SCRIPTURE
Matt 9:9 …”Follow Me”
OBSERVATION
These two words can change a person’s life if acted upon. Jesus has a way of transforming lives for the inside out. Very few things happen immediately but as one walks in the Spirit and faithfully follows Jesus, change happens. If you have things in your life that need to change, why don’t you go beyond prayer? Start walking in obedience. Do what Jesus says to do. Say what Jesus says to say. Go where Jesus says to go. If you do, life will be simplified and Jesus will be glorified.
APPLICATION
All of us need change but few are willing to follow in the steps of Christ. For those who do, however, the promise of becoming more like Jesus becomes a real possibility. I choose to go beyond lip service and choose to actively purse the Lord with all my heart.
PRAYER
O Lord, some times you lead us beside still waters and at other times into dark times. Wherever you lead, may I be willing to follow.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Faith or Fear
SCRIPTURE
Matt 8:26 …”You of little faith, why are you so afraid?
OBSERVATION
Like clouds that collide with a clear blue sky and changes the atmosphere;
A stormy time can bring a collision of faith and fear.
APPLICATION
What is the foundation of our fears? Why are we afraid? Jesus asks a very important question. When faith is connected to the Word of God and exercised with confidence we can be victorious over fear .
PRAYER
O Lord help me to exercise my faith so fear will leave in defeat.
Matt 8:26 …”You of little faith, why are you so afraid?
OBSERVATION
Like clouds that collide with a clear blue sky and changes the atmosphere;
A stormy time can bring a collision of faith and fear.
APPLICATION
What is the foundation of our fears? Why are we afraid? Jesus asks a very important question. When faith is connected to the Word of God and exercised with confidence we can be victorious over fear .
PRAYER
O Lord help me to exercise my faith so fear will leave in defeat.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Something or Everything?
SCRIPTURE
SCRIPTURE:
Matt. 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV
OBSERVATION
Do you notice that it says ‘Everything?’ Not just a few things but all things! Being considerate of others is one of the foundational teachings of Scripture. The Bible is
an ‘Other’ centered book. One person said: With one small exception, the whole world is all about others. If we take this to heart, we will life a full life and fulfill the teachings of the Law and Prophets. Maybe this is why we callthis the golden rule because it is very costly when you don’t function this way!
APPLICATION
Before I act on my emotional sense, I am going to pass my feelings through the grid of my mind and the Holy Scriptures.
PRAYER
May I be one of those who seeks to put others first in all I do and do to them only those things that I would want done to me.
SCRIPTURE:
Matt. 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV
OBSERVATION
Do you notice that it says ‘Everything?’ Not just a few things but all things! Being considerate of others is one of the foundational teachings of Scripture. The Bible is
an ‘Other’ centered book. One person said: With one small exception, the whole world is all about others. If we take this to heart, we will life a full life and fulfill the teachings of the Law and Prophets. Maybe this is why we callthis the golden rule because it is very costly when you don’t function this way!
APPLICATION
Before I act on my emotional sense, I am going to pass my feelings through the grid of my mind and the Holy Scriptures.
PRAYER
May I be one of those who seeks to put others first in all I do and do to them only those things that I would want done to me.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Plumbers of Men?
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
OBSERVATION
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew from what they were doing — casting their nets into the lake — and tells them that he will make them into fishermen of a different kind. He will make them into fishers of men.
APPLICATION
We who follow Jesus are like Peter and Andrew. He has called us out and said to us, "I will make you fishers of men." Except, if He were calling us today, He would most likely use our own profession instead of that of fishermen. He might say, "come and I will make you an engineer of men", or "a plumber of men, one who is going to help clean out men's hearts", or "a builder of men."
Jesus has a way of calling us where we are at and using our skills and talents for His purposes. His purposes are primarily to draw more men and women to Himself. The question is, am I cooperating with Him in this strategy or am I just living life enjoying the blessings He has given me? I must remember, my call is to be one who goes after the heart of men and women for the purpose of bringing them into His Kingdom!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see the lost of the world and make the choice not to turn away, but to see myself as part of your Kingdom purpose of drawing men to Yourself. Help me to open my mouth, use my hands and give of myself to this most important task. Amen.
Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
OBSERVATION
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew from what they were doing — casting their nets into the lake — and tells them that he will make them into fishermen of a different kind. He will make them into fishers of men.
APPLICATION
We who follow Jesus are like Peter and Andrew. He has called us out and said to us, "I will make you fishers of men." Except, if He were calling us today, He would most likely use our own profession instead of that of fishermen. He might say, "come and I will make you an engineer of men", or "a plumber of men, one who is going to help clean out men's hearts", or "a builder of men."
Jesus has a way of calling us where we are at and using our skills and talents for His purposes. His purposes are primarily to draw more men and women to Himself. The question is, am I cooperating with Him in this strategy or am I just living life enjoying the blessings He has given me? I must remember, my call is to be one who goes after the heart of men and women for the purpose of bringing them into His Kingdom!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see the lost of the world and make the choice not to turn away, but to see myself as part of your Kingdom purpose of drawing men to Yourself. Help me to open my mouth, use my hands and give of myself to this most important task. Amen.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Desired Examination
SCRIPTURE
Psalms 11:4-5
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
OBSERVATION
Here it is clear that the examination of the Lord is a desirable thing...if one is righteous! On the other hand, it seems that the Lord does not spend too much time looking at the wicked.
APPLICATION
One's first reaction to the examination of the Lord has got to be a little bit of anxiety and concern! We are mortal and He is immortal, we are imperfect and He is perfect, we are full of sin and He is sinless. Any examination would seem to be a damning one for us.
And yet, the examination of the Lord is desirable! To have the Lord spend time on you and me is actually an endearing thing because it demonstrates His desire to spend time with us. Further, we need not fear His examination because when we are "in Christ." Christ has paid the price for our sine and our inadequacy. Now, the Lord's examination is a wonderful thing. He shines His light on us to expose that which is not yet given over to Him fully and we can thank Him.
As Jesus says in the book of John, those who are of the light, love the light!
PRAYER
Lord, shine your light on me and help me to receive it with joy rather then fear. Help me to respond to the warmth of your light by aggressively dealing with the things that are not of you that are in my life. Amen.
Psalms 11:4-5
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.
OBSERVATION
Here it is clear that the examination of the Lord is a desirable thing...if one is righteous! On the other hand, it seems that the Lord does not spend too much time looking at the wicked.
APPLICATION
One's first reaction to the examination of the Lord has got to be a little bit of anxiety and concern! We are mortal and He is immortal, we are imperfect and He is perfect, we are full of sin and He is sinless. Any examination would seem to be a damning one for us.
And yet, the examination of the Lord is desirable! To have the Lord spend time on you and me is actually an endearing thing because it demonstrates His desire to spend time with us. Further, we need not fear His examination because when we are "in Christ." Christ has paid the price for our sine and our inadequacy. Now, the Lord's examination is a wonderful thing. He shines His light on us to expose that which is not yet given over to Him fully and we can thank Him.
As Jesus says in the book of John, those who are of the light, love the light!
PRAYER
Lord, shine your light on me and help me to receive it with joy rather then fear. Help me to respond to the warmth of your light by aggressively dealing with the things that are not of you that are in my life. Amen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Battle is the Lord's
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 17:47
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
OBSERVATION
David made a choice not to rely on the usual weapons of his day in his battle against Goliath, but instead to chose the small but useful tools he was familiar with. This way everyone would know that it was a God-thing, and not a David-thing when Goliath lay defeated.
APPLICATION
God doesn't need much, just a willing person with a bold heart and a commitment to him. He can do great things with us, if we will only trust him and face life with Him. Far too often I have relied on my own skills rather then trusting in His.
PRAYER
Lord, you're big enough to destroy every Goliath in my life. Help me to walk into battle trusting you instead of finding comfort in the tools that man says are right for the job!
1 Samuel 17:47
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
OBSERVATION
David made a choice not to rely on the usual weapons of his day in his battle against Goliath, but instead to chose the small but useful tools he was familiar with. This way everyone would know that it was a God-thing, and not a David-thing when Goliath lay defeated.
APPLICATION
God doesn't need much, just a willing person with a bold heart and a commitment to him. He can do great things with us, if we will only trust him and face life with Him. Far too often I have relied on my own skills rather then trusting in His.
PRAYER
Lord, you're big enough to destroy every Goliath in my life. Help me to walk into battle trusting you instead of finding comfort in the tools that man says are right for the job!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
SCRIPTURE
1 Samuel 15:13-14
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."
14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"
OBSERVATION
Saul did not obey fully what the Lord had commanded him to do through Samuel. But here he is trying to explain that he really did obey. In the next few verses, he gives the reason for his disobedience and even tries to make it look and sound good by saying that it was so that "sacrifices could be made to the Lord."
APPLICATION
Partial obedience is disobedience. Anything less then full obedience is disobedience in God's eyes. And further, you had better not try to justify yourself to God! He knows the whole truth and is not impressed by our attempts to make things look and sound better.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be FULLY obedient to those things you have called me to. Help me to be obedient at all times and in all circumstances, not just when it is convenient and not just to the degree that I am comfortable with—but ALL THE WAY! Amen.
1 Samuel 15:13-14
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."
14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"
OBSERVATION
Saul did not obey fully what the Lord had commanded him to do through Samuel. But here he is trying to explain that he really did obey. In the next few verses, he gives the reason for his disobedience and even tries to make it look and sound good by saying that it was so that "sacrifices could be made to the Lord."
APPLICATION
Partial obedience is disobedience. Anything less then full obedience is disobedience in God's eyes. And further, you had better not try to justify yourself to God! He knows the whole truth and is not impressed by our attempts to make things look and sound better.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to be FULLY obedient to those things you have called me to. Help me to be obedient at all times and in all circumstances, not just when it is convenient and not just to the degree that I am comfortable with—but ALL THE WAY! Amen.
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