March 1st 2019 Where did all the good things go??!?!?

Reading: Exodus 22, Psalm 119:97-136 and Romans 8

Scripture: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"”Romans 8:15 ESV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV

Thought: I alway love to hear the reminder that even as a sinful wicked person God sill wanted me and opened the adoption to bring me into the family. It took me accepting that gift of adoption for me to be brought into the family. He wants us all to be in his family and none of us to perish but he will not force us to love or walk in his ways. 

Coming across the passage of Romans 8:28 I felt that the stigma against this passage. This passage gets over used and missed used in time of loss and time of struggle. We as Christians, so often when we see someone hurting will through this passage out to, “help the hurting person.” What we don’t understand is to none christians and those in pain can cause people to turn away from God because it can seem like God is spiteful or even a god that is vengeful. I don’t see this passage a way to try to comfort these people. This shows the nature of God. Just like in Job where Satin had to go before God to ask permission to do things to Job we are under God’s wings. Because we are living in a fallen world trials, tribulations, and loss will happen in our lives. It is not about God stopping all bad things from happening but it's about us following him through those trials, tribulations, and losses and allowing him to show us the microphone that those trials, tribulations, and losses give us to share his word. 

Prayer: Father, You are so wonderful and you show us the way. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out each day. You are my provider and my strength in time of need. You are my Joy in the mist of the pain and trials. I ask your direction and your plain for all I do. Open my eyes to your purpose for me, my family, and the your ministry what you have for me. Lead me and light the next step.  

February 28, 2019 Dead to sin

Reading: Exodus 21, Psalm 119:49-96, Romans 7

Scripture: Romans 7:4 'Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. '

Thought: As a man continually being bombarded with the lusts of the flesh and striving to walk in the victory that God has provided through is Son. This passage is a great reminder that we need to be the living sacrifice and live as one who has died to our sins and have been raised to the new life. Walking out that Victory at times can be the hardest thing in our lives because even within that victory there are still struggles. For work I spend my days working with the public and driving. It would be easy to watching the scantily clad women or even those who where supper form fitting cloths. It would also be easy to get mad and upset at every inconsiderate driver out there who wont let you merge or feels that their time is more important so they rush ahead. We are all guilty of sin and all only know that sin because of the Law but we have been freed from that guilt through Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us step up and live in that victory. 

Prayer: Father, I love you and fall on my face before you. I thank you for taking my guild and raising me to walk in a new life. I thank you for your blessings and provisions that you pour out on us each and every day. Help me to release the hurt and condemnation the world and the evil one tries to heap upon me. Help me to walk in the victory you have for me. I also ask for your direction on my life, in my work, in ministry, and what the next step in your plan is. Here I am send me.  

November 4 Kryptonite 18

Reading: Jeremiah 32-33, Romans 8, Killing Kryptonite Chapter 18

Thoughts: In my last post I talked about churches that were not teaching all of the word and allowing known sin to remain among them. This is similar, like when Israel had Aaron build a golden calf and called it Yahweh, the name God gave Moses as his name. When we start watering down God’s word because the world around us is jaded and put off because we look no different then they do we are creating a false Jesus. We are to be in the world bu not of the world, when we worship this false or counterfeit Jesus we are becoming part of the world saying all these thing we are doing are fine because we are covered or however we justify that what is written is not what is meant. We need to be in the word and fully committed to the true Yahweh and not this counterfeit god that we build up.

Prayer: Father, you are God the Farther, Yahweh, King of kings. I thank you for being us into your family and sharing your name. I thank you for your provisions and blessings each day. I ask you help me to discern your word and your body. Help me to see if there is something amiss in your body. 

November 3 Kryptonite 17

Reading: Jeremiah 30-31, Romans 7, and Killing Kryptonite chapter 17

Thoughts: Are you being exhorted and brought up in the Word or is your paster just given to making their flock feel good. I am blessed by being a part of a congregation where we don’t skip the hard parts or the things that we don’t want to hear. There are churches out there that teach a Jesus but leave out some of the things God commands. Not only do we need the truth of what God did through the Son but we need to hear that if we are giving ourselves over to sin and allowing known sin to be apart of our church we will loose out on the power and just as Paul said to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:30, “That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” We need to be willing to call out in love when there is know sin in our church. We are one body in Christ and when one part of the body is hurt or is sick the entire body feels is and is affected. This is why Paul tells us to cast out those who will not repent and turn from their sin. Those who don’t repent need to be treated as unbelievers. We need to love them and help them to know the love of God but they are not to be apart of the Body of Christ if they are given to sin, not if the fall into sin because we all do that but have given themselves over to it. 

Prayer: Father, we thank you for bring us into your family and making us joint heirs with your Son. I thank you for your blessings and provisions that you pour out each day. I ask that you help me to be like Micaiah and only speak what you speak. Let your word and your love pour to overflowing in my life so that I share your love to all around me. 

November 2 Kryptonite 16

Reading: Jeremiah 28-29, Psalm 17, Romans 6, and Killing Kryptonite chapter 16

Thoughts: There have been times that my desires did not aline with God’s, like I mentioned before it was not a big turn from God but a let us aim a little off center. After complaining to God or just not listening to him long enough I would think I heard him so go ahead and do it. Just as God did with Israel and other individuals throughout the Old Testament. God will not tell us to do anything that is contrary to his Word but he will give us over to our sinful desires. Meditating on God’s Word will give us insight into who God is, What his voice sounds like and what his desires are. 

Prayer: Father, your ways are hight than mine, your thoughts are higher than mine. I thank you that we have the ability to tap into your will, thoughts and ways through your Son. I ask you to help me to know you and your voice and your will that I may follow you more closely. 

November 1 Kryptonite 15

Reading: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27, Psalm 33, Romans 5, and Killing Kryptonite Chapter 15

Thoughts:  "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus (John 8:31b-31a) Through God’s gift and love shown in the death and resurrection of his Son we have been set free. The ability to get to heaven is a perk in comparison to the freedom that God granted us. In our power we can not over come any of our sins. The sins deceive us and convince us that what we are doing is ok. For me is was not here go this other direction completely it was its ok that you aim is a little off don’t focus on it. Over time I found myself doing things I would have never done if I was presented with that option right off. I have been set free and I walk in that freedom. There are times that the consciences of what I did come back to me and cause me to stumble but we are free. When we abide and meditate on the Word we will be set free. Meditation has been given such a bad connotation over the years with the new age way of centering and grounding one self. The best way I have seen meditation is when it is explained by with a visual. Mediating on the Word is like a cow, goat, or more Biblical a sheep chewing the cud. Chewing the cud is when an animal will sit and chew on the same food for a long, long time, that is how we are to be with the Word. We are to chew on it go over it get every bit of nutrition out of it then go over it again. In that kind of meditation on the right things the things of this world, will fall behind us. Just as if we look at the sun we see no shadows, if we keep our eyes on the Son the shadows of this life will not be seen.  

Prayer: Father, You are so wonderful. I thank you for sending your Son so that I can have the opportunity to know you and come into your love. I thank you for the provision we get from you each day and the blessing that you have for us. I thank you for your guidance and the plan you have for me and my family. I ask that you help me to walk in your freedom and your strength. 

October 31st Kryptonite 14

Reading: Jeremiah 48-49, Romans 4, and Killing Kryptonite chapter 14

Thoughts: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. That thief is also our kryptonite when sin deceives us and we start slowly making our way to where the Good is seen as evil and the wrong is need as good (as in America today) we are unable to grasp or see What God has for us. I know that I struggle with lust and anger, I know that it is easy to covet things others have or are doing. I see friends going places I have only dreamed of going and doing things I want to do or having nicer cars. But then God reminds me of the things he is giving me and the blessings we have. I have a family of 4, we own a house with some land, we have two cars  and a motor cycle that work and have no payment on, we always have food and the things we need, yet I still want what others are doing and have. 

Prayer: Father you provide all and give us our hearts desires. I thank you for what you give us and I ask that your contentment grown within me.  Help me to be content with your will and direction for me and not long for what you are going other. 

October 30th Kryptonite 13

Reading: Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 86, Romans 3, and Killing Kryptonite Chapter 13

Thoughts: In this chapter of Killing Kryptonite we see that the Kryptonite is known sin and willful disobedience. John also helps us to see that to worship God is to obey. It was pointed out that the first time Worship was used in the Bible was when Abraham said, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” That worship was not praise, singing, or bowing it was obedience. I know I struggle with listening to God’s voice at times but I have also seen miracles happen because I listened to what he said. When it comes to silence and listening to or for God’s voice I struggle, I want to fill the silence I want to move on to the next thing or bounce from thing to thing. Maybe its a learning disorder or the way I was raised or any other excuse you or I could come up with but that is also part of the reasoning for the title to this blog, God most of the time speak through the breeze and that still small voice deep down inside of us, but sometimes he takes out that 2x4 and will smack you upside the head to get your attention. One of the things I have to be carful of is the other voices I start letting in. In my job I am on the road a lot and because of going all over the state I have a hard time finding radio stations so I listen to podcast about many different things and interests, Geeky things, pop culture, movies and even sermons but are they beneficial. Like Paul said, “All things a permissible but not all things are beneficial.” I am looking at is my entertainment hindering my hearing from God. 

Pray: Father, you are so awesome, you provide all that we need and all that we could ever want. I thank you for all the blessings and provisions you give us each day. Help me to quiet myself and cut out the things that take me away from you. I want to know you and hear you more, in hearing help me to obey more as well in proper worship to you. 

October 29th Kryptonite 12

Reading: Jeremiah 26, 35-36, Romans 2, and Killing Kryptonite 12

Thoughts: In Romans 2 Paul was talking about how through faith in Christ or the Law is our judgement. At that time there were those who were so focused on the Law(a good thing) that it became more important than their faith and relationship with God(the better thing). Thus creating an idol out of the Low that God gave to Israel to guide then but also to show them that they can’t get to God on their own or with the blood of sheep and goats. We are not to just stop working and expect everything to be handed to us on a golden plater by God. As we continue to seek God we see that by doing all things For Him, even our jobs become less monotonous and we can find joy in them and the provisions we get through the payment we receive IS His Provision for us. I know people in my company who seem to live to work because they are only focused on money(The Big Green god), where I work for God So God can provide through me. He has given me this job. The hard part of being faithful is when God asks you to be more reliant on Him and provides for a dream in the same move. My wife and i were comfortable with two incomes, then one day God said my wife’s dream of staying home and teaching our kids came true, when he told her to quit her job. This was a dream come true but also cut our income in half and we had to get different insurance. In the last month we have started the transition getting her last checks and seeing God make sure everything is paid. God provides and not money.

Prayer: Father All I can say is Thank you Thank you Thank you. You fulfill dreams and provide for all needs. 

October 28 Kryptonite 11

Reading: Jeremiah 23-24, Romans 1, and Killing Kryptonite 11

Thoughts: A quote from Killing Kryptonite, “As difficult as it may be to hear that partial obedience is the same as idolatry, we can be thankful to learn this. If we know what’s on the test, we can pass it every time. This is God’s goodness and mercy!” The temptations and trials that God allows the evil one to bring to us are these tests that John Bevere is talking about. God has given us not just the information so that we can figure out the answer to the questions, but he has given us the answer key through is Son and Holy Spirit. I know that I struggle with studying and listening to those answers before had but God has given them to us.

Prayer: Father, you are so awesome and worthy of all praise and adoration that I can give. I thank you for the answers you show me even when I don’t want to listen. Help me to listen more and step into your will. 

October 27 Kryptonite 10

Reading: 1 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 43, Acts 28, and Killing Kryptonite Chapter 10

Thoughts: When it comes to obedience to what I have heard God tells me, my first thought was when I stepped far out of my comfort zone and went 300 miles to pray for my aunt. When I think about past things of course its the big things that stand out the most, but as I was thinking about it some of my other obediences were going back to school, going to my church and getting planted there, and making my journaling and journey public. I probably will never (this side of heaven) know the purpose or impact this has or will have, and I don’t really want to because it will make me think too much of myself. As much as we all seem to crave the fame and notoriety I know that God has not allowed or given that to me because I would loose focus. 

Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving me a purpose and direction. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out and the longing to be in your presence. I know without experiencing your love and presence I would never seek more. 

October 26th Kryptonite 9

Reading: Jeremiah 19-20, Psalm 146, Acts 27, and Killing Kryptonite Chapter 9

Thoughts: Just as Israel was in a Covenant with God so are we. This covenant between us and God make us his bride. Most people and I pray All those who put on the mantel of Christian see a marriage as a fully committed relationship with their spouse. Are we as committed to God as we are wife or husband. Sadly enough for many the answer is no. We are cheating on God through our putting things before God. 

To encourage myself to give my all to God and not cheat on my Heavenly Father I try to set aside time first thing in the morning to spend with him. I will get up and get dressed and make coffee for my wife and I then sit down and read the word together before journaling. With 2 and 4 year old deciding to get up at that time too sometimes does interfere. We do our best to integrate our kids into our time with God and/or do it in spite of the thing going on. I serve at the church and I look for ways that I can do my job in a way that I a serve my customers in their repairs they need I will show God’s love. I Pray that all the work I do would glorify God. The best way for me to not Cheat on God is to spend more time speaking with him and directing my attention onto him. 

Prayer: Father, your great and wondrous love pours out so deeply in our lives. I thank you for the provisions and blessing you pour out on us each day. I ask you to help me to keep you on my mind and seek you. I ask you to touch those around me and help me to have the boldness to go and the ability to hear when you send me. 

October 25th Kryptonite 8

Reading:Jeremiah 17-18, Acts 26, and Killing Kryptonite 8

Scripture: Acts 26:29, And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains."

Thoughts: The passion that Paul had for Christ should be at least mirrored if not magnified. Over and over in the word we are called the Bride of Christ, as that bride there are conditions that are set for us the bride and for the groom. The Groom has already fulfilled all the conditions for both sides and we are called to walk as the bride. Im my previous marriages I know there was adultery that was committed against me in the literal sense by my wife having relations with someone other then me. I (unknowingly at the time) committed adultery with in my struggle with lust and pornography. For a long time that was placed even above God in my daily routine, I had many excuses on why I would do what I would do but none of them have any merit. Just as Paul said, I really don’t care how long it takes as long as we all become like Christ 

Prayer: Father, Thank you for the revelations you show us each day in your word and through those you speak through. I thank you for your provisions and the blessings of each day. Open my eye to see where I am walking from you and the threat of my adultery is trying to creep in so that I can remove it. 

October 24th Kryptonite 7

Reading: Jeremiah 15-16, Psalm 10, Acts 25, and Killing Kryptonite chapter 7

Scripture: Jeremiah 16:10-11, And when you tell this people all these words, and they say to you, 'Why has the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?' then you shall say to them: 'Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law,

Thought: For many years during my time playing at the “Sunday Christian” trope of I can do what ever I want during the week as long as I give a little and go to church. I was one of those people Jeremiah was talking about in chapter 16. Not only are we called to a Path God has for us We are called to come and Jump into the deep end of God’s power. Through the great gift of the Father through the Son and administered to us by the Holy Spirit, we have been given His Power and Authority. I know that I have been called and empowered to teach. I have been given influence in lives around me to help raise up into their potential in Christ. I am filled with the Holy Spirit and I strive to listen to him every day. Rise up all who have fallen asleep in the Lord you have purpose. 

Prayer: Father, Maker of all things. I thank you for the blessing and the power you pour out on us each day. I thank you for the provisions that you give us and strength to over come. I ask that you encourage me to open myself more and share your love with those who need it.

October 23rd Kryptonite 6

Reading: Jeremiah 13-14, Psalm 141, Acts 24, and Killing Kryptonite Chapter 6

Thoughts: I didn’t have a passage from the reading jump out at me this morning, I am glad the God used every day guys to be his disciples showing that uneducated and often brash people can be used to share the word of God. I know that we are called to do the same but many of us (my self included) don’t feel life we have the ability to go. I grew up in a church who ether didn’t teach the gifts and manifestation of the Holy Spirit or didn’t think they were still relevant today. Ether way I didn’t have any grasp on any of these things. When it comes to Miracles I know they are possible being that I have been part of two myself in the last year. I had an infirmity I was dealing with possibly my entire life healed and I watched my Aunt get healed after I listened to God and made a 300 mile trip to pray for her. Seeing her cancer removed and increased healing of the aftermath of the biopsy and other procedures. I am blessed to be a part of a church who does hear God’s voice and seeks after him, I am jumping in. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for guiding me and my family to this church home that you brought us to. You pour out such great blessings each day and continue to guide me each day. I am sorry that I don’t always listen to your voice and seek my own ways. I long to receive all that you have for me and my family and I ask you to help me to see myself as you see me, I want to live out the potential you placed in me and see you each day.