Sorry for not posting. I will try to do better.
Tracey
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Examine Me, Lord
Scripture: Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
Observation:
David is asking the Lord to examine him, he is walking in the right way, but he needs the Lord's help in making sure. So he asks the Lord to examine, test him, see if his motives are pure.
Application:
I need to ask the Lord to examine me also. I may think in my own mind that I am doing right in all things, but the Lord knows better than I do. I don't want to be one of those "Christians" who on the last day says to the Lord, But Lord I did this and this in your name, then He tells me He doesn't know me. That would be truly devastating. The Lord will show me where I need to make changes in my life, I just have to be willing to make them. When the Lord returns if I have faithfully done what He has instructed, He will welcome me, instead of looking at me as if I am some stranger.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please examine me and show me where I need to change. Help me to accept what you show me Lord. Help me make the changes necessary to have life everlasting with you.
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
Observation:
David is asking the Lord to examine him, he is walking in the right way, but he needs the Lord's help in making sure. So he asks the Lord to examine, test him, see if his motives are pure.
Application:
I need to ask the Lord to examine me also. I may think in my own mind that I am doing right in all things, but the Lord knows better than I do. I don't want to be one of those "Christians" who on the last day says to the Lord, But Lord I did this and this in your name, then He tells me He doesn't know me. That would be truly devastating. The Lord will show me where I need to make changes in my life, I just have to be willing to make them. When the Lord returns if I have faithfully done what He has instructed, He will welcome me, instead of looking at me as if I am some stranger.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, please examine me and show me where I need to change. Help me to accept what you show me Lord. Help me make the changes necessary to have life everlasting with you.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
An Eye for an Eye
Scripture: Leviticus 24:19-21
‘If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him— 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him. And whoever kills an animal shall restore it; but whoever kills a man shall be put to death.
Observation:
Well I believe the law has been laid down. There seems to be no doubt what the punishment for certain crimes will be. Whatever you do to another person, it will be done to you. Killing animals means you will have to replace it, but killing people will cause you to be put to death.
Application:
Just this week I read on the Internet that Federal Judges are releasing 58,000 prisoners in California due to prison overcrowding. I can't believe it! We have people spending years in jail for crimes in which the punishment is way to severe and then we have people who are getting no jail time for crimes that should have punishments like what God is handing out. If we had the kind of laws that God had for the Israelites we wouldn't have the overcrowding problem today, and there would be a lot less crime.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, the world is a mess. Many in government positions are corrupt. With all this evil around us, please protect us and help us shine your light brightly. In Jesus Name Amen.
‘If a man causes disfigurement of his neighbor, as he has done, so shall it be done to him— 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him. And whoever kills an animal shall restore it; but whoever kills a man shall be put to death.
Observation:
Well I believe the law has been laid down. There seems to be no doubt what the punishment for certain crimes will be. Whatever you do to another person, it will be done to you. Killing animals means you will have to replace it, but killing people will cause you to be put to death.
Application:
Just this week I read on the Internet that Federal Judges are releasing 58,000 prisoners in California due to prison overcrowding. I can't believe it! We have people spending years in jail for crimes in which the punishment is way to severe and then we have people who are getting no jail time for crimes that should have punishments like what God is handing out. If we had the kind of laws that God had for the Israelites we wouldn't have the overcrowding problem today, and there would be a lot less crime.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, the world is a mess. Many in government positions are corrupt. With all this evil around us, please protect us and help us shine your light brightly. In Jesus Name Amen.
Friday, February 13, 2009
More Blessed to Give than to Receive
Scripture: Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Observation:
Paul is visiting the church leaders for the last time and he talks with them and says that they know him, he hasn't kept anything from them. He tells them that he has shown them by his examples how they ought to serve and to remember that Jesus said it was better to give than to receive.
Application:
Why am I serving the Lord? Is it because people expect me to and I don't want to let them down? Could it be that I want recognition for a job well done? I will tell you it is none of those things. I take ministry work seriously and I like to do it well, but it is not because I want to be noticed or because it is expected of me. I serve because I enjoy doing it for the Lord. I enjoy being part of something that helps people develop a closer relationship with Jesus. When I do get noticed, I am surprised and sometimes don't know how to respond, but the Lord has helped me and this is what I must do when I get any praise and that is give it directly to God because without Him, I wouldn't be able to do it.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for using me and allowing me to be a participant in shining your light to others. Thank you for your love and guidance. Help me to see the blessings that you bestow upon me when I share your love with others. In Jesus Name Amen.
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Observation:
Paul is visiting the church leaders for the last time and he talks with them and says that they know him, he hasn't kept anything from them. He tells them that he has shown them by his examples how they ought to serve and to remember that Jesus said it was better to give than to receive.
Application:
Why am I serving the Lord? Is it because people expect me to and I don't want to let them down? Could it be that I want recognition for a job well done? I will tell you it is none of those things. I take ministry work seriously and I like to do it well, but it is not because I want to be noticed or because it is expected of me. I serve because I enjoy doing it for the Lord. I enjoy being part of something that helps people develop a closer relationship with Jesus. When I do get noticed, I am surprised and sometimes don't know how to respond, but the Lord has helped me and this is what I must do when I get any praise and that is give it directly to God because without Him, I wouldn't be able to do it.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for using me and allowing me to be a participant in shining your light to others. Thank you for your love and guidance. Help me to see the blessings that you bestow upon me when I share your love with others. In Jesus Name Amen.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
To God be the Glory
Scripture: Acts 19:19-20
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Observation:
Many people had seen the miracles that God performed through his servant Paul. They took some items that Paul had worn and used them to heal people and cast out evil spirits. The Jewish priest's sons decided to do the same thing and use Jesus name to cast out evil spirits from before the people. The evil spirits spoke to them, then attacked them and the men ran from the house wounded. The story got out to all the people and Jesus was glorified. Also the people who used magic brought their books and burned them in front of the people and confessed their deeds.
Application:
This shows that God is the one who deals with the devil and his demons, not man. We can not fight Satan and his demons. But if we fully rely on God, He will protect and fight for us. God should be glorified in everything we do, we should not seek after our own glory.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to call on you in good times and bad. May you be glorified in every situation that I find myself involved in. In Jesus Name Amen.
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Observation:
Many people had seen the miracles that God performed through his servant Paul. They took some items that Paul had worn and used them to heal people and cast out evil spirits. The Jewish priest's sons decided to do the same thing and use Jesus name to cast out evil spirits from before the people. The evil spirits spoke to them, then attacked them and the men ran from the house wounded. The story got out to all the people and Jesus was glorified. Also the people who used magic brought their books and burned them in front of the people and confessed their deeds.
Application:
This shows that God is the one who deals with the devil and his demons, not man. We can not fight Satan and his demons. But if we fully rely on God, He will protect and fight for us. God should be glorified in everything we do, we should not seek after our own glory.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to call on you in good times and bad. May you be glorified in every situation that I find myself involved in. In Jesus Name Amen.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
We Don't Know it All
Scripture: Acts 18: 25-26
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Observation:
Apollos starts "witnessing" to the people, yet he only knew certain things. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they taught him more about God. Justus was receptive to their teachings and afterward went on to speak in other places with the disciples.
Application:
I like this part of the story..it shows that we never really stop learning. We should be open to the teaching of God. He may send someone to us that we would least expect. But if their words line up with the Bible then we should consider what is being said. When you think you know it all and nobody can teach you anything...watch out because you are fooling yourself. God is a great teacher and I have a lot to learn.
Prayer:
Dear Lord help me be open to what you are trying to teach me. Help me to receive whomever you choose to direct me. Keep me humble in service to you Lord and help me be bold in proclaiming You to others. In Jesus Name Amen.
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Observation:
Apollos starts "witnessing" to the people, yet he only knew certain things. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they taught him more about God. Justus was receptive to their teachings and afterward went on to speak in other places with the disciples.
Application:
I like this part of the story..it shows that we never really stop learning. We should be open to the teaching of God. He may send someone to us that we would least expect. But if their words line up with the Bible then we should consider what is being said. When you think you know it all and nobody can teach you anything...watch out because you are fooling yourself. God is a great teacher and I have a lot to learn.
Prayer:
Dear Lord help me be open to what you are trying to teach me. Help me to receive whomever you choose to direct me. Keep me humble in service to you Lord and help me be bold in proclaiming You to others. In Jesus Name Amen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Who Do You Serve?
Scripture: Acts 17:5
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Observation:
These Jews are starting to get on my nerves! They have scripture and physical evidence of Jesus being the Messiah and they refuse to accept it. They are arrogant, proud, and corrupt. They even enlist the help of evil men to stir up the crowd and attack a believer. So much for religion, We know who they are working for!
Application:
This reminds me that even church leadership can be misguided or even worse corrupt. Persons in leadership roles should strive to show an accurate picture of Christ to others. God has placed us where we are. We should serve with a humble spirit and a receptive heart and mind.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to serve you with a humble spirit. Help me never become arrogant or proud. Help me be open to where you are leading. In Jesus Name Amen.
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Observation:
These Jews are starting to get on my nerves! They have scripture and physical evidence of Jesus being the Messiah and they refuse to accept it. They are arrogant, proud, and corrupt. They even enlist the help of evil men to stir up the crowd and attack a believer. So much for religion, We know who they are working for!
Application:
This reminds me that even church leadership can be misguided or even worse corrupt. Persons in leadership roles should strive to show an accurate picture of Christ to others. God has placed us where we are. We should serve with a humble spirit and a receptive heart and mind.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to serve you with a humble spirit. Help me never become arrogant or proud. Help me be open to where you are leading. In Jesus Name Amen.
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