Are you a Man of War or are you just playing?

Reading: Jeremiah 48-49 and Romans 4

Scripture: Jeremiah 48:14, How do you say, ‘We are heroes and mighty men of war’?

Thought:  As I was reading about judgment of Moab and all the things the Jeremiah was saying they did or didn’t do the passage above stuck me. We are given the Armor of God when we come onto the covenant with God that is offered though the death and resurrection, and as a kid in the church I sang about being in the Lords Army. Yet are we truly fighting in that Army are we claiming hero and men of war even though we are sitting back watching the fighting, or worse have are eyes closed and don’t see or acknowledge the fighting. We are in a war and yes God has already won that war but we still need to do our part and fight our battles in that war. Are we surrounding ourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ that can come beside us and fight in that Foxhole with us or are we surrounding ourselves those who maybe unknowingly work for the enemy. Are you a Man of War or are you just playing?

Prayer: Father God, you are the one worth fighting for, you are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I honor and praise you laying my life before you. I thank you that you are leading and guiding us, that you mold us and refine us every day leading us into a fuller understanding of you and your love. I ask that you help me to step out of my comfort zone and speak your word to those around me, help me to be a light in this world. 

Teach me

Reading: Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 86, and Romans 3 

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-12, Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Thoughts: As I read this psalm of David, this man who had been promised the kingdom and anointed king, seeking God, and asking to be taught and to have his heart united with God’s heart. Are we diving into the word and seeking after the Father every day? Are we seeking for the outpouring of his wisdom in our lives? Do we want our hearts broken for what breaks the heart of the Lord or are we too focused on the world around us and the spiraling whirlwind of the of this fast-paced society? Let us slow down just a bit and just for a wile that we can get in the word, sit in His presence and ask Him to teach us and fill us with his love. 

Prayer: Father God, maker of all things, I honor you, I love you and I thank you for all that you do. I thank you that you give me the strength to get up and have this time with you. I thank you for the provision and blessing you are pouring out on us every day. I thank you that you are refining me and molding me into that vessel you have called me to be. I ask that you help me to grow deeper in understanding and wisdom. 

Who you talking to???

Reading: Jeremiah 1-2 and Acts 18

 

Scripture: Acts 18:6, And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

 

Thoughts: I know that I have been guilty of the mindset of I just need to invite someone to church then it is the pastors job to get them to come to Christ. Yes that can work and people can come to know God through a pastor, but we are not called to just drag people in off the street and expect that what ever the sermon that week is, that it causes this person that was come to Christ. It says that’s Paul taught every sabbath meaning he was there for an extended period of time, but it goes one to say the that after he was opposed he shook out his sandals said “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” How often are we truly living out the great commission and sharing Christ with the world around us or are we just dragging people in to try to get the pastor to do that work. I know that my biggest fear is that I would fail or look stupid when sharing the gospel. Are we letting our fears keep us from sharing the gospel, and when we do fail, then we fail and we move on, shake the dust out of our shoes and hair, get up and speak the word again. No matter when or how we fail it is not on us as Paul said “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent.” It is not up to us to convince someone they need Christ but we are to share Him with all. 

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for my voice, I thank you for the ability to speak and share what you have done in my life. I thank you that you are working in my life, growing and strengthening me every day. I thank you for the opportunity to steward the provisions you have given to me. I ask that you help me to walk in your ways, to spread your word to those around me. 

Gathering around each other.

Reading: 2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 34, and Acts 14

Scripture: Acts 14:20, But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

Thoughts: We so often get beaten down by this world, be it for our faith or just because we live in a fallen world that is striving blindly toward the gates of Hell. Paul after being stoned to death, got up and went back into the city but only after the disciples gathered around him. When we are attacked and beaten down, do we have a community that will come together, gather around us to call us back to life. Even though this passage does not say that these disciples were praying over him, but I believe that these disciples were praying over him until he rose. We need our community to gather around us. We most likely are not the solution to the situation and as a man that is a struggle because it is in my nature to fix things, but we are called to be in that foxhole with those are currently in a battle. We are all always at war but each day and each season there are different battles being waged. Right now, I feel there is a battle and war waging over marriage and family and when there is someone in your community being attacked, we need to get into that foxhole with them and declare victory in the name of Jesus. We are overcomers, it will not be easy, but we know who wins the war, we are to walk out this victory, putting on the full armor of God daily. 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for all you are working in my life, I thank you for the abilities that you have given me to get me where I am today, I thank you for the community that I have and the men who gather around me in my struggles. I ask that you help me to gather around those who are struggling that  we can overcome these battles together. 

What are your high places?

Reading: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 75, and Acts 12

 

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:16-17, He also restored the altar of the Lord and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.

 

Thoughts: Reading this passage about the different kings and how they either were for God or not I thought this was interesting. When Manasseh reigned he cleared the idols our of the city and restored the altar of God but the people still went to the high places. Going to the high places was one of the ways the other gods were worshiped. The people were holding onto traditions and practices that did not honor God. Today we do the same sort of things, we may not have these places of worship that were dedicated to other gods the way the people of God did but we have things in our lives that surround us every day that the Bible tells us to avoid. There are groups out there that all things are permissible even when the Word of God speaks against it. We all have to make a choice on where we come down on each and every topic and how we are going to walk through this world. Seek discernment from the Lord and God will reveal to you his heart in the situations of your life. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are the creator of all things, your grace and mercy is abundant. I thank you that you called me into your family that you forgave me and adopted me. I thank you that you gave me the abilities that have gotten me to where I am today and that you are molding and refining me into the man you have called me to be. I ask the you help me to see your truth and your ways, help me to recognize and walk in your ways. I ask that you help me to overcome the temptations of the evil one and be strengthened in your love. 

Remember not the former thing!!

Reading: Isaiah 42-43, Psalm 82, and Acts1

 

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19, Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

 

Thoughts: In a world of social media and the memory pop up on Facebook we are constantly looking back on things in our past, no matter if it was good, bad or indifferent we get to see the things we posted in years past. As it is good to have memories and learn from our past mistakes. Isaiah was speaking of John the Baptist and Jesus here, speaking of the new way and that John would preach and Jesus would fulfill. Israel had fallen of the wagon and tried to get back on countless time with countless kings. Isaiah is saying forget the way we have been doing it and look to the new way that God has set fourth for us. We in the same way were one way and now in Christ have been called to the new way of living. We are to learn from our past but not let it define us, there are many addiction recovery groups that look at once an addict always and addict but in Christ we are set free from our past, yes we can learn from it and grow but it no longer defines or dictates who we are because our Father in heave now defines who we are. Let us not remember the former things and walk in the new ways of the Lord.

 

Prayer: Father God, you are the one who defines who we are, you have called us from our sinful ways and named us sons and daughters. I thank you that you have called me and that you are working in my life that I may better show your love and your grace to the world around me. I ask that you continue to mold me and refine me in the fire that I may become purified and walk in your image. Help me to be the father and husband you have made me to be. Open my heart to correction and discipline that will lead me close to you, and be and example to the world. 

The End or Not

Reading: Hosea 8-11 and Mark 13

 

Scripture: Mark 13:6-8, Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

 

Thoughts: Watching the state of the country and world today, I hear many people saying things like “The Lord is coming soon.” or “The end time are here.” The way I see it we have been in the end times since Christ ascended to heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. There have been wars and rumors of war seemingly forever, there are famines and earthquakes all over. Here Jesus responding to the disciples asking when things were to happen, “These are the beginning of the birth pains.” Ask any woman who has given birth what the begging was like verses how it was when the baby was born and you will learn about then difference between contractions 30-40 minutes apart and the ring of fire and why God put it in the minds of those who created the epidural. As the father of two wonderful children who regularly test our sanity I have watched my wife go through this twice. In the beginning we are at home going for walks and doing what we can to help her to be comfortable as her body prepares to give birth. With all that we are seeing going on around the world the are only the beginning of the birth pains. We need to not be complacent that every day we move one more day towards eternity but be driven by that thought that we are moving towards eternity. We don’t know if Jesus will return tomorrow or another thousand years in the future but we need to live as if it will end tomorrow because it could for someone. How little do you have to care about someone to not throw them a life ring when they are drowning. Let us toss the life ring, some will grab ahold and others will not accept it, but we are doing out part and putting it out there. 

 

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for sending your Son, who took my sins, my failures, and washed them clean. I thank you that you are working in my life, that you are providing my needs. I thank you that you are molding me and refining me that I can reflect you better. I ask that you help me to grow my boldness and my discernment that I can overcome the evil one. Lead me and guide me as I go about my days.

Toiling under the Son

Reading: 1 Kings 11, Ecclesiastes 1, and 1 John 4

 

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:3, What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

 

Thoughts: When we first meet some one of of the first things we ask is, “What do you do for a living?” We are focused on that the toil under the sun is for one another. I have been binge watching all the seasons of Survivor and on day one they are always showing people asking names and occupations. Yes our jobs are a big part of how we spend time, but that is not who we are. In Ecclesiastes it starts off saying Vanity of vanity all is vanity then jumps right into walking about what does a man gain from his toil. So where is our focus, is it our job, our family, or the one who gave us all those things. Are we just toiling under the sun or are we going to toil under the Son?

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the creator of all things and the giver of all things. I thank you that you see me and know me, that you knew me in my mothers womb. I thank you that you are calling me even when I don’t fell worthy of that call. I ask that you help me to walk in your plan and that my toiling brings honor to you. 

And the Stone Table will crack.

Reading: Song of Solomon 5-8, Psalm 13 and 1 John 3

 

Scripture: 1 John 3:16, By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

 

Thoughts: We so often focus on John 3:16 about how we are forgiven and are given eternal life through the gift of God, but we need to spend as much time remembering 1 John 3:16. We know His love because of the sacrifice that he gave, but also we are called to lay down our lives for our brothers. This reminds me of a series of events that happened in The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, after Edmond had escaped the witch and has rejoined his brother and sisters with the Narnian army the witch comes and claims the old magic requires his soul to be hers. Later after Aslan had trained his life for Edmond’s and has risen he recites what was written on the stone table “If a willing Victim that has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's stead, the Stone Table will crack; and even death itself would turn backwards.” Aslan being a Christ allegory he sacrificed himself to cover the sins of Edmond and save him. We are called to lay down our lives, are we putting God first and no matter what happens to our lives we are there for our brothers and sister and representing God and his love? John 13:35 says “they will know us by our love” how are you know?

 

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are merciful and mighty, you overcome all things and grant us strength and knowledge to honor and praise you and to preach the good news. I thank you that you are here with us and you are always leading and guiding us. I thank you that you are refining me and molding me into the man you called me to and need me to become. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out on us every day. I thank you for our daily bread and pouring into us. I ask that you help us to overflow with your love and walk in a way that brings honor and glory to your name. 

Complacency or Hate

Reading: Song of Solomon 1-4 and 1 John 2

 

Scripture: 1 John 2:2, He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

Thoughts: When reading 1 John this verse about Jesus being the payment for our sins and the sins of the world resinated differently with me today. Not only am I where I am today because of the gift that he gave us through his Son, but what suck with me was when he made the point to say not just for us but for the whole world. Yes we know John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. In that we know He loved the world yet are we sharing that love with the world? If we truly believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven, how much complacency or hate do we have in us to not share the gospel with those around us. I know I struggle with sharing with people, I know I make excuses and find reasons why I can’t yet I know that if I stepped out that He would be there with me to overcome those hangups I have. Are we telling others about Jesus paying for our sins or are we keeping that to ourselves? 

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you did send your Son to Earth and that we have the opportunity to be reconciled to you and that we are no welcome in the Holy of Holies where you reside. I thank you that you are the provider of all things, through you all blessings and provision come. I thank you that you are working in my life, molding and refining me that I can be a better father, a better husband, and a better follower of you. I ask that you help me to overcome the pride and fear in my life that is keeping me from walking out your plan. 

Be in the light as He is in the light.

Reading: Proverbs 30-31, Psalm 96, and 1 John 1

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-6, This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Thoughts: When I was reading about God being the light and we when we claim to be in fellowship with Him, yet we still walk in the dark it says we are I lier. As I was reading, I was thinking about my struggle with lust, I am grateful that most of the time I can avoid falling into the temptations, but it happens. There are those who walk in the darkness and believe the are in the light, walking deceived by the evil one. We are called into the light and into fellowship with the Father, yet we are always being tempted into sin. When we have the unconfessed sin and are not repentant we are walking in the dark pretending to be in the light. God is working with me to completely remove lust from my life. Where are you walking because there is not a was to keep your toe in the dark and walk in the light of God?

Prayer: Father God, you are the light of the world, you open our eyes to see the things in our lives where we have iniquities in our live. You call us into the light, and I ask you that you help us to set aside those things we are holding onto, keeping us in the dark and keeping us from you. I thank you that you are molding and refining me every day. I thank you that you provide what we need and leading and guiding me every day. I ask that you continue to open my eyes and give me your discernment that I can see the traps and snares the evil one is placing before me. 

Vision for life

Reading: Proverbs 28-29, Psalm 48, and 2 Peter 3

 

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

 

Thoughts: This proverb about vision not only speaks to those of faith but also to the world, for those in Christ and in the Church we are given vision through Holy Spirit and are given a path or some times just a destination. With that vision we know where to strive, we have that destination in mind. Are we developing a culture of vision in our home that will give direction to our family and direction to the next generation? Back during the World Wars our nation was unified in vision to the point that because of the shortages that came from the wars, our government encouraged people to use every available chunk of land to grow food to help one another. We are not unified in vision or purpose and it feels like there are those in power who are seeking to divide us so much that we can no longer stand. Let Holy Spirit lead us and guide us and seek the prophetic vision that He has for us. 

 

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you sent Holy Spirit to dwell within us and bring us wisdom and understanding to this world. I thank you that you are pouring out your love and peace on us every day. I thank you for your blessings and provisions. I thank you for the vision you have given me and I ask that you help me to see it more clearly and with more understanding. I ask that you encounter those in power that they know you more and that they are able to walk in your was and seek you instead of their own selfish desires. 

Wise in your own eyes.

Reading: Proverbs 26-27, Psalm 98, and2 Peter 2

Scripture: Proverbs 26:4-5, Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
 
Thoughts: We all have this tendency to be foolish from time to time, and most grow out of it and develop wisdom as we age. I have seen this disturbing trend into not telling children no, affirming everything they say and do. This trend of affirming all things in them before they have learned to enough to have developed true wisdom are creating people who are wise in their own eyes. We need to seek out those people in our lives who will help us to walk in truth, we are living in an echo with other like minded people who we have never met due to the internet and social media. It is easy to find and build those echo cambers where we hear only our own ideas reflected back to us. Let us welcome those with opposing ideas and those who challenge ours to have conversations and discussions about these differences that we can truly develop wisdom. Salomon in his great wisdom from God was able to speak to this nearly three thousand years before the invention of the internet and social media where does your wisdom come from?
 
Prayer: Father God, you are where all truth and all true wisdom flows. I thank you that you are pouring out your love, your truth, and your peace upon us every day as you provide for all our needs. I thank you for those in my life that walk with you and seek you and are willing to discuss so that we can be that iron sharpening one another. I thank you that you are refining me and molding me into the man you have called me to be. I ask that you help me to grow in your wisdom and walk in your ways that I may not be the fool who see himself as wise. 

Folding of the hands.

 Reading: Proverbs 24-25 and 2 Peter 1

 

Scripture: Proverbs 24:30-34, I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

 

Thoughts: Each generation seems to be moving away form the willingness to do a hard days work. 200 years ago, in the early years of our nation, most men had hard physical jobs such as carpenters, blacksmith, wagon maker, and farmers. Just a few generations ago the group called the Boomer had the work ethic of hard work, but brought into the office setting. Gen X sought more office type work and grew up outdoors still understanding that it takes hard work to better ones self. Millennials and Gen Z may not have known a world without the internet or smartphones, and one of the biggest hope and dream of many of them is to become famous in some way and make money off playing games and making social media content and do as little as possible. With the mentality of give it to me because I deserve it verses I will work for what I want. Seems to me to have bread an entire generation or two in western society who exhibit the mentality of the slugger who Salomon wrote about. Are we falling into the trap of the sluggard letting the the weeds in our lives top take deep root and break dow the walls allowing the robber to come in and to steal kill and destroy our lives and the lives of those around us. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you showed us the work ethic to have in creation, work 6 day of good work of making all things and take a day of rest. I thank you for you pressings and provisions that I can walk in your love and in your grace. I ask that you help me to keep prospective on how I work and how I rest that I may show my faith by my works and to point those around me to you. 

Suffering

Reading: Proverbs 22-23, Psalm 101, and 1 Peter 5

 

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11, And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

Thoughts: We all are going to suffer in some ways shape or form weather we are suffering for Christ or if we are suffering in life, there will be suffering. I thank God that He sent his son to pay the price for us to be in right standing before God. His gift calls us into his glory. Then restoration to our Father, the conformation into the family of God, the strength needed to overcome all things in his name, and we are now established citizens of the kingdom of heaven and sons and daughters of God. Yes there will be pain in this life we live in a fallen world where sins and iniquities have become ingrained in our lives thought generations of living in this fallen world. Yet we are called into his glory, get up and walk in it.

 

Prayer: Father God, you are the great provider, you gave you son as a way to get back to you, you give us the peace and understanding in our times of need. I thank you that you are pouring your love our on us every day. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that I get to walk in every day. I ask that you lead me and guide me in all that I do. I ask that you help me to walk hi your ways and in your truth.