December 22, 2017 Mirror Mirror

Reading: James 1 and Esther 7-10

Scripture: James 1:23-24, For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 

Observation: Over the Last few weeks I was away from my normal routines. I went out of stare to get some training for work. I spent two weeks away from my family and everything I really knew. I was able to talk to my wife and children on video chats most every day, but in that time I feel like I became a hearer only if even that. I was able to get myself to sit down to read and write my devotions one day and I read them maybe a couple more times. It was very quickly that I started forgetting what I had seen in that mirror of my relationship with God and the fellowship of those around me. Especially the men who help hold me accountable. Without trying I stopped seeking God and being back home It has been a struggle to get back into the swing of what I was doing before and even that I was falling down on. 

Here I am coming back to the word seeking God and working to develop the good habits and practices of getting into the word every day. I hope the hustle and bustle of the holidays does not completely mess with that plan. Im here to say we need that Mirror of God’s love and mercy to look into and allow it to show us where we need improvements. 

Prayer: Father I thank you so much for the revelation you have shown me this morning, that I need that Mirror and how easy it is to get sucked back into the world. I thank you that you are the great provider, Thank you for the provisions and blessing you pour out on us each day. I ask that you help me to remain in the mirror of your word and your Church to grow and see the places you are working on me. 

December 4, 2017 For The Love Of Money

Reading: 1 Timothy 6 and Ezekiel 41-42

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10a, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.

Observation: It is odd sometimes this passage popped out at me today because of so many times I have heard this as this is why money is bad and this gets teamed up with Matthew 19:24 about it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. I have heard these used to say you should live in poverty. Depending on where people live in the world and what their economic standing is I can be seen as rich being I have a house on property with cars and a annual income but others will look down on me because this house is small and the cars are almost 20 years old and my income is less then some number they feel is the line of being poor. 

Application: These comparisons are some of the roots of evil that are being talked about. It is not that money is good or bad just like a baseball bat is not good or bad but it can be used for both kinds of purposes. We are stewards of what ever God places on our plate. God has placed the cars and this house in our care for us to use them best for the kingdom and he has given us this income to yes cover our needs but also take care of others needs. We tithe and give offerings to our church and through what our church does with our gifts we are reaching around the world and touching lives both locally and globally. As you start letting your stranglehold on your finances and placing them in Gods hands you will start seeing God move financial mountains you thought you would be berried under for ever.

Prayer: Father I am in awe of how you can move mountains. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out on us each and every day. I ask you to help us to loosen our grip on our money and place it in your hands.