Last night my Dad and I took Tyler and Michael to a Saint Louis Cardinals game. We had a good time even though the Cardinals lost and we didn't get home until 2:00 a.m. I believe discipleship is all about influence. Michael has stayed two weeks with us and I have tried to use that time to have influence in his life. I think he has had a pretty good time. He has seen Ice Age 3, attended the tent revival, went to the meals with the Hollmers, Holiday World with Charles and Tyler, and a Saint Louis Cardinals game. Not bad, especially since it has been all free (for him.) It is all about relationship and influence. Discipleship is not a 13 week study. Jesus influenced his disciples because he had a relationship with them. That is a great lesson. You want to influence someone for Christ? You build and develop a relationship with them. That is discipleship.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
July 29 devotional
Scripture
Romans 12: 9-10 “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
Observation
The first half of the book of Romans is theology. Paul focused on what you should believe. The second half is application. It focuses on how you should behave. What you believe will always impact your behavior. In fact the way you live reveals what you believe. If you want to change your behavior, you have to change your beliefs. That is why Paul says to renew your mind. A change of thinking leads to a change of living.
Here Paul says believers should love one another. They should not just pretend to love but really love them. They hate evil and stand for what is right. They have brotherly love for one another. We are members of the family of God. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul taught we should delight in honoring others and not seek honor for ourselves. I believe the Christian faith is all about loving God and loving people. If we love, we will fulfill all the requirements of the Bible.
Application
I have to be other-centered. My flesh loves to focus on myself. Its priorities are on what I feel and like. As a member of the family of God I should focus on others. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I put their needs and wants above my own. I love them more than I love myself. I am to genuinely love other Christians. I do this through: small acts of kindness, giving them honor, letting them speak and me listening, adding value to them, and simply making an effort to put them first.
Prayer
Father, give me a baptism of love. I want to be immersed in your love. I ask that I receive your love today so that I can love you and others. I want to be a man of love. I ask that you remove self-centeredness from me. Enable me to put others first. Renew my mind.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 28 devotional
Scripture
Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him. Everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen.”
Observation
This is a great passage of praise. God is wonderful. God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are beyond our comprehension. It is impossible for man to understand God’s decisions and methods unless the Holy Spirit reveals it to him. God’s ways are higher than our ways and God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We cannot give him advice or lend him money. God has it all. Everything comes from him. Everything exists because he supports it. Everything exists to bring glory to God. God is greater than I am. God’s ways are better than my ways.
Application
The beginning of humility is acknowledging who God is and who I am. That puts things in proper perspective. He is God. I am not. He is all-knowing. I am not. He is all-powerful. I am not. He is Lord. I am his servant. He is all-sufficient. I am dependent on Him. Humility is acknowledging my need of God. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. When I abide in Him and His words in me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Prayer
Father, I humble myself before you. I acknowledge that you are God. You are my Lord. You are my everything. I acknowledge my total dependence on you. I need you. I ask that you lead and guide me. I ask that you give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation. I want to live in you today and I ask that your words would live in me. I love you.
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 27 devotional
Scriptures
1 Chronicles 20:21-22 “After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever! At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of
Observation
This is a great passage about praise and worship. The first thing I notice is the focus of praise and worship. Worship has been reduced to a feel good moment. It has become self centered. It is about God blessing us. It is about what music I like. It is a feel good moment. Worship is really none of that. Worship is not about me and it is not about you. It is about God. In 1 Chronicles they sang to the Lord and praised His name. The focus was on God. They ministered and blessed God with their singing. It was all about him.
The second thing I notice is the power of praise and worship. When the Israelites worshiped God, he fought for them. It was an act of warfare. God caused
I really believe worship is vital in our services. It is difficult to preach when the worship service is dry or dead. But when the spirit moves in worship, it opens up the heavens and preaching is easy. The gifts of the spirit flow. Signs and wonders happen. Worship can create an atmosphere that allows the Holy Spirit freedom to minister.
Application
I must focus on God in worship. It is not about me and what I like or what I feel. My priority is to minister to God. I want to serve Him in worship. I want to bless Him in my praise. David said bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. David ministered to God in his worship. My focus is on Jesus.
When I worship I expect God to respond. I expect God to bring me victory in the spiritual realm. God creates an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself. When I focus on God in my worship, God will make Himself known. He will reveal himself.
Prayer
Father, I ask your forgiveness for the times I made worship about me and my likes or dislikes. It is not about me. Worship is all about you.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
July 26 devotional
Scripture
Psalm 20: 1-4 “In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry. May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm. May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from
Observation
I firmly believe that God wants to bless you. That God desires for his children to come to him in prayer and ask for his blessing. Here David prayed that in your times of trouble, may you go to God in prayer. Why? David experienced God’s intervention in his life when he cried out to God. David knew what it was to be in trouble and for God to bless him. When you are in trouble, you should pray:
1) That God would keep you safe.
2) That God would send you help
3) That God would give you strength.
4) That God would look favorably on your giving
5) That God would grant your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.
David experienced answers to prayer and I can expect answers to my prayers
When I am in trouble, my first instinct should be to go to God in prayer. Crying out to God should be my response. God will rescue me. God will help me. God will give me strength. God will grant my heart’s desire and fulfill all my plans. I can trust him. He is faithful. He is trustworthy. I have the privilege of going to God in prayer. One thing that stands out to me in this passage was David’s complete confidence of God’s willingness to answer prayer. David was sure that God would respond when he cried out to him. David had faith in God.
Prayer
Father, increase my faith. When I am in trouble, let my first instinct be to cry out to you. May I have the same resolve as David that you will answer my prayers. You will hear and respond to my cries. You will grant my heart’s desires and fulfill all my plans.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tent Revival Recap
The tent revival was incredible. God is so good. I cannot wait until service tomorrow. I believe will continue to pour out His Spirit upon us. Hope you are able to be there.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
July 23 devotional
Scripture
Psalm 18: 29 “In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.”
Observation
This is a great declaration by David. I believe we can declare things in the spiritual realm. We do not declare our personal whims but we can declare God’s Word. We can take the promises found in scripture and declare them to be our own. When we speak or declare the promises of God, something powerful happens in the spiritual realm. There is power in the tongues. Life and death is in what we say. This is more than we are able to hurt someone’s feelings when we speak. Our words impact the unseen world. David decreed that in God’s strength, not his own, he could crush an army. David was not being prideful. In fact he was showing humility. David killed Goliath but he was declaring his need of God’s strength. He declared that with God he could scale any wall. Walls were the protection for a city. A city was as safe as the walls around it. David declared that with God there was no city he could not conquer. David was making great declarations. He acknowledged his need and dependence upon God. He also acknowledged what he could do with God on his side.
Application
We need to make declarations. We need to speak God’s Word and decree God’s promises.
I decree that souls will be saved at First A/G.
I decree that the sick will be healed.
I decree that captives will be set free. I decree that drug addicts and alcoholics will be delivered. I decree that those bound by pornography and sexual immorality will be set free.
I decree that marriages will be restored and divorce will be eliminated.
I decree that the blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the lame will walk.
I decree that sickness and disease will leave this place and
I decree unity in and among our churches.
I decree that First A/G will support a missionary in every country of the world.
I decree that we are experiencing a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit just as in the book of acts.
I decree that transformation in coming to
These are the desires of my heart. I believe God placed them there. I believe that God will do the work that he has promised me. That which he has started, he will finish.
Prayer
Father, Give me boldness and courage in my prayer life. I do not want to pray weak and timid prayers. I want to boldly come to the throne of grace. I want to declare that your kingdom will come and your will be done in
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tent Revival
The first night of the tent revival was awesome. We had guest from Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky. That is 7 states! We are expecting 15-20 pastors to visit the services this week. One of our desires at First A/G is to be a church of influence. We want to experience an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and then have the river flow to other churches and communities. I believe God is granting that desire this week. God is good!
I am looking forward to the service tonight. The weather is perfect. We had around 300 last night and expect more this evening.
July 22 devotional
Scripture
Romans 8:5-8
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about things sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of the sinful nature can never please God.”
Observation
I think this is one of the most fascinating scriptures in the entire Bible. This verse reveals the key to success in your spiritual life. Here is the truth: What controls your mind controls you. What you think about is what you will become. What your mind focuses on will be who you become. Paul said that the flesh thinks about sinful thinks and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the spirit. What is in your mind controls you. When your sinful nature is in control of your thoughts, it leads to death. When the Holy Spirit controls your thoughts it leads to life and peace. That is a wonderful statement. I think about things that please God I will experience life to the full. I will not have worry or anxiety. I will experience peace. I will not live in fear. I will live in peace. My life will be productive and I will experience success. The battle field is your mind. The key to victory or defeat is your thoughts. Your thought life determines your life.
Application
I can control my thoughts. I have the ability to take captive negative and evil thoughts. I can choose to think about things that please God. I can fill my mind with the Holy Scriptures. I can think about what is good, pure, and pleasing to God. I can focus on the dreams and visions God has given me. I can reject thoughts of worry, fear, and negativity. I can control what feeds my mind. I choose what I watch and listen to. I control the television and radio. I control what I read. I can control what my mind dwells on and thinks about. If I am under the control of the Holy Spirit I will think about things that please God and that is what I will become and experience. The battle field is the mind and I can win that battle.
Prayer
Father, I want to think about things that please you. I want to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. I want to experience life and peace. Fill me afresh and anew with your spirit. Equip me to take my thoughts captive. I want to dwell on what pleases you. I want to fill my mind with your word. I desire to live and experience the abundant life you have provided for me. Thank you for the victory in my mind.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
July 21 devotional
Scripture
Romans 7:4 “So this is the point: The law no longer holds you in its power, because you died to its power when you died with Christ on the cross. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God.”
Observation
This verse tells us how it is possible for us to live a life of good deeds and to have good fruit. The key phrase is “and now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead.” Being one with Jesus is the key to doing good deeds. I am dead to the law and its power. The power of sin has been broken in my life. I no longer have to sin. I am now united with Jesus. His power resides within me. Through his power I can do good things. Being one with Jesus produces good fruit within me. The good fruit within me results in good actions or good deeds. Paul uses the phrase “in Christ.” I am in Christ. I am one with Jesus. I am united with Christ. This union produces good fruit that results in good deeds.
Application
I do not produce good fruit by trying harder or self will. That produces frustration because it puts me back under the law. I produce good fruit by walking in the Spirit or cooperating with the Spirit’s work within me. It is my union with Jesus that does the work. Jesus said apart from him I can do nothing but if I remain in him and his words remain in me, I can ask the Father and he will give me the desires of my heart. Abiding in Jesus, remaining in Jesus, being united with Jesus is the key. If I simply do that, the Holy Spirit will produce the rest. The greatest thing is that God will then receive all the glory. It will not be something I did but God did in and through me. People will know the source. God will receive the praise. Remaining in Jesus is a lifestyle not a one hour time slot in my day. My personal devotions are important but there is more to remaining in him or walking in the Spirit. It is 24/7. It is an attitude and an action. It is a heart condition. It is a focus. It is my life.
Prayer
Father, I want to remain in you. I am united with Christ. I am full of the Holy Spirit. I will walk with you today. As I walk with God, he will produce good fruit within me that will result in good deeds. My focus is on Christ. He will lead and guide me. He will empower me. He will manifest himself in and through me. He is the source. My life is in Him. I am in Christ, united with him.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Tent Revival
The tent revival begins tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Evangelist Elaine Hollmer is our guest speaker. We are expecting a powerful move of God. First A/G has been praying and seeking a spiritual awakening that results in a transformation of Henderson, KY. We believe we are in the midst of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It will continue this week at the revival. Hope everyone is able to attend.
July 20 devotional
Scripture
Romans 6: 5-8 “Since we have been united with him in is death, we will also be raised as he was. Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life.”
Observation
Most Christians accept the fact they have been set free from the penalty of sin. They understand that their sins have been forgiven and they are going to heaven. Paul taught that much more than that happened when we were saved. Not only were you set free from the penalty of sin, you were set free from the power of sin. You are no longer a slave to sin. That means when you become a Christian you do not have to sin. You have the power to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. Why? You died with Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, your old sinful self died as well. Jesus defeated sin and death and now you have victory over sin and death. Jesus died for you. He took your place on the cross. So his death is your death. He not only paid the penalty of your sins, he won your victory over sin. This is one of the greatest truths in Christianity and most believers do not understand it. They think they are going to heaven and they have to live in sin on the way. That is not true. The blood of Jesus is powerful. The blood of Jesus has been applied to my life. I am free from sin. I am free to love and serve Jesus. I refuse to go back into bondage.
Application
I must live the life God provided for me. He provided a life free from sin. I can walk in righteousness. I can walk with the spirit. I have the Holy Spirit living within me. I have the Holy Spirit upon me. I can live in victory. My flesh has been conquered. My flesh has been crucified. My flesh is dead. My spirit is alive. My spirit can soar. I am alive in Christ. I am in Christ. I am his. He is mine. I will live victoriously.
Prayer
Father, I want to live this truth. I do not want this truth to be my theology but my reality. I am dead to sin. My old sinful self has been crucified. I am alive in Christ. I am full of the Holy Spirit. I will walk with Him today. Where are we going? What are we doing?
I love you.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
July 19 devotional
Scripture
1 Chronicles 29:9 “The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.”
Observation
This passage shows the right attitude in giving. Our giving should be:
1) Freely. You and I should give without compulsion. There should never have to be a hard appeal. We should give freely. So many times people look for any excuse not to give, especially when it comes to tithing. They say tithing is not in the New Testament. They give excuses for not wanting to give. They miss the point all together. Giving is always a heart issue. They gave freely because they had giving hearts.
2) Wholeheartedly. The Israelite's not only gave freely but they gave wholeheartedly. Their giving was an act of worship. They did not give from their wallets, they gave from their hearts. It was not dictated by their budget but their love for God. They gave to God because they loved him with their whole heart.
Application
My giving is an indicator of my heart for God. Giving is always a heart issue. The amount I give and the attitude I give with reveals my love for God. If I am stingy or if I give reluctantly, it indicated that my heart is distant from God or that I live in worry and lack faith. When I give freely and wholeheartedly, it reveals that my love for God is true and that I trust God for my needs. Two of the greatest indicators of my relationship with God are my checkbook and my calendar.
Prayer
Father, I do not want to be stingy or miserly. I want to be a free giver. I want to give to you out of a heart of love, worship, and admiration. I want to increase my faith and trust you for my needs. I want to worship you with my giving. I want my heart to be right with you. Enable me to be a generous giver because I am a passionate lover.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
July 18 devotional
Scripture
Romans 4: 18-23 “When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars, even though such a promises seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. And because of Abraham’s faith, God declared him to be righteous.”
Observation
I am thoroughly convinced we that we have a doctrine of grace and lifestyle of legalism. It is so much a part of human nature to try to earn our answers to prayer that it is difficult to live a simple life of faith, yet that is exactly the life the Bible teaches. We accept the fact that we are saved by faith but then we try to earn everything else. That is not Christianity. Christianity is based on faith. We are not only saved by faith but we live by faith. Abraham is our example. He is called the father of faith. He had faith even though:
1) The circumstances were impossible. He and Sarah were too old to have children.
2) He did not receive the promise immediately. After God gave them the promise of a child, they had to wait several years before Sarah became pregnant. Abraham’s faith did not weaken during this waiting period but grew stronger. That is great faith.
3) Because Abraham believed God he was declared righteous and received that which God promised.
This is how we are supposed to live. We do not earn answers to prayer. We cannot purchase God’s blessing. We are saved by faith and we walk (live) by faith.
Application
I live by faith. I accept God at his word. I trust in his character. The promised that are in God’s Word are true because God is faithful. I can believe and receive those promises. The promises I have received through prophetic words or given to me by the Holy Spirit in prayer are true because they are backed by God’s character. I do not have to earn the promises. I cannot work my way to answered prayer. Everything is received by faith. I will live by faith alone. The things I do for God are not to earn his love, favor, or answers to prayer. They are an overflow of my love for him. I want to please him not for what I can get out of it but because I love him. I do the spiritual disciplines not to earn his favor and answers to prayer but because I want to know him and become like him. I obey him not out of fear but out of love.
Prayer
Father, enable me to live what I teach. I want to live by faith and not works. I don’t want to try to earn your love, favor, and answers to prayer. That is a miserable way to live. I want to walk by faith. Obey out of love and live for your pleasure. It is two totally opposite ways of living life. One leads to freedom and liberty. The other leads to bondage and frustration. I choose freedom and liberty!!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
July 17 devotional
Scripture
Romans 4: 2-5 “Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, he would have something to boast about. But from God’s point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.” When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work. “
Observation
Paul is given us the doctrine of faith. Every other religion teaches that you get right with God by what you do. You work your way to righteousness. You do good deeds and abstain from bad things. If you are good enough, you will be right with God and go to heaven. Paul teaches the opposite. Nobody can do enough good things to get right with God. It is impossible. You do not earn your salvation like a worker earns his wages. Salvation is a gift. You receive it by faith. Abraham was not declared righteous because he was circumcised. He was declared righteous because of his faith. He believed God and God declared him to be right with him and then Abraham was circumcised. Salvation is a gift of God and I receive it by faith. Praise the Lord.
Application
Christians tend to love the doctrine of faith and then live by the law. What I mean is this, we believe we are saved by faith but then we spend the rest of our Christian lives trying to earn God’s favor and blessing. We try to earn our healing. We try to earn our anointing. We try to earn our provision. If I am good enough, then God will. If I give enough, then God will. If I pray and fast enough, then God will. If I serve enough, then God will. This is living by works and not by faith. Grace is much too valuable to give away. Don’t get me wrong I am not against giving, prayer, fasting, and living right but I do not think it earns me anything. Grace means there is nothing I can do to cause God to love me anymore than he loves me right now and there is nothing I can do to cause God to love me any less than he loves me right now. God loves me as much as an infinite God can love right now. It is a free gift. I was made right by faith, not by works.
Prayer
Father, I know grace but I live by works. Don’t let me throw away the gift of grace. I do not want to spend my life trying to win your love. I do not want to always live in the fear that you are not pleased with me. I want to live in your mercy and grace. I want to experience your pleasure and love. I love you because you first loved me. Thank you for your love. Thank you for grace. Thank you for mercy. Thank you for making me right with you. I love you so much!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Men's Bible Study
Today I have been working on a mid-week Bible study for August. It is going to be "Just for men." We will study the book "God's Armor Bearer, volume 1" by Terry Nance. It teaches men on how to be spiritual leaders. I believe one of the most important elements of a healthy church is male leadership. I am looking forward to teaching it. It will begin on the second Wednesday of August. If it goes well, it might be something we do on a regular basis.
July 16 devotional
Scripture
Romans 3: 21-25a “But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight- not by obeying the law by the way promised in the scriptures long ago. We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, not matter who we are or what we have done. For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this though Christ Jesus, who had freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.”
Observation
This is one of the great passages of the Bible that describes and explains salvation.
1) All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard.
2) All deserve judgment and death
3) God out of his kindness sent His son Jesus to take the punishment we deserve
4) Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.
5) We can become right with God by placing our faith in Jesus.
6) We have been set free from the penalty and power of sin.
7) Salvation is available to all who trust in Jesus.
Application
This is the greatest message ever told to mankind. God saves sinners! Jesus dies on the cross for me. I can become a child of God. I can be set free from the penalty and power of sin. What should I do?
1) Place my faith in Jesus receiving my salvation
2) Live my life for God. Jesus gave His life for me, now I want to give my life to him.
3) Tell others about this great salvation. Salvation is available to everyone. I must tell them about it.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for my salvation. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place. Jesus, thank you for laying down your life for me. You paid the price for my sins. Thank you that you have adopted me into your family. I am now a joint heir of Jesus Christ. Now empower me to tell others about this great salvation. Do not let me keep it to myself. This is great news. This can change any and everyone’s life. The salvation message is the greatest message ever told.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July 15 devotional
Scripture
Proverbs 19:11 “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.”
Observation
Anger can be a horrible thing. It destroys relationships. It tears apart families. It is a spiritual cancer than can lead to unforgiveness and bitterness. Anger will never go away. In other words there will never be a time when I will not get angry. It does not go away, it has to be restrained. I have to control my anger. The Bible says to sin not when I am angry. How do I restrain my anger? I accomplish this by overlooking wrongs. I have a choice to make. I can focus and think about the wrongs people have done to me or I can overlook them. I can choose not to make their wrongs my focus. It is a battle that takes place in the mind. What I choose to focus on, will control my emotions. If I choose to overlook their wrongs, my emotions will stay in check. I will restrain anger. If I choose to think about the bad things people have done to me, my emotions will rage. I will become angry and my heart will be in danger of growing bitter. Focus is the key. I overlook the wrongs of others.
Application
Everyday offers the opportunity to get offended. People say and do stupid things. I can choose not to be offended. I can grant others mercy and grace. I can overlook wrongs. Anger is a horrible evil. I say things I regret, when I am angry. I do things that hurt others, when I am angry. I have to restrain my anger by choosing what to focus on.
Prayer
Father, I do not want to be the kind of person that is easily offended. I want to grant others mercy and grace. I want to have good sense and restrain my anger. I want to give others the benefit of the doubt and overlook their wrongs. Holy Spirit develop the fruit of the Spirit within me. I want to be patient, kind, gentle, meek, loving, etc. I want to treat others like Christ treated me. Change me. Make me like Jesus.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 14 devotional
Scripture
Proverbs 19:8 “To acquire wisdom is to love oneself, people who cherish understanding will prosper.”
Observation
What is the best thing you can do for yourself? What is the one thing you can do to secure your future? It is to acquire wisdom and understanding. If you love yourself and want a bright future, you have to continually grow. Personal growth is the key to future success. What you read, listen to, relationships that you develop, conferences you attend, etc. develop your potential. God gives you his holy spirit to empower you but God also gave you talent and skills that must be developed. God expects his children to mature and grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. When you develop your potential, it enlarges your possibilities. It gives God more to work with.
Application
Every believer needs to be on a personal growth plan. You need to intentionally develop a plan to grow in wisdom and understanding. You do this through:
1) Books you read
2) Sermons and Podcasts you listen to
3) Relationships and mentors you develop
4) Conferences you go to
5) Experiences you experience
This does not happen by accident. It must be intentional. You have to make it happen. Everyday is an opportunity to grow and learn. I believe that everything I learn today, God can use tomorrow!
Father I ask that you grow me into the man of God you would have me to be. I ask that I will partner with you in that growth. Give me a thirst for learning. Give me a desire to grow and become all that you have made me to be. I do not want to come up short of my potential. I want to use all the gifts and talents you have given me. Enable me to discipline myself. I want to be more productive for your kingdom.
Monday, July 13, 2009
July 13 devotional
Scripture
1 Chronicles 16:23-25 “Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of Praise!”
Observation
1 Chronicles 16:8-36 is a great song of praise written by King David. David praised God for all the good things he has done for him and for
1) The whole earth should sing to the Lord. Singing to God in worship is Biblical. We are to express our love and gratitude to God through song.
2) Proclaim the good news that Jesus saves. We have good news. Here in the Old Testament we see that the purposes of God was to save his people..
3) Publish is glorious deeds among the nations. Missions has always been at the center of the heart of God. We are to tell the nations of God’s good deeds and powerful acts.
4) Finally tell everyone about Him. Every person deserves a clear presentation of the gospel at his/her level of understanding.
Application
I am to worship to God with my singing. I am to give my praise to God but something distinctive here is that evangelism and missions are tied to worship. If I truly worship God I will tell others about him. David is my God is so great that I cannot contain it. I have to tell others what He has done for me. I have to tell others how great my God is. I have to go to the nations and declare the goodness of God. Evangelism is an overflow of worship. When my heart is full of love for God, it cannot be contained. It will pour out onto others.
Prayer
Father, I want my heart to be so full of praise and wonder for you that it explodes onto others. I want to be a witness of your glorious acts. I want to experience your power in my life and then I want to tell others what you have done. I want to love you so much and admire you so much, that it flows out of me.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July 12 devotional
Scripture
1 Chronicles 14: 11“So David and his troops went to Baal-perazim, and defeated the Philistines there. “God has done it” David exclaimed. He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood. So that place was named Baal-perazim (which means “The Lord burst through”).
Observation
Many times in the Old Testament God uses incidents to reveal his nature. Here David has just been selected as King of Israel. His greatest enemy hears and they come to attack David. The Philistines gather their army for war. David prays and asks God if he should fight the Philistines. God says yes and then gives David a great victory. During this war, God reveals his name to David. "The Lord burst through." God had empowered David’s army to burst through the Philistines and win victory. Through this battle David grew to know God is a deeper way. God bursts through His enemies.
Application
1) Many times I come to know God through the battles. It was in a war with his greatest enemy that God revealed himself to David. We don’t like difficult times. I tend to run from battles but it is in the battle that I learn who God is.
2) That battles often come right after a personal high. David had been running from Saul for years. Now the battle was over and David has been selected as king. This was a huge moment for David. It was a great personal accomplishment. Right after this high, the Philistines come to fight. Right after a great victory is often when the Devil comes to destroy us. We tend to let our guard down after victories. We relax and are not on watch. One of the devil’s strategies is to attack right after we experience personal accomplishments.
3) The Lord bursts through. I may feel that all the odds are against me. My perception is that I am outnumbered and there is no way I can win this battle but that is when the Lord bursts through. He defeats my enemies and gives me victory.
Prayer
Father, I praise you as the God who bursts through. You are able to defeat the strongest enemy. Even when I am outnumbered and am the underdog, you can give victory. You burst through the enemies lines and give me success. Thanks you. I place my trust in you.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 11 devotional
Scripture
1 Chronicles 11:9 “And David became more and more powerful, because The Lord Almighty was with him.”
Observation
What a great verse! David’s power was tied to God’s presence. The more David had of God’s presence and the more time David spent in God’s presence, the more powerful David became.
David’s power was not something he conjured up. It was not a formula or a method. David had the favor of God. David did nothing to make himself more powerful, it was a gift from God. God was with him. David experienced God’s presence and power. David experienced God’s blessing. Because of the blessing of God upon his life, David’s influence grew. David became more powerful. His throne was established because God was with him.
Application
1) If I want more power, I need more of God. God’s power comes with His presence. The gifts of the spirit are a result of the manifestation of the spirit. When I get God, I get everything that comes with God. This includes his gifts, miracles, signs, and wonders.
2) If I want more influence in the
Prayer
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