SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
OBSERVATION
So often I find that my mental world is at turmoil. I start to think about finances, the needs of my family, the future, work that needs to be done, and I find myself full of anxiety and worry. Instead of experiencing God's peace, I instead experience unrest. If I try to go to sleep in this state, then my mind races and I toss and turn. But this verse says that there is a way to obtain peace — it is by placing our mind on Christ!
Paul, echoes this verse in Philippians 4:7 — And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION
Today, I will focus on you, Lord. I will decide to TRUST you. I will believe that You big enough and that you care enough to take care of me, my family, my work and my future. I will "stay my mind on You" because you are trustworthy and You never fail. Today, I will decide not to rehearse the worries and concerns. I will be aware of them, certainly, but I will not dwell on them as if by doing so I can do anything about them. Instead, I will turn my worries into prayers that I will lift to You and allow You to carry.
PRAYER
Lord, today I lay aside every worry and concern, every burden that I cannot carry by myself, and I focus on You — Your goodness, Your mercy, Your love, Your kindness and Your hope. Amen.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
OBSERVATION
In the previous chapter of Hebrews, the author encouraged us to do everything by faith. Here, we are reminded that we must also be diligent in our walk with Christ. We are exhorted to "make every effort to live in peace" and "to be holy." I am always struck by the last phrase here, "without holiness no one will see the Lord." It is clear that holiness must be combined with faith and one must be combined with the other for the disciple of Christ. Often we end up emphasizing one and de-emphasizing the other. But both must be held up.
APPLICATION
For me, this means that I must constantly and consistently look at every area of my life and make a decision to stay holy. I cannot simply "live by faith" and ignore my responsibility to keep myself clean and pure. At the same time, I know that faith is required for me in order to live a holy life, because it is impossible for me to do so simply by an act of will. I must combine my faith with a strong and willful decision to keep myself clean. That means relentlessly removing from my life those things which are unclean, whether it is keeping myself from reading and watching things that are unclean, keeping my thoughts from straying into the gutters of life, guarding my financial decisions from any areas that might be questionable in terms of the ethical uprightness, keeping my mouth from speaking ANY forms of lies and deceit, making sure that every transaction with others is above board, and on and on.
PRAYER
Lord, make me aware of those areas of my life where I have compromised my holiness. Put a guard on my eyes and on my lips. Sensitize me to those things areas where I have lost my sensitivity because of the muck of the world. Preserve me in holiness, Lord!
Hebrews 12:14
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
OBSERVATION
In the previous chapter of Hebrews, the author encouraged us to do everything by faith. Here, we are reminded that we must also be diligent in our walk with Christ. We are exhorted to "make every effort to live in peace" and "to be holy." I am always struck by the last phrase here, "without holiness no one will see the Lord." It is clear that holiness must be combined with faith and one must be combined with the other for the disciple of Christ. Often we end up emphasizing one and de-emphasizing the other. But both must be held up.
APPLICATION
For me, this means that I must constantly and consistently look at every area of my life and make a decision to stay holy. I cannot simply "live by faith" and ignore my responsibility to keep myself clean and pure. At the same time, I know that faith is required for me in order to live a holy life, because it is impossible for me to do so simply by an act of will. I must combine my faith with a strong and willful decision to keep myself clean. That means relentlessly removing from my life those things which are unclean, whether it is keeping myself from reading and watching things that are unclean, keeping my thoughts from straying into the gutters of life, guarding my financial decisions from any areas that might be questionable in terms of the ethical uprightness, keeping my mouth from speaking ANY forms of lies and deceit, making sure that every transaction with others is above board, and on and on.
PRAYER
Lord, make me aware of those areas of my life where I have compromised my holiness. Put a guard on my eyes and on my lips. Sensitize me to those things areas where I have lost my sensitivity because of the muck of the world. Preserve me in holiness, Lord!
Monday, July 14, 2008
By Faith
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
OBSERVATION
I love that todays reading is Hebrews chapter 11. What an incredible chapter! How can you even pick just one verse out of this chapter? As I read this chapter today I am overcome with a sense of how faith must characterize EVERYTHING we do. If we consider ourselves as belonging to another country — that far and beautiful country — then we must choose to every day walk by faith. This is what the great men and women of faith did — they lived by faith — and this is what we must do.
APPLICATION
So often we are not sure of what God wants us to do, and frequently He simply wants us to step out in faith. We are paralyzed waiting for an answer when more often then not, He has already given us an indication in our heart but we are unwilling to step out IN FAITH and just do it.
Today, I am committing once again to be a man of faith. I chose not to be filled with doubt, and second guess what I believe God has told me, but rather to continue to step forward and to continue to trust.
PRAYER
Lord, you've given me a measure of faith — just as you have given to everyone a measure of faith — help me to actually USE mine!
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
OBSERVATION
I love that todays reading is Hebrews chapter 11. What an incredible chapter! How can you even pick just one verse out of this chapter? As I read this chapter today I am overcome with a sense of how faith must characterize EVERYTHING we do. If we consider ourselves as belonging to another country — that far and beautiful country — then we must choose to every day walk by faith. This is what the great men and women of faith did — they lived by faith — and this is what we must do.
APPLICATION
So often we are not sure of what God wants us to do, and frequently He simply wants us to step out in faith. We are paralyzed waiting for an answer when more often then not, He has already given us an indication in our heart but we are unwilling to step out IN FAITH and just do it.
Today, I am committing once again to be a man of faith. I chose not to be filled with doubt, and second guess what I believe God has told me, but rather to continue to step forward and to continue to trust.
PRAYER
Lord, you've given me a measure of faith — just as you have given to everyone a measure of faith — help me to actually USE mine!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
First Spark: Faith
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 10:32
Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.
OBSERVATION
I must remember that first spark of my first love and Father. He will never leave me nor forsake me.
APPLICATION
This scripture reminds me not only to keep my faith but that I am never alone.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that first spark of my first love no matter the situation or the circumstance. You are the arms that hold me; the peace that comforts me.
Sharon Burns
Choir Member, Section Leader (Soprano)
Hebrews 10:32
Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.
OBSERVATION
I must remember that first spark of my first love and Father. He will never leave me nor forsake me.
APPLICATION
This scripture reminds me not only to keep my faith but that I am never alone.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that first spark of my first love no matter the situation or the circumstance. You are the arms that hold me; the peace that comforts me.
Sharon Burns
Choir Member, Section Leader (Soprano)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
OBSERVATION
Thank you Jesus! We were "CALLED" by our sovereign Lord to receive his eternal inheritance, but in order to receive this "Inheritance", not only did there have to be a Covenant, or "Will", written up, but the one the will was written for had to die in order for it to take effect.
Jesus died so we could experience this blessing. But there are conditions to receiving it. The most important thing we must do to our inheritance is to have a HEART connection with Jesus, not just lip service and occasional good deeds. Like any will that is written for a worldly family, there are conditions that have to be met before the heirs to that will can receive anything. The same is true for receiving God's Inheritance. God is the one who sets the rules, but we have to make the decision whether will receive it or not. If we accept it, then we will obey God's commands and adopt his ways as our ways, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him daily. We reject it by being disobedient and unfaithful to God.
APPLICATION
Jesus didn't die so we could go on living lives as we did before we knew him. Our hearts have changed and they changed because of his glory. He wants to have a relationship with us. If we would just surrender our hearts to his calling, then we would begin to experience freedom from our sins, and the hope of his calling. Daily come to him and experience his salvation from the bondages of life and get to know your Daddy.
PRAYER
Father God, We know what your word says about how we know those who are in Christ Jesus, and that is by their fruit. Help us to see, oh God, every waking moment of every day living in your spirit. Are we full of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self control? If not, Lord please quicken us to submit to your calling so we too can rest in your eternal inheritance.
Laura Stewart
Choir Member (Soprano)
Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
OBSERVATION
Thank you Jesus! We were "CALLED" by our sovereign Lord to receive his eternal inheritance, but in order to receive this "Inheritance", not only did there have to be a Covenant, or "Will", written up, but the one the will was written for had to die in order for it to take effect.
Jesus died so we could experience this blessing. But there are conditions to receiving it. The most important thing we must do to our inheritance is to have a HEART connection with Jesus, not just lip service and occasional good deeds. Like any will that is written for a worldly family, there are conditions that have to be met before the heirs to that will can receive anything. The same is true for receiving God's Inheritance. God is the one who sets the rules, but we have to make the decision whether will receive it or not. If we accept it, then we will obey God's commands and adopt his ways as our ways, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him daily. We reject it by being disobedient and unfaithful to God.
APPLICATION
Jesus didn't die so we could go on living lives as we did before we knew him. Our hearts have changed and they changed because of his glory. He wants to have a relationship with us. If we would just surrender our hearts to his calling, then we would begin to experience freedom from our sins, and the hope of his calling. Daily come to him and experience his salvation from the bondages of life and get to know your Daddy.
PRAYER
Father God, We know what your word says about how we know those who are in Christ Jesus, and that is by their fruit. Help us to see, oh God, every waking moment of every day living in your spirit. Are we full of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self control? If not, Lord please quicken us to submit to your calling so we too can rest in your eternal inheritance.
Laura Stewart
Choir Member (Soprano)
Friday, July 11, 2008
SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 8:10
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
OBSERVATION
I am thankful that When God made this covenant with believers, His laws were written on our hearts. Therefore we have knowledge of the laws so we are obedient to His word so we can come before God as His people.
APPLICATION
Daily I need to keep my lifeline connected to God and be in His word and in prayer to honor the covenant He has made with me.
PRAYER
Lord help me to be the man that you have called me to be, and to honor the blood that Christ shed for me. Your covenant is written on my heart, and I pray that with this covenant I can help others to understand who You are and the gift You gave us on Calvary. Thank You for the gift of Love, May those who don't know You begin to understand who You are and experience the gift of salvation.
Pat Stewart
Choir Member (Tenor)
Hebrews 8:10
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
OBSERVATION
I am thankful that When God made this covenant with believers, His laws were written on our hearts. Therefore we have knowledge of the laws so we are obedient to His word so we can come before God as His people.
APPLICATION
Daily I need to keep my lifeline connected to God and be in His word and in prayer to honor the covenant He has made with me.
PRAYER
Lord help me to be the man that you have called me to be, and to honor the blood that Christ shed for me. Your covenant is written on my heart, and I pray that with this covenant I can help others to understand who You are and the gift You gave us on Calvary. Thank You for the gift of Love, May those who don't know You begin to understand who You are and experience the gift of salvation.
Pat Stewart
Choir Member (Tenor)
Thursday, July 10, 2008
SCRIPTURE
2 Chronicles 26:16-18 (The Message)
But then the strength and success went to his head. Arrogant and proud, he fell. One day, contemptuous of GOD, he walked into The Temple of GOD like he owned it and took over, burning incense on the Incense Altar. The priest Azariah, backed up by eighty brave priests of GOD, tried to prevent him. They confronted Uzziah: "You must not, you cannot do this, Uzziah—only the Aaronite priests, especially consecrated for the work, are permitted to burn incense. Get out of God's Temple; you are unfaithful and a disgrace!"
OBSERVATION
When we are given power or wealth, our pride can lead to corruption and we look down on others, even God.
APPLICATION
We need to realize everything we have has been given from God for His glory.
PRAYER
Lord Help me to realize that everything I have comes from you and that you have all the authority. May I always be grateful for what you have given me and may I use it in a way that is pleasing to you.
Val Cooper
Choir Member (Alto)
2 Chronicles 26:16-18 (The Message)
But then the strength and success went to his head. Arrogant and proud, he fell. One day, contemptuous of GOD, he walked into The Temple of GOD like he owned it and took over, burning incense on the Incense Altar. The priest Azariah, backed up by eighty brave priests of GOD, tried to prevent him. They confronted Uzziah: "You must not, you cannot do this, Uzziah—only the Aaronite priests, especially consecrated for the work, are permitted to burn incense. Get out of God's Temple; you are unfaithful and a disgrace!"
OBSERVATION
When we are given power or wealth, our pride can lead to corruption and we look down on others, even God.
APPLICATION
We need to realize everything we have has been given from God for His glory.
PRAYER
Lord Help me to realize that everything I have comes from you and that you have all the authority. May I always be grateful for what you have given me and may I use it in a way that is pleasing to you.
Val Cooper
Choir Member (Alto)
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