What are you seeing?

Reading: Daniel 1-2, Psalm 137, and Philippians 4

 

Scripture: Daniel 2:30, But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

 

Thoughts: We focus so much on the letters before or after someone’s name, like the Dr before someone’s name who has finished enough education to get a doctorate degree. Yes that is a feat it take lots of time and determination to work through all that to get that piece of paper that allows you to put those two letter before your name. When you are are 30,000 feet and someone is having a heart attack do you want someone with their doctorate in engineering or education to come in and try to save their life or a medical professional almost anyone from a nurse to a surgeon would be more prepared to help that person. Now if the engine was failing then maybe the engineer may be helpful but still only if he has education in that field. Just as Daniel knew where his wisdom and authority come from in this situation and didn’t step beyond his place, we need to do the same. Our Jobs, our education, and our experiences all factor into where God has us and what authority he is giving us. Your influence and authority is different than mine and we need to step up to the microphone that God has placed before us. Open your heart and mind to the things God is reveling to you it may be the thing someone need to hear. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are the creator of all things, you are the one who give revelation. I thank you for all that you are doing in my life, the molding and refining, I thank you for the provision and blessings you pour out on us. I ask that you use this feeble mind to your glory, that you be honored and praised by all that I do and say. Help me to keep this tongue in check and my mind focused on you. 

How not to love.

Reading: Jeremiah 40-41, Psalm 38, and Ephesians 5

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-26, Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word

Thoughts: I love my wife, I think the world of her and appreciate all she does to take care of our home and children. Yet I know that I tend to get short and gruff when I’m agitated and/or frustrated. Recently my wife stayed home from church sick and during service one of my children succumbed to the illness as well and vomited at church, then on the way home it happened again in the car that I was to drive to work the next day. Frustrated that it is cold and dark and I’m trying to clean this car that smells bad, I admit I was being short and gruff. Then this morning reading this passage in Ephesians that so often gets quoted at weddings, it broke my heart that I again, was not loving my wife as Christ loves us or the Church. We are to give of ourselves for our wives. Christ was willing to die on the cross as a sinner to claim the victory that was proclaimed from the beginning, if he loves us that much the least we can do is to love one another that much and our wives even more so. How are we pouring into our family to raise them up and to cleanse them? Let us dive into the word and into the depth of what our relationship with God can be that we can pour our what we are being filled with.

Prayer: Lord God, you are my refuge and strength, you are my provider and the blessing in my life. I thank you that you are always working in me and that you give us the opportunity and ability to learn and grow even when it is slowly. I thank you for the refining and molding that is continually happening in my life. I ask that you continue to open my eyes to your glory and to the things that I need to work through. Lead me and guide me in my next steps that I can better show your love to my family and the world around me. 

The same always and forever!

Reading: Ezekiel 17-18, Psalm 20 and Galatians 2

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-27, Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life.

Thoughts: I have heard many talk about the God of the Old Testament and how He is wrathful and seen as one who would smite you with little cause, and in the New Testament it is peace and forgiveness and mercy. Yet here in Ezekiel God is pointing out just how much mercy can grace he had even before Jesus came. It was said earlier in the chapter that the iniquities of the father or the son would not be held against the other. Here in 25-27 Ezekiel talks about how when someone turns from their righteousness to do evil their good will be forgotten yet when someone in their wickedness turns to righteousness, they will save their life. Before Christ’s sacrifice that permanently opened the door to having a right relationship with God there would have been laws and sacrifices that would have to have been observed but God was still willing to let those who repented and turned from their wicked ways to be saved. God has always been Just and Merciful but are we walking in it?

Prayer: Father God, you are mercy and grace, you are justice. I thanks you that you sent your Son to be victory over the evil one. I thank you that you are using all things to draw me close and to mold me and refine me into the man you have called me to be. I ask that you help me to walk in your mercy and grace, to shine your light into this dark world. You are the way the truth and the life and I seek your help to walk in that every day. 

What are you goiong to give up?

Reading: Jeremiah 21, 24,27, Psalm 33, and Romans 5

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-2, Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

Thoughts: Praise and worship so often get left in the sanctuary of the church after we sing our songs and listen to the teaching, we have checked our God box for the week. Throughout the scriptures there are commands to worship and praise God. In our fast-paced rush rush life where we fill up our time to the point where we place God and other things on the back burner. Where are our priorities, is it the next dollar to earn, the promotion, popularity or is it the things that will not fade. Are we placing importance on God and family. I recently moved from a night shift at work losing a 16% shift differential so that I could better focus on my family and my relationship with God. What are you willing to give up to grow in your faith and family? 

Prayer:  Father God, you are the one who owns all things, you provide all things and you love beyond comprehension. I thank you for all that you are going in me, the growth and strengthening you are working in me through the molding and refining that you bring as I go through the trials of this life. I ask that you help me to remember to praise you and worship you every day and every hour you are worthy of it all.