Thursday Sept. 9 Lam. 1,2 Obad; Rev. 14 You Decide

Thursday Sept. 9

Lam. 1,2 Obad; Rev. 14

You Decide

S-(MSG) Rev. 14: 7 "Fear God and give HIM glory! His hour of judgement has come! Worship the make of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!

O-this passage in revelation talks about the vision of the end times, and when the harvest will come, through great tribulation the satan brings upon the earth, who pretends to be God. Those that choose God and worship Him will have eternal life, and be saved. Those that choosed the beast that will perish.

A- Reading in revelations is a wake up call. It really is going to happen one day, and it can happen any day.......what will you decide? But in reality doesn't the decision happen every day..........We will not know the day or hour of our death, so to keep my walk with Jesus to be the best it can be, and to be Ready, Ready at all times, not just in the end times.

P-Oh Father, purify my heart, purify my mind, purify, my actions so that I am always ready to meet you in heaven. Thank you for the wake up call in your word, and for your teachings, so that we have the what is needed and then decide whether to walk with you, or walk without. I choose you, forever. Amen

WITHIN YOUR TEMPLE

by Vivian Bills

Wednesday - September 8, 2010 - Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

S - Psalm 48:9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

O - The church is where you should think about how much God loves you!

A - When I meditate on the love of God, I find joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding and rest for my soul. Some Christians say you don't have to go to church to be a Christian. My stance is - why would you want to stay away? Some people avoid church because of the other people that are there. But, why would anybody want to let mere mortals stand in the way of their relationship with God? This is where I get selfish. Get out of my way! I have a date with GOD!

P - Lord, I thank You that You are with me always and always are available for me. And thank You for the church, Lord - the special place where I can go to meditate on how unfailing Your love is! Help others to see past the faults of people and to look right into Your eyes of love.

Taking Time to Rest

By Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 9/7/10 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40,41; Revelation 12  Taking Time to Rest

S – 2 Chronicles 26:21 - The Land enjoyed its sabbath rests.

O – During the seventy year period of captivity in Babylon, the land of Israel caught up on it's sabbath rests. It was given a break from the sowing of crops and was refreshed and restored - for when the nation returned to the land years later.

A – Wow – this has been an amazing summer for me! I have taken more vacation and “down time” than I have in years. I have spent vacations with family, friends, and cousins. I have been to camp numerous times and even enjoyed some time of writing in the quiet and peace there. We need it! Especially when our “normal lives” run pretty hard. Are you taking any time for rest? I remember one youth pastor really encouraging our children to schedule a day of no responsibility weekly. Do you have a day? Our body, soul and spirit need to be recharged on a regular basis. Being outside in nature does wonders for me.

P – Lord, help us! We need down time but we live in such a crazy culture. We need refreshing regularly. You ordered the land to take off every 7^th year for restoration. Please help us to build regular rests into our lives – and not just for vacations, but on a regular basis, built into our schedules. We will be happier and healthier for it.

GLORIOUS AND ALL-POWERFUL!

by Diana Kriesel

Monday, 9/6/10 – Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11 - “Glorious and All-Powerful!”

S – Revelation 11:17 - "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.” NIV

O – This is a proclamation of God being the Eternal One, always the same, all-powerful, and He has established His Church upon the earth. He has carried forth His glorious purposes amidst all the changes and rebellion that have occurred in the world. The setting up of His Kingdom over all the earth, and causing His laws everywhere to be obeyed, will be among the highest demonstrations of divine power. Nothing can accomplish this but the power of God.

A – It is stunning to read the climax of the ages in these chapters of Revelation! These chapters cause me to be in awe. The idea here is that Jesus has now set up His Kingdom on the earth and has truly begun to reign, and one of the characteristics of the millennium is that God will be obeyed everywhere. So far in the book of Revelation, Christ has been praised as Creator, as Redeemer, and here as King and Judge. So, my application of these verses? To adore Him for Who He is, all He has done and will do in the earth and in my life, for He alone is worthy to be praised.

P- Lord, You amaze me. Who You are drops me to my knees in adoration and worship and praise and thanksgiving. I give you reign in my life, now and forever.

Ezekiel 20, 21; Psalm 111; & Revelation 6

FEAR OF THE LORD

S--PSA. 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

O--This entire Psalm was written to praise God for His unfailing love to His people.

A--An awesome, reverent attitude towards God is the fear of the Lord. When we have and demonstrate this attitude we show that we are beginning to acknowledge who God is and the truth of His ways. This is the beginning of wisdom.

Because we have such a loving, personal relationship with Jesus, we may lose sight that He is, not only our friend and Savior, but also the all wise and knowing God, the Creator of the universe. We often think of God with human characteristics so we can better relate to Him.

The more we know God, through prayer, the Word and personal experience, the more we will comprehend His greatness, and be filled with awe and wonder.

P--Oh God I never want to lose sight of Who you are…my God, my Creator and my Savior. Thank you for being such an approachable, loving God. Help me to grow in wisdom and truth.

SPRING WATERS OF LIFE

by Cathy Weymouth

Thursday 9/2/10  Ezekiel 17-19; Rev 7  SPRING WATERS OF LIFE!

S - Rev 7:17 The MSG, "The Lamb on the throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of life (the springs of living water, NIV).

O- Although this scripture in Revelation is referring to those coming out of the Great Tribulation in the future, I am grasping it for my life today!

A - I need to come to your spring waters of life, Jesus.  You are My Shepherd now, and when I take time to meet with you, alone, I am often refreshed.  I am refreshed when I worship you at the piano alone, I am refreshed when I focus on you in the woods alone, I am refreshed when I read your Word and focus on You.

P - Lord, may we never forget the opportunity we have as Christians to experience your refreshing spring waters of life.  Thank you that we live in the New Covenant times, with your Spirit within us.  May we run to You within, drinking heartily of your refreshment.  Thank you!

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.