September 30, 2016 Where are you God??????

Reading: Acts 1, Isaiah 42-43 and Psalm 82

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Observation: Just the other day I was listening to something and they were saying that life is a cycle we in one of three phases; 1) heading into a trial 2) in the trial 3) coming out of a trial. Within two of these phases it is easy to forget or have forgotten our walk with God or think he is not around. 

Application: This passage from Isaiah for me is a great reminder that God is always with me in the rough time and when things look good. when things are looking good and we are focusing more on something else that is when we are heading into the trial. Once in the trial we have this tendency to forget God or ask where he is in all this. Finally we see God in the coming out of that fire. we need to remember that he is with us always.

Prayer: Father I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you give us each day and that you walk with us each and every day. I ask that you help us to see you with us each day as things are good or tough help us to know and remember you are there.

September 29, 2016 What there is more???

Reading: John 21 and Isaiah 40-41

Scripture: John 21:25, Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Observation: I know from time to time I can be closed minded and think that Jesus only did what was in the bible. I am glad that many of the miracles and teachings we talked about in multiple gospels to help us see the infallibility of the word of God. 

Application: But to think that during the 3 years of ministry and healings, there are about 30 different healings recorded in the gospels but to think what with the love of the father he had those were the only ones he did would be ridiculous. I know that I don’t love half as well as Jesus did or have half the faith he did, I know that I would I would want to do more then that, and I’m sure Jesus healed much more then those who have their accounts in the Bible. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for all that you have done and the reminder that all things are possible thorough your son. I thank you for the provision and blessings you have for us. I ask that you help is to discern the true stories of Christ but know that He is more then just the words on a page. 

September 28, 2016 Am I forgetting something??????

Reading: John 20, 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38-39 and Psalm 134

Scripture: Psalm 134, Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!

Observation: This short little Psalm jumped out at me because, that so often I get wrapped up in me and my own life and work. How often do we forget to worship and lift our hands and hearts to him when not at church. 

Application: Some times I think that we just need that reminder that its OK and good to spend time worshiping God. It is written to sing a new song and make a joyful noise. It does not matter if you can sing or know worship music you can worship by doing what you do for God and in doing it for him you will show that he hold a high enough place in your life and is worthy of all that we have to offer, even if its singing a made up song off key and without rhythm. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for another day to worship and praise you for all you have done in our lives. I thank you for the blessings and provision you give us each day. I ask you help us to open our selves up to constant worship though all that we do. 

September 26, 2016 Me Me Me Pick Me

Reading: John 18 and Isaiah 36-37

Scripture: John 18:6, When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

Observation: It is interesting to look at some of the little things mentioned in the word. Today the thing that jumped out at me was that when Jesus first told them he was the one they were searching for that everyone fell down. These men were not falling down because of an earth quake or a reverence for Jesus as a teacher or son of God. I think it was because he used the same phrasing that God did when he spoke to Moses though the burning push “I am”  

Application: Jesus has the authority and power to make us all fall to our knees and worship him, but what I love is that he does not force(demand) us to like so many other gods of the world do. We are given the choice to accept his love, grace, forgiveness, and being adopted into his family. I have seen many hart warming video where children are gifting their adoptions to the father who has been there and asking them to legally be their father. God is a father who wants to take care of us, he loves us no matter how much we don’t love him back. When we get to that point to recognizing what he has done for us and we want him to be our father all we need to do is had him the adoption papers and he will sign them with the highest authority and we are fellow heirs with Christ 

Prayer: Father I thank you so much for bringing me into your family and loving me in ways I didn’t know possible. I thank your the provisions and blessings that you pour out on us each day. It is amazing to see the authority you give us as followers and heirs I ask you to help us to see your love in our lives and share what you have done for us with the world around us.  

September 21, 2016 I'm soo Happy?!?!?!?!

Reading: John 13, Isaiah 33-34 and Psalm 4

Scripture: Psalm 4:7, You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Observation: This passage just jumped out at me today. I was thinking that in todays world we don’t always have the right definition of joy, we will have the view that joy is being happy and not having troubles. The biblical definition of joy is more of a peace and contentment in the situation.

Application: Having the joy of the Lord will breed the peace and contentment in your life. David who write this Psalm new the Joy of the Lord and understood what it brought him. We so often place money and things in the category of things that make happy and that happiness it what brings joy. We have to try to just like David finding the joy of the Lord even when he was hiding in the caves from Saul who was hunting him. That is why I think David write this line this way. God gave him more joy in this time of hiding and having nothing then when he was living with Saul and commanding his armies. 

Prayer: Father I thank you so much for the joy that you give us each and every day. I stand in awe of how you provide for every need we have and even bless us with things we want or even never knew that we wanted. I ask that you help us to see that joy you give us and dwell in the joy that can only come from you. 

September 19, 2016 I only want to hear the Good stuff!!!

Reading: John 11 and Isaiah 29-30

Scripture:Isaiah 30:10, who say to the seers, "Do not see,” and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,

Observation: I feel that the world and even at times myself, I don’t want to hear a prophesy about things that I need to change I want to hear nice sounding and fun up lifting things. Back in the day God spoke though the prophets to warn his people if they continued on this path he would allow thing to happen. 

Application: Also his Prophets would be council to the kings in time of war so they would know if God was with them and if they would win. We are blessed to know that we have already won the war but we still have to fight all the battles. Within each of those battles God is speaking to us though his Holy Spirit and others. My first experience with someone prophesying over me was early in my marriage and we were looking at filing bankruptcy to take care of some stuff that should not have my name on it but there was also this mission trip to Mexico that I was slightly interested in. I had my mind set on doing the bankruptcy but during this prayer by people who had never met me before they said, “The money is not going where you think it is going” and later another couple said “they see us traveling” and with those two things from people who knew and still don’t know anything about me God spoke and told me to go to Mexico. Those trips I have taken opened my eyes and heart to a whole new world that I would have never known.

Prayer: Father I thank you that you speak to us through your Holy Spirit and others. I thank you of the provisions and blessings that you have for us each day. I ask that you open our ears to hear you and to speak your love and wisdom into the lives of those around us. 

September 18, 2016 Where am I going and how do I get there????

Reading: John 10 and Isaiah 26-28

Scripture: John 10:24-25, So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

Observation: I don’t know how many times I have just wanted God to show me something plainly. I have so many times thought that knowing God’s plan and path for my life would make it easier. Just like when I was a pizza delivery driver I would look at the maps I had and plan how I would go to deliver all the pizzas I had. We are blessed to know that Jesus in the Christ and he is our way to heaven. 

Application: When looking for a path or a map of my life thinking I need to know each step of how I'm getting from point A to point B. It’s hard to not know where I'm going, I heard God telling me to go back to school so I got a Bachelors degree from a Bible Collage. Now I'm sitting and serving the best I can feeling like I'm not doing much with my schooling. There is a passage and example that made lots of sense to me. The passage is Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The example and illustration was taking an oil lamp like the ones they used back in biblical times and stepping out into side on a night where there are no other lights. I love going camping and I love going out into a field and seeing all the start that I can’t see in town. But when you step out with that oil lamp there is only enough light for you to step securely onto your next step. God’s word is like that oil lamp is will give you your next step, it’s not a flood light to illuminate the entire path.  

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, I thank you for the path you have for me and the direction you have for my life even though I may not be able to see as much as I would like. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out on us each and every day. I ask you to help us be content with only knowing the next step and not the whole trail. 

September 16, 2016 Look at me Look at MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Reading: John 8 and Isaiah 22-23

Scripture: John 8:50, Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.

Observation: Being this topic has come up a couple time I think this is something I need to focus on and work on not glorifying myself. Here we have the Jews in the temple where Jesus is teaching, again claiming that he is or has a demon. When he states that, “He does not want his glory” he is saying why would a demon give God glory and not look for it for themselves. 

Application: I think the simplest way to look at this is we are to walk about praising God and giving him worship and honor, and not going about, Look at me look at me, I am the greatest at XY and Z. We can take a complement for something we did, we don’t have to deflect it to God. As we honor, worship and give glory to God it will be unmistakable where look to.

Prayer: Father You are wonderful and worthy of all honor and praise. I stand in awe that you have given me another day to see down. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have given us today and will continue to pour out on us each day. I ask that you help us to always give glory to you and seek you. 

September 15, 2016 You must respect my Authority!!!!!

Reading: John 7, Isaiah 20-21 and Psalm 32

Scripture: John 7:18, The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

Observation: How often do we puff up our own authority or speak badly of others to put ourselves in better light? I know that at most companies that I have worked for this is second nature to almost everyone. I am of a generation that almost everyone in it thinks the wold owes them something and they don’t have to work for it, the generation behind us it’s looking worse not only does it appear they think the world owes them everything they also don’t want to do anything and get paid big money for it. 

Application: So I think to seek the glory of the one who sends us is to do what Jesus would do in those situation. He was always pointing to the father and he would do what needed to be done. As cliche and 1990’s as it is “What Would Jesus Do?” is the best way to keep yourself from seeking your own glory and seeking to glorify the one who sends us.

Prayer: Father I thank you for coming and saving my life and bringing me into your family. I continually stand in awe of your creation and the wonderful mornings and days we have. I thank you for the provisions you give us each day and the blessings you pour out on us though we don’t deserve them. I ask you to help us to see of we are seeking your glory or our own and help us to make the adjustments to seek yours more. 

September 14, 2016 How did we get here again??

Reading: John 6 and Isaiah 18-19

Scripture: John 6:21, Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Observation: The reason that this popped out at me today was the use of immediately, there are other gospel accounts where the author used it as a “and then” with urgency but not literally the next second. I believe that as Jesus entered the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee that they were immediately moved to the shore where they were headed. 

Application: To me today this spoke to me as a reminder that God’s timing is not ours. Normally we us that fraise when we are not seeing a answered prayer when we are expecting it, but I think there are times that like in this story that God answered a prayer that our soul made in the groaning that the Holy Spirit interprets and takes to Heaven. God is so mindful of us that he will pour blessings out on us and I think that could include doing things for us just to make things easier or getting something done faster or even seeming to get somewhere early when there is no way that we though we would make it on time. Just remember as frustrating as it can be to wait on something God’s timing is so much better.

Prayer: Father I thank you so much for all the blessings and provisions you give us each day. Open our eyes to the answered prayers so we can see your promises that have come to pass and know that you are faithful to do what you have said. 

September 13, 2016 What kind of Question is that?!?!?!?

Reading:John 5 and Isaiah 15-17

Scripture: John 5:6, When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"

Observation: The first though I had when reading this was there something in my life that I’m being asked if I want to be healed from. Of course as aging humans we develop aches and pains, and we get sick or tired from work, and we all want to be made better from that. I was thinking something deeper, something we keep from most people if not everyone. I need healing and have the chains of lust broken in my life.

Application: When Jesus came to this man who has been lame 38 years (longer then I have been alive), he didn’t dust heal him he asked if he wanted to be healed. At times I feel like we pick up our chains and infirmities after God has healed us. Around me I know there are people who are legitimately homeless and cant find work and are doing anything to survive, but I also have seen and heard stories of people acting homeless to just get free money and not pay taxes. Are we pretending to be crippled to get something? Are we picking up our chains again? Are we truly wanting to be healed and made whole so we can share what God has done for us.

Prayer: Father you are so amazing, each day is another that blessing to awake to. I thank you for setting me free from my bondage even thought old habits creep in and I pick up those chains again. I thank you for your provisions each day and blessings that you pour out on us. I ask for help to continually lay down my chain and not pick them up again. 

September 12, 2016 I have to do WHAT?!?!?!?!

Reading: John 4 and Isaiah 13-14

Scripture: John 4:3-4, He left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria.

Observation: I know that for the longest time when this passage said that Jesus had to go though Samaria on his way to Galilee I figured that it was a geographical thing like saying this town is between and my destination so I have to go though it. As I have spent more time in the word and listening to the Holy Spirit I discovered its less about Geography and more about calling. In those days even though it would add several days to their travels Jews would make a point to not even set food in the aria of Samaria.

Application: Even this well traveled roads that would circumvent Samaria, it said he had to go though Samaria. This was I believe the urgings of the Holy Spirit, Jesus being the first to have the Holy Spirit within him. When you listen to the Holy Spirit great things will happen just like the story what appears to be a large portion of this town received the good new because Jesus listened and acted on the Holy Spirit’s urgings. As we spend more time in the word and become more failure with voice of God though the Holy Spirit the easier it will be to hear and act on the urgings.

Prayer: Father I thank you for all that you have done. You provide all we need and some times things we want. I thank you for sending your Son and Holy Spirit to guide us. I ask that you help us to see and hear your voice better. 

September 10, 2016 Shut me up!!!

Reading: John 2, Isaiah 8-9 and Psalm 39

Scripture: Psalm 39:1, I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence."

Observation: Today It took me much longer then normal to find a verse really spoke to me today, I think I reread all of it twice and some of it multiple times. Then as I was thinking about just laying down and trying to make a nap before going to church tonight I read this again, and started thinking about my tongue and how well I control it. Or in cases of being at work I may not control my tongue. 

Application: When at work it is so easy to allow myself to get back into the habit of saying things I shouldn't and using language that is not appropriate for a man of God. Part of it is the fact that most the people I work with and around are the type of people who say all kinds of inappropriate things has a vocabulary of a sailor. I need to work harder at finding ways that work for me to muzzle myself. The thing that works the best for me is the more Godly and good things that I have surrounding me the easier it is to keep my tongue in check. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for all you do for me and my family providing the things we need and blessing us beyond what we knew. I stand before you humble and in awe of your love for me. I ask that you help me to open my mouth with the proper words and not let myself be drawn into the filth around me. 

September 9, 2016 Are you Humble????

Reading: John 1 and Micah 5-7

Scripture: Micah 6:8, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Observation: The end of this verse is was grabbed my attention today, “walk humbly with your God.” When I came back to get the verse that this was in I saw some much the Lord as for me. These things here all fall under the greatest commandments “Love your God with all you heart and mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Application: As we love God and Love others(simply putting the commandment) we need to also remember to be humble. Humility has become so misunderstood in the world today, in the church it has been the reason people wont take complements(“Its all God” or “It came from God”) and in the world it has come to putting ones self down because of some unknown feeling of inadequacy. How we should look at being humble is having the right perspective of God and others and honoring them the way they should. 

Prayer: Father I thank you that you have given me the authority I have but also that you place those in authority over me. I thank you that you place us where we need to be to learn and grow. I thank you of the provisions and blessings that you give pour out on us. I ask that you help us to have the proper perspective and love as you call us to love. 

September 8, 2016 Arm yourself

Reading: Mark 16, Micah 3-4 and Psalm 109

Scripture: Psalm 109:4, In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

Observation: This passage jumped out at me today maybe because of some things that were talked about at the mens ministry meeting last night, but also David being a man after God’s own heart seems to more often then not has some very poignant things.

Application: I have said many times that we are called to love to reach out to those around us with Godly love and that is no less true now. This passage jumped out as a warning of what could happen as we put ourselves out there, but also how to overcome when we get this opposition. The warning of there are going to be those who attack us even as we love them and share the Gospel. Jesus said, they will hate you because the hated me. We will be accused of all kinds of things true or not. We are given the weapon to over come these attacks, Prayer but being that prayer is that weapon we need to practice with it. Just like any weapon we need to use and practice with it often. The idea of prayer is just as simple as the line from The mask of Zorro “The pointy end goes in the other guy.” Also it can be as complex as the longest choreographed sward fight. The more we open ourselves up to prayer and listening to God though the Holy Spirit the more affective we will become in our prayer time and be affective when those attacks come.

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful and it is amazing to watch you touch those around us though us. I thank you for using me and placing things on our hearts each day. I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you have given me and those yet to come. I ask that you help us to have the urgings to be in constant prayer always seeking you and always lifting up others. 

September 7, 2016 The Voice

Reading: Mark 15, Hosea 14, Micha 1-2 and Psalm 29

Scripture: Psalm 29:4, The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

Observation: I love how David in this Psalm is describing the voice of God and the power and glory that comes with his words. God is so powerful that he spoke and everything was created. A joke I have heard and repeated is “I believe in the Big Bang… God said it and Bang it was.” Yes it’s an old bad joke. 

Application: The amazing thing is that as powerful and all knowing as God is he still cares and thinks of us more then we know and more then most of us think of him. That all powerful voice of God want to speak to us though his word and Holy Spirit. Over this last long holiday weekend my wife and I allowed reserved to get distracted from our daily readings and journaling and not having that daily time with God and his word in the mornings for us took its toll. Between trying to potty train our daughter and being in our home going a little stir crazy, we fought, we yelled, and we got very stressed. Finally on Monday taking a break from the house and not being so regimented about how the potty training was going we also spent time in the word and getting back to God and a piece was brought back to our home. It’s great to spend time with your family and get away from the hustle of this world but we need to remember to keep God in the center of it all.

Prayer: Father I thank you for the piece that you bring, and the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day even when we don’t see it until it’s missing. I stand in wonder of your great power and love you have for us and thank you for the creation you have made. I ask that you help us to have a longing to be in your word and in your presence where you will speak to us. 

September 6, 2016 What are you doing???????

Reading: Mark 14 and Hosea 12-13

Scripture: Mark 14:4, There were some who said to themselves indignantly, "Why was the ointment wasted like that? 

Observation: It seems all to often God is doing something in our lives or around us and just like the disciples we are completely blind to what Jesus is doing. It is so easy to not hear what God is telling us and listen to the world or our own heads that so often lead us astray.

Application: I know that from time to time God brings out the proverbial 2x4 and hits me up side the head. Just like the disciples we need to have things explained to us. Spending time in the word, in Prayer and in fellowship with others to help grow and be held accountable. There are many times in my life I can look back on and now see that God was trying to teach me something but at the time I was just going though the motions and possibly asking why is this happening. I don’t believe that God causes bad things to happen but he does use them to teach us and draw us closer to him. 

Prayer: Father I love you and long to know you more. I thank you for giving me the strength to get though the trials that I have been though and the strength that will be needed to get though anything that will come my way. I also thank you for the provisions and the blessings that you pour out on us each day. Open our eyes to the trials and help us to over come. 

September 5, 2016 The sky is falling?!?!?!?!?

Reading: Mark 13 and Hosea 8-11

Scripture: Mark 13:8, For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Observation: Lately I have been hearing more and more people talk about the end days or the apocalypse or even just the government failing. Just the other night my wife and I watched a show where part of the focus was on people who are called “prepper" who are trying to prepare for the doomsday to come. Here we are trying to prepare for the unknown and stock up on all the essentials to be ready when everything goes sideways. 

Application: Mark takes time to quote Jesus saying that the wold is going to go completely sideways. Many of these things in verse 8 we are seeing most every day, and these are just the beginnings of things to come. I am not saying that we are all to become doomsdayers, running around like chicken little saying the sky is falling. We are to live our lives un to the lord so that we can spread the word that when the final stages come we will know who's we are and that those around us will be coming with us. 

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, your creation is so magnificent. I thank you for each day I have in it and for the provisions you give us each day. I also thank you for the blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask that you kelp us to see you each day and open us up to the needs of those around us so that we can love them for you.