condemned For Their Sins,
But They Have Already Passed From Death Into Life.

Let’s let John 5:24 sink in on this rainy Monday morning! We are secure in Christ Jesus! Every Monday we begin a week filled with uncertainty, but our Anchor holds!

Scripture

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.

Observation

Let’s let John 5:24 sink in on this rainy Monday morning! Every Monday we begin a week filled with uncertainty, but our anchor holds!

If you and I are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ:

- We have eternal life.
- We have already passed over from death to life!
- We will never be condemned for our sins!

    I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, John 10:28

 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.  And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.  And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:13-15

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:19a

Application

Jesus Christ is the anchor of my soul! How about yours?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is Monday and I am listening to the storm outside. I have no idea what this week holds, but I do know that You are holding me in the palm of Your Hand. I am secure in You. Nothing can touch me that is not filtered through You. You are the Anchor of my soul. I will not be shaken. 

Thank You for giving me eternal life. I don’t deserve it, but I am sure glad that I have it. I pray for anyone who may be reading this blog this morning. Lord, bless them. Help them to walk by faith this week. Help them to totally trust in You.

Daily Bible Reading:  Nahum 1,2,3; John 5

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Wake Up And Look Around The Fields Are Already Ripe For Harvest

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Wake Up
And Look Around
The Fields Are Already Ripe For Harvest

I am supposed to teach the I-Reach class today at Christ Fellowship! I do plan to teach the class, but I am not going to teach the way I have taught it in the past! I am getting out of the “Rut”. We will have a great time. We will be better prepared to share our faith when we finish!

Scripture

John 4

³⁵ You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. ³⁶ The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! ³⁷ You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true.

Observation

It is easy to get into a routine and sometimes that routine turns into a “rut”. So on this Sunday morning, “Wake Up” and look around there is a field ripe for harvest!

What joy awaits you and me if we just get out there in the field and join in the harvest!

I am supposed to teach the I-Reach class today at Christ Fellowship! I do plan to teach the class, but I am not going to teach the way I have taught it in the past!

I am getting out of the “Rut”. We will have a great time. We will be better prepared to share our faith when we finish!

People need the Lord. And people that need the Lord are all around us! Look around the fields are already ripe for harvest.

The Samaritan woman ran all the way back to her village to others about Jesus.

May you and I have that same kind of love and excitement about our Savior!

Application

I will look for opportunities to share my faith. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, don’t let me just go through the motions of the Christian life. Wake me up to all of the opportunities around me. Don’t let me miss a one. 

I pray for Pastor Bruce this morning as he preaches. Use him in a powerful way to speak to all of us. Don’t let us miss anything today that Your Holy Spirit is doing in our midst. Help us to be genuinely excited about our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4

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Pour Out Your Heart To Him For God Is Our Refuge

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Pour Out Your Heart
To Him
For God Is Our Refuge

God wants us to trust Him. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him. He wants to be our refuge. He wants to be our rock of protection. He wants to be our fortress where we can go and not be shaken! He wants us to put our hope in Him. 

Scripture

Psalms 62

⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.

⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.

⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Observation

It is totally amazing when you think about it that the God Who created this entire Universe and everything else that He loves you and me more than anything else in His vast creation.

Last night Kathy and I were trying to get a look at the Blue Moon but because of the clouds we couldn’t see it! The Moon, the Sun, and all the Stars exist for us. God put them up there for us. Look at the beauty that surrounds you when you walk outside, the trees, the flowers, the ocean, the mountains, the birds, and other animals. He did that for you and He did that for me! He loves us!

And God wants us to trust Him. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him. He wants to be our refuge. He wants to be our rock of protection. He wants to be our fortress where we can go and not be shaken! He wants us to put our hope in Him. 

Totally amazing! So awesome!
 

Application

I will take time today to quiet myself before the Lord. How about you?

Prayer

Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. 

Let all that I am wait quietly before You, for my hope is in You. You alone are my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from You alone. You are my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. I will trust You at all times. I will pour out my heart to You, for You are my refuge.

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 65,66; Psalms 62; John 3

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Give Thanks To The LORD, For He Is Good!

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Give Thanks
To The LORD,
For He Is Good!

Give your spouse the time that he or she needs. Give them some extra attention today. Take time to thank God for them. And TGIF!

Scripture

Psalm 107

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Observation

Thank God it is Friday! TGIF!

 I love Fridays! And even though I have not been able to get out and work like all of you get to do, 

I still love Fridays. Fridays have always been special for Kathy and I. 

Take time to enjoy this Friday. 

Give your spouse the time that he or she needs. Give them some extra attention today. 

Take time to thank God for them. 

Take time to give God thanks!

The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” 2 Chronicles 5:13

Application

I will enjoy time with Kathy today and I will give thanks to my God for His goodness! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, all of our worries and concerns over the details of life crowd out and rob us of experiencing the joy of the moment. This is the day that You have made I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 Help me to enjoy this day and every person that becomes a part of it. Thank You for my family. Thank You for my friends. But especially thank You for Kathy. Help me to enjoy time with her today!

Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 63,64; Psalms 107; John 2

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The Son Of Man The One Who Is The Stairway Between Heaven And Earth

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The Son Of Man
The One
Who Is The Stairway Between Heaven And Earth

When I talk to people week after week at Mission Tampa and I ask them this question, “If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into my Heaven?” I listen to their response hoping that they will respond with this answer – Jesus!

Scripture

John 1

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.

¹⁴ So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

⁵¹ Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

Observation

Jesus Christ came down to this earth to be the stairway between heaven and earth!

When I talk to people week after week at Mission Tampa and I ask them this question, “If you were at Heaven’s gate and God asked you why should I let you into my Heaven?” I listen to their response hoping that they will respond with this answer – Jesus!

How would you answer that question? “I think that I have been good enough to get in, or like a few have told me recently, “I deserve to get in!” How would you answer that question? Do you know what you would say?

For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

Jesus is the only one who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save anyone. We must be saved through him!” Acts 4:12

I am so grateful that someone told me about the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ and at 19 years of age I became a Christ follower. He saved me. I know that I am going to Heaven not because I am a good person; I know that I am going to Heaven because Jesus paid my way with His very Life!

How about you? Do you know Him?

If you were to die today do you know where you would spend Eternity? If you don’t know or if you have some doubts send me a private message and let’s talk.

Application

I will share my faith every chance I get. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for those reading this who may still have doubts about his or her salvation. Help them to understand that salvation comes only through a relationship with Your Son Jesus Christ.

I pray for Thomas Crothers today as he goes through hip surgery. Give his wife Michelle Your peace. Guide the surgeon’s hands. I pray for healing.


Daily Bible Reading:  Isaiah 60,61,62; John 1

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