Prepare the Way

SCRIPTURE
“Now devote your heart & soul to seeking the Lord your God.  Begin to build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the convenant of the Lord and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the name of the Lord.”    1 Chron. 22:19

 

OBSERVATION

David arranges for the building of the temple by his son Solomon.  David tells him about the word of the Lord given to him about building the temple. The Lord said the task was to be carried out by Solomon. David prepared the way for Solomon and he instructed him to seek the Lord in carrying out this task.

 

APPLICATION

Just as David paved the way for Solomon, we too pave the way for our children or for those training under our leadership by giving them the proper tools to “build their temple” unto the Lord by teaching them to pray, studying the word and making wise decisions in following the Lord.

 

PRAYER
Lord, just as David taught Solomon to be king & worship you with all his heart and to seek you, may I be that example to my child & others who are watching me.  Build your sanctuary within me that I may be a carrier of your presence God, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mary Jo Landry

Worship Department, Alto

Pleasing God? Or Men?

SCRIPTURE
We are not trying to please men, but God, who tests our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

OBSERVATION
How often do I try to please others?  It is a sometimes constant fight for focus to keep my eyes on Jesus.  The world has so many distractions and principles that are contrary to God's Word.  I thank Him for the tests that keep me coming to Him ONLY for approval.

APPLICATION
I will welcome God's inquiry into my heart as I strive to live to please Him.

PRAYER
Father God, You are in pursuit of my heart.  I pray that You never have to go far to get my attention.  Through Your Word, keep me sensitive to Your calling.  In Jesus' name, Amen!

Paula Aiton

Worship Department, Woodwinds

Rock, Fortress, Deliverer

SCRIPTURE
“As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him."  2 Samuel 22:31.

OBSERVATION
I've found that this verse is quite simple in its meaning in that we never have to be afraid of anything the devil can throw at us.  God is our shield and will never forsake us, even in our most dire moment.

APPLICATION

In my life today, I can walk through the challenges and difficulties of this world and still God is ever there beside me.  Knowing this, I'm stronger in my faith, the devil's schemes to bring me down don't work, and I can stand with my feet firmly planted and know God has my back 100%

PRAYER
My God, who have I to still my fears but you?  Not a second goes by without your never-ending love to spur me on towards the goal.  Life is but a whisper of wind, and yet you have numbered the hairs on my head.  Thank you for your ever-extended hand of love. 

Amy Ketz

Worship Department, Bass

Teach All Nations

SCRIPTURE
And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in Earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

OBSERVATION
Everyone has a purpose here and this is the purpose. No Christian is exempt from this job. Until the Rapture, we will spread the Gospel.

APPLICATION
Every day, I must be an example to show people that God is the Light.

PRAYER
Lord, please help me set an example to everyone around me and help me not to be afraid to share Your Truth. Amen.

Aaron Ketz
Worship Department, Electric Guitar

In God We trust!

SCRIPTURE Psalms 56:3-4
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
OBSERVATION
PHILADELPHIA - An unknown number of new George Washington dollar coins were mistakenly struck without their edge inscriptions, including “In God We Trust,” and are fetching around $50 apiece online. The properly struck dollar coins, bearing the likeness of the nation’s first president, are inscribed along the edge with “In God We Trust,” “E Pluribus Unum” and the year and mint mark. The flawed coins made it past inspectors and went into circulation Feb. 15, 2007. You might say how could this mistake been made! Do people forget about God or do they purposefully leave him out of their lives.

APPLICATION
David knew that it would be a grave mistake to trust in man instead of God. David came against a lot of enemies during his reign as King. He did not fear, because he knew that if God was for him who could be against him. No money, power or army could match God's greatness. David was on the winning side and was a mighty warrior because he trust in a mighty God.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to always trust in you. I pray for our nation, that they will repent and come back to you. There is no war that we can win without your help. You preserve us and keep us alive because of your grace. We do not trust in our wealth, position or power. We only trust in you. We know that you are a good God and we should fear you instead of fearing man. Teach us how to trust in you, and I pray for people who are trying to remove you from our country, communities and coins. We pray that you bring an awakening, so that they to could see your glory.

From My Mother's Womb

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 71:1-6
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

OBSERVATION
While growing up, the place for security and protection was always by my mother's side. reading Isaiah 66:10. God, the almighty Creator, always wants us, His creatures, to know Him and His love. In Scripture, God uses many different pictures and examples to reveal Himself to us. Isaiah 66:12-13 states, “As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap. As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you.” Here, God compares Himself to the image of a “human mother.” Not only that, he also uses the image of a “mother hen” to describe His protection for Israel, “how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings” (Matthew 23:37).
APPLICATION
God, loves all his children and has placed moms as protectors, teachers, nurturers and caregivers. They love us and forgive us without any hesitation. There are many moms that would rather give up their lives than see their children hurt. Mary loved Jesus and was a caring mom. She protected him and cared for him while he was growing up. I can't imagine what it was like for her to watch Jesus being crucified for us. Rather, than see us hurt and suffering he took the beatings on his back and suffered on the cross so that we would not have to. He gave his life so that we could have life and more abundantly.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your love and expressing that type of love through our mothers. Thank you for moms who care for our children and nurture them through sacrificial giving. I pray a special blessing for all the moms that are reading this blog this morning. I pray that you would grant them favor, honor and true joy.

I found a great hiding place!

SCRIPTURE Psalms 32:6-7
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise,they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.


OBSERVATION
Looking at this scripture you can tell that David just wanted to run away and hide. David calls God his hiding place. When it seems that everything around is going crazy there is one place you can get away from it all. God will protect you and deliver from the chaos. David talks about a place where nothing can touch him or bother him. Even in the midst of a storm or flood God can elevate you to a place where the storm will not harm you. I use to love playing hide and seek with my cousins while growing up. The fun part was finding that sweet hiding place that no one knew about and resting while people around you could not find you.


APPLICATION
Lord, it sounds like a game of hide and go seek. The scripture says to seek you while you may be found. Come to you when we want to hide. God I am so glad that you allow us to find you. We do not have to look too hard. Psalms 32 says that everyone that is godly can pray and you will be found. I hope that you will help me find you. Today, I took a walk through a walnut orchard and it was totally quite and very serene. While walking through the orchard I could feel your presence. There was no one around but I sensed you looking at me. I stopped and prayed in that orchard that you would reveal yourself to me and you did. Thank you for spending the time with me today, I needed that quite time!

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for showing revealing yourself to me today. I pray that we can play hide and go seek again. Thanks for taking time to search for me. Sometimes you are the only person that really wants to be around me. People want stuff from me but you want to bless me. I pray that people would seek your face and find you today! I want to be like David who had his heart after you. David knew, that if he was going to be blessed he would have to go seek you out! I pray that you will continue to reaveal more our yourself to us.