Questioning the attack

Reading: Job 17-19 and Luke 14

 

Scripture: Luke 14:3-4 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away.

 

Thoughts: When attacked or questioned about our faith how do we react? Do we jump on the offensive to try to prove what ever tidbit of information they are using to try to debunk what we have accepted. Or life Jesus do we ask a question. These people were the lawyers and judges of all thing pertaining to levitical law, yet they were not able to answer this question. We also need to remember if we are asked something we don’t know that it is ok to say so and ask to look into it come back to them. We are not going to know everything. We need to keep calm and seek God. 

 

Prayer: Lord God your love endures forever, it is deeper and wider than anything this world could offer. I thank you that you are with us, leading and guiding us. I ask that you continue to mold me and refine me in the fire that I may reflect your glory. I ask that you continue to reveal your ways and your plan that a may walk in it. 

Im Growing that!

Reading: Job 15-16 and Luke 13

 

Scripture: Luke 13:7-9 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 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.’

 

Thoughts: As I look back over the last few years, a have to ask myself am I bearing the fruit that I should. It is easy to bear bad fruit. I know that some of my bad fruit has taken seed in my children. I am working to prune the bad and fertilize the good. Are we being productive in what God has called us to or are we being productive to the world’s perspective? Is there something in our life that God is working in us to cut out, yet we are growing it? Or is there something that we have been called to cultivate yet we have been neglecting? Together let us strive for The Way, The Truth and The Life. 

 

Prayer: Father, you are worthy of all praise, I thank you for another day to worship and praise you. I thank you for the beauty of the snow and the stillness that comes in the fresh powder. I ask you to continue to lead and guide me in your ways. Open my heart and mind to your plans and directions.

What are you intentions

Reading: Job 13-14 and John 12

 

Scripture: John 12:5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

 

Thoughts: I feel that it is all too common to look at something someone is doing to for God’s glory and think about doing it differentially. We have a tendency to seek out ways to benefit ourselves. Judas being a thief was looking to line his own pocket. We are not to judge the intentions of others, but the fruit that they bear. We never know what God’s plan for the act that someone has been called to, sure there may be something that could look more beneficial in our eyes, but we don’t know the big picture. 

 

Prayer: Father God help me to not judge the deeds of others. Help me to walk in your ways and listen to the directions in my life that I may bear your fruit. 

That Stinks

Reading: Job 11-12 and John 11

 

Scripture: John 11:39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”

 

Thoughts: As I was reading this passage, I started thinking about how so many people talk about how they need to get their lives straight and stop this habit or that habit before they can come to God or go to church. These are all lies from the pit of hell. Here in John 11 Jesus was ordering to have a tomb opened that would have had all sorts of uncleanness in it and yes it probably would have stunk. I have heard this story told by several people claiming it was their story but, a stoner comes to a pastor asking if he needed to stop smoking marijuana to be able to accept Jesus, and the pastor tries to explain that the intoxicated individual didn’t need to stop doing anything to come to God and this stoner not getting it. finally tried asking him, “Do you need to get cleaned up to take a bath?” when the stoner answered “No” the paster told him you don’t have to quit anything, but Holy Spirit will cause a change and that is when you start cleaning. Jesus didn’t tell the sisters to go clean him up before he called Lazarus out of the muck and the dirt and the stench to come walk in a new life. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out, he calls us out of our disgusting mess of a life into a new walk where we are working on growing close to God.

 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, you call us out of our filth and into your grace and mercy. I thank you for sending you Son to pay the price that I can spend eternity with you. I thank you that I didn’t have to get right and get clean before I could come before you and seek your acceptance. I ask that you continue to refine me and mold me into the man you called me to be. Lead me and guide me, Lord, open my eyes and ears to hear and see you and your path. 

Right before God?

 Reading: Job 9-10 and John 10

 

Scripture: Job 9:2-3 “Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.”

 

Thoughts: I know in my past I have questioned God, and been angry with Him. I also know I spent plenty of time I know best especially when I was running from God’s presence. Job brought up the question - How can a man be right before God? That we could not answer God one out of a thousand times, yet even in my lifetime I have seen more and more people walking away from God or twisting His Word to say sin is OK. The only way that we are seen as right before God is to die to ourselves, accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and seek after God working through the process of sanctification. We can stand before God and answer Him because we are covered by the blood that was shed on the cross and filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us recognize that without Jesus there is no way we can be right with or answer God.  

 

Prayer:  Father God, I fall humbly at your feet. You are the creator of all things, the gold is yours and the silver is yours. You provide all things. I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you pour out on us every day. I ask for your wisdom and direction with the property and the vehicles, for the repair or replacement in the situation we have with the vehicles. Open our ears to hear, our minds to perceive, and our eyes to see what you are doing in our lives and the steps to take and when to take them to glorify you. I place all I have in your hands and ask to be led. 

Who, What, Why, and How

Reading: Job 7-8 and John 9

Scripture: John 9:9-10, Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”

 

Thoughts: Here in the information age, we are regularly looking for the hows and whys of the world around us. After seeing this man, who they knew as a blind man now seeing, they started seeking how this was done. Some even questioned if he was the same man. I know that I can get too caught up in the who and how of a situation and not look at the why. Jesus said just a few verses earlier to his disciples that he was born blind God’s might could be displayed in him. When situations arise in our lives good or bad, are we missing something in the who, what, why, and how of seeking? I feel like we spend more time looking at the who and what of the situation instead of looking at how can God use this to point to him. Sometimes we do need to understand the why of situations. Sometimes we are being attacked, sometimes there is an unconfessed sin in our life, and still, others may be God wanting us to point to him.  We need to remember to always point to God no matter the situation good or bad. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Prayer: Lord you are worthy, your majesty renders me speechless and unable to proclaim your glory. Your presence overwhelms me and fills me with your love and mercy. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us, I thank you for the opportunities to to point to you and share your love and your might to the world. I ask then you help me to walk out those opportunities that this world may know you. I thank you that you are refining me, I ask that in that you help remove the anger and harshness in my heart and voice and show your peace and joy more. 

Heavier than the sands of the sea.

 Reading: Job 5-6 and John 8

Scripture: Job 6:2-3 “Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.”

 

Thoughts: Hebrews 11 talks about the cloud of witnesses, Paul took companions with him on his journeys. When we are being weighed down and we feel that we can’t move due to the burden that has fallen on us, are we taking out the harsh rash words and tones or are we seeking those who can help shoulder those burden? Soldiers learn to relay on those men in their squad. We need to find those people around us who are willing to help us with our burdens and we help them with theirs. When seeking those to help carry your burden don’t be deceived by the sweet alluring voices telling you that your sins are ok, seek those who will call you out on your shortcoming and together build up the strongholds against the evil one who seeks to destroy the work God is doing in your life. 

 

Prayer: Author of eternity, creator of all things, I fall on my face before you. I raise my hands I worship and lay my life before you. I thank you for the work you are accomplishing in my life and those people you have brought into my life to help carry me. I ask that you help me to be the helper that they have been to me and to grow deeper in my relationship with you and walk the narrow path that leads to you. Lead me guide me and open my heart to more of you. 

What do you have in your eye?

Reading: Job 3-4 and John 7 

Scripture: John 7:51-52 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.” 

 

Thoughts: As I look at this passage, I see how the modern world with cancel culture and the viral nature of social media that many people have forgotten about the law and take things into their own hands. No matter what side of political groups you are on there are always people who take it too far. Are we doing our due diligence to hear out what is being said so that we may determine God’s leading and truth? These political and religious leaders were trying to keep themselves in power, they didn’t want to hear about the miracles being done, they needed to be shown that there was something illegitimate about Him so they could squash the idea He was Messiah. They even wanted proof that no prophets have come from or have been said will come from Galilee. Are we canceling someone because they have a sin in their life that we don’t struggle with? What is the plank in your eye that you are looking around trying to pick the speck out of someone else’s eye? As we walk with God, and seek the influence of the Holy Spirit in our life we will start to hear God speaking to us. 

 

Prayer: Speak Lord for your servant is listening. I lift my eyes to the heavens and open my ears to the whispers of your great love. I raise my voice to praise you and worship you. I ask that you continue to mold and make me. I ask that the refining help me to know you more. I ask that your love fill me to overflowing that I in turn can’t help but spill your love out on others around me. 

What do I need?

 Reading: Job 1-2 and John 6 

Scripture: Job 1:21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

 

Thoughts: The verse stood out to me first thing in the morning but I hadn’t gotten around to writing this until later. In the late morning, my wife was taking the kids to the bowling alley for her sister's birthday celebration, and halfway there we got the notification on low tire pressure. As I call to get what the system says the tire pressure is so I can determine how to deal with it I get this frantic I think the car is overheating. I start heading to where she parked to take a look at the car and check the codes to see what the issue is my mind is spinning on all the possibilities and dollar signs that go with those possibilities. I get to her let her take the car I drove there in and I start poking around in the broken car. I discovered there it was just the tire pressure and the car was not overheating. But in the meantime, I had to remind myself that if God takes this car away then he will provide what we need and in all situations, I need to praise God.   

 

Prayer: Father God I praise you, I lift your name above all names. I glorify your name. I thank you for all you are doing in my life, I thank you for the refining and molding you are doing. I ask that you help my heart and mind be more receptive to that molding and refining, help me to cut out the things that are not of you, and walk in your ways. 

What father are you follwing?

 Reading: Genesis 9-10 and John 5

 

Scripture: John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”

 

Thoughts: I have come across many videos on the internet showing children’s reaction to getting the news that they have been adopted. The pure joy that erupts in their eyes is evident. When God first found us we found joy but have we held onto that joy and truly accepted our place as a son or daughter of God. Jesus after healing the man at the pool of Bethesda, said He only does what the Father does. Are we taking the position of sons and daughters to do the things the Father does. Jesus said in John 14:12 that we will do the things he did and greater things. Are we looking and listening to the Father so that we know what he is doing so that the can do the things He is doing? 

 

Prayer: Lord, I lay my life before you, creator of all things, owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. I thank you for your refining and your molding of my life. I run after you and seek our plans that I may find a place in it. I long to be walking in your ways. I lay my anger and lust at your feet. Help me to leave the chains that have held me down and back from your will and to walk in your ways. 

Where are we leading others to?

 Reading: Genesis 6-8 and John 4

 

Scripture: John 4:53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.

 

Thoughts: The other night I was at a men’s ministry meeting discussing reaching men. Then as I read this morning, I was reminded that even today when we reach a man the family will fallow. I feel like a woman may take her children church but a man will lead his family to God. As a man I need to remember that to good or bad I lead my family. I need to be more intentional and lead my family to God and not into the world.

 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful. Your glory shines around us in all your creation. I see your wonders in the dew of the morning, in the beauty of a shell, and in the colors of the sunrise. I thank you that you have entrusted me with my family, l thank you for the provisions to take care of them and the blessings of things you allow us to enjoy. I ask that you continue to help me release my anger to you and to remove the harsh tones in my voice. Mold me and make me into the man you have called me to be. 

“When 900 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.” – Yoda, Return of the Jedi

 Reading: Genesis 4-5 and John 3

Scripture: Genesis 5:32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

Thoughts: looking at all the generations listed before Noah and their average age of around 900 then at today ninety to a hundred, we are living about one-tenth of their lifespan. If we take the ages here in chapter 5 and divide them by ten, we see some interesting things. Child rearing was normally very early in life, and it always said they fathered other sons and daughters. We don’t know how many, but I guess that because they started early, they would have many. But in our passage, it said Noah was 500 when he started having kids. That is like today waiting until you were in your fifties to start having kids. I am in my early forties I have a seven- and a nine-year-old. I remember how exhausted my wife and I were having our babies when we did. I can only imagine how tired we would be if we had started having kids almost twenty years later than we did. We also can look at Abraham having kids at 100 and Caleb going in to take land at 80. We are never too old for God to work in us and through us. We have a calling, and He will give us the strength to walk out that calling He has placed on our lives. 

 

Prayer: Father God, your wonders never cease to amaze me, your glory shines among the stars and fill the earth with your love. Your love overwhelms us and calls us to you. I thank you for all the work you have done in my life. I thank you for the blessings and provision you are pouring out on us every day. Open my heart to hear your voice more, help me to seek after you more. I ask for the strength of the ages to do your work, to overcome the trials and tribulations that are around me. Help me to cast off the old me and take on the righteousness that you have called me to. 

What are you wearing

 Reading: Genesis 2-3, Psalm 149, and John 2

 

Scripture: Genesis 3:21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.

 

Thoughts: What are we clothing ourselves in? After disobeying God’s one rule and their eyes were opened Adam and Eve clothed themselves in leaves. Leaves when removed from the plant will start to wither, dry out, and become crumbly as an effect of being disconnected from their life source. What do we have in our lives that may cover us for the moment but will ultimately wither and fall apart? Social media is an example of this at work. Almost every social media platform has filters for the photos being taken, leading to this paper-thin veneer over reality. The posts are also typically engineered to show the best side of a situation but when we zoom out a little and remove the filters the reality of who we are and what is going on shines through. All these things will one day fall apart. Through the shedding of blood, God made clothes for Adam and Eve out of skins. These garments may not last forever but would have lasted much longer than the leaves and also would have given them some protection. The blood shed for us by Christ allows us to cast off the clothes of sin and put on the armor of God that will last and protect us for the battles to come.    

 

Prayer: Lord God, praise be to you, your love endures forever and ever. I thank you for your provisions and the blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for the work you are doing in my life, the refining fire, and the revealing of sin in my life. I thank you for your Son and the blood shed for me. I cast off my sinful clothes and seek to put on the armor and step up to the battle before me. I ask that you help me to continue to remove the veneers and filters I place on my life so that I can shine your light on this dark and broken world.

Food for Thought

 Reading: Genesis 1 and John 1

 

Scripture: Genesis 1:30-31, And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

 

Thoughts: As we start another year, I love starting with the beginning, the creation of all things, and how God meant for it to be. Not only are we allowed to start anew, just as when we came to the Lord, but we are also allowed to look back at where we came from. In the beginning, God gave all plants and all creatures that have the breath of life in them as food. Then when establishing the nation of Israel God gave them dietary restrictions, now through Christ all foods are considered clean. As we are cleansed by the blood and starting a new year let us look back on who God created us to be and who we have been over this last year. Now let us walk in the new year striving to return to the person God created us to be. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy of all praise. Your creation cries out your design and your purpose. I ask that as we start this new year help to cast out the old man that seeks himself and fill me with your love and your kindness. Forgive me my trespasses and help me to be changed. I thank you for all that you have done in my life, the molding and refining you have done so far, and I thank you for the continued work you are doing. I place my family in your hands, our finances, and our property. Our home and land are yours and we ask you to do with it as you will. Our vehicles are yours. May we be the stewards you have called us to be of these things that are yours. 

Heart of Praise

 Reading: Daniel 3-4 and 1 Timothy 1  

Scripture: Daniel 4:37, Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

 

Thoughts: After all the humiliation that Nebuchadnezzar went through in his humbling, eating grass and walking on all fours for 7 years. When his mind came back to him, he was able to praise the Lord. When we go through trials or times of humbling are we still praising God for who He is and what he has done in our lives. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful. Your love flows over me and runs over me to the world. Your creation shouts your glory in its beauty. Your grace is abundant and call us to you. I thank you for your provisions and blessing that you pour out on us every day. I ask that you put a heart of praise in us that we may praise and worship you all our days.