Scripture
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify to Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.
Observation
Jesus, gave Himself to take us out of wickedness, to make us pure, and to have us WANT to do good. Jesus; entitled to all glory, gave up everything, so that, we who do not deserve to be entitled to anything, have all His glory at our disposal.
Application
He gave it all up for me! I live in a world where people are desperate to get MORE. Not really caring much about truth, justice, virtue, just MORE. I must not give in to this onslaught against God's value system. His example of being willing to give up everything for the Kingdom, that is what I must emulate.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus for redeeming me, purifying me, and making me eager for good. I am eager for your presence to be stronger in my life every day. Amen
June 28, 2010
Scripture
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Observation
Paul was nearing the end of his ministry and life. He was possibly reflecting on what had been accomplished through his ministry. I think he had a reasonable amount of pride in what God had done through him.
Application
I pray that in the years to come, I will be able to say that I have fought well, finished what He has set before me and continued in the faith. I don't want to fade away into a cushy retirement, but to contend until I see Jesus face to face.
Prayer
Father, Keep me strong physically, emotionally and especially, spiritually. Help me fight the good fight until I am with you. Amen
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Observation
Paul was nearing the end of his ministry and life. He was possibly reflecting on what had been accomplished through his ministry. I think he had a reasonable amount of pride in what God had done through him.
Application
I pray that in the years to come, I will be able to say that I have fought well, finished what He has set before me and continued in the faith. I don't want to fade away into a cushy retirement, but to contend until I see Jesus face to face.
Prayer
Father, Keep me strong physically, emotionally and especially, spiritually. Help me fight the good fight until I am with you. Amen
June 21, 2010
Scripture
2 Kings 7:9 Then they said to each other, "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will over-take us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace."
Observation
These men were living in a terrible time of despair. They had stumbled onto great deliverance, the temptation was there to keep it to themselves. Realizing the folly in that, they knew the only right thing to do was to share the "Good News."
Application
We live in a time of both uncertainty and despair, people searching for truth. When Jesus came into my life I knowing that I needed to share the message came easy, the fortitude to continue sharing may be harder. I can't take it for granted but continue to share it freely.
Prayer
God, let a new fire of your presence consume me, pushing me onto greater things in you, pushing me to share to those that do not have that relationship yet. Do not allow this part of my life to grow cold. Amen
2 Kings 7:9 Then they said to each other, "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will over-take us. Let's go at once and report this to the royal palace."
Observation
These men were living in a terrible time of despair. They had stumbled onto great deliverance, the temptation was there to keep it to themselves. Realizing the folly in that, they knew the only right thing to do was to share the "Good News."
Application
We live in a time of both uncertainty and despair, people searching for truth. When Jesus came into my life I knowing that I needed to share the message came easy, the fortitude to continue sharing may be harder. I can't take it for granted but continue to share it freely.
Prayer
God, let a new fire of your presence consume me, pushing me onto greater things in you, pushing me to share to those that do not have that relationship yet. Do not allow this part of my life to grow cold. Amen
June 17, 2010
Scripture
1 Kings 20:11 The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.'"
Observation
This really should be in the Proverbs. Don't boast about things you have not accomplished. If you haven't done the deed you can't talk trash.
Application
It is common place for people to boast about things they believe they can do before actually succeeding at doing them. This is a form of pride, which the Word tells us "comes before a fall". We may mask it as being confident but God would rather have me humble, waiting to see what HE will accomplish.
Prayer
Father, give me patience to wait upon you, not boast about what I or you will do, just wait and allow you to be glorified in your works. Amen
1 Kings 20:11 The king of Israel answered, "Tell him: "One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.'"
Observation
This really should be in the Proverbs. Don't boast about things you have not accomplished. If you haven't done the deed you can't talk trash.
Application
It is common place for people to boast about things they believe they can do before actually succeeding at doing them. This is a form of pride, which the Word tells us "comes before a fall". We may mask it as being confident but God would rather have me humble, waiting to see what HE will accomplish.
Prayer
Father, give me patience to wait upon you, not boast about what I or you will do, just wait and allow you to be glorified in your works. Amen
June 16, 2010
Scripture
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Observation
God is so much more than what we know and understand. We limit what God can do within our lives by measuring Him with human understanding.
Application
I am sometimes blinded by human measurements and philosophy making it difficult to look at situations with supernatural eyesight. Each time God moves upon my behalf it is beyond my comprehension. I should expect that type of power rather than be surprised by it.
Prayer
God, please open my eyes like you did for Elisha's servant. Allow me to see your wonders at work around me. Let me not be blinded by what society tells me, but let me see what you have promised us. Amen
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Observation
God is so much more than what we know and understand. We limit what God can do within our lives by measuring Him with human understanding.
Application
I am sometimes blinded by human measurements and philosophy making it difficult to look at situations with supernatural eyesight. Each time God moves upon my behalf it is beyond my comprehension. I should expect that type of power rather than be surprised by it.
Prayer
God, please open my eyes like you did for Elisha's servant. Allow me to see your wonders at work around me. Let me not be blinded by what society tells me, but let me see what you have promised us. Amen
June 15, 2010
Scripture
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Observation
God is looking to bless those that are committed to Him. Actually searching, not just waiting to hear from, but searching to bless.
Application
I love the verse. It really speaks to the outrageous love that God has for us. All we need to do is commit, He will take care of everything else. He is eager to bless.
Prayer
Again Father, I pray a pray of commitment to you. Take all that I have and do as you will. I have experienced the love that you have for us and know that I am secure in your hands.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
Observation
God is looking to bless those that are committed to Him. Actually searching, not just waiting to hear from, but searching to bless.
Application
I love the verse. It really speaks to the outrageous love that God has for us. All we need to do is commit, He will take care of everything else. He is eager to bless.
Prayer
Again Father, I pray a pray of commitment to you. Take all that I have and do as you will. I have experienced the love that you have for us and know that I am secure in your hands.
June 10, 2010
Scripture
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil's schemes.
Observation
We have a responsibility to prepare for what may/will come our way. It is not just up to God, to come like the cavalry, at the last second to save us.
Application
Salvation is absolutely FREE. God then gives us instruction as to how to live out this salvation. I must put on my armor to defend against evil. Truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, Holy Spirit and salvation are all from God, we must be willing to wear them.
Prayer
Father, help me respond to your grace and do the part you ask of me. Give me the truth, righteousness, faith that I need to ward off the attacks of the enemy. Amen
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil's schemes.
Observation
We have a responsibility to prepare for what may/will come our way. It is not just up to God, to come like the cavalry, at the last second to save us.
Application
Salvation is absolutely FREE. God then gives us instruction as to how to live out this salvation. I must put on my armor to defend against evil. Truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, Holy Spirit and salvation are all from God, we must be willing to wear them.
Prayer
Father, help me respond to your grace and do the part you ask of me. Give me the truth, righteousness, faith that I need to ward off the attacks of the enemy. Amen
June 8, 2010
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 7:10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask these questions.
Observation
Solomon is telling us not to be so nostalgic about the past that we make it more than it was.
Application
Looking back on my life; I have had many great encounters with God. My experience each time was wonderful in its own way, something that I would enjoy again, but I know that God has new manifestations of His power in my life available to me. My responsibility is to continually look forward to those times.
Prayer
I pray that I continue to have encounters with God. Father, help me to always look forward to what you have coming to me. Amen
Ecclesiastes 7:10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask these questions.
Observation
Solomon is telling us not to be so nostalgic about the past that we make it more than it was.
Application
Looking back on my life; I have had many great encounters with God. My experience each time was wonderful in its own way, something that I would enjoy again, but I know that God has new manifestations of His power in my life available to me. My responsibility is to continually look forward to those times.
Prayer
I pray that I continue to have encounters with God. Father, help me to always look forward to what you have coming to me. Amen
June 4,2010
Scripture
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
Observation
Many verses in Proverbs direct us to discipline our children. Solomon goes so far as to instruct us to spank them because we love them. Verse 17 even promises a reward of peace and joy if we do so.
Application
Our society tells us to; reason with, give time-outs to, or even ignore bad behavior in our children. Instead we should love them enough to discipline them. Even though God loves me enough to give His son for me; when He disciplines me it hurts. Discipline teaches obedience. A disciplined child grows up to be a disciplined adult.
Prayer
God, I ask that you guide me in aiding my children in raising my grand-children. Please bless their little lives and help them grow into great men and women of God. Amen
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
Observation
Many verses in Proverbs direct us to discipline our children. Solomon goes so far as to instruct us to spank them because we love them. Verse 17 even promises a reward of peace and joy if we do so.
Application
Our society tells us to; reason with, give time-outs to, or even ignore bad behavior in our children. Instead we should love them enough to discipline them. Even though God loves me enough to give His son for me; when He disciplines me it hurts. Discipline teaches obedience. A disciplined child grows up to be a disciplined adult.
Prayer
God, I ask that you guide me in aiding my children in raising my grand-children. Please bless their little lives and help them grow into great men and women of God. Amen
June 2, 2010
Scripture
Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
Observation
I don't see this as telling us not to work hard but to be content with less. We don't need to "keep up with the Joneses".
Application
We are bombarded in our society to have more, bigger and better stuff. It is only wrong to have stuff if the having is our priority. God and family need to be first. If we lack the self-control needed, we can find ourselves work continual overtime or two jobs that keep us from both God and family.
Prayer
Father, help me be content with what you have given me. let me work hard but only to the benefit of you and the family you have blessed me with. Amen
Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
Observation
I don't see this as telling us not to work hard but to be content with less. We don't need to "keep up with the Joneses".
Application
We are bombarded in our society to have more, bigger and better stuff. It is only wrong to have stuff if the having is our priority. God and family need to be first. If we lack the self-control needed, we can find ourselves work continual overtime or two jobs that keep us from both God and family.
Prayer
Father, help me be content with what you have given me. let me work hard but only to the benefit of you and the family you have blessed me with. Amen
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