January 13, 2016 I dropped my fruit.

Reading: Luke 13 and Job 15-16

Scripture: Luke 13:8-9, And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.

Observation: Reading this section I almost always think about the fruit that I bear, is it what is glorifying to God and pointing to God because people look at me and see something different and not the normal. We also have a tendency to also put weight on things that don’t need it, like works and I have heard many good people who have gotten wrapped up in the idea that they don’t have fruit if they are not converting and winning souls for God. The fruit of the spirit that we are to produce are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”

Application: We need to focus on the right fruit and when we have these fruit we will see the fruit of salvation of those around us. When people see us with a joy and peace that is beyond understanding in the midst of a storm, that is when people will be drawn to us and ask how can you be this way. Levi Lusko does a wonderful job showing his fruit in the middle of the storm of the loss of his 5 year old daughter. I recommend his book Through theeyes of a Lion for everyone, we all will have storms and this book and sermonseries will help prepare for it or get though it.

Prayer:  Lord, I thank you that you have helped me though my times of need that I have see thus far and I know you will continue to help me through the storms to come. You are so wonderful and nothing is imposable for you. Lord, I ask you to help me to develop my fruit, as I struggle with anger and within that anger I set go of the fruit that I have. Help me to become the man you need me to be. Help me to lead as a servant and not a dictator.

January 12 2016 Bring it on!!

Reading: Luke 12 and Job 13-14

Scripture: Job 13:13, “Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.

Observation: This passage stood out to me because like many I have a tendency to worry. Worry about money, about things, and about my family. My Pastor calls this future tripping, when you start future tripping your focus goes from God to the problem at hand or some preserved problem that you think may come. 

Application: We need to keep our focus on God, Job was going through some of the worst times in his life and he kept the proper perspective on God and what he had. When Job said “let come on me what may” hey is putting his trust in God and that God cares for him more then the lilies of the field. My translations to what Job said is “Bring it on, God’s got my back”

Prayer: Lord, I stand in awe of your power and majesty, you have taken time to know me, love me, and even like me even when I was the most unlikeable guy. I thank you for your love and mercy. I ask for wisdom and faith to be like Job and say what ever comes my way, let it come because I know who has my back.

January 11 2016 Help me out Bro!!

Reading: Luke 11 and Job 11-12

Scripture: Luke 11:8, I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

Observation: Today the section taking about the impudence of the friend instead of the things that are normally talked about in this section of scripture. I’m sure we have all heard messages on the father giving a serpent or a scorpion. But today the friend stuck out to me. We are all friends to someone and are we going to be a friend laying in bed saying I can’t help you because I have all read gone to bed or I have to work in the morning. Then only helping out because it is bad manors or you are guilty for telling them no.

Application: As followers of Christ we are called to be lovers of others over ourselves. We need to be willing to help when ever possible. I know that there are times when we can’t but we need to be open to getting up in the middle of the night and go help someone. I am grateful for the men who came over and helped me rebuild my fence on New Years day, they could have said no I’m busy with this or that but they came and in the bitter cold we rebuilt a section of fence in a couple hours. Let us all, be willing to set our stuff aside and help others.

Prayer: Lord, you are so amazing creating this world and all that is within it as well as giving us a mind to know and seek you with. I thank you for the opportunity to seek you daily and bring my thought to you. I as that you help us to remember our friends in times of need not only for our help but to go and help them. help us to build margin into our lives that what ever the need we can strive to help. Don’t let us be like the friend who only helped because it bad manors to send him away.

January 10, 2016 Brag on God

Reading: Luke 10 and Job 9-10

Scripture: Luke 10:20, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation: I know as humans it is natural to brag about things especially for us men. “Look what I made”, “I caught a fish this big”, or my favorite (and normally famous last words) “Hey, Watch this.”  We want to show how good we are or that there is something we can do that others can’t we like to brag.

Application: Here Jesus hearing back from the 77 that he sent out coming back and going, ‘OMG, this was so awesome the demons had to listen to us when we used your name.’ Just like we would but he said ‘Yep that’s cool but don’t let it go to your hear and don’t brag about that brag about the fact that you get to go to heaven and your name is in the book of life. We need to remember that sure though the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ we have power over demons and sickness, but that is not the coolest thing and we need to share that. We need to brag about our home in heaven and share how to get there.

Prayer: Lord, you are so amazing, you made the sun and the stars and the earth and I stand in awe of you. I thank you for another day to enjoy the works of your hands and the great blessings you have for us. Lord I ask you help me to brag on you and your great gift of salvation though your son. I want to brag on what you have done for me and not about the things you have done though me. I am a conduit not the source and I want you to have the glory.

January 9, 2016 You wont need that!!

Reading: Luke 9 and Job 7-8

Scripture: Luke 9:3, And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.

Observation: When I get ready for even a short trip to the beach or the mountains I go and find all the things I need, the right clothes, the proper footwear, and an extra jacket if it gets colder then expected. I want to be ready for anything that could happen on the trip. Here Jesus sent out his disciples with nothing more then what they had with them. If you were asked to turn to the east and start walking that way and as you go tell everyone you meet about the Gospel. I first reaction would be let me go get ready for that trip and I will be with you in a few hours.

Application: We are called to put our full reliance on the provisions of God. Some times those provisions are though jobs and careers but some times our provisions come from places that God has worked to get it to us. Most Missionaries they go and raise money to be able to go and do what they are called to do. Others do just as the disciples were told the just go and do God’s work and the provision of God makes sure they have what they need in those places. All we have is God’s and if you are called to leave it all behind and drop it and take only what you are told to take.

Prayer: Lord, You are the great provider, you give us the things needed to serve and work in your will. I thank you for the great provision and blessings you have given to my family over the years. Lord, I ask you help me to see the things we need and leave behind the things we don’t help me to distinguish between a need and a want and put my priorities where you want them.

January 8 2016 Abundant Faith

Reading: Luke 8 and Job 5-6

Scripture: Luke 8:48, “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Observation: As Jesus was walking a woman touched his clothes and maybe just the fringe of it and because of her great faith with out him saying anything or touching her she was healed.

Application: I want the faith that even if I only touched the fringe of his cloths I would be healed. In that faith I know I would move mountains and heal the sick and lame. I struggle. I have doubts, I long to have more faith, I feel that over the years things have gotten better and I have grown deeper in my faith and beliefs but we are all called to move those mountains and heal the sick and lame. The Lord gives us this ability though the Holy Spirit by the power of the Name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, you are so amazing and I thank you for the creation you have given us to live in and the great pleasure of worshipping you. Lord, I lift up the mountains in people’s lives, addiction, depression, and loneliness. Give us the faith and strength to move these mountains and toss them into the sea never to be seen again.

January 7 2016 Marveled

Reading: Luke 7 and Job 3-4

Scripture: Luke 7:9, When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Observation: This is one of two places that Jesus marveled at something. The first place he marveled was at the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth. Here this Centurion had the faith that his servant would be healed even without Jesus going there, he recognized his authority.

Application: When I think about Jesus marveling both at the lack of faith and the abundance of faith that he saw, I start thinking about am I making him marvel with my faith or am I just another religious guy making my way in this world. We are called to do great things in faith and need help some times stepping out into the unknown or just into the uncomfortable, where I don’t want to go.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your great love and provision, you have given us everything we need and provided the ability to share that blessing with others. Lord, I ask for the strength to step out and make you marvel help me to have the faith that is overflowing. I long to serve you more but I allow the world to weigh down on me. I need you in all thing I do. Help me to serve you.

January 6 2016 What Measure are you using?

Reading Luke 6 and Job 1-2

Scripture: Luke 6:30, 38, “Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Observation: For me it is easy to walk past someone begging or looking for some sort of hand out and not look or think that they are just trying to pull the wool over my eyes and get something for nothing. I have heard too many stories where panhandlers are living well on all these handouts that people give them thinking they are down and out. It is so easy to just say I give to the church or to this origination so I don’t need to give to this person.

Application: We are called to give to those in need and to not expect anything in return. In the time of Jesus the Jews were expected to pay the tithe, the first fruits, and then on top of that Jesus said to give to everyone who begs from you. We are to have a heart and a mentality of generosity. Even though it appears that we are working towards a cashless society I say carry cash with you pull money out and budget your generosity, be intentional. I’m not saying neglect the tithe but give beyond the tithe. And when you can give that way you can watch God pour it back into your life so you can continue to pour it our on those in need.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to help those in need and share your love with those who may not know you. You are the great provider and I thank you for the blessing that you have given me the ability to share some of the things you have give us. Lord, I ask you to help me to be more generous and not so closed minded about those asking for money. Help me to take the steps to share what you have given me more because it is not mine it is yours.

January 5 2016 The healing has come!!

Reading: Luke 5 and Genesis 9-10

Scripture: Like 5:24, But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

Observation: This is an interesting passage and I think the reason this stood out to me was because one of the pastors I listen to had just talked about this a few Sundays ago. The wording of this passage tells me that when Jesus forgave his sins that is when he was healed because when he went to tell him to get up it said “he said to the man who was paralyzed” meaning at that point he was whole and able to do what Jesus told him to do.

Application: I know that I so many time look at my brokenness and my inadequacies and think I can’t do this or that, even though God called me to. When God calls us and places a direction onto our hears we have to remember that we were made whole through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that we are healed from the inadequacies real or perceived. God though the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to overcome and succeed in the plans that he has for us.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for healing me of my brokenness and I thank you for the continued healing and growth you are doing in me each day. Lord, I ask that you help me to open my eyes to the fact that I am healed and I can do all things though you and that you will give me the strength to overcome and defeat anything that comes before me. Bless all you read this and may these words stretch and soften the hearts of all who encounter it.

January 4, 2016 Preach It Brother

Reading: Luke 4 and Genesis 6-8

Scripture: Luke 4:43, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Observation: I know that it is so easy for me to forget that during his three-year ministry Jesus was not just sent to heal people and then at the end die on the cross. We so often focus on the healings and miracles that we forget that his primary purpose during those three years were to make disciples, preach, and teach.

Application: With that being his purpose and God’s will that should be ours as well. Not that we all should be standing in front of a congregation, but we should be sharing the Gospel with all around us and doing so to the people who Jesus would have been sharing it with, the broken down, beat up, down and out sinners of the world. Go out and share the love of God to the sinners of the world they are the ones in need of the healing that God has for them.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for another day to have the opportunity to share your love. You are so amazing and I thank you for the beautiful weather we have had over these last few days. Lord, help me to better share your love with those around me and share the great blessings that you have given to me.

January 3 2016 Here's my leftovers.

Reading: Luke 3 and Genesis 4-5

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-4, “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering”

Observation: for the longest time growing up in the church and trying to appear to be a good Christian boy I wanted to give. I would make a point to put something I had into the offering plate at it would pass by. This I did trying to make myself look go and feel like I was doing the right thing. Here in Genesis I saw that I was being Cain giving to God my leftovers and doing it because I thought it was what I was had to do.

Application: We need to be Abel giving of our first fruits take that first portion of what God has allowed us to manage and give it back to him. We need to not give him what is left or even not at all. I have defiantly been part of those groups. The best way I have found to give it to remind myself that it’s not mine and I’m just returning it back to its owner. I’m retuning it ether though the church or though the giving in his name to those in need. It’s not yours so give and give generously because you cant out give God and as you give in his name he will be sure that you will be able to continually give that way.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for all the provision you have given me, you pay our bills and hold us up. We give because you gave to us. I long to give as you give with a loving heart and have no regard to what is in it for me. Lord, I ask you to help me to keep in perspective the great blessing you have for me and how to continually give the first of what I allow me to steward.

The Blessings of God's Math

This last year has had its share of ups and downs for me. I have had many times after buying this house where I was not sure how we were going to pay our bills or keep this house that God placed us in. We have had so many great blessings this last year that I got complacent and was not trusting on God nearly as much as I know that I should.

So to start about 16 months ago as we were pregnant with our daughter it was placed on my heart to increase our giving from 10% to 20% making things a little tighter but still very manageable in the apartment and our way of life at the time. I tell this to you not as a look at me, I share this because I want you to see God blessing as I do. As we become more accustom to our new budget and getting the things we need for our baby that came along about 4 to 5 months after we made this promise to give God one fifth of all we bring in. With both of us working trusting God with the first fifth of our income we became complacent and comfortable with out budget.

Even though we gave to God at times it was not from a place of gratitude and thanksgiving, it was given like it was a duty or out of responsibility. During this time God was still blessing us, providing cars and things we needed as our family grew. As we were approaching the end of our lease on the apartment we had been in for the last two years, we started the process of trying to find a place to live. Not knowing if we should stay, find somewhere else to rent, or to buy, we started looking at all options and started getting more and more discouraged with what was out there.

We started to seek God more, spending time in prayer together and talking to those we trust. Having a list of things we truly wanted and needed in a home we continued to look and were getting ready to start making compromises on our list so that we could own instead of rent because we decided that we wanted to stop paying others for the ability to live somewhere and we wanted to buy a place. Getting closer and closer to needing to sign a new lease or just take whatever we could find we were struggling.

We found someone who was able to help us out with getting a grant for a down payment on a house if we could find one. We started first looking close to church and my wife’s work trying to find something in our price range and everything we found was ether too much or we would have had to compromise so much in what we wanted.

Just before Fathers day and about a month before we would have to be out or sign a new lease and about the time I was giving up looking. I felt this urge to look again and a house just came on the market and was right about our price range. After work that day I went and picked up my daughter and drove past this house. It was a little further away from church and work then we were thinking but it had everything that was on our list, open great room floor plan and a large fenced yard for our dog. Within 4 days of finding the house we had an accepted offer and we were able to start moving in on Fathers day.

After getting this wonderful home some of the utility and other bills that come with a house were larger that we expected and I started worrying about money and how to pay our bills and was even getting to the point of thinking about taking our giving back down to 10% even though promised and heard God tell me to give at this higher rate. I struggled with continued giving, I tried to justify that he had us do it for a time to get us used to living on less so that we would be better prepared for the budget that would come with the house and had even said to my wife at least once we only need to give 10% it will make things better.

Thank God I didn’t listen to myself. Over the last six months of owning our new home, God has provided us with more then enough money to continue to give where we promised but has made our food last longer and stretch further, our bills have always been paid and almost always on time. I have gotten a new job paying $3 per hour more, given my wife the ability to work from home a couple days a week saving us half on our daycare bill. There are still times when a car has an issue or we need to get something unexpected and I start to worry, but then I remember that God put us here in this home for a reason and its not to be kicked out and he continually makes the money go further and there is always enough to take care of what ever comes our way. Thank you God for taking care of your children.

January 2, 2016 Dive deep.

Reading: Luke 2 and Genesis 2-3

Scripture: Luke 2: 46-47, After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Observation: This passage jumped out at me reminding about the fact that Jesus set aside his power and knowledge to come to earth. Wail still remaining fully God and being fully man he still had to learn. I don’t think He came from the womb full of knowledge. This section showed that he spent time with the teachers learning and later it mentions that he would “go to the synagogue as he was in the habit of doing,” making me think, he spent lots of time there learning.

Application: I think what we are to get out of this is to always be learning and pouring over the word of God so that we can have it speak into our lives. Get into the word daily and dive deep into his loving embrace. No matter if you use the same reading plan I do or just start in the beginning of the bible and read a few chapters a day read the Word and marinate in it and let it seep deep into your soul.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to enjoy another year and seek more of your love and truth. I thank you for the great blessings of this past year and the blessings that have already come this year. I ask you to help keep me disciplined in my reading and journaling this next year. Help me to see new truths that I have missed or overlooked in the past. Open my heart and eyes to the direction you have and not the one I think I should be going to.

January 1, 2016 A New Beginning

I’m calling today’s a new beginning, not only are we starting a new year and with a new year starting the reading plan over again. Also with this we are starting at two very important times in the world first the creation from which if it didn’t happen none of us would be here to day so Thank God for that. Then also into Luke’s Gospel account.

I also want to share with you a book that I am reading by a Pastor that I have been listening to for years. this book is called "Through the Eyes of a Lion" by Levi Lusko. The tagline on the book is "Facing impossible pain, Finding incredible power" I have only been though the first few chapters since my wife and I bought each other copies for Christmas. The openness of this man of God and his experience going though the hardest time a parent could ever go though the loss of a child.

Reading: Luke 1 and Genesis 1

Scripture: Luke 1:64, But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Observation: I love some of these details that Luke puts in at time but here we hear an angel telling Zechariah that him and his barren wife will have a chilled in their old age like Abraham and Sarah. Then later on because he questioned it he was mute until the day John was to be circumcised.

Application: I think that this application is that we need to open ourselves up to God’s plan and having the faith that God will give us what we need to fulfill the calling and promise that he gave us. Because Zechariah questioned he was mute for possibly a year or more being that he was mute even though the end of his time of service then went home and was with his wife. Listen and read God’s words and pray to hear and see God’s promises then believe and have faith in those promises.

Prayer: Lord, help me to hear and see your promises in my life. I struggle with putting my will above yours and thinking I know best. I thank you for this last year of great blessings of My daughter, my house and all the little things that I may not remember or even noticed that you did. I dedicate my life and my family to your works, help me to see where I am to go and the steps I am to take as we rededicate our lives and direction to your will and direction for our lives.

Christmas Break

Dear Readers, I thank you for the time you have taken to read the rambling thoughts of a man trying to live out God’s calling and Listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking into his life and into the life of those around him. For the Last few days I have been sick and with the holidays and extended work hours that I am going to be dealing with I’m going to take a break from posting what is going on in my reading. I’m again going to share the OSL Reading Plans with you so you can start your own SOAP journal and see what God wants to speak to you though his Word and Holy Spirit.

I will be back after the first of the year to continue sharing what the Holy Spirit places on my heart; I also pray that many of you will also want to start your own reading and journaling. If you are having a hard time with reading the chapter a day that is in the first section of the OSL reading plan then find another plan that can do, or a devotional that you can read but I encourage you to get into the word daily and seek God and what he wants you to get from the scripture. It is the Living Word of God and being so it can touch us in different ways at different stages of your life so I encourage you to drink deep from the living word it will change your life.

Lord, I thank you for allowing me to speak to this audience and share your love. You are the creator of all things and I thank you that you take time to think of and know me as I thank you that you take time to think of and know us all. I ask for your guidance of the next couple weeks as I take a break and spend time with family and friends along with celebrating the birth of our savor Jesus Christ. Lord watch over each and every one as we travel and/or stay home and help us to keep the perspective that you are the reason we are all here and able to celebrate at all.