Scripture
1 Corinthians 9:22-23
I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in it's blessings.
Observation
The Apostle Paul was always looking for a common thread to identify himself with the needs and manner of life of the lost. He becomes all things to all people to be able to be used by God to save those who are in need of Jesus Christ, our Savior. He puts away his religious demeanor and humbles himself to meet people where they are. Why? To participate in the blessing of knowing the good news has set free another soul from the bondage of sin and despair.
Application
Never think yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the faith God has given you. (Romans 12:3)
Loving people means putting others above myself. Becoming a friend takes time and patience, sacrifice and transparency. Reaching out to the lost will require something of me. Loving means being real, honest, vulnerable, and available.
Prayer
Help me Lord to do all for the sake of the gospel. To go and tell the good news of Christ to those reaching out to You, Lord. Your kingdom come, Your will be done! That You might use me Lord - that's my prayer. A-men.
Scripture
Genesis 2:21-22 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and then closed it up with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.
Observation
The Lord performs the first known surgery on man. He sedates him and takes a rib from his side and closes it up with flesh. God made a woman from the man's rib and when He finished, He brought her to the the man. They were united and the "two became one flesh."
Application
While sleeping, God performs the miraculous in man. He creates a woman - a helper, a companion, a friend, a wife and lover for the man who will no longer be alone. God is able to do the most amazing things when our hands are not in the mix of the things. While he was sleeping, God gave such a wonderful gift to man. God, Creator, Life-Giver, maker of heaven and earth does all things well.
Prayer
Father, how small minded I am. You were, You are, You ever will be! You spoke Your word and the earth was formed. While I sleep, while I rest and trust in Your unfailing love, You do great and mighty things that I do not know. You are my God and I trust in You and believe in You for the miraculous.
In Jesus Name, A-men.
Scripture
Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then He said, 'Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.'
Observation
Last day of the year and a new year begins! The King is on His throne! He rules! He reigns! No matter what is happening in my life or the world around me, God is still on the throne! He makes all things new. He gives us a new fresh start - a new beginning - a new perspective, a new attitude, a New Year to embrace.
Write this down. Take His word to heart. Write down what He says, what He's doing, what His word is speaking because His words are trustworthy and true.
Application
I can reflect on His love and faithfulness as I begin this new season of 'everything new'. All things are possible with God to the one who believes - and He can do a new thing in me. A new thing, fresh and different from what He has done before. The old has passed away . . . the new is just beginning. Let it begin today. Don't wait for tomorrow! Write it down. Journal what He has said. Remember what He has already spoken and be renewed in the hope that God is still at work in me; to complete in me what He has begun - He hasn't given up on me. It takes time and is a process - not immediate, but it will happen, it is happening.
2016 is a new year. I can look forward with great excitement and anticipation because God has a plan and purpose for me and will perform what He has promised.
Prayer
Father, You give me hope! Thank You for new beginnings! May this New Year prove to be only a beginning for the new things You have planned for me as I walk with You 'Step by Step' led by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, A-men.
Scripture
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Observation
Walking in the truth of God gives great joy to the Apostle Paul; that those he had taught about God have been faithful followers. They continue to love and serve even those who are strangers. They are hospitable and welcoming to other believers. The things that the Apostle Paul taught are being carried out and implemented in their lives. They truly are walking in the truth.
Application
I look at this verse and think of my children and grandchildren and how happy it makes me to know their are Christ followers, that they love God and love people. They are not perfect, but they love Jesus!
Sometimes it's easier to love other people I don't know rather than to have love acceptance and forgiveness towards brothers and sisters and family members who I do know who have hurt or offended me. Having come from a very large family - 7 brothers and 2 sisters, it's not hard to imagine that there might have been some discord from time to time or hurt feelings.
I can't say I love God and I love my neighbor, but I 'hate' my family, my brother or sister, or parents, or whoever . . . I might even be justified in my own mind for feeling bitter and holding a grudge. It helps me feel better; or does it? No. It doesn't.
God says to love. It's a command. Whoever claims to love God yet hates his brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brothers and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command, Anyone who loves God must love their brother and sister. (1 John 4:20-21)
So how do I love the unlovely? How do I let go of the unforgiveness, the pain, the hurt and bitterness of heart?
Confess to God how I feel. Ask for His help. Let it go. Let God.
Forgiving is a process. I forgive as the Lord brings to mind family members who have hurt me. I've asked them to forgive me for the hurts I have caused them. I don't want to get stuck in my walk with God - I want to cooperate with all He wants to do in me.
LOVE God, LOVE people, and LOVE family.
Love, Love, Love.
Prayer
Father, Your word is true! You have given me a Helper, Your Holy Spirit to give me the strength, the help, and power to do the impossible! As I have been forgiven, I choose to forgive . . so I might do the one thing You require of me - to love. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Scripture
John 18:4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
v 7 Again, he asked them, "Who is it you want?
Observation
This is about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas in the olive grove. Judas guided a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to the place Jesus hung out, to betray him. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons! Jesus stepped up to them and asked the question, "Who is it you want? Whom are you seeking? Who is it you are looking for?" Jesus fully realized what was going to happen to him. When they responded, "Jesus of Nazereth", and he said, "I AM He - they all drew back and fell down. Not once, but twice!
Jesus did not cower in fear and trembling with knees knocking but stood up to them face to face. Before this confrontation, Jesus had been in the Garden of Gethsemane praying for 'Not my will, but Your will be done' to God. This betrayal was not a surprise to Jesus but a part of God's divine will and plan. Jesus willingly offered Himself; in everything He did, He did it to glorify God. He submitted to God's will in all that concerns us.
He is our example! Not only in service - washing the disciples feet, but also in submission and obedience to God.
Application
Who am I seeking? Who am I looking for? Who do I want?
Jesus.
Do I want Jesus more than riches and wealth or do I want to serve Him and do His will? To follow Him means to die to myself and pick my cross and follow Him wherever He leads. He is the 'I AM', the resurrection and the life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. The true vine! He has given me a HELPER, His Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth. I'm not alone. He gave His all for me. Can I give Him anything less?
Prayer
Father, You are my all in all. You are the Master Gardener who prunes, cuts, nurtures, and causes growth and fruitfulness in my life. Teach me Your ways O Lord and teach me to do your will, for You are my God.
Search my heart, make me clean.
It's Your approval I long for.
Rule my life. Be my King.
Do what You will, I belong to You.
Scripture
John 8:37 . . . you have no room for my word. Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him, in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Observation
What! No room for His word! Yes. Even at His birth there was no room for him. No room.
There is no room for my word . . . so there is no growth, no progress because I have not made room for God.
Application
I read my Bible and pray every day. I thought I was making plenty of room for God . . . but my readings were dry, and I was hurrying through my 'devotions' instead of doing what is necessary. To sit at His feet and listen. To praise Him. To tell Him about my day. To ready my heart for God to speak to me - for me to listen and receive.
So I read the text over again. I listened to it and realized my mind was going a 100 miles an hour, thinking about all the things I needed to do to get ready for Christmas, to check out social media to see all the new posts, to read the news, to turn on the tv, the radio, to get ready for work . . . and then the verse hit me. 'There's no room for my word - no room for Me.'
Making room for God.
- Get quiet and alone and ask God for a change of heart.
- Confess and acknowledge the clutter in your heart and mind.
- Ask for forgiveness and for His help to bring order to the chaos.
- Simplify and prioritize your calendar schedule.
- Learn to say no to busyness.
- Delight in the Lord! Love God, love people, and sing praise to Him.
- Get hungry for God - by fasting a bit. Stay away from too much sugar!
Prayer
What a profound word Lord. You cut to my heart! You have awakened my soul with this simple truth - to make room for You in my heart and life. I've gotten too busy and preoccupied by other things. The news, politics, Facebook, preparations for Christmas -sidetracked from the important things. Thank You for Your love and correction.
Scripture
2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith which first lived in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Observation
The Bible says to 'train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.' (Proverbs 22:6). The influence of a godly Grandmother and believing Mother to Timothy was remarkable. Though his father was a Greek, both his Grandmother and Mother were believers who took the responsibility of raising up young Timothy to love God as a priority in his life. They taught him the scriptures and helped him to know God.
When we teach our children to grow in the way of the Lord, even when they are old they will remember and continue to walk in the faith that was part of their upbringing. Timothy became a believer, a Bible teacher, evangelist, and a pastor!
Application
Keep doing the things you know to do to be a godly influence and effect the character, development, and behavior of the next generation and the generations to come - this is a very important assignment!
Prayer
Father I have hope because of Your Word. Only You can change a life! Thank You for using me to be an influence in the lives of my children and grandchildren, day care kids, Sunday School kids, and Youth group kids, to help them to know that they are loved by You and have a plan and purpose for them. What a privilege to serve You in this way! Thank You!
'This is what the Lord says, "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the Lord. They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants," declares the Lord. Your children will return to their own land"' (Jeremiah 31:16-17)
