SCRIPTURE
(IIKings 5:20) "But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, 'behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.'"
OBSERVATION
Naaman was the commander of an army. He had contracted leprosy and sought the help of the prophet Elisha. Following the instructions from Elisha to dip himself 7 times in the Jordan River, Naaman was healed. In gratitude the leader wanted to reward Elisha, but he refused any payment. Elisha's servant Gehazi became greedy and sought the reward for himself.
APPLICATION
Proverbs 10:9 says, "He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out." The person who says, "if nobody else claims it, then it is mine" will soon come to ruin. The person with integrity will not seek something that doesn't belong to them, because in the broader scope of life, it is stealing.
PRAYER
Lord, I rejoice that you always provide more than enough. Let me always be a man of integrity.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Nobody's gonna tell me what I can and can't say!
SCRIPTURE
(Col. 4:6) "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person."
OBSERVATION
Paul is aware of the struggles of the church in Colossae and the potential of the tongue to build up or tear down. Paul is outlining overt signs of holiness in public life, and the tongue, or the way we speak to others, is an indicator of our heart's condition. Proverbs 15:4 says, "a soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
APPLICATION
People often think that because I live in a free country with freedom of speech, I have the right to say whatever I want. In the kingdom of God we have a responsibility to guard what we say. Hebrews 10:24 says that we should consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. When a person is trully surrendered to the lordship of Christ, they will choose their words wisely.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to ever be mindful of the power you have given me in the words I speak. Let my words bring health and healing because they are tempered by Your love.
(Col. 4:6) "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person."
OBSERVATION
Paul is aware of the struggles of the church in Colossae and the potential of the tongue to build up or tear down. Paul is outlining overt signs of holiness in public life, and the tongue, or the way we speak to others, is an indicator of our heart's condition. Proverbs 15:4 says, "a soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit."
APPLICATION
People often think that because I live in a free country with freedom of speech, I have the right to say whatever I want. In the kingdom of God we have a responsibility to guard what we say. Hebrews 10:24 says that we should consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. When a person is trully surrendered to the lordship of Christ, they will choose their words wisely.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to ever be mindful of the power you have given me in the words I speak. Let my words bring health and healing because they are tempered by Your love.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
What did you put on this morning?
SCRIPTURE
(Col. 3:14&15) "And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."
OBSERVATION
Paul is giving instructions as to what is fitting behavior for the believer. There should be an observable difference between the lifestyle of the believer and the non-believer. That difference will come down to what you chose to put on each day: love and peace, or self-centeredness and resentment or fear.
APPLICATION
Paul tells me to put on love, "but he doesn't know the injustices of my life situation!" We often feel justified in our emotional reactions, but Paul is giving advice on how to create unity and glorify God, not achieve our perceived fairness. The emotional atmosphere of your home is determined by what you chose to put on.
PRAYER
Lord, I confess there are times when I want my way and it creates disunity. I ask that today Your love would rule in my heart and create an environment that glorifies You. I put on Your love and Peace.
(Col. 3:14&15) "And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."
OBSERVATION
Paul is giving instructions as to what is fitting behavior for the believer. There should be an observable difference between the lifestyle of the believer and the non-believer. That difference will come down to what you chose to put on each day: love and peace, or self-centeredness and resentment or fear.
APPLICATION
Paul tells me to put on love, "but he doesn't know the injustices of my life situation!" We often feel justified in our emotional reactions, but Paul is giving advice on how to create unity and glorify God, not achieve our perceived fairness. The emotional atmosphere of your home is determined by what you chose to put on.
PRAYER
Lord, I confess there are times when I want my way and it creates disunity. I ask that today Your love would rule in my heart and create an environment that glorifies You. I put on Your love and Peace.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Peace Talks Won't Work!
SCRIPTURE
(Colossians 1:12&20) "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."
OBSERVATION
The ultimate goal and place of safety is being reconciled (made right) to a Holy God. In human history we have tried to earn, manipulate, and dominate or control others to gain security. The author of Colossians is identifying the one true way to peace and security: The blood of the Cross.
APPLICATION
In this day of international unrest and threat, we see world leaders meeting for peace talks. Their effectiveness is always short-lived and eventually broken. The only way to continual and eternal peace is still through the blood of the Cross. Peace talks won't work! Applying the redemptive blood of Jesus will!
PRAYER
Thank-you Lord for Your blood that was shed for me, and on my account. I will stand in Your redemptive peace.
By Pastor Roger Watson
(Colossians 1:12&20) "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."
OBSERVATION
The ultimate goal and place of safety is being reconciled (made right) to a Holy God. In human history we have tried to earn, manipulate, and dominate or control others to gain security. The author of Colossians is identifying the one true way to peace and security: The blood of the Cross.
APPLICATION
In this day of international unrest and threat, we see world leaders meeting for peace talks. Their effectiveness is always short-lived and eventually broken. The only way to continual and eternal peace is still through the blood of the Cross. Peace talks won't work! Applying the redemptive blood of Jesus will!
PRAYER
Thank-you Lord for Your blood that was shed for me, and on my account. I will stand in Your redemptive peace.
By Pastor Roger Watson
Take two and Call Me in the Morning!
SCRIPTURE
(Philippians 4:6&7) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
OBSERVATION
Philippi was a military city. More than likely security and defensive stratagies influenced the thoughts of the residents. Paul is communicating the peace of God is the antidote to anxiety and is available to those who learn the secret of turning fears into prayers and worries into thanksgiving for His provisions.
APPLICATION
Societal compromise leads to spiritual consequences, but the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish great things, and a thankful heart will empower God's peace that passes all understanding. If you are struggling with fear or anxiety, take two (prayer & thanksgiving), and call me in the morning.
PRAYER
Lord, when the economy of this world is shaken, help me always to recall Your peace is available to all who ask and rejoice.
By Pastor Roger Watson
(Philippians 4:6&7) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
OBSERVATION
Philippi was a military city. More than likely security and defensive stratagies influenced the thoughts of the residents. Paul is communicating the peace of God is the antidote to anxiety and is available to those who learn the secret of turning fears into prayers and worries into thanksgiving for His provisions.
APPLICATION
Societal compromise leads to spiritual consequences, but the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish great things, and a thankful heart will empower God's peace that passes all understanding. If you are struggling with fear or anxiety, take two (prayer & thanksgiving), and call me in the morning.
PRAYER
Lord, when the economy of this world is shaken, help me always to recall Your peace is available to all who ask and rejoice.
By Pastor Roger Watson
What are You Running Towards?
SCRIPTURE
(Philippians 3:13&14) "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
OBSERVATION
Paul has just given a warning to the Philippian church about putting confidence in the things they have, or he (Paul) has, achieved. Things achieved on our own efforts amount to rubbish when compared to eternity. He tells them to forget the past and run toward the calling in Christ.
APPLICATION
No matter how big your house is, how much money you have amassed, or how influential your job may be, in the end it amounts to nothing. That which will stand the test of eternity is found only in the call of Christ on your life. What are you running towards: a secure retirement, or a secure eternity. Don't put your faith in money or position.
PRAYER
Jesus, I want to see Your image on all that I pursue in life. Let Your love shine through me.
By Pastor Roger Watson
(Philippians 3:13&14) "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
OBSERVATION
Paul has just given a warning to the Philippian church about putting confidence in the things they have, or he (Paul) has, achieved. Things achieved on our own efforts amount to rubbish when compared to eternity. He tells them to forget the past and run toward the calling in Christ.
APPLICATION
No matter how big your house is, how much money you have amassed, or how influential your job may be, in the end it amounts to nothing. That which will stand the test of eternity is found only in the call of Christ on your life. What are you running towards: a secure retirement, or a secure eternity. Don't put your faith in money or position.
PRAYER
Jesus, I want to see Your image on all that I pursue in life. Let Your love shine through me.
By Pastor Roger Watson
What are you going to do for Me?
SCRIPTURE
(Philippians 2:3&4) "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for you own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
OBSERVATION
This prison letter is written with a theme of joy and unity. Paul is telling his Christian readers that you cannot have unity if you are only thinking of yourself. Self-focus leads to eventual situational frustration, and frustration is a growing cancer to joy. Paul's readers will not have joy if they focus on what other's should be doing to make their life better.
APPLICATION
True joy and fulfillment comes from serving others. When family members focus on how unfair a situation is, or how they didn't get what they wanted, an environment of discontentment soon follows. The church family should also actively seek ways to give rather than get.
PRAYER
Jesus, help me always to remember how You humbled Yourself, and gave Your all for my eternal well-being.
By Pastor Roger Watson
(Philippians 2:3&4) "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for you own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
OBSERVATION
This prison letter is written with a theme of joy and unity. Paul is telling his Christian readers that you cannot have unity if you are only thinking of yourself. Self-focus leads to eventual situational frustration, and frustration is a growing cancer to joy. Paul's readers will not have joy if they focus on what other's should be doing to make their life better.
APPLICATION
True joy and fulfillment comes from serving others. When family members focus on how unfair a situation is, or how they didn't get what they wanted, an environment of discontentment soon follows. The church family should also actively seek ways to give rather than get.
PRAYER
Jesus, help me always to remember how You humbled Yourself, and gave Your all for my eternal well-being.
By Pastor Roger Watson
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