SCRIPTURE
Romans 16:17 "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."
OBSERVATION
The early church had growing pains and struggles. There was much to learn after Jesus came and went and Paul became a wise patriarch for them. His direct revelation from the Lord gave him an authority and boldness in carrying out his role. But, in his absence, some of the churches experienced division, contrary teachings, and other problems. Paul's letters to them attempted to help settle some of these issues in his absence.
APPLICATION
In this verse, he simply tells the church in Rome to stay away from the troublemakers who were disrupting what they were taught.
How many people or things become obstacles for us today? What is in our way that prevents us from serving the Lord as we should at all times? Are there people we should avoid who are a negative influence on our Christian lives? Are there places or events from which we should stay away? What is monopolizing our precious time, preventing us from doing what God wants us to do?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see with Your eyes the things and people that are obstacles to my life with You. Let me carefully choose how I will spend my time each day to fulfill Your perfect will for my life.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Everything That Was Written
SCRIPTURE
Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
OBSERVATION
In these chapters, Paul is writing to encourage the church in Rome who appear to be having issues regarding the differences among Christians - Jews and Gentiles. Paul instructs them to not judge or fight over such matters as circumcision or dietary laws, but instead to use Scripture as a source of encouragement and to endure all things.
APPLICATION
As I read this particular verse, I took it as more of a personal directive. That is, since Scripture was written to teach and encourage us, it is my "How To" book for life and living. I should become daily more familiar with it's contents to draw from as I go through my days. Verse 4 then ends with an added reminder of hope through our faith in Jesus. How can people endure adversities without that hope?
PRAYER
Lord, keep me ever mindful of my need for more and more knowledge of Your word. Encourage me to make it the #1 priority of my day. And thank you so much for our hope that is Jesus!
Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
OBSERVATION
In these chapters, Paul is writing to encourage the church in Rome who appear to be having issues regarding the differences among Christians - Jews and Gentiles. Paul instructs them to not judge or fight over such matters as circumcision or dietary laws, but instead to use Scripture as a source of encouragement and to endure all things.
APPLICATION
As I read this particular verse, I took it as more of a personal directive. That is, since Scripture was written to teach and encourage us, it is my "How To" book for life and living. I should become daily more familiar with it's contents to draw from as I go through my days. Verse 4 then ends with an added reminder of hope through our faith in Jesus. How can people endure adversities without that hope?
PRAYER
Lord, keep me ever mindful of my need for more and more knowledge of Your word. Encourage me to make it the #1 priority of my day. And thank you so much for our hope that is Jesus!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Searching for the Ark
SCRIPTURE 2 Chronicles 6:7-10
7 "My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. 9 Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.'
10 "The LORD has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11 There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel."
OBSERVATION
The Lord always keeps his promises! God explained to David that he would always have his presence with him. God has given us a promise in Hebrews 13:5 that he would never leave us or forsake us. That promise gives me peace and confidence knowing that whatever I do he still will love me and accept me. God wants to dwell in hearts. He does not want to live in an ark ( box that held his Spirit). Archaeologists study artifacts of the near and distant past to develop a picture of how people lived in earlier cultures and societies. In the first Indiana Jones movie, Mr. Jones searched for the Ark of the Covenant. His goal was to find the box that not only carried the Ten Commandments but also God's presence. Today we can find God's presence if we seek after him. God is no longer in a box but he wants to live in our heart. Psalms 119:11 states that if we hide his word (commandments) in our heart we will not sin against him. The incredible thing is you can not separate the two. Where ever God's word is you will find his presence.
APPLICATION
I believe that everyday we should be searching for you. I know you have showed yourself to me, as soon as I pick up the Bible and start to read your word I can sense your Spirit. I can hear what you are wanting to say to me. Thank you for not being far from me. I do not have to go looking in a cave or try to dig up some artifact to feel your presence. I can start every morning with coming into your presence with praise and worship.
PRAYER
Lord I pray that you will show yourself to me today. I want to be like David who was a man after your own heart. I want to be like Solomon he built a temple and worshiped you. In 1 Cor. 3:16 You have said that we are the Temple of your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will help me to live my life with honor and respect knowing that your Spirit resides within me. Teach me to honor your covenant and follow your commandments so that you will be honored through my life. I am so glad that you have given me your promises. Forgive me for not always measuring up to your word. I thank you for your promise that you will never to leave me.
7 "My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart. 9 Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.'
10 "The LORD has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11 There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel."
OBSERVATION
The Lord always keeps his promises! God explained to David that he would always have his presence with him. God has given us a promise in Hebrews 13:5 that he would never leave us or forsake us. That promise gives me peace and confidence knowing that whatever I do he still will love me and accept me. God wants to dwell in hearts. He does not want to live in an ark ( box that held his Spirit). Archaeologists study artifacts of the near and distant past to develop a picture of how people lived in earlier cultures and societies. In the first Indiana Jones movie, Mr. Jones searched for the Ark of the Covenant. His goal was to find the box that not only carried the Ten Commandments but also God's presence. Today we can find God's presence if we seek after him. God is no longer in a box but he wants to live in our heart. Psalms 119:11 states that if we hide his word (commandments) in our heart we will not sin against him. The incredible thing is you can not separate the two. Where ever God's word is you will find his presence.
APPLICATION
I believe that everyday we should be searching for you. I know you have showed yourself to me, as soon as I pick up the Bible and start to read your word I can sense your Spirit. I can hear what you are wanting to say to me. Thank you for not being far from me. I do not have to go looking in a cave or try to dig up some artifact to feel your presence. I can start every morning with coming into your presence with praise and worship.
PRAYER
Lord I pray that you will show yourself to me today. I want to be like David who was a man after your own heart. I want to be like Solomon he built a temple and worshiped you. In 1 Cor. 3:16 You have said that we are the Temple of your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will help me to live my life with honor and respect knowing that your Spirit resides within me. Teach me to honor your covenant and follow your commandments so that you will be honored through my life. I am so glad that you have given me your promises. Forgive me for not always measuring up to your word. I thank you for your promise that you will never to leave me.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
My Tube
SCRIPTURE Psalms 101
1 I will sing of your love and justice;to you, O LORD, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
OBSERVATION
Every day we watch shows on TV, the Internet and various movies on our DVD players. There is so much media out there that sometimes it is hard to not be careful and just watch whatever. We can watch just about anything on a youtube video. Some of the junk that people post on line is not funny but crazy. I can not believe that people would post so much junk and vile stuff. Psalms 101 talks about being careful about what stuff we allow ourselves to watch. The eyes are a window into our heart and the psalmist explains how it can effect our spiritual walk with the Lord. What we put in our minds will cause us to act a certain way. (Garbage in Garbage out) I want to live a blameless life and I want God's presence (Holy Spirit) to come to me. If we allow junk to cloud or thinking and enter our spirit we can not expect for God to come and dwell with us. It will be like inviting the President of the United states to come hang out in your messy room that is filled with junk & trash and think that he will fill comfortable.
APPLICATION
I want to be careful of what I am putting in my mind. The scripture talks about not being entertained by faithless men. I need put a check on what I allow to come into my home. I can make a choice to watch quality material instead of trash that is being played on various channels. I want the Holy Spirit to feel comfortable watching a show with me. I believe he would feel more comfotable watching somthing on Animal Planet or the Travel channel instead of sitting in front of a violent movie which takes the Lords name in vain every 5 minutes. I want to be sensitive to the Spirit and ask for his advice and let him be the critic.
PRAYER
Lord teach me to be careful and live a blameless life. Please come to me as you did the psalmist. I pray that your presence will fill our home and our lives. Forgive me for watching things that were questionable. I pray that you will protect our family from watching vile things. I want to Love God and Hate Sin. Help me to draw a line in the sand and keep on the blameless side.
We pray that you will put a new song on our hearts and teach us to walk in the Spirit.
1 I will sing of your love and justice;to you, O LORD, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
OBSERVATION
Every day we watch shows on TV, the Internet and various movies on our DVD players. There is so much media out there that sometimes it is hard to not be careful and just watch whatever. We can watch just about anything on a youtube video. Some of the junk that people post on line is not funny but crazy. I can not believe that people would post so much junk and vile stuff. Psalms 101 talks about being careful about what stuff we allow ourselves to watch. The eyes are a window into our heart and the psalmist explains how it can effect our spiritual walk with the Lord. What we put in our minds will cause us to act a certain way. (Garbage in Garbage out) I want to live a blameless life and I want God's presence (Holy Spirit) to come to me. If we allow junk to cloud or thinking and enter our spirit we can not expect for God to come and dwell with us. It will be like inviting the President of the United states to come hang out in your messy room that is filled with junk & trash and think that he will fill comfortable.
APPLICATION
I want to be careful of what I am putting in my mind. The scripture talks about not being entertained by faithless men. I need put a check on what I allow to come into my home. I can make a choice to watch quality material instead of trash that is being played on various channels. I want the Holy Spirit to feel comfortable watching a show with me. I believe he would feel more comfotable watching somthing on Animal Planet or the Travel channel instead of sitting in front of a violent movie which takes the Lords name in vain every 5 minutes. I want to be sensitive to the Spirit and ask for his advice and let him be the critic.
PRAYER
Lord teach me to be careful and live a blameless life. Please come to me as you did the psalmist. I pray that your presence will fill our home and our lives. Forgive me for watching things that were questionable. I pray that you will protect our family from watching vile things. I want to Love God and Hate Sin. Help me to draw a line in the sand and keep on the blameless side.
We pray that you will put a new song on our hearts and teach us to walk in the Spirit.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
SCRIPTURE
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
OBSERVATION
Paul draws a correlation between standing firm and holding tightly to the Holy Scriptures. The church in Thessalonica were facing difficulties through persecution, false teachings and worldly temptation. Paul tells them that they need to know what he had taught them, either in person on in letters, if they wanted to survive these difficulties.
APPLICATION
Likewise, as we face difficulties in life, whether it be persecution, false teachings or worldly temptation, we need to hold tightly to the word of God. To hold tightly to God's word, we need to spend time reading it, studying it, meditating on it, talking about it, learning it. That is why life journaling is so important. It helps us hold tightly to the word of God. I need to be more diligent spending time in God's word. I need to be more passionate about reading, studying, meditating, learning and applying Scripture. I need to do these things if I want to stand firm in the midst of trials and temptations.
PRAYER
Father, help to give me a passion for Your Word. Have grace and mercy on me as I attempt to pursue spiritual disciplines that will help me to hold tightly to scriptures.
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 2:15
OBSERVATION
Paul draws a correlation between standing firm and holding tightly to the Holy Scriptures. The church in Thessalonica were facing difficulties through persecution, false teachings and worldly temptation. Paul tells them that they need to know what he had taught them, either in person on in letters, if they wanted to survive these difficulties.
APPLICATION
Likewise, as we face difficulties in life, whether it be persecution, false teachings or worldly temptation, we need to hold tightly to the word of God. To hold tightly to God's word, we need to spend time reading it, studying it, meditating on it, talking about it, learning it. That is why life journaling is so important. It helps us hold tightly to the word of God. I need to be more diligent spending time in God's word. I need to be more passionate about reading, studying, meditating, learning and applying Scripture. I need to do these things if I want to stand firm in the midst of trials and temptations.
PRAYER
Father, help to give me a passion for Your Word. Have grace and mercy on me as I attempt to pursue spiritual disciplines that will help me to hold tightly to scriptures.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
SCRIPTURE
Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
PRAYER
Father, help my knowledge of your righteousness. justice and love to increase so that my perseverance and faith will increase. Help me to be patient and trusting in the midst of troubles. Help me to trust Your timing.
Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:4
OBSERVATION
The key to surviving trials and difficulties is perseverance and faith. The church in Thessalonica demonstrated this, even though they were new believers. Paul commends and encourages them. In fact, they had become a testimony of God's grace to other Christians in the ancient world. The foundation of their faith and perseverance is given in the following verses (5-7). God is right and just. He gives relief to those who love Him.
APPLICATION
Like the believers in Thessalonica, we can have faith in God's righteousness, justice and love. We can believe that he will give relief to those who love Him. Furthermore, our knowledge of God should lead us to have patience and perseverance in the midst of troubles. While we might not understand why difficulties arise in our lives, we should trust that He has our best interests in mind and persevere with faith.
OBSERVATION
The key to surviving trials and difficulties is perseverance and faith. The church in Thessalonica demonstrated this, even though they were new believers. Paul commends and encourages them. In fact, they had become a testimony of God's grace to other Christians in the ancient world. The foundation of their faith and perseverance is given in the following verses (5-7). God is right and just. He gives relief to those who love Him.
APPLICATION
Like the believers in Thessalonica, we can have faith in God's righteousness, justice and love. We can believe that he will give relief to those who love Him. Furthermore, our knowledge of God should lead us to have patience and perseverance in the midst of troubles. While we might not understand why difficulties arise in our lives, we should trust that He has our best interests in mind and persevere with faith.
PRAYER
Father, help my knowledge of your righteousness. justice and love to increase so that my perseverance and faith will increase. Help me to be patient and trusting in the midst of troubles. Help me to trust Your timing.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Revenge or Rejoice
SCRIPTURE
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
APPLICATION
How often do I exude joy, kindness, thanksgiving and faith in the midst of being wronged? My gut reaction is anger, frustration and the inclination to seek revenge. To seek pay back. To teach them a lesson. Or to fall into self-pity. In many ways, this is our way of trying to manage the lives of others. An attempt to exert some sort of control over them. However, I know this is not God's will for my life. He is the one in control, not me. I can take me hands off and let go, for our God is a good God and His ways are right and true. My faith is in Him and He will take care of me. So I will choice rejoicing over revenge.
PRAYER
Father, help me to be slow to anger and frustration with others. Help me to rejoice and be thankful no matter what is going in my life. Help me to follow your will.
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thessalonians 5:15
OBSERVATION
Two vastly different approaches to life are presented here. One that seeks revenge and another that rejoices, prays and gives thanks even in the midst of difficulty. God's desire is for us to approach life with joy and thanksgiving. When we are wronged, the world tells us to seek revenge, however, God's will for our lives is that exude joy, kindness, thanksgiving and faith.
OBSERVATION
Two vastly different approaches to life are presented here. One that seeks revenge and another that rejoices, prays and gives thanks even in the midst of difficulty. God's desire is for us to approach life with joy and thanksgiving. When we are wronged, the world tells us to seek revenge, however, God's will for our lives is that exude joy, kindness, thanksgiving and faith.
APPLICATION
How often do I exude joy, kindness, thanksgiving and faith in the midst of being wronged? My gut reaction is anger, frustration and the inclination to seek revenge. To seek pay back. To teach them a lesson. Or to fall into self-pity. In many ways, this is our way of trying to manage the lives of others. An attempt to exert some sort of control over them. However, I know this is not God's will for my life. He is the one in control, not me. I can take me hands off and let go, for our God is a good God and His ways are right and true. My faith is in Him and He will take care of me. So I will choice rejoicing over revenge.
PRAYER
Father, help me to be slow to anger and frustration with others. Help me to rejoice and be thankful no matter what is going in my life. Help me to follow your will.
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