His Love Continues to Our Grandchildren

Scripture - Psalm 103:17 But the Lord's love for those who respect him continues forever and ever, and his goodness continues to their grandchildren.

Observation - My respect and love for God and his great love for me will have an impact on and change the lives of future generations. God has promised to pour out his goodness to my children (Steve, Tim, Andy, Jenny, Chris, and Bekah) and my grandchildren (Sandie, Abigail, Tyler, Hailey, Timmy, Bradley, Kaitlyn, Stevie, Eddie, Caleab, Cadence, Jaiden, and Avery).

Application - I will live in the Lord's love and continue to respect him.

Prayer - Lord, thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving my children and grandchildren. Thank you for your promise. Thank you for your goodness. I pray that you will put your angels around my family, keep them safe from harm, and bring them all home to you. Amen.

The Wisdom of God

Scripture - Isaiah 55:8,9 The Lord says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Observation - I can trust the Lord in every situation in my life. God is so wise and our thoughts miss the mark quite frequently. I must stay connected to the Lord so he can share his thoughts with me. He does that through His word and prayer. He shares his thoughts and ways with us by His Holy Spirit.

Application - I must stay connected to the Lord. I must live in His word, so I will know his thoughts and ways. Left on my own, my thoughts and ways are wrong. My mind is in constant need of reprogramming. I need Him and His Spirit.

Prayer - Lord, thank you that I can trust you with every detail in my life. You hold all wisdom and knowledge. I place every detail of my life in your hands. As I continue to look to you, you share the thoughts I need through your Holy Spirit enlightening your Word. Amen.

Light of the Lord vs. Man-made Light

Scripture - Isaiah 50:11 But instead, some of you want to light your own fires and make your own light. So, go, walk in the light of your fires and trust in your own light to guide you. But this is what you will receive from me: You will lie down in a place of pain.

Observation - We can either walk in God's way or light or in our own way or light. When we walk with God, we will have peace; but when we walk in our own light (understanding), we will have pain. I must walk in the light of God's fire.

Application - I must not make my own fires or light. I must walk in the light of the Lord. I must stay on the path He chooses for me.

Prayer - Father, help me to walk in your light for my life. Help me to not seek my own will or way for my life. Help me not to push doors open that may be closed for a reason. Let me walk in your way. Amen.

Changed by His Word

Scripture - James 1:21  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Observation - As believers, it is imperative that we keep ourselves in check. We must not let our carnal nature rule us. In order to live a life of faith and walk according to the Spirit of God, we must take His word and plant it in our hearts. It is so easy to walk according to the flesh - it comes naturally. But to walk by the Spirit takes work. There is that word that no one likes to hear - WORK. Oh, some may be saying right now - but salvation is free and is by grace. True. And if you only want to go as far as receiving salvation, then you can stop right there. But....if you want to live your life by the Holy Spirit of the Living God, it will take much work. 

Application - So today, if you hear his voice, heed the call. Plant the Word of God inside your heart that you might not sin against Him. Learn (by the Word) what manner of person you ought to be, and pursue Him with all of your heart. It is all right there - written in His book.

Prayer - Father, help me to keep my flesh in check and follow after you. Be with me as I journey to know you more and seek your will for my life. May your Word be a light unto my path and may your Holy Spirit illuminate so that I can see. In Yeshua's name. Amen.

Jesus - The Author and Finisher of our Faith

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written,“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”[h]), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Observation - This scripture puts to rest the conflict that is within myself regarding Law/Spirit issues. We (who have been saved through faith in Christ) can rest assured that it is not by following rules we have access to God. When our focus is just on living a righteous life because of the words on the page, we are to be pitied. True righteousness can only be grasped through faith in Jesus/Yeshua. His finished work on the cross is our only access to Yahweh.

Application - My life is complete when I look to Yeshua, the author and finisher of my faith. God can then work within my spirit by His Holy Spirit to bring the necessary changes in my heart. His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

Prayer - May you show us your mercy as we walk through this earthly life. Let my faith rest in the finished work of Jesus, who came to earth and laid down his life on the cross, so that all who look upon him (in faith) can enter in to the hope of eternal life. Help me to keep my gaze fixed on Jesus from this day forward. Amen.

Does My Life Measure Up?

Scripture - Ephesians 4:2  Always be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love, 3 and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of shalom. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as when you were called you were called to one hope. 5 And there is one Lord, one trust, one immersion, 6 and one God, the Father of all, who rules over all, works through all and is in all.

Observation - This scripture focuses on the character of the believer. We, as believers, ought to emulate Christ to those who are around us. If we are truly his, then what manner of person should we be? This scripture portion sums it up - we should be humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to preserve unity through peace (shalom). Brothers and sisters, in order for this to happen, our focus must be on the love of Jesus.

Application - We need to begin to ask ourselves some serious questions. Am I a child of God? Why does it seem so hard to love at times? Am I willing to come out of my selfishness and put my focus on loving others? I know I am a child of God. It seems so hard for me to love at times because I am selfish. We must begin to see past ourselves to help a lost and dying world.

Prayer - Father, please help me to be sensitive to the needs of others that you have placed in my path. Let my life exhibit your love and peace to a world that so desperately needs you. Light my path and guide my footsteps. Amen. 

We Are Examples of God to Others

Scripture - I Peter 5:3 Do not be like a ruler over people you are responsible for, but be good examples to them.

Observation - God has called us to be examples to others he has placed in our lives. It is not enough to just tell someone how they need to live or what they should do. We are to be living examples of God's love and His ways. He is our Father and we need to show others His character by our lives.

Application - I must choose to follow God, study his word, and show others his character. I must live out His life through my life.

Prayer - Lord, make me more likeyou so that I can show others the way. Amen