SCRIPTURE
(Romans 2:3) "And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgement upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgement of God?"
OBSERVATION
In this discourse Paul is pointing out principles for righteous living. He warns how easy it is to become self-righteous and judge others for the wrong that they do without accounting for our own indiscretions. God says if we remain stubborn or unrepentant for our actions, He is storing up wrath for us in the day of judgement.
APPLICATION
Do not take lightly the instructions of Paul in this letter. Many will try to contextualize the meaning of these words and compromise their application as irrelevant for contemporary society. This is a dangerous practise that will have eternal consequences. There is nothing that is hidden from God. Be careful with pointing a judemental finger at someone else, there are three pointing back at you.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't want to be judgemental in my assessments of situations, but I do want discernment to give corrective instructions in regards to sinful behaviors. Give me Your thoughts and Your heart as I face each daily challenge.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND SAY AHHHHHH!
SCRIPTURE
(Romans 1:24&25) "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever."
OBSERVATION
The letter to the Romans is a manual on godly life principles. Paul is saying here that perceived wise men are fools because they have made the creation central over Him. God will give us over to mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual deprevation if we place our hope in anything other than him.
APPLICATION
People often come to my counseling office wanting sympathy for their physical and relational state of being. They also often resent the attempt to correlate their state of being with self-gratification motivations. Many are looking for an empathetic ear to somehow sanctify their sins and make their discomfort go away. If we don't return to the centrality of serving Christ, our health prognosis doesn't look so good. So just as the physical doctor asks you to open your mouth so they can inspect for obvious problems, we may need to open our spiritual mouths and say ahhhhhhh to the great physician for His prognosis.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to maintain godly wisdom and spiritual health by seeking after Your will and worshipping You daily.
(Romans 1:24&25) "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever."
OBSERVATION
The letter to the Romans is a manual on godly life principles. Paul is saying here that perceived wise men are fools because they have made the creation central over Him. God will give us over to mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual deprevation if we place our hope in anything other than him.
APPLICATION
People often come to my counseling office wanting sympathy for their physical and relational state of being. They also often resent the attempt to correlate their state of being with self-gratification motivations. Many are looking for an empathetic ear to somehow sanctify their sins and make their discomfort go away. If we don't return to the centrality of serving Christ, our health prognosis doesn't look so good. So just as the physical doctor asks you to open your mouth so they can inspect for obvious problems, we may need to open our spiritual mouths and say ahhhhhhh to the great physician for His prognosis.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to maintain godly wisdom and spiritual health by seeking after Your will and worshipping You daily.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
WHO'S YOUR FRIEND?
SCRIPTURE
(II Thess. 3:6) "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us."
OBSERVATION
Paul has been giving the church instructions on how to live a holy life. He commands them to stay away from people who profess to be believers but are leading undisciplined lives. David says in Psalms 101:7, "He who practices deceit shall not dwell within My house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before Me." Those whom you associate with will affect your thoughts, behavior and eventual eternity.
APPLICATION
There is a tendency in human nature to adapt to our surroundings to survive. When you closely associate with those who are compromising their faith through their actions, it is not long before you will be the compromiser. A question to ask yourself on your walk of faith is, "who's your friend?"
PRAYER
Lord, I want my ways and those I associate with to exalt Your name and advance Your kingdom.
(II Thess. 3:6) "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us."
OBSERVATION
Paul has been giving the church instructions on how to live a holy life. He commands them to stay away from people who profess to be believers but are leading undisciplined lives. David says in Psalms 101:7, "He who practices deceit shall not dwell within My house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before Me." Those whom you associate with will affect your thoughts, behavior and eventual eternity.
APPLICATION
There is a tendency in human nature to adapt to our surroundings to survive. When you closely associate with those who are compromising their faith through their actions, it is not long before you will be the compromiser. A question to ask yourself on your walk of faith is, "who's your friend?"
PRAYER
Lord, I want my ways and those I associate with to exalt Your name and advance Your kingdom.
Monday, May 18, 2009
"YOU HAVE CHOSEN WISELY!"
SCRIPTURE
(I Kings 3:9&10) "So give Thy servant an Understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Thine? And it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing."
OBSERVATION
Solomon had what could be considered a blank check, so to speak, from the creator of the universe! He could have anything he asked for. It was pleasing to God that he asked for a discerning heart. The condition or motivation of your heart determines the direction of your actions. Where is your heart taking you today?
APPLICATION
Proverbs 4:23 says, "watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Each of us must chose to govern our heart, but God gives wisdom and direction if we ask for it. Great blessings were added to Solomon because he chose wisely. Will every choice you make today give glory and honor to God? It's your choice!
PRAYER
God, I want to be a man of wisdom and integrity. Let the condition of my heart and the meditation of my thoughts always be pleasing in Your sight.
(I Kings 3:9&10) "So give Thy servant an Understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Thine? And it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing."
OBSERVATION
Solomon had what could be considered a blank check, so to speak, from the creator of the universe! He could have anything he asked for. It was pleasing to God that he asked for a discerning heart. The condition or motivation of your heart determines the direction of your actions. Where is your heart taking you today?
APPLICATION
Proverbs 4:23 says, "watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Each of us must chose to govern our heart, but God gives wisdom and direction if we ask for it. Great blessings were added to Solomon because he chose wisely. Will every choice you make today give glory and honor to God? It's your choice!
PRAYER
God, I want to be a man of wisdom and integrity. Let the condition of my heart and the meditation of my thoughts always be pleasing in Your sight.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Searching For The Best
SCRIPTURE
I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
I know, my God, that You test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
1 Chronicles 29:17
OBSERVATION
David had given instruction for building the temple. After the people had given generously to this effort, he was praying and telling God that he knew He tested the hearts of the people and was pleased with their honesty and sincerity.
APPLICATION
In my life, I need to be sincere and honest before the Lord in all things. I need to let the Lord test and search my heart to reveal the imperfections so that He help me in being the best possible Christian for Him.
PRAYER
Lord, as Your Word says --- Search me, Oh God, and know my thought and my heart. See if there be any wicked way in me. Help me to always be honest, sincere and upright before You. Amen.
David had given instruction for building the temple. After the people had given generously to this effort, he was praying and telling God that he knew He tested the hearts of the people and was pleased with their honesty and sincerity.
APPLICATION
In my life, I need to be sincere and honest before the Lord in all things. I need to let the Lord test and search my heart to reveal the imperfections so that He help me in being the best possible Christian for Him.
PRAYER
Lord, as Your Word says --- Search me, Oh God, and know my thought and my heart. See if there be any wicked way in me. Help me to always be honest, sincere and upright before You. Amen.
Nancy Goldsmith
Worship Department, Piano, Keyboard, Alto
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Take Responsibility for your Children
SCRIPTURE
1Chronicles 27:32
Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel, son of Hacmoni, took care of the king's sons.
OBSERVATION
David appointed someone to take of his sons instead of being the father he needed to be. He thought his sons would be taken care of, but as we know from his encounter with Absalom, his sons were not taken care of the way a good father would take care of his children. He should have been the one teaching them the ways of the Lord, as God instructed him to through Moses.
APPLICATION
I cannot let someone else teach my children how to live a godly life. There are times that others need to give insight into my children, but it is my responsibility to make sure they follow the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, my heart's desire is for my children to love and serve you. I will fail them, as David did, but Lord, as you had mercy on him with Solomon, would you have mercy on me and give my children hearts for you. Would you give me wisdom and understanding on how to be a good mother, teacher, encourager, and ultimately, friend. Thank you Lord, for showing me the perfect example of a loving Father. In Jesus's name, Amen.
Christin Champlin
Worship Department, Pianist
1Chronicles 27:32
Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel, son of Hacmoni, took care of the king's sons.
OBSERVATION
David appointed someone to take of his sons instead of being the father he needed to be. He thought his sons would be taken care of, but as we know from his encounter with Absalom, his sons were not taken care of the way a good father would take care of his children. He should have been the one teaching them the ways of the Lord, as God instructed him to through Moses.
APPLICATION
I cannot let someone else teach my children how to live a godly life. There are times that others need to give insight into my children, but it is my responsibility to make sure they follow the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, my heart's desire is for my children to love and serve you. I will fail them, as David did, but Lord, as you had mercy on him with Solomon, would you have mercy on me and give my children hearts for you. Would you give me wisdom and understanding on how to be a good mother, teacher, encourager, and ultimately, friend. Thank you Lord, for showing me the perfect example of a loving Father. In Jesus's name, Amen.
Christin Champlin
Worship Department, Pianist
Friday, May 15, 2009
Don't Be Like A Horse!
SCRIPTURE
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me. My strength was sapped as the heat of summer. Psalm 32
OBSERVATION
David fell in with Bathsheba. However, the enemy uses much less subtle forms of sin on Christians in our day to day lives to grieve the Holy spirit in us.
APPLICATION
It's crazy to look back at different times of my life and track the times I was at the brink of burn-out. During those times, the enemy works at changing kingdom priorities with man's inner desire priorities and before you know it you're burned out laboring for earthly things. Big sin and small sin saps us and separates us from God and until I repented I would see finances, resources and lost time add up.
PRAYER
Don't be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle (Psalm 32). I confess my transgressions to You, Lord, as David did, and You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me. My strength was sapped as the heat of summer. Psalm 32
OBSERVATION
David fell in with Bathsheba. However, the enemy uses much less subtle forms of sin on Christians in our day to day lives to grieve the Holy spirit in us.
APPLICATION
It's crazy to look back at different times of my life and track the times I was at the brink of burn-out. During those times, the enemy works at changing kingdom priorities with man's inner desire priorities and before you know it you're burned out laboring for earthly things. Big sin and small sin saps us and separates us from God and until I repented I would see finances, resources and lost time add up.
PRAYER
Don't be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle (Psalm 32). I confess my transgressions to You, Lord, as David did, and You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Nick Champlin
Worship Department, Bass
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