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