February 27, 2018 Gimmy gimmy gimmy

Reading: Romans 6, Exodus 20, and Psalm 119:1-48

Scripture: Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."

Thoughts: There have been many times where I though I’m a good person I keep the Ten Commandments, as I continue to do things that don’t honor God. Coveting your neighbor’s things I feel is one of the easiest things to fall into. Murder, adultery, theft those take a little more actions to do but to covet someone’s things, that is all in our head. I a liken it where Jesus said Hating is like murder in your heart or lusting is adultery in the heart. Being covetous is like stealing in our heart and this is so prominent in our society today even within the church. We see someone’s new car, house, or whatever and we go “I want I want I want” like my three year old is fond of doing. It is one thing to be motivated to better ones self or save to get something you would like but we have to be careful that we don’t start becoming to focused on those things because that may become a god to us. 

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, you provide my needs and take care of all things. I thank you for your daily provisions and the blessings each day I don’t deserve. I thank you that you have entrusted me with my family. I ask that you help me to focus on the blessings and those things you have given me and not the things that others have. 

February 26, 2018 I Think I Can, I Think I Can...

Reading: Romans 5, Exodus 18-19 and Psalm 19

Scripture: Exodus 18:18, You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 

Thoughts: I know that as a Man I want to do things on my own, I don’t know if it is a Macho thing to prove how strong I am or if it is pride or trust thing. Maybe it is not a man thing but a human thing being that being in solitude for a long time is not good for us. As Moses was judging every issue that was coming up in the nation of Israel God told him through Jethro if you keep going this way you will get burnt out. We are told to delegate and spread the work around no matter if it is in our professional life, spiritual life, or at home, one person can’t do it alone. That is why in when God set up marriage in Genesis he said it is not good for man to be alone. 

Prayer: Father I thank you that from the beginning you knew that we should not be alone and gave us someone to do life with. I thank you that you provide all I need and more blessings us beyond what I thought. I thank you for my family and those around me whom I do life with. I ask that we all help carry one another’s burdens, and cast them at the feet of the Son who said, “Come to me all who are heavy burden”  

February 13, 2018 Where, you want me to go Where?????

Reading: Acts 20 and Genesis 42-43

Scripture: Acts 20:23, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Thoughts: I don’t know about anyone else but I don’t like pain. I do what I can to avoid it and to keep myself in getting hurt. If I was told by God go this way but as you go there is going to be lots of pain, I admit it, I would have a lot of second thoughts about going that way. I feel that there are so many people who get the misinformation that once you become a christian that all the problems will go away. I have heard it put this way “Life is a series of emotions. Life is a mountain after a valley. A wife to feed, a husband to clothe, children to raise, a boss to put up with, car notes, taxes, April 15th. Life is life.” - Mark Lowry Open Heart Surgery  God has called is into abundant Life and with the definition of life by Mark Christian Life is not for the faint of heart.

Prayer: Father I thank you fo the strength to get through each day. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you give us every day. I ask for the strength to follow the light that you are shining on the path before me. 

February 12, 2018 I said what???

Reading: Acts 19 and Genesis 41

Scripture: Genesis 41:9, Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "I remember my offenses today.

Thoughts: I don’t know how many times I have forgotten that I said that I would do something and remember at a later time. I feel that when it comes to things we promise God we are tempted into getting ourselves so busy and distracted that we don’t think about God or the promises we make. I know that we have all had those times where we have told God if you get me out of this I will read my Bible every day or I will be in church every week. Also the enemy is doing everything he can in this culture and this day to diminish what it means to promise. The “Yah yah I promise” culture is so prevalent these days I know I have even done that sort of thing. Help us to mean what we say and truly say what we mean.

Prayer: Father I thank you for your opportunities to read and marinate in your word. I thank you for your Son and the sacrifice he made. I thank you for the opportunities to touch those around me. I thank you for the provisions and the blessing you have for us each day. I ask that you help me to remember my promises and to fulfill this in proper time.

February 11, 2018 DETOUR

Reading: Acts 18 and Genesis 39-40

Scripture: Genesis 39:20, And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

Thoughts: I don’t know how many times I thought I heard one thing and got excited started doing what I though I needed to prepare for that thing, and as I was going about it BOOM something from left field (or what I thought was left field). When we get a direction from God and we think it is going to be this easy path to where we thought God told us to go. So many times God’s path for us is a wibbly wobbly path that God has for us to help us to become the person we need to be. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for this path even though I don’t understand the path or the reasons for the detours that come up. I thank you for your daily provisions and the blessing you pour out each day. I ask for discernment on seeing the next step in the path. 

February 10, 2018 You want me to go Where????

Reading: Acts 17 and Genesis 37-38

Scripture: Genesis 37:11, And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

Thoughts: There are times when my wife and I thought we heard from God, “I have this plan for you.” Now it has been 3-4 years after hearing that and we are still doing that same thing we have been doing for the last 3-4 years. We are trying to listen and look for the next step, but we have not moved forward toward what we thought we were going to do. Even though Joseph’s dream seemed ridiculous and out there, God placed it on Jacob’s heart to remember what he said. I know there is a plan and I struggle with not knowing where it leads and when we are going to get there but I feel like I am trusting God and watching fro the next step. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for having a plan for my life and I thank you for being that light for each step. I thank you for the provisions for each day and the blessings that you pour out on us. I thank you for my family and the direction you have pointed us in. I ask that I have the trust and faith to take the next step as you show it to me. 

February 9, 2018 Escappe' funny that spelled just like Escape

Reading: Acts 16 and Genesis 36

Scripture: Acts 16:28, But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."

Thought: Disclaimer: I am not advocation for people to stay in abusive relationships, I was in one for a time and had to get out. With that said, our normal response to seeing a way out of a captivity or prison would be to run to that exit. I know that I would run from that captivity, but God some times give us the grace to stay and worship him. As Paul and Silas were worshiping with the other prisoners everything opened up and everyone could have run, but they had the grace and foresight to stay and that made all the difference to the message of God. When we find Joy in the Lord and worship him in the mist of those storms that will come our story shines and point others to God. Just as the jailer did people will see that Joy and strength within you and they will come and ask how can I get what you have. Many years ago I was working and Going to school full time and I lost my Job at first I was thinking, “what is going on” but I soon found that through legislations I could finish my degree and collect my unemployment without looking for work as long as I submitted my grades from time to time. I found great Joy in focusing on my family and schooling for that time. Instead of doing what I had always done in the past of finding a job ASAP I was able to relax and enjoy school. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for giving us grace and mercy. I thank you for the ability to stay when we should stay and giving a nudge when we should go. I thank you for your provisions and blessings each day and the family you have given to me. I ask for the wisdom to see those times to stay and time to go. 

February 8, 2018 Its on like Donkey Kong!!!!

Reading: Acts 15 and Genesis 34-35

Scripture: Genesis 34:31, But they said, "Should he treat our sister like a prostitute?"

Thoughts: As I was reading this I was thinking about my sister who is about 8 years older then I am, I was never able to protect her due to our age difference and they direction she took her life. I think if I had a younger sister I may have, I also want to model for my son to want to stand up for women and family. I want my wife and daughter to not be treated in ways they ought not to be. Our job as men is to Love them, and DC Talk said it best “Love is a Verb” 

Prayer: Father I thank you for the place in your presence. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for this day. I thank you for my family and place them in your hands. I ask that I act properly to Love my wife and children the way you love them. 

February 7, 2018 I don't remember????

Reading: Acts 14 and Genesis 32-33

Scripture: Genesis 33:17, But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Thoughts: After all the issues with his Father-in-law and worrying about how his brother whom he stole his birthright and his blessings from. Jacob found his brother accepting and wanting to bring him back into the family. So he goes to another place to build his house. This make me think Jacob is still afraid that his brother is going to just snap and come get him because of what he did to him. I know there have been time where the evil one has brought back to my mind something to condemn me or try to get me to fall back into that stronghold. I have to remember that God has called me and in my acceptance of that Gift of God though the Death and Resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, All my past and future sins and mistakes have been washed away. I the book The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, he tells a story about a woman who is having visions of Jesus and a Preset said to ask him the next time she saw him what he confessed in his last confession. When she contacted him she told him Jesus’ reply of “I don’t remember.” We so often remember things we did or thought and ether think that is too big to be forgiven or if I remember then God must. We must listen to those simple words “I don’t remember” 

Prayer: Father I thank you for wiping the slate clean and washing me whiter then snow. I thank you for the people you place in my lives and the family that you allow me to steward. I thank you for the daily provisions and the blessings you have in store for me each day. I place my family in your hands and ask for the help to release the hold these memories have and know that you don’t remember.

February 6, 2018 You are paying me What?????

Reading: Acts 13 and Genesis 31

Scripture: Genesis 31:7, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.

Thoughts: When I first heard this passage this morning I saw this for a family member who is struggling with some job loss and other things going on in their life, I turned to my wife and told her this was for them. As we continued reading my mind kept retuning to this and that this was not just for them but for me as well. Jacob worked for 20 years and his boss/father-in-law trying to get his monies worth out of him had cheated and changed things many times. Over the last 20 years I can many jobs and many wage changes ether some by choice some not. Now that I am older I look at people who have been in the same job doing the same thing for the same company for 20-30 years. God has taken care of me so well and placed me in places I needed to be. My wages may have been changed many times but God has been working me toward a place where I can do what he has called me to not what I want to do. 

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful. I thank you for pouring into me the skills and abilities to do what is needed. I thank you for my family and place them in your hands. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us this day. I ask that you open my eyes to the next step, I know that I have a tendency to look at my abilities and not your steps, help me to focus on the light you cast as the lamp to my feet. 

February 2, 2018 You want me to talk to WHO?!?!?!?!?

Reading: Acts 9 and Genesis 24

Scripture: Acts 9:15, But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Thoughts: This last few days and weeks the Lord has been showing me that I am still struggling with my allowing myself to be used in all situations and seeking him always. Today is no different, in the account of Paul’s encounter with God, I see myself as Ananias a little where God tells him to go and heal Saul, and he is scared. Not just scared of going but also scared for his life knowing his reputation and someone who persecutes and kills followers. This last week our Missions Pastor got up and talked about the latest trip to Haiti and during one of  Women’s conferences the driver they hired for the time they were there came to Christ then at another he got up and shared his story and what God has been doing for him. Our Missions Paster felt that this man may be one of our next pastors to be trained up. 

When God tells us to go there is not just to have us get out of our comfort zone and spread His word but we also may be reaching out to the next great evangelist or preacher who needs to be loved into the kingdom first.

Prayer: Father I thank you for everything you do and thank you for allowing me in your presence. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for this day and place my family in your loving hands. I ask that you help me quiet the world around me and hear your voice more to take advantage of the opportunities you place before me.

February 1, 2018 Who am I????

Reading: Acts 8 and Genesis 22-23

Scripture: Acts 8:31, And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 

Thoughts: I have been a believer in Christ most my life, I have attended Bible college and have a Degree but at times I still struggle with am I Philip like God has called me to be to teach and preach or am I remaining at the Ethiopian and reading and not understanding. I get so involved in what I’m doing be it work, getting caught up on old shows or even listening to music, books or podcasts that I drown out God or I just have not heard him in that way. Beyond knowing that I am a child of the one true King, I struggle with who I am and where He is calling me. 

Prayer: Father thank you for calling me and being able to use even me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us each day. I place my family in your hands. I ask for help hearing your voice and being available to be used to further your kingdom.