Scripture:

Rev 19:10b... For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.^[d]”

Observation:

Far too often we seem to have this notion that "Prophecy" is for telling the future. and that future is all about us. How selfish we are. I know that you say in in the Bible that Prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. IOW: the prophetic word given should lead us back to Jesus. All the time

Application:

I want to be careful to listen to the word of prophecy given from me and to me, that it give clear witness to Jesus. that he gets the glory and not I

Prayer:

Lord thank you for your word. Thank you for the words of the Bible that correct me and keep me on track. Far too easily, I read your word with self-centered glasses. I only usually want to read it for whats in it for me. That is so selfish. Help me see your words both written and prophetically given to always lead back to you. I love you my Jesus

Questioning the Lord is never a good idea

Scripture:

Job 38:1-3

38 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

2 "Who is this that questions my wisdom

with such ignorant words?

3 Brace yourself like a man,

because I have some questions for you,

and you must answer them.

Observation:

"Brace yourself like a man" wow! I can honestly say that I never want to hear those words from the Lord. When it comes right down to it, God is God and there is no further discussion. Somehow we feel justified in our approach to telling God what he needs to do or fix. When I think of how silly that is, I am embarrassed

Application:

How dare I approach the Lord and demand an answer. He is the Lord. I want to trust him because he is the Lord

Prayer:

Lord, help me to know you and your Lordship. I love you 

True Discipleship

Scripture:

1 Cor 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ

Observation:

When will we start to live lives that intend t be followed? when will we start out each decision with the fact that i plan on people watching and seeing the right way of doing things. for some reason we seem to think that our lives are our own and our decisions are all but ours to defend. I want to establish a walk that can be followed and sought after. Paul says to follow me as i follow Christ without any notion that he has personal feelings one way on another. it is almost as if Paul believed that his life would never be his own. What is our problem? Isn't this what the Lord wanted us to think? Is not the life lived for Christ to be a life lives in front of the world? I want to live a life as an example to follow.

Application:

I want today to be a day where I live for others. Not a day lived for my self. I want to make choices that truly believe that people are listening and will follow. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to make wise choices today. With a boldness, I want to tell the world, follow me as i follow Christ. I want to mean it with all of my heart. I love you my Jesus

take this opportunity

Scripture:
Acts 3:12 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd...

Observation:
what is it that keep us from taking advantage of an opportunity like Peter did? What is it that keeps us from speaking up with words that have the power of life and death? I wonder if we took the opportunity to speak up and just brought clarity to situations, what life may come

Application:
I want to speak to the times we live in. I want to take advantage and speak clarity to the confusion that is all around.

Prayer:
Lord, would you help me to see the opportunities all around me to speak up and tell the words of hope to a world who, like the people in the story, just days before shouted crucify!? I want to speak to the lost and lead them to you. I love you my Jesus

I need your strength

Scripture:
Psalms 10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might.11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Observation:
He takes no pleasure in Human might... Truly, the Lord doesn't need my strength or might. He is completely capable to do anything he chooses when or how He wants. Even when i think i can bring my gifts to the table and help Him out a bit, He reminds me that it was He who gave me those gifts.

Application:
I need to remember that when i operate in my strength i am left with results, some good but relying on me to sustain. when i rely on Him to provide the strength, the sustaining is all His. Whatever he creates He has to sustain... whatever I create i have to sustain

Prayer:
Lord, help me always stop and remember that i am nothing without you. I need your strength for my family, for my walk for my ministry. I need you. I love you

I want what you want

Scripture:
John 14:25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

Observation:
If you want to be my disciple? Wow! what an invitation. You know Jesus never says here is the requirement for you to be a true Christian you have to do this or that. He simply gives an invitation, If you want to be my disciple you need to put everything lower than me. Why would Jesus say such a thing? I believe He know that anything that we could come up with would never satisfy at all!

Application:
He says here that you even need to hate yourself. IOW: to truly know Him your wants and desires need to pale in comparison.

Prayer:
Lord, I want to want what you want. I want to desire more of you and less of my way. would you give me a hatred for the things that get in the way of that? I love you my master

Who's your daddy

Scripture:
Luke6:46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

Observation:
When I call the Lord "Lord" I am sure it is intended to mean that he is the one with complete authority in my life. Today you ask me why i call you Lord if i don't obey what you say? In so many places in my life i call you Lord and do what i want. I am not good at being Lord. You are.

Application:
Today I call you Lord. I want to allow you to be Lord. I need you to be Lord.

Prayer:
Lord, Help me to allow you to be Lord in my life. Help me to become less so you will be more. I love you

God is in control

Scripture:
Psalms 145:13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.

Observation:
In the middle of such economic chaos it is good to know that you are the everlasting God. You are not afraid of what the world can bring. I know that you are the God of history and the God of the future. You are so good. I find myself being fearful in the light of the unsettling events of the world economy. You have already been in the future and i know you will be there when i get there. I love you and am at peace knowing that you are in charge

Application:
Prepare to live here in on the planet and be aware of the surroundings i live in, but never allow them determine how i will respond. IOW: knowing God is in control is the good news and worthy of trust

Prayer:
Jesus i want only to be afraid of you and what you can do to me. I have hope and i am thankful for that. I love you

Keep secret

Scripture:
Rev 10:4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Keep secret[b] what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down.”

Observation:
"keep secret". not sure why this leaped off the page to me this morning. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that the Lord often wants to speak "secret things"to us that are only for us? When was the last time i listened to the heartbeat of the Lord and kept our time together a secret? like the intimate times a husband gets to spend with his wife, can i keep secret the intimate thing the Lord and I share?

Application:
I want to spend time with the Lord. I want to build a relationship with the Lord that He can trust. I want to listen to the secret things that he wants to share with me and keep it in that place of intimacy

Prayer:
Lord, I want to develop that secret place with you. I want to hear your heart beat and know what i can share and what you want me to keep between you and i. Would you help me learn and know how to develop that place with you? - I love you my Jesus

Tears in Heaven

Scripture:
Revelation: 7:17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Observation:
Will there be tears in Heaven? It says here in Rev. that there will be tears in Heaven. What kind of tears will they be? I wonder if they will be tears of regret. tears of what should have been, tears of what might have been. tears of what should have been while life was in the balance.

Application:
What if i lived life without regret? Can life really be lived without regret so that the tears that will fall from my eyes will be few? I want that. I want to life to my potential and life in obedience.

Prayer:
Lord will you help me to live life without regret? life with the fullest of response to your voice.
I love you

Make a decision

Scripture:
Revelation 3:19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. NLT

Observation:
The passage just before this one talks about being lukewarm. neither hot nor cold. completely indifferent.
How is it that we would ever decide to be indifferent? Why would we ever allow ourselves to be placed into a position of non-opinion. Is it because we don't want to fight? Is it because we don't want the conflict with those from one side on the other? Perhaps it is because we want everyone to be in agreement with our decisions and be left alone. Whatever the case, indifference is a poison that, if swallowed will only Merritt the pain on non movement. like mold that grows on a rock that hasn't moved, indifference will produce mold and pain that will eventually choke and kill.

Application:
Make a decision! right or wrong. make one.

Prayer:
Lord i know you are calling me to a place of persistence. this is the word given to me as of late. With this word and this devotion, I want to be a person that will be a person of action and not indifference.

I love you Lord

extravagant vs. nessessary

Scripture:
John 12:1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate[a] with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar[b] of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

Observation:
Right, wrong, expensive, costly, Mary did what what she thought was the more extravagant thing she could do. Mary made a decision. "What is the most costly think I could do to show my love for my savior?" She gave all she had of value. The same scripture here says two words that make me cringe because they make me think that this is what I might have been doing at the time of the anointing of Jesus. The two words: "Martha served". Martha was so caught up in doing that she missed the beauty of relationship. Mary's act of anointing Jesus left the entire house filled with a fragrance that all could partake in

Application:
I want to try and stop myself from the steady need to do something. Even something appropriate. I want to be confronted with the extravagant. This scares me to say this, but i want to be willing to offer that which is extravagant to the Savior who is more than worthy of my offering

Prayer:
Lord help me to offer extravagant worship to you. I want my worship to honor you in all I do. I know that there are necessary things to do like Martha thought. But Lord, help me to know the time and place of when to let the necessary fall tot he extravagant. - I love you my Lord

Obey out of love

Scripture:
Jeremiah 2:26 “Israel is like a thief who feels shame only when he gets caught. They, their kings, officials, priests, and prophets— all are alike in this.

Observation:
We are so much like Israel. only feeling shame when we get caught. Sad. when will we begin to obey the Lord because it is a pleasure to love and honor Him? When will the desire of our hearts be to love our Lord and walk in ways that please Him. Instead we spend time wondering what we can get away with in hopes that we will get away with something. How crazy is that? What if our energy were spent growing in love with our master and Savor Jesus? What if our time were spent training ourselves to live right and not how to get away with that which is wrong? Hmmm

Application:
It's exhausting to keep trying to see what it is that we can get away with. I want to spend time loving my father like i love my wife. No one needs to tell me to love her and only her. I love Pollie because i love her. I don't want to hurt her in any way. I want my love and obedience to the Lord to be like that kind of love

Prayer:
Lord Help me to learn how to walk in a way that pleases you out of love and "want to" I get tired trying to obey out of a "have to" I love you and i want my feet and hands to show it. I love you

Let the Blind speak

Scripture:
John 9:20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”

Observation:
He is old enough. Ask him. I love that statement from the parents of the healed blind man. He can answer for himself. I wish more people would answer for themselves. I wish more people would step up and declare the healing of the Lord in their lives. Far too often we keep the message of the healing touch of the Lord down deep in our hearts. when it stays there the risk is that it will be forgotten and the loss of hope will set in

Application:
I want to remember that i have a message of hope to still talk about. like the healed blind man, i can speak for myself. I can never deny the touch of the Lord on my life. I want to speak it loud and clear to whomever needs to hear. Even my heart

Prayer:
Lord, I want to never forget the great things you are to me. I never want to walk quiet and soon forget what you have done. I can speak for myself. Help me speak loudly - I love you Lord

The first stone

Scripture:
John 8:6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

Observation:
The first stone. You know we all have a "first stone" of judgement that needs to fall to the ground. And like those accusers most of us have that stone in our hand poised and ready to throw. I know i do. I hate it but I do. I need to open my fist and allow it to fall from my grip

Application:
I want to be ready to open my fingers and let the stone fall to the ground. I want to stop the potential judgement in my mouth to fall away. truly I want to avoid picking up the "first stone" all thgether.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to see what you see in people. I want to be like you Jesus seeing what you see. when you looked at the woman caught you saw a woman who needed to be free. when you saw people ready to judge, you say people who needed to release their judgement. all about freedom. - i love you

"Want to" vs. "Have to"

Scripture:
2 Chron 35:3 He issued this order to the Levites, who were to teach all Israel and who had been set apart to serve the Lord: “Put the holy Ark in the Temple that was built by Solomon son of David, the king of Israel. You no longer need to carry it back and forth on your shoulders. Now spend your time serving the Lord your God and his people Israel. NLT

Observation:
When we read the OT we need to remember that the cross of Jesus is the filter to look through. IOW: when we see the OT Arc we can look at the NT Presence of the Lord in our lives.
Here we see King Josiah decree to the Priests (in this case the people of God), that they were no longer supposed to "carry the Arc on their shoulders" I believe this is speaking to me about the fact that the religious things I do in hopes to 1. make God happy by my religious duties. and 2. impress people while looking so religious. Here the king says Put it in the temple. this for the People of the Lord in the NT is our hearts. IOW: put the Presence of the Lord back in your heart and with that there do what you were created to do. Love God and people.

Application:
With the presence of the Lord in my heart, I want my obedient act of service to be a "want to" not a "have to". When he remains on my shoulders like the OT arc it becomes a "Have to" not a "want to".

Prayer:
Lord I want to love and serve you because I love you. I want my obedience to be motivated out of love not fear, condemnation, or a "have to". help me my Jesus. I love you

Lord I want you to trust me

Scripture:
john 2:23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew human nature. 25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like. NLT

Observation:
But Jesus didnt trust them...
This statement makes my heart sick. I want so desperately for Jesus to trust me. It breakes my heart that He cant trust me. It breakes my heart to know that he truly cannot trust me. I want to be trust worthy to him. In my decisions I make I want Him to say "I can trust this one".

Application:
Is it possible for Jesus to trust me? Can I live life one "Right" decission at a time and build trust with Jesus. I know He loves me. I know that he willingly chooses to trust the things I do, I just want to be one that is trust worthy to Him through and through

Prayer:
Lord, this is a funny thing to ask you, will you help me to life a trustworthy life for you. It seems silly to ask you to help me to life trustworthy so you can trust me. I think the real issue is that I am nothint without you Jesus. I love you

Let Your glory shine

Scripture:
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. 2 Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. 3 All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

Observation:
Arise Lance! I love this passage. i makes me feel like i am not alone. not to mention, i have a reason to stand and declare my reason for life. I love how i don't have to do the work of convincing the world to believe me. I only have to stand in what i believe in and allow the light of the Lord to do what He does best.

Application:
When will I realize that the Glory of the Lord is my life's purpose. to stand the walk in the strength of His name and authority is so empowering.

Prayer:
Lord thank you. thanks for all you do for me. I love you. I want my standing up in life to bring you all the glory my life can bring to you. I need you.

i love you

True spiritual maturity

Scripture:
Isaiah: 6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. 7 Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. NLT

Observation:
Wow!. what if the Church really bought in to this type of living. What if we really concerned ourselves with godly living. The kind that required a living out of the things we are growing in private. for some silly reason we seem to have forgotten that a mature Christian life is one who lives life out in public. I think we still have this crazy notion that maturity is only lived in the church.

Application:
When will I finally see that my private life is nothing but spiritual weight training. When will I look for ways to get in to the game with what I have been preparing for. I want to be the kind of man the Lord had planned for me all along. Fasting that only produces piety is fasting that is worthless. I want a fasting lifestyle that produces obedience.

Prayer:
Lord help me to see what you have for me. Help me to see the what you have for me to walk out. I want to see spiritual maturity as a walking out of the things I know. I love you my Jesus

Stand strong

Scripture: Heb 12: 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Observation: I love the instruction given here by the Lord. To stake a new grip, stand, mark out a path. The instruction here is so clearly given so as to make us strong. I love how the Bible is so practicle.

Application: How many times to i try to be strong? i try harder and harder to do the right thing. I want, rather to do it gods way. To Lean in His way and trust him

Prayer: Lord help me to be strong bu trusting in you and your ways. I can take a new grip, I can stand firm and i can mark out a clear path to stay on. Thank you my Jesus. I love you

Free at last

Scripture:
Hebrews 7:26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.[f] 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people.

Observation:
Jesus did it all! i don't have to go back and forth hoping that God will forgive my sin. i don't need to offer up to the Lord a penance or some sort of sacrifice in hope that he will receive it. No i can run into the presence of the most high god and priest Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for my sin. I am so grateful

Application:
Tod i need to rest in the work of my Savior. Often I want to beat myself up for the sin issues of my life thinking it will in some ways help the Lord be OK with me. NOT TRUE! He loves me and paid my penalty to prove it

Prayer:
I love you Jesus. Thank you for my life. I am nothing without you. I need you. I love you

A heart check-up

Scripture:
Heb 3:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.

Observation:
I believe it is my responsibility to make sure that my heart is in the right place. Here the writer of the Book of Hebrews says, "Be careful to make sure your heart is in the right place". How am i supposed to get my heart in the right place. Perhaps a better way to look at this would be to realize what it takes me to get my heart in the wrong place and avoid that.
The wrong place is when I am Bitter, unforgiving, self focused and unbelieving. I need to run from such things

Application:
Its crazy how easy it is to fall into having a heart that is in the wrong place. I need to check daily, perhaps even hourly on how my heart is doing. I need to always remember that my life is not to be lived in the moment for me alone. The position if my heart is for the Lord and others as well.

Prayer:
Lord, will you remind me of the position of my heart. I want to have a heart that is believing, soft and supple for you and others to see and partake of - I love you

Living safe in the Lords hand

Scripture:
Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[g] 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

Observation:
Keep yourselves safe in Gods love. What does that mean? the writer of the Book of Jude makes a clear point that many deceptive teachers had come in and taught false doctrine in the Church. He warns those who had ears to heat, that they must be on guard of such teaching. Hell tells them that in order to keep your lives safe in the Gods love there are three things that need to be attended to: they are:
1. Building each other up on the your most holy faith
2. Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit
3. Waiting on the mercy of the Lord Jesus who brings eternal life.

Hmmm. what does this all mean? I think the Lord wants us to live secure life's in him. Risky and dangerous as they may feel, in the hand of the Lord safe is the measure of it.

Application:
so, while in the safety of the Lord, i want to live building others up in their faith, pray often in my prayer language, and wait on the Lord to respond His way and in His time

Prayer:
Lord help me to keep myself safe in your hand. - i love you

Always ready to do good

Scripture:
Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

Observation:
Somehow this verse hasn't made it very far in the Church. "Submit to the government and its officers?" I know the climate this passage was written in wasn't all that God friendly. Much like today the openness to the message of the gospel was a mute point. How is it that i will respond when approached with a political joke or opinion? Will I laugh or sneer? I need to make a choice to do the right thing and submit (willingly devote) my heart to the leadership that the Lord has allowed in my life

Application:
I need to pray for those that the Lord has put in my life. like it or not, I know He knows what He is doing and I will trust Him

Prayer:
Lord help President Bush. Help he and his cabinet in the decisions they have to make today. Help our country as we head toward a change of leadership. Have mercy on us and lead us in our decision. - I love you Jesus

The seriousness of my call

Scripture:
Titus 2:7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Observation:
Let everything I do reflect the integrity and seriousness of my teaching. How easy it is to be flippant and light hearted at times. the integrity and seriousness of the calling of the Lord is nothing to be taken lightly. The truth is, the enemy never stops, he never lets up. He never even takes time off. How much more is it that I must continue to pursue "righteousness at all times" I can still live a life that is filled with joy. No one said that a righteous life is synonymous with a Joyless life. on the the contrary. The true joyous life is filled with the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control) I cant imagine a more fulfilled life than that.

Application:
One day at a time. I just want to life one day at a time. In fact, I want to life one obedient decision at a time over and over just to make one obedient day.

Prayer:
Lord, help me live obediently. I want to take the seriousness of my calling to a new place. I want to always remember that to every action there is a re-action. IOW: When i am obedient it affects more than just me

My lIfe's purpose

Scripture:
2Tim 3:10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.

Observation:
Here Paul tells Timothy "you know what my purpose in life is". What a remarkable statement. Today authors write best selling books and overbook conferences having to do with any one person finding their life's purpose. Here Paul says a crazy statement. "Tim, purpose should be clear enough for even others to see in me" perhaps we have this whole purpose thing all messed up. What if our life's purpose has nothing to do with what i get out of the deal? What if our life's purpose has more to do with living a crucified life then a glorified one?

Application:
I want my life purpose to be clear for all to see. I think the moment my life's purpose becomes unclear to others it has long since been unclear to me! I want to keep my life's purpose clear and visible.

Prayer:
Lord would you simplify my life. I want to live for you. I want the very reason I breath to be to bring you glory and there in fulfill my life's purpose - I love you Jesus

Honorable use to the Lord

Scripture:
2Tim 2:20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Observation:
Keeping myself pure. Some how I think that purity or impurity will only have an impact on my individual life. We read here that purity or lack there of, actually qualifies you or disqualifies you for the work of "honor" in the work of the Lord. We live such a selfish existence. when will we realize that the Lord wants us all to be honorable and useful to Him. He intended us to all be of special use to Him. Purity therefore, must not be an option. our purity must be motivated out of a love for him and his availability not our of my emotions or feelings on the subject

Application:
My ability or desire for purity needs to be established in a willingness to be obedient to Him. Simply put. I want to be pure therefore like it says in the following verses "run from youthful lusts". My life is to be lived out of a love for whats right not out of the fear of reproof or the lack of fulfilling a youthful lust. I want purity simply because i love Jesus and want to be of special use to Him

Prayer:
Lord help me to run in a way that pleases you. I don't want to flee sin only to not get hurt. I want to flee sin because it is then that i am of special, and honorable use to you. - I love you my Jesus

Fan into flames

Scripture:
2Tim 1: 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Observation:
I love here that the gift was given by the Lord. What an awesome thing that is. I also love the fact that he has levt it to us to "fan" into maturity the gift given. How is it that we are to "fan" into flames our gift? I think it is when we begin to mature in it. When we finally begin to say. "i have a gift" and start doing something to grow it into a useful part of the life God gave to you. IOW: I have been given the gift of being a Shepherd (pastor). it is now my obligation to learn how to be the best pastor i can be. (leader, disciple, father, husband). When I begin to grow in my gifting, I "fan" the flames. Paul here says to "fan" them in to flames" i love that.

Application:
In order for me to be the best pastor I can be, I need to be a life-long learner. I need to position my heart to always be able to learn from any person or circumstance I find myself. Like David being trained in the sheep fields of Isarael for Kingship, I must learn from the places He places me

Prayer:
Lord, help me to learn from you in any way I can. I know you are so intrested in me. I know your love for me so goes before me in all I do. Will you lead me into being a great leader in your eyes? I want to fan into flames all that you gave me in hopes that one day you say to me "well done Lance" that is what i live for - I love you Jesus

contentment with godliness

Scripture:
1Timothy 6:6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

Observation:
So often we want to define great wealth by standards that seem so temporary. bigger house, larger income or even great family's. All these age nice and even almost necessary. So what does the Lord mean having Paul write here that true godliness with contentment is great wealth? My heart tells me that true contentment is the greatest thing on earth. the cessation of striving for anything other than godliness is an awesome goal

Application:
i want to strive for contentment with where the Lord has me today. i can still have plans and even goals. the real problem with my discontentment is when i look too far into the future and try living my life into it. If however, i live today, in today I find it easier to live a contented life

Prayer:
Lord, help me live in today. contented, but in today - i love you Lord

Gods battle plan - True worship

Scripture:
2 Chronicles 20
War with Surrounding Nations 1 After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites[a] declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom[b] is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea.[c] They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.)
3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.
5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war,[d] plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’
10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.
15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”
22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing,[e] and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing,[f] which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord.

Observation:
insurmountable odds. there was no way the people of the Lord could win. there was no way out. what could they possibly do? The Lord here tells the King three thing to do
1. March out
2. Take your positions
3. Stand still and watch
I find it funny here that there is not one battle strategy given here from the Lord. earlier in the passage the message was given that the battle belonged to the Lord and they need not worry.

Application:
There are times in my life when i want to take up battle stance. Some offencive stance. When I want to stand and fight. I want to fight with persuasive words or old methods. Only to find that I get tired, worn and faithless. I like here the counsil given by the Lord. to march out, take my rightful position and stand and watch. This I can do.

Prayer:
Lord remind me to fight your way. I grow more like you. I love you my Jesus

Simply obey

Scripture:
2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn't’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.
13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir,[c] if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” 14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

Observation:
Naaman was inches away from forfeiting his healing. God had instructed him to follow a simple order (go down and wash 7 times). The crazy part of this order is that seems too easy. for some reason obedience to what the Lord should not be as hard as we make it.

The inability to simply obey almost cost Naaman a healed life. How much more me? when has the Lord simply asked me to follow a simply order, (tithe, seek forgiveness, reconcile with someone, keep short accounts ...)?

Application:
I need to note well that the Lord will not give me the next thing until i have finished the last thing He asked me to do. I don't believe obedience was ever intended to be a difficult thing. I think God wanted us to see what needed to be done and do it.

Prayer:
Lord will you help me to simply obey? I don't want to walk away from a healing or a blessing because I think your requirements are silly. - I love you Jesus

Real Love

Scripture:
1Timothy 1:5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

Observation:
Love that comes from a
1. pure heart
2. clear concience
3. genuine faith
the point here is very clear. Paul here, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us that "love" is the big issue. not emotional love that stems from a set of "feelings" rather, genuine, pure and thoughtful Love.

Application:
I want my love to flow from a decision in my brain. I want to "feel" as a result of my choice to do that which is loving.

Prayer:
Lord, teach me how to love. Even the unlovely. I want to love like you love. I want my life to filled with your Heart for that which moves your heart - I love you my Jesus

Devoted Prayer

Scripture:
Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Observation:
Devote yourselves. here the Lord asks us to make Prayer a priority of devotion in our lives. often times our prayer lives end up being a glorified "wish list" to santa. A devoted prayer life is one of commitment. Full of open communication with Lord. Speaking and listening.

Application:
I want to have a devoted prayer life. one that engages my mind and my heart. i want more than some sort of list that I bring befor the Lord on some simi-regular basis. I want a prayer life that is life to me.

Prayer:
Lord help me to develope a devoted prayer life. Fully engeged in heart. mind and spirit. I want to have open heart2heart love with you my master - I love you

The Gracious arm of the Lord

Scripture:
1 Kings 21:27 But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning.
28 Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.”

Observation:
i believe we can never fully understand the loving grace of the Lord. Ahab was a disobedient, spineless, leader ovet the people of God. His disobedience and fear of the his wife over the fear of the Lord, was clear for all to see. Still the loving gracious arm of the Lord reached down to cover the simple humility Ahab showed.

Application:
May i always remember to repent. I never want to leave my disobedience un repented. The truth is that the Grace of the Lord can cover my stupidity if I will only allow Him

Prayer:
Lord you are so mercyful. It is hard to fathom how gracious you are. Thank you for the example of Grace and forgivness you show. Will you help me to do the same. I love you my Jesus

What are you doing here?

Scripture:
1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Observation:
What are you doing here Elijah? What a great question that the Lord poses to Elijah. the funny thing is that the Lord told him to go Mount Sinai. Someting tells me that the physical location was not what the Lord was asking him about. Something tells me that He was asking Elijah about where he was in his heart.
Elijah 40 daye earlier just killed 450 prophets of Baal, helped to restore Israel to a right relationship wit the Lord and still discoragement set in. I think Gods question was an attempt to help Elijah to smap out of the funk he found himself in. "What are you doing here?" I think this question is really asking "What is going on in your head my friend?"

Application:
When my head gets the best of me, either by spiritual warfare or just my flesh wandering off into a crazy depressed place, I want to ask "Lance what are you doing here?"

Prayer:
Lord, help me to always remember to keep my head. At every turn, the enemy wants to take me out. I always want to remember to ask "What am i doing here?" to help me snap out of the funk. I love you Lord

Complete harmony

Scripture:
Romans 15: 5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation:
I love how the Lords big plan here is that we live in harmony with each other. It seems to me like He desires us to live daily giving him praise and glory to Him with "one voice" because He wants us to live in unity

Application:
My part of this living in complete harmony must be that i do everything i can to live in peace with those around me. Here the Bible says that the Lord will give me patience, and encouragement to live this way. Praise His name

Prayer:
Lord Help me to do my part in living in harmony with those around me. i Love you

Love your neighbor

Scripture:
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.”[a] These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

Observation:
It is so funny how we miss this one simple command Love your Neighbor as you love yourself. the truth is... most of us truly struggle with loving ourselves and there fore love our neighbors just the same. This is certainly no excuse for not loving our neighbor. what if we loved our neighbor like we were supposed to? what if we thought of others the way we ought? something tells me that we could find true freedom in our life and walk daily in the will of the Lord

Application:
I want to take a moment and think how to truly love my neighbor. If the the whole of the Law is summed up in this one command, you might think that we would ponder this a bit more than we do. I want to make time to think what it means. Do i take care of a need? Do pray for their hurt? do I serve when asked? I think all of the above matters.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to listen to your still small voice you seem to tell me how to love my neighbor more than i know. If i only listen to you, i might find it mush easier to obey.
I love you my Jesus

Finding the will of the Lord

Scripture:
Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Observation:
Finding the will of God for our lives is more than some sort of wish to stumble over. As i read here in Romans 12 there are a few prerequisites to finding the will of God for my life. first off i need to:
1. I need to Give my body to the Lord
2. stop copying the customs and behaviors of this world
3. Allow the Lord to change (transform) me into a "new person" by changing my thinking
It seems like the only way to find the will of the Lord is not trying harder... its all about dying sooner. giving my body, my behaviors and my will over to His LORDSHIP is the only true way

Application:
Daily i need to surrender my will to the Lord

Prayer:
Jesus today... this day i want to give it all for you. I wish I could say " today will be the first of many days of surrender". All i really know Jesus is that "Today" is all I know that I can really give. Lord I am weak. I need your strength today to surrender my selfish will. I know you will be in my tomorrow. It is then that i will cry out for tomorrow. I need you today. I love you my Jesus

The all knowing Lord

Scripture:
Romans 1134 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?[l] 35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?[m]
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Observation:
therre is nothing that has not originated with the Lord. he is so big. so all knowing. and all powerful. to understand people, is nothing to him.

Application:
if the all knowing God had all knowledge, then he is all knowing about me and my relationtionships. he knoww my wife, son and daughters, he knows how they tick, what they think and how they move

Prayer:
Lord would you help me with my family. i spend way too much time trying to figure out how to fix issues with my wife, son or daughters. you are all knowing. there is nothing that you do not know. help me bring them before you daily. i need to know your thoughts. i need to know your ways of how to lead them better. i need to know your wisdom. i dont want to mess them up. i need you my Jesus. i love you