Wednesday, July 25, 2012

God be praised

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4

S - 1 Peter 4:11b If you serve, you should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

O - We should do our serving on God's strength, not our own.

A - If a person is praised for their ability to serve or for how much they serve, that person is receiving praise, not God.  God is the one who is to receive all praise and all glory.  So, if someone doesn't serve because they don't have the energy, or the time, or the fortitude, that is maybe when they should just show up to see God work through them.

P - I give You all praise, glory and honor, Lord.  Use me.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

FAVORITISM

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - Isaiah 32-35; James 2

S - James 2:1  My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

O - James is telling us not to prefer the rich, pretty people over the poor filthy ones.

A - Jesus dies for us all - even the best of us, even the worst of us.  So, what makes us think we can exclude people because of their social status or the clothes they wear or even because of the way they smell?  I think this directive applies mostly to those of us who favor pretty people, but also, brace yourself, for those of us who favor the poor and destitute.  What?  Think about it.  Favoring one means lowering the status of another.  Jesus died even for those who don't think they have a need for Him.

P - Lord, help me to scorn no one, to just love the one You put before me, regardless of their status in life or their attitude or their belief system.  Amen.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

"By Faith!"

Saturday, July 14, 2012
Is. 19-21; Heb. 11
"By Faith!"
S-Heb 11:8  ”By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
O- Abraham heard the voice of God and was called out of the land of Ur not knowing where he was going.   
A – God is going to call on us.  He is going to call us out.  He is going to call us out of our seats, out of what is familiar to us, out of our comfort zones.  He is going to ask us to walk by faith and not by sight, not what is familiar.  He wants us to see, to know, to learn, and to experience new things in Him.  In doing this we learn more about our God.  We learn that we can trust Him. That He has our best interests at heart in whatever He calls us out to do.  Step out, step out and experience the journey that the Lord has set forth for you.
P-Lord as you call me out, I pray that my faith will increase all the more as I step out in obedience to your call. Amen!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Fear God


Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - Isaiah 8-10, Hebrews 8


S - Isaiah 8:13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. 


O - The previous verse told us not to fear what most people fear.  We are to fear God alone. 


A - This does not mean we are to be AFRAID of God.  Fearing Him means to be in reverential AWE of Him, not to be in dread of His presence.  If we are in right relationship with God, there is no need to be in dread of Him.  


P - Lord, help me to walk in Your ways always.  I thank You for the absence of fear and the full knowledge of Your great love and protection.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

JESUS

Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - 2 Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

S - Hebrews 1:3a The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.


O - Looking at Jesus shows us who God is.


A -  When I think of God's awesomeness and being, I get overwhelmed.  It is more than my finite mind can handle.  But, when I think about Jesus, THAT I can handle.  God came down to earth in a form I could wrap my little mind around, so that I could understand the depth of His love for me.


P - Lord, for all those I pray for, I ask that they would be able to see You  and understand how much You truly do love them.  And use me, Lord, to do my part in helping them to see.