October 31, 2016 I can do it!!!!!!!

Reading: Romans 4 and Jeremiah 48-49

Scripture: Romans 4:2-3, For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

Observation: I have had times in the past where I though that because I was better then that guy and I at least believed in God and I didn’t do the don’ts and did some of the dos, that I would go to heaven. I also spent time thinking like many Americans if my good stuff out weights my bad stuff I will make it into heaven. 

Application: Paul here was talking about how in Geniuses when God called Abraham and promised him these blessings, God didn’t say you have to do all these things to get them he just had to believe and they were his. Salvation Is a Gift from God and as a gift you cant earn it because then it becomes your wage and it is due to you. The blessings that God has for us all we can do is accept them. Therefore our salvation and blessings from God are given to us freely all we have to do is receive them and live the life we are called to. 

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your great love and the offer to take care of us each and every day. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out on us and the opportunities you give us each day. I ask that you help us to see your love and not fall into the thought that I can earn my way into heaven 

October 26, 2016 Burning fire shut up in my bones

Reading: Acts 27, Jeremiah 19-20 and Psalm 146

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9, If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Observation: The thing that caught my attention with this passage was "there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones.” I have been burned on my skin and had heartburn but the idea of a fire in my bones sounds excruciating and makes me think of Wolverine having the Adamantium infused into his bones (Geek Flag). It seems like the pain that Jeremiah would feel when he would try to hold in God’s word for the people would be worse then anything I have ever experienced. 

Application: As this sounds like it could have been a physical pain to keep him sharing the news that if they would not straiten up and fly strait there would be death and destruction. Today we have the Holy Spirit in us to convict us and let us know that we are to be sharing the Gospel with those around us. We are blessed that this conviction is not physically painful but we are not sharing a bad news. We are to be sharing the Gospel and that means Good News. I believe that this conviction will come in different forms for some it’s the calling to missions some it’s the calling into paid ministry but for most of us it is a calling to share our story of what God and Jesus did for us and how we change. 

Prayer: Father I love you and I stand humbly before you. I thank you for the gift of your Son and his death on the cross. I also thank you for the provision and blessings you give us each day. I ask you to help us to act upon the callings we have on our lives and to not allow ourselves get to the point where we need a fire in our bones but give us a fire in our soul to reach the world. 

October 25, 2016 I am such a Lump of clay

Reading: Acts 26 and Jeremiah 17-18

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:3-4, So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

Observation: I have many times felt like vessel that was spoiled that I was not worth anything. I also have had times where I have thought there was no repairing the damage I did to relationships or my walk with God. 

Application: This passage is a great reminder to me that we are all clay and we are all still a work in progress. Continuing with the analogy of pottery I feel like we as the pot are not going to be fired into our permeant shape until we get to heaven, we are going to be continually broken down reformed and reshaped by God (the potter). Just after our passage today in verse 7-8 God said that he can tear down nations and build then up, just like he can with us as lumps of clay. 

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your great power, you have the power tear down and build up not only things in my life but in the nations of the wold. I thank you that even though you can see and control all that you love and are concerned with me. I thank you for the provisions and blessing you have for us each and every day. Lord I ask you to tear down anything my my life that is not edifying you and build up and repair any damage I have don’t to the masterpiece that you are creating in each of us. 

October 24, 2016 Delivered and Redeemed

Reading: Acts 25, Jeremiah 15-16 and Psalm 10

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:21, I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."

Observation: It is interesting to me that so many people look at the God of the Old Testament and think He is this wrathful god who is only here to smite me when I mess up. Many people think that is who God is, like Zeus of Greek mythology he is just sitting in heaven waiting for us to mess up so he can throw a lighting bolt at us. 

Application: That is not so God has always been a God of justice and love, just before the passage I chose today God was telling Jeremiah about the punishment he was going to pour out on Israel if they didn’t shape up. He also told them that he would deliver them and redeem them. Back then the system they had was the mosaic law and sacrifices, today God is still the God of justice and love but he sent Jesus Christ to come and pay the price. we don’t have to do anything but accept the love and gift of salvation. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for sending your son to be the payment and to be a picture of you that we could see what it is to follow you. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us each day. I ask that we look at you with eyes to see and ears to hear and no longer see the anger of the old testament and but the love that you are. 

October 20, 2016 Imprisonment and Affliction

Reading: Acts 20 and Jeremiah 5-6

Scripture:Acts 20:22-23, And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Observation: I remember when the thoughts about coming to Christ and becoming a Christian was more about getting God to be this great piggy bank in the sky. Everything was going to be great, sunshine and roses they say but this is a warning not just to Paul but to us as well. 

Application: Jesus had said, “They will hate you because they hated me first.” There are going to be trials and tribulations just because we are Christians, just as Paul was  saying that imprisonment awaited him and God had a plan for that imprisonment God has a plan that will use the trials for good. I also want to be clear God does not cause the bad things to happen, the are a product of living in a fallen world and having the evil one against us, God just repurposes these bad things to help us grow closer to him and give another microphone to speak into others lives.

Prayer: Father I think you for all you have done, for us giving us your son as a payment for my sins. I think you for the blessings and provisions you have for us. I ask you to help us to see your great love properly, not as the great bank of God but as a God of love that takes care of us even though we screw up. 

October 18, 2016 I'm such a whore.

Reading: Acts 19 and Jeremiah 3-4

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:1, “If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me?declares the Lord.

Observation: This is a bit of a punch to the gut for me in that there are still things in my life that I struggle with like lust, pride and anger just to name a few. As much as I love the Lord and seek to go deeper with my relationship with him, I feel like I'm a whore chasing after things that I shouldn’t. Sure Jeremiah was speaking at the time to Israel and Judah and their running after other gods but it is still a good reminder that we need to be careful to not chase after other gods ourself.

Application: I am thankful that later in verse 12 God tells Jeremiah to “Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, "'Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever.” When I let some of the things I struggle with get a hold on me I start having the thoughts of inadequacies and not being enough but we all need to remember no matter what we have done he calls us back we need to turn from what we were doing and come back to him. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for you mercies and grace you pour out on us each day. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us each day. I ask that you help us to open our eyes and ears to where we are whoring and help us to turn back to you. 

October 17, 2016 What are you wearing?

Reading: Acts 18 and Jeremiah 1-2

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:17-18, But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 

Observation: The Job I have I wear a uniform I get up every morning and put this uniform so I am ready for my job here God is telling Jeremiah to get ready for is work. I know that there have been many times where I have gotten up and gotten ready for my earthly job but I neglect to get myself ready for God’s work.

Application: Not only is this passage saying to get ready and to me that is putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6), put on the belt, the sandals, the breast plate, and helmet then take up the shield and the sword. We are called to be ready for out work and our job from God is warrior. Daily prepare yourself for battle for the evil one will attack you. But this passage goes on to says he will make us a fortified city with his power standing behind us we will stand against anything the evil one brings against us.

Prayer: Father I thank you that you are here to back us up and have our back even though we don’t deserve it. I thank you for sending your son to pay the price for us. I thank you the provisions and blessings you give me each day. I ask you to help me to understand and remember to daily put on your armor and prepare for your work. 

October 16, 2016 Waiting on the Lord

Reading: Acts 17 and Zephaniah 1-3 

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:8, "Therefore wait for me," declares the Lord, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.

Observation: I have been struggling with waiting on God, waiting for things to happen, waiting on provisions that I thought would come and wondering if he was there. It is easy to allow my head and the evil one to get me distracted and start thinking that God is too busy for me or I'm not worth his time. How often to we all let fear and doubt into our lives letting to evil one get a foothold. 

Application: To me the first portion of verse 8 was a reminder that its all in God’s timing not ours, as much as I think I know what timing is better he has proven I am just a fool. The second half of the verse reminds me that he is the one assembling the nations as followers of Christ we are a Kingdom above all other nations and kingdoms, being that one day God is going to pour out the anger, jealousy and indignation out we need to be praying from our nations, our leaders, and in the case of the United States pray for the voters who are going to elect the next leader of our country. On a morning show I listen to called The Wally Shop on Way FM they had mentioned at one of their church services their pastor two questions first was “What is more effective Praying or complaining?” and the second was “What do you do more?” Lets Pray more and complain less.

Prayer: Father I love you and stand in awe of your great power. You are so wonderful and I thank you for everything you have given me; Family, friends, work and the strength to cary on each day. I know you give me everything I need and sometimes even bless me with things I want. I thank you for all you do for me each and every day.  I ask you to help us to be open to hear your small voice speaking to us in your word and the patience to wait on you. 

Struggles and peace

Lately I have found myself under attack, not so much in the physical would but in the spiritual warfare of a Warrior of Christ. I know I have not been doing well with my writing of my journals and if you are a normal reader of mine I thank you for continuing to stick with me and if you have just stumbled upon this I play that God will touch you and help you to grow deeper in your relation ship with him. 

Over the last few months I have started a new job and spent that time working with a very negative person in witch being around that I was drug down into his negativity. He as sense moved on to work elsewhere and the work environment has changed and now I’m being trained for on other work that I should have been learning all along and we are searching for someone to fill the vacancy in our crew. On top of all that my wife and I are expecting our second child and our first has hit the tantrum toddler phase and this last week we all got a little sick. 

In all the struggles and trying times I have gone though I noticed that instead of holding tighter to God’s love and promises, I said to myself without knowing it “I can handle this on my own or with my family by my side” by letting my Bible reading and Journaling fall to the back burner and not making a point to truly spend time with God and in his word. Yes we went to church I was still teaching 5th and 6th graders in the kids ministry and I would still sometimes get in my reading but I had lost my focus on God. 

I am grateful that God always wants to be blessing us and taking care of us even when we stick our foot in our mouths or any other analogy of being stupid you want to use. Yesterday I went and helped out at my church’s men’s breakfast and our mens pastor was talking about John 15:2-7 and abiding in the Lord. during the discussion our Pastor challenged the men present and I challenge you, each day before you spend time in the word ask the Holy Spirit to reveal something to you, once you have read and something has been revealed to you write that scripture on a sticky note or your arm, hand, or what ever you have that will give you a reminder seeing it and meditate on that passage. The term meditate in biblical times meant to mutter or speak so when we are taking this time to mutter these words that The Holy Spirit has placed on our hearts we will find deeper meanings because God’s word is alive. 

Though out this process of thinking I can stand on my how and having God’s word come and smack me up side the head though the teachings and discussions at a men’s breakfast God has granted me a peace that I still don’t understand but am always grateful for. 

October 10, 2016 Who's got my back?!?!?!

Reading: Acts 11, Isaiah 65-66 and Psalm 124

Scripture: Psalm 124:2-4,  if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;

Observation: This was a great reminder to me about God being on our side, as I have struggled with things he has always given me the strength to make it though what ever it was. If its giving me the energy to do something when i have not slept well and I'm tired or if its getting up and speaking to groups of people (by the way that scares the snot out of me). 

Application: Having the reminder that God is on my side and will work all things for good and his glory is a great comfort. Its not saying that it will be easy or you wont have pain. Pain and things being hard are a product of living in a fallen world. The comedian Mark Lowry described life as a series of emotions, a mountain after a valley. There will always be a struggle or a trial but God will use those mountains and valleys to teach us something but he is with us to help up though those times. 

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful and I stand before you in awe seeking to honor you. I thank you for all the provision you give us each day and thank you for the blessings you pour out on us as well. I ask that you help us to remember that you are always with us and watching over us. 

October 5, 2016 Its all in the past or is it the future????

Reading: Acts 5, Isaiah 52-53 and Psalm 102

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5, But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Observation: The first thing that came to mind as I read this passage was this is cool, the profit Isaiah was predicting the death of Jesus and telling everyone who would listen to him that there would be one who would take our punishments for us. Then as I came pack to the passage after finishing my reading I realized that it was written in the past tense. 

Application: Isaiah was prophesying about the future in the past tense, at first I was like thats right its all in the past why wouldn't he write or speak it that way. But then I had a though why would he predict something in the past tense? Not only is this a reminder that God is timeless and he can give future events to a profit in a past tense. Then what came to me as I thought about it was when Jesus gave us the authority to do as he did and greater and having the faith to move those mountains can manifest like Isaiah’s faith and prophecies did. In my prayer life the way I pray has been changing a little at a time. I have stopped asking for money making it though each month, but now I thank him every day that he provides what we need and continues to bless us with thinks we didn’t know we needed or with things we wanted. Are you seeking and trying to ask for help or are you thanking him for what he is providing and finding contentment and joy.

Prayer: Father I love you so much and stand in awe of you for another day. I thank you for this day and the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask that you help us to see your provisions and blessings in our lives as we seek your will in our lives. 

October 4, 2016 Who's plan is it?

Reading: Acts 5, Isaiah 50-51 and Psalm 58 

Scripture: Acts 5:38-39, So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!

Observation: I don’t know how many times I though I was doing the right thing and was trying to push forward with my plan to later find that if I had completed my plan I would have completely failed or been hurt. Not only had God protected the disciples by putting a fear of him on these leaders he also kept the leaders from further sinning by killing the disciples. 

Application: It is great to think that if a plan you are putting together is from God then nothing will stand in the way of it and it will succeed and that the plans not of him will fail but it does not mean that no matter what happens God and the Holy Spirit is teaching us though the process. I know that I learn more from failing then succeeding. God will use any situation in our lives to teach us the lessons we need to learn. No matter if its failure, success, pain or joy it will all teach us something in that situation. Listen to what God has for you to learn.

Prayer: Father I thank you for everything you have for us, the blessing and the provisions. I ask you to open my mind to the lesson you have to teach me each and every day.