SCRIPTURE
Matthew 15:11- What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.
OBSERVATION
Jesus, once again is dealing with the legalism of the Pharisees! The Pharisees were concerned that the disciples were breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating. Jesus sets them straight when he says it's not what goes in, but what comes out that makes them unclean.
APPLICATION
We need to be sure that we are watching what comes out of our mouth! The word says that the tongue is as sharp as a double edged sword. The power of life and death are in the tongue!
PRAYER
Father, I want to be clean in your eyes! Help me to watch what comes out of my mouth, that my every word may bring glory to your name.
Amen.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Obediant Soldiers
SCRIPTURE
2 Chronicles 11:4 "...Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing. So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
OBSERVATION
180,000 soldiers were gathered up by Rehoboam and were heading out to battle against Israel to regain the kingdom. God sent his word to them to turn back and not to fight. They obeyed!
APPLICATION
Wow! As much effort as it must have taken to gather that many soldiers and get them ready for battle, they didn't hesitate to pull back when the Lord spoke. This causes me to wonder if a lot of time and energy could have been saved if they had sought God's will for the situation to begin with! We need to seek God in every decision, and regardless of how much effort we put into something, if God says to turn back, we must be obedient to his word.
PRAYER
Father, help me to seek you in every decisions and be willing to obey your word despite the cost! I want to be an obedient soldier in your kingdom!
Amen.
2 Chronicles 11:4 "...Do not go up to fight against your brothers. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing. So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.
OBSERVATION
180,000 soldiers were gathered up by Rehoboam and were heading out to battle against Israel to regain the kingdom. God sent his word to them to turn back and not to fight. They obeyed!
APPLICATION
Wow! As much effort as it must have taken to gather that many soldiers and get them ready for battle, they didn't hesitate to pull back when the Lord spoke. This causes me to wonder if a lot of time and energy could have been saved if they had sought God's will for the situation to begin with! We need to seek God in every decision, and regardless of how much effort we put into something, if God says to turn back, we must be obedient to his word.
PRAYER
Father, help me to seek you in every decisions and be willing to obey your word despite the cost! I want to be an obedient soldier in your kingdom!
Amen.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
No Hindering!
SCRIPTURE
Mt. 13:58: "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
OBSERVATION
Jesus was teaching in his home town and the people recognized him and questioned where his authority came from. Because of their lack of faith, the miraculous was limited or hindered.
APPLICATION
Since lack of faith hinders the miraculous, we need to be sure that we're doing all we can to build and increase our faith so that God is free to move in and among us in the miraculous!
PRAYER
Father, your word says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. As I spend time in your word, let faith arise!
Amen
Mt. 13:58: "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
OBSERVATION
Jesus was teaching in his home town and the people recognized him and questioned where his authority came from. Because of their lack of faith, the miraculous was limited or hindered.
APPLICATION
Since lack of faith hinders the miraculous, we need to be sure that we're doing all we can to build and increase our faith so that God is free to move in and among us in the miraculous!
PRAYER
Father, your word says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. As I spend time in your word, let faith arise!
Amen
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Box
SCRIPTURE
Matt 12:1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one[a] greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[b] you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees were so myopic in their outlook on life. You might say they were living in the box. We learn here that Jesus didn’t live outside the box but He’s the one who make the box in the first place. He is the Lord of the Sabbath and the Lord of all.
APPLICATION
I’m committing myself to living outside the box. I might even through away the box all together.
PRAYER
Lord, please open our eyes to see things from your perspective.
Matt 12:1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one[a] greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[b] you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees were so myopic in their outlook on life. You might say they were living in the box. We learn here that Jesus didn’t live outside the box but He’s the one who make the box in the first place. He is the Lord of the Sabbath and the Lord of all.
APPLICATION
I’m committing myself to living outside the box. I might even through away the box all together.
PRAYER
Lord, please open our eyes to see things from your perspective.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Who's Who
SCRIPTURE
Matt 11:2 & 3
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
OBSERVATION
In times of difficulty, a person might experience doubt regarding the identity of Jesus. Rather than draw a wrong conclusion, yield to temptation, verbalize some inappropriate verbiage or allow his emotions to lead his life, John decided to ask Jesus himself. It’s never wise to follow your feelings and allow them to be the deciding factor in your life. While feelings are fine, faith is the basis of your walk. This was an opportunity for John to evaluate his faith and sure up his life in view of his current circumstances
APPLICATION
John discovered that Jesus hadn’t changed. No matter what you go through, Jesus remains true. We may not understand why we are experiencing a dark and difficult time but God is still in control. Sometimes Jesus will change your situation but at other times he will change you. Both are valid expressions of God’s love.
PRAYER
O Lord, even though John lost his life in prison, you are still the Lord of all. Please give us the courage to exercise faith in the best of times and the worst of times.
Matt 11:2 & 3
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
OBSERVATION
In times of difficulty, a person might experience doubt regarding the identity of Jesus. Rather than draw a wrong conclusion, yield to temptation, verbalize some inappropriate verbiage or allow his emotions to lead his life, John decided to ask Jesus himself. It’s never wise to follow your feelings and allow them to be the deciding factor in your life. While feelings are fine, faith is the basis of your walk. This was an opportunity for John to evaluate his faith and sure up his life in view of his current circumstances
APPLICATION
John discovered that Jesus hadn’t changed. No matter what you go through, Jesus remains true. We may not understand why we are experiencing a dark and difficult time but God is still in control. Sometimes Jesus will change your situation but at other times he will change you. Both are valid expressions of God’s love.
PRAYER
O Lord, even though John lost his life in prison, you are still the Lord of all. Please give us the courage to exercise faith in the best of times and the worst of times.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Authrority and Power
SCRIPTURE
Matt. 10:1 ¶ He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. NIV
OBSERVATION
Power and Authority are not the same. Authority precedes power because it is a position that is given to a person based upon the status of another. When a Christian accepts and embraces the position they have been given by God, they are able to do certain things within the scope of their position. This is power. We are God’s children and have a position that is secure in Christ. Ephesians 1-3 talks to us about who we are. If you grab this truth, there is no telling what God can do through you.
APPLICATION
I want to make sure that I am always in position to do whatever God wants me to do. Sometimes we miss opportunities because we are out of position.
PRAYER
O God may we use the authority you have given for the advancement of your kingdom. Thank you for allowing us to stand before you in the grace you have provided.
Matt. 10:1 ¶ He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. NIV
OBSERVATION
Power and Authority are not the same. Authority precedes power because it is a position that is given to a person based upon the status of another. When a Christian accepts and embraces the position they have been given by God, they are able to do certain things within the scope of their position. This is power. We are God’s children and have a position that is secure in Christ. Ephesians 1-3 talks to us about who we are. If you grab this truth, there is no telling what God can do through you.
APPLICATION
I want to make sure that I am always in position to do whatever God wants me to do. Sometimes we miss opportunities because we are out of position.
PRAYER
O God may we use the authority you have given for the advancement of your kingdom. Thank you for allowing us to stand before you in the grace you have provided.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Follow Me
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.
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.
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