April 23, 2017 Dirty Rags am I

Reading: 2 Corinthians 8, Deuteronomy 9-10 and Psalm 143

Scripture: Deuteronomy 9:4-5, Do not say in your heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out before you, 'It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,' whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out before you. Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

Observation: There are those christians out there who see themselves as better then others, they persecute those who are different or have a sin they don’t have. There is a particular Baptist group who are so apposed to things they feel the need to protest with hate saying. Moses is here warning us not to get full of ourselves and not to diminish what God has done by claiming our own righteousness. 

Application: When God has done great things in our lives like releasing us from addiction, or delivering us form oppression. God also is the great provider taking care of all our needs and even blessing us on top of it. As I spoke with men whom I'm at a retreat with we were talking about the term dirty rags in Isaiah 64:6 in the NKJV says “And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” with this many of us think of a rag that we clean something up with or wipe our counters with, something that can be a little funky. I the original language that was the dirtiest of dirty things it was a woman’s menstrual cloth. We truly need to keep things in perspective, as much as we want to say we are righteous what we are, are the dirtiest of dirty rags.

Prayer: Father I am amazed that even though I am one of the most disgusting things in existence, you still love me you still want to wash me and make me white as snow. I thank you for loving me that much and I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you pour out on me each and every day. I love you lord and I ask that you continue to wash me each day 

April 22, 2017 I DID IT!!!!!!!!!

Reading: 2 Corinthians 7, Deuteronomy 7-8 and Psalm 139

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Observation: I can’t count the times where I have heard people gloating on what they have done or how much they have made. It is easy to use these things as marks of wealth and success, and the world looks at it from this perspective. The world around us tries to tell us that our worth and value are dependent on what we know and what we have.

Application: God Wants us to remember that it all comes from him, he gave us the ability to be prosperous and to grow. Just as in 1 Timothy 6:10 God is telling us that its not the wealth that is the issue but it is the love of it and thinking that it is all your own doings and power that has gotten you to where you are. None of us are where we are on only our own power, God gave us our abilities and our drive. 

Prayer: Father I stand before you amazed that you care enough that you not only think of me but you have thousands of thought each and every day. I feel so unworthy of your love and affection you have for me. I thank you that you have provided all things and you have given me the abilities to do the things I do. I take care of all things Lord. I ask that you help us to remember on a daily basis that all our abilities and all our might and power come from you and in you all things are possible. 

April 20 2017 Can I go home now?!?!?!

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5 and Deuteronomy 3-4

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling

Observation: I enjoy going out into the woods and camping with family and friends so Pauls comparison of our bodies being a tent and our heavenly bodies that we will one day receive is our home is one I can understand. I know I'm guilty of this, I have had times where my focus was on what I could get, where I could live and how good I looked doing it. But if you have truly tent camped you know that its dirty you only get to wash up in the body of water near by (if there is one). 

Application: Paul being a tent maker, and traveling as he did he would know the difference in how dirty and out of sorts things can be when you are living in a tent verses being in a house. Paul is reminding us that we are not home we are sojourning here on earth. Our eternal dwelling place is in heaven and our earthly dwelling is dirty and a mess but though the Son and our faith we are given that home in heaven. Just as at the end of a camping trip you are so looking forward to getting home and taking the shower, Paul is saying that we are groaning for that new body and that home in heaven. 

Prayer: Father I stand before you in worship longing for that new body and home. I thank you Lord that you provide all things and long to open the floodgates to heaven and bless us. I ask that you help us to keep our focus we don't want to get to the point to the old adage of “being so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good.

April 19th 2017 Practicing Cunning?!?!?!

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4 and Deuteronomy 1-2

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

Observation: I have been to churches where it didn’t seem to me that the paster saw that they only have the ministry they do by the mercy of God. I have been to many churches where you don’t feel the presence of God there. 

Application: Paul knew that it is only by Gods grace that we get to do anything in his name and in that we can't change what in the word of God. There are those in the world that don’t or wont take God’s word as face value. There may be times where we have to study a culture, a people, or a language to better understand what God was saying though the writer but we are still looking at the same Gospel and the same scriptures pointing us to the same God and our savior His Son.

Prayer: Abba Father you are so amazing, it astounds me how your mercies abound each day. I thank you for the opportunities you have placed before me to do your work and share your love with those around me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on my family and all of man. I ask that you help me to keep from tampering with the word and help me to be the steward you have called me to be. 

April 18th, 2017 Letters of Recommendation.

Reading: 2 Corinthians 3 and Numbers 34-36

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Observation: Now days I feel we need a letter of recommendation to get just about any job even the minimum wage jobs that teenagers get in the summer. Also on every application they want three references so they can know who we are. 

Application: Paul is saying as Christians we are to be living in such a way that it is obvious that we are different and that who we are we are because of the blood of Christ that was shed for the world. We are the letters of recommendation to the world and it is our calling to share what God has done for us and how we have been changed.

Prayer: Father I stand in awe of your presence. You make all things and make all things possible. I thank you for writing on our hearts and creating the new covenant with us. I thank you for your provisions and your blessings that you pour out on us each day. Lord I ask for the help and reminders to live as your love letter to the world and help us to shine your love to this broken world. 

April 17, 2017 Two Thousand year only sales pitch.

Reading: 2 Corinthians 2, Numbers 33 and Psalm 65

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:17, For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Observation: There have been many times where I have heard people saying that evangelists are just salesmen trying to get people to buy what they are selling. Apparently people have been say that for 2000 years. Paul was adamant that we not be that way.

Application: The gospel, the best news in all of time is not a bill of goods to be sold to someone it is meeting someone where they are showing than where you were and how God has changed you and sharing that free gift of Christ.

Prayer: Father I thank you for sending your son to us and the sacrifice he made to welcome us into the folds of your love. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us and the opportunities that we are given to share your love. I ask that you help us to see them and give us the encouragement to step out of our comfort zone and talk to those you place on our heart. 

April 16, 2017 Affliction come and go.

Happy Easter or Resurrection Sunday if you prefer. I’m sorry its been nearly a week since my last post. I have been struggling with some personal issues and in doing so I feel like I laid down the most important thing and that is getting into the word and spending time with the Lord. I am grateful that this next weekend will be a mens retreat where I will have a chance to get recharged and focus my heart and mind more on God and what he has for me. 

Reading: 2 Corinthians 1, Numbers 32 and Psalm 74

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

With The things I have been going though these lasts few weeks, this passage jumped out at me. I have been worrying about finances and struggling with God providing all that we need, I know that scripture that he provides for the birds of the air and we are more valued then many birds. Where my struggle has been I have been taking care of the budget and looking at what our projected income should be and what our projected bill are and how it looks to my human eyes that our expenses are more then the income that we have coming. 

God has been so good to us in the past and has taken care of us so well. I have been doing my best listening to God and giving in tithes and offerings that first fruits that has been laid on my heart to give. I have struggled to the point of thinking about reducing our giving until some of our financial burden has cleared up. I know that this time of Financial struggle is not something God has devised but he will find a way to use it for the good of all. Just that the passage says God comforts us in our afflictions so that we can comfort those who need comforting. It is not easy to have these times affliction but we can learn form them so that we can help others who are in the same or similar situations. 

Prayer: Father you are the great comforter. I thank you for everything you provide for us and all the blessings you have given to us and for those we have yet to see. I ask you to help us to keep our faith in you as we go though afflictions and seek to see how you see the situation and your providence in getting though it. Also help us to see how we can be a comfort to others. 

April 12, 2017 You want me to do What to Who?????

Reading: 1 Corinthians 13 and Numbers 25-26

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:3, If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Observation: There are many groups out there that in the name of religion or some other belief they give up everything in that things name. Some of the most radical religions believe that if they give their life in attacks against their enemy they will be taken to the best heaven with all the perks. 

Application: Paul is reminding us of what God told us though his son, “Love your neighbor.” I know there are many times I have a hard time wanting to love my neighbors, in my head I'm thinking “have you seen these people, they are weird, they keep their shads drawn all the time and almost never come out and when they do they wear strange things and speak different languages.” We could give up everything and die for someone but if it is not done with love it’s nothing. This love is not an affection for these people but it is caring for them more then your self, it’s acting and placing their needs above your own without wanting or asking for anything in return. Just as I love my brother and his family and would do anything for him but I don’t really want to go on vacation with them. Love is not a feeling, It is a choice and and action. We are to place the needs of others above our own no matter if its local or global take care of those who are struggling.

Prayer: Father I am in awe of the wisdom what you show me though your spirit and the opportunity you give me to open your word every day. I thank you for your love and the provisions and blessings that you pour out on us each and every day. I ask that you help us to love as you love, placing the needs of others above out own and give us a heart to talk to those different and share your love with them. 

April 10th, 2017 Out of the mouth of a Donkey?!?!?

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11, Numbers 22 and Psalm 84

Scripture: Numbers 22:27-28, When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"

Observation: I don’t know how many times I have been Balaam in this story, I will be listening to God the best I know how and what ever I am riding keeps turning aside and I think I’m doing Gods work and something keep moving me from what I thought I should be doing. There are times where I have felt that things would be easier if I had a talking donkey to help me know when there are angels trying to protect me from myself.

Application: Just as Balaam needed the donkey to keep him from being struck down by the Angel of the Lord sometimes God uses bigger things to get our attention when we are not seeing into to spiritual detention where the Angels and Demons war. God often speaks though whispers but there are times when we are being stubborn when God will bring out the proverbial 2x4 and smack us to help us to see the blessings and provision he has for us. 

Prayer: Father, I stand in awe of you and seek to know you more and spend more time in your word. I thank you for all the ways you speak to us and sending you spirit to dwell in us so we can know you more. I thank you for your provisions and your blessings that you pour out on us each and every day. Lord I ask that you send us our own talking donkey to help us stay on your path. 

April 7th, 2017 The cattle on a thousand hills

Reading: 1 Corinthians 8,  Numbers 17-18 and Psalm 73

Scripture: Psalm 73:2-3,  But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Observation: There are so many times where I feel I'm alone in a situation and the only one who struggles with an issue like wondering why these wicked people are the one appertaining to be prospering and I'm not. I have been looking at my finances over the last few weeks and months and have been seeing that I didn't know how we would pay our bills and looking at the struggle that is before us. In that I have been thinking about how unbelievers and the wicked are not having issues and have lots of money and we are living pay check to pay check. This morning I saw where a Psalmist had the same issue and I was reminded of all that God has done for me and all that he promised. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. I don't need to worry he will provide.

Application: The thing I need to remember most is that no matter what other peoples lives look like or how much they make, God is the only one that can judge them and knows their relationship with God. God will provide all that we need, Matthew 6:26, Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Prayer: Father I Love you so much. I thank you so much that you take care of me so well. You provide for our every need and continue to bless us. I ask you to help me to be content in your provisions and the place you have us. 

April 6, 2017 The best Marriage

Reading: 1 Corinthians 7 and Numbers 16

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:13-15, If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 

Observation: I have struggled for long time in my heart that I am a bad man in the sense that I have been though two divorces. The first didn’t last an entire year before I couldn’t take the abuse and the second lasted nearly seven years before she filed for divorce. I know that this was not one sided it takes two to make a marriage work and that a good marriage takes Work and a great marriage requires Work with Christ at the center of it. I don’t know where these two women’s hearts are with God, but now when I look back and have a wonderful model of what a Godly woman should be I feel like I was married to women who appeared religious but may not have had any relationship with Christ. I also at the time may have only appeared to have religion and not the relationship I now know. I have been holding onto the burden that I am a divorced man and today I am starting the process of letting go of that hurt that I have carried for years after my first divorce nearly 16 years ago.

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful and I stand humbly at your feet seeking your direction in my life and looking for the light to shine on the path to take. I thank you for your love and forgiveness that you give us each day as well as that provisions and blessings. I ask that you help us to love our wives and love women as you love them and not as the world thinks we should. Help us to show them their worth in you and that their worth is not based on what they show or do but is found in you alone. I thank you for your love Lord

April 5, 2017 I can do anything I want!!!!

Reading: 1 Corinthians 6, Numbers 15 and Psalm 90

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12, "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

Observation: In Christ we are given freedom and forgiveness of sin. I have heard of people who have taken this passage and say I can do anything and ask for forgiveness later if I need to but all things are lawful for me. Christ didn’t die a horrible death on the cross so that we can abuse the gift. Yes his death and resurrection covers our past and future sins but when the Holy Spirit convicts us of a sin we are not to just ask for the forgiveness but we are to repent and turn from it.

The Greek word that was translated helpful, symphero has several ways of being used the one I feel would be better fit here in this context is “be better for,” I feel like Paul was trying to say, “Sure you can (in a sarcastic tone) do anything, but will you be better for doing anything. The big thing I'm seeing in this world today is the idea of “do whatever feels good” in the context that we are nothing but smart animals and we can do anything. 

Prayer: Father you are so amazing giving us the ability to seek you and learn from your word. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you have for us. I thank you for your word and your Spirit guiding us. I ask that you help us to understand and see the things that we will be better for and to avoid those that are not helpful to us or building you up. I ask that you help us to glorify you today in our work, actions and words. 

April 3, 2017 Meat Meat Meat!!!!!

Reading: 1 Corinthians 4, Numbers 11-12 and Psalm 148 

Scripture: Numbers 11:32-33, And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered ten homers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague.

Observation: How often do we look back on what we had or what we use to do and think things were better when? That is just what these Israelites were doing. After 400 years in captivity and slavery, and the great wonders that God did to bring them out and they are wining it was better as slaves in Egypt even though they had been crying out that they were slaves and being over worked. Now that God is giving them food every day in the form of Mana they are crying to God again. 

Application: We need to take our time to look at and appreciate what blessings and provisions that God is giving us now and try to not look at what life used to like. I know that I struggle with looking at how much money I make and how much I have committed to give back to God and looking at my budget and not knowing where the funds are coming from. My Faith is being stretched and I am needing to remember that He is the provider and I am just the steward and as the steward when I hear God ask me to increase my giving or to give to a cause I need to not hesitate or look at how it will affect me in the long run because God will take care if me being that we are listening to him and he loves to take care of us.

Prayer:  Father I thank you for loving me and taking care of me each day. You amaze me on how you are able to make money and things grow or last. I Thank you for you blessings and provisions that you pour out on us each day. Lord I ask that you help us to see the blessings in today and not dwell on the past when we thought we had more but we were only in slavery.