BEAUTY

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 1, 2010 - Ezekiel 15,16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

S - Ezekiel 16:15 But you trusted in your beauty, and used your fame to become a prostitute.

O - Ezekiel is speaking of how the Israelites used the gifts and talents that the Lord bestowed upon them to gain what they thought was favor in the eyes of men.

A - It is desirous to be desirous. That's what it's all about as far as the media is concerned. Teens strive for it - especially girls. The goal is to be desired. But, when that is what one lives for, when the beauty begins to fade with time, then the tables start to turn. And the one previously sought after becomes the seeker - paying others to do what they found so easy to do for free before.

P - Lord, I thank you for the beauty of youth. Help me, Lord, to teach these young people that it is more important to be beautiful to the Lord than to man. This beauty will never fade, but will only grow more brilliant with time.

MY LIFE IS A PICTURE

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 8/31/10 Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5 - MY LIFE IS A PICTURE

S - Ezek 12:3-6 "Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place.  Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.  During the daytime, while they watch, bring out your belongings packed for exile.  Then in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile.  While they watch, dig through the wall and take your belongings out through it... I have made you a sign to the house of Israel."

O - God asked some hard things of the prophets!  This time Ezekiel was asked to be a sign to the people, going through the motions of departing in exile - to demonstrate what would happen to Israel because of their rebellion. Again, as always, Ezekiel did what he was asked to do.

A - What is the Lord asking of me?  How does He want me to be a role model to those who are pre-Believers as well as Believers?  Am I obeying?  I like how it is worded in the Message, verse 11, "Also tell them, 'I am drawing a picture for you.  As I am now doing, it will be done to all the people of Israel...' " The Lord uses our lives to draw pictures for others.  As we live our lives in love, we extend strong messages.

P - Father, thank you that I am your vessel, your temple, through which You desire to flow.  I pray that the picture I present will help others know of Your love and be drawn to You.  And please heal anything in me that prevents me from obeying or gives a faulty picture of You. Amen.

Monday Aug. 30 Ezek: 8-11 Rev. 4 "Heaven"

Monday Aug. 30

Ezek: 8-11 Rev. 4

"Heaven"

S- NIV-Rev: 4:2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

MSG- Rev. 4:2 I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!---a Throne set in Heaven with One seated on the Throne.....

O- In John's vision He writes about how He was able to peek beyond the door of the Heavenlies and look into Heaven. He shares how there is ONE who is seated on the throne. He shares his experience of looking into the holiest place of the universe, and he entered with his heart of worship.

A- To be totally submursed into worship, and to not be thinking about anything else accept for worshipping and thanking God. Holy, Holy, Holy Is God our Master, Soverign-Strong The was, The IS the Coming.......No better place to be. Most ultimate feeling here on earth, in my opinon is to e in total worship unto His name.

P- Take us in to the Holy of Holies Lord. Open our hearts to be ultimate worshippers, where are hearts are driven

by the passion of You, and the desire to be in your presence forever and ever. Amen

Briers, Thorns and Scorpions, Oh My!

S - Ezekiel 2: 6 - "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid though briers and thorns are all around you, and you live among scorpions."

O - Ezekiel had a difficult and dangerous calling. He was called to warn people who didn't want to listen, people who could respond violently. John the Baptist and Jesus had that call too. Verse six describes this poetically as briers, thorns and as living among scorpions. God told Ezekiel what his responsibility was. He was to warn people. He was also told what he was not responsible for. He was not responsible for their reaction to his message. Scorpions are agressive and opportunistic. Do you live among scorpions at work, or in your extended family? Do you know people who are agressive and like scorpions can crush you, or paralyze you with their venom and anger? It is important to know what you are dealing with, what your responsibility is, and how to protect yourself with the difficult people in your life. One key way to do that is through healthy boundaries of knowing what you are responsible for and what you are not responsible for.

A - I need to know what is my responsiblity and what is not my responsibility.

P - Lord, I seek your help and wisdom, your comfort, peace and courage to do my part and set appropriate boundaries. Help me know how to handle challenging people in my life. Amen.

Isaiah 50-52; Psalm 92; 2Peter 3

BE ON GUARD
by Mary White

S--2Peter 3:17-18 “…be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the lawless men and fall…But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

O--Peter is sending a warning and a word of encouragement.

A--”Be on guard” Peter said. Peter was sending a warning that we should be growing in the knowledge of God. Because he knew that to know God was to love Him and to love Him meant we would want to live according to His ways. He is warning us not to listen to false teachers and fall into lawlessness.

P--Oh God keep me hungry for Your Word, and help me to live it.

Thursday August 26 Jer. 50 & 51 3 John "Blessed as Friends" 3 John:3 NIV It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithful

Jer. 50 & 51 3 John

"Blessed as Friends"

3 John:3 NIV It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how yo continue to walk in truth.

O- John addresses, in the NIV translation the Elder's and in the Message the Pastor, and blesses them for their wisdom and good health. That their rich souls may be strong, even if their bodies are weak. He thanks them for their hospitality and for their love in modeling for Christ sake to brother Christians and non-believer's. He calls them Friend.......as Christ does. Then he instructs us all, that when we do good, it's God's work. When we do evil, it falsifies God.

A- I'm thankful that our Pastors & Elder's have rich souls, and they are passing on to the generations their prosperity of their wisdom in Christ's love and Grace. Their bodies are strong

and so are their spirits. They show us the truth and the way, not only in Word but also in their life style. Their faithfulness is contagious. We are all blessed to be able call them "friends."

P- Lord, thank you for those you have sent to us, to lead the way. They know the truth, they are the carriers of your heart, and they extend your Grace and Mercy. Bless them, and bless their healthy and prosper them in all ways. Give us divine appt. of opportunity to do good, for you name sake:) Amen.

CONTRADICTION?

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - August 25, 2010 - Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2 John

S – 2 John 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.

O – This is not a contradiction of other scripture. We are told to welcome and take care of strangers. This scripture is a warning about people that would approach Christians and claim to be one, when they are not.

A - John is warning us to test everyone who claims to be one of us and would attempt to teach us in ways that are contrary to the gospel. Jesus Christ came in the flesh. There are those who claim to follow God who say the bible is figurative and not literal. They are not believers. It’s really not that complicated for any Christian to understand. Don’t be confused. Some words that people say are God breathed and some just comes from their flesh. Remember that even Paul made a distinction in his letters between the advice that came from himself and the words that the Holy Spirit spoke through him. If you don’t know whom to trust, just open your bible. It’s our authority.

P – Thank You, Lord, that You do make things simple. There are no riddles, no great puzzlers for us to figure out in order to be saved. We just have to believe in Jesus and what He said.