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

Love Covers All

Scripture - I Peter 4:8 Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love will cause many sins to be forgiven.

Observation - Love covers all. We are to love each other to the point of covering each others' sins. We all sin. We are not like those living without the Lord who go around doing evil. But, we still sin (miss the mark of God's best) in many ways.

Application - I will love - love is a choice. Even when I am frustrated with others, I will love them.

Prayer - Lord - make me an instrument of your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Want to be Happy?

Scripture - I Peter 3:10
A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days. He must not say evil things and he must not tell lies. He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it. The Lord sees good people and listens to their prayers. But the Lord is against those who do evil.

Observation - This is a nugget of truth from the Lord telling us that if we do these things, we will enjoy life and be happy. God wants us happy. He says to stay away from speaking evil and telling lies. Consequences of that behavior lead to living a life full of strife and contention.

Application - I will not speak evil and tell lies. I will look for peace. I will do good to people as opportunities arise.

Prayer - Lord, help me to keep guard over my tongue. Help me to work toward peace. Help me to do good and not evil. Amen

God's Word Will Light the Way

S - James 1:25 - But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.

O - If we want true happiness, we find it in learning and following God's Word. There are so many treasures in his Word and he longs for us to know them.There is instruction for all areas of our lives including: relationships, finances, friendship, etc.

A - I must become a student of God's Word, so I will discover his truths.

P - Lord, give me a hunger for your Word. Place a growing desire in my heart to know you and your ways. Amen.

Yeshua - The Tested Rock

S - Isaiah 28:16 "I will put a stone in the ground in Jerusalem, a tested stone. Everything will be build on this important and precious rock. Anyone who trusts in it will never be disappointed."

O - I believe Yeshua is this important and precious rock. He is the one in whom we are to trust and never be disappointed.

A - I must build my life on the rock - YESHUA! When I trust in him, I won't be disappointed.

P - Lord, there are many uncertainties in life. But through all of my seasons, I trust in the rock that is not moved - Yeshua. He is with me always and I thank you for his stability. Amen.

RUN, RUN, RUN

S - Hebrews 12:1 So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.

O - Let's establish this - we are running a race. There are many obstacles that seem to try to sidetrack us. We must set our sight on finishing the race and not give the obstacles too much of our attention. If there are sins or attitudes in our lives that are ungodly, we must shed them so we can run. We are not to let them weigh us down.

A - I must look ahead and run the race. I must not focus on the obstacles, but on Jesus the author and finisher of my faith. And RUN, RUN, RUN

P - Lord, help me to run with my eyes fixed on you, not on the cares of the world and other obstacles. If there are any destructive ways or behaviors in my life, help me to identify them and deal with them. Amen.

No Lone Rangers

S - Hebrews 10:24,25 Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other.

O - We are not to be lone rangers. We are to stay connected to other believers - not isolated. It is also important that we help each other when there are needs and love each other tangibly.

A & P - Lord, give me a sensitivity to the needs around me. Give me the necessary resources to meet the needs. Amen.

Our High Priest

S- Hebrews 7:24 But because Yeshua (Jesus) lives forever, he will never stop serving as priest. So, he is able always to save those who come to God through him, because he always lives, asking God to help them.

O - Jesus is standing before the Father always making intercession for those who belong to him. He prays and intercedes on our behalf. He asks God to help us.

A - I must live with Jesus first in my life. I must trust him as my high priest and Lord. He stands before the Father on my behalf.

P - Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sin. Thank you that he comes before you on my behalf and you send help my way. Amen.

Jesus paid the price for us. He laid down his life, so that we could be saved and inherit eternal life with him. Everyone has eternal life, but only those who trust Yeshua can be secure in their destination. If you don't know him today, pray and ask him to reveal himself to you and trust him with your life. We are his children and are called out of this present darkness to his marvelous light. Whatever your circumstances, turn to him today. He is not like a genie. I am not guaranteeing that your problems will go away. But he will change you and walk with you through whatever you are going through. He will give you strength and peace. That's worth more than anything in this life.

Patience When We Pray to The God Who Answers Prayer

I wrote this on July 7, 2006 and am amazed as I look back at how the Lord answered. We were living in San Bernardino at the time. Our daughter was in 5th grade and I wanted to move because I wanted her to be in a better location starting in middle school. Wow, how he answered. In April 2008, we moved to Victorville. He provided a beautiful home for us to live in and our daughter is attending a performing arts charter school where her education is affording her opportunity to advance in her dreams. He is truly the God who hears and answers prayer. We had to believe that he would hear us - AND HE DID.

S - Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised.

O - I have a part in receiving what God has promised. First of all, I must believe that he will do what he promised. Second, I must keep believing and be patient.

A - I believe God wants to move us to a better location. I will wait and keep believing.

P - Lord, let me not lose heart while I wait on your placement for us. Amen

Why Aren't We Teachers?

Scripture - Hebrews 5:12 By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God's message. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food.

Observation - We need to move on past the milk stage to solid foods. When we are first saved, the Lord feeds us milk so we can grow just like a baby does in the natural. Then at a certain point, he wants us to move on to meatier teaching. He doesn't want us to only drink milk when we've walked with him for many years. Our Father knows the right time to introduce us to deeper teaching. At that point, He disciples us. We must listen for his voice and follow him.

Application - There are many believers living unfulfilled lives because they are still in the baby stage. God wants us to grow up and help others to grow up also. We must be taught and discipled. We have to be willing to put ourselves in places where God's Word is taught so we can grow.

Prayer - Father, help me to grow in your teaching so that I may teach others your ways and help them grow from the baby stage to maturity. Amen.

Faith and God's Word

S - Hebrews 4:2 The Good News was preached to us just as it was to them. But the teaching they heard did not help them because they heard it but did not accept it with faith.

O - You must have faith to walk in the teachings of God's Word. There are those who hear the Word and accept it. Then, there are those who hear God's Word and don't get it. In order for God's Word to help us, we have to have faith. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. When I hear His Word and have His faith, I am changed.

A - Ask the Lord for faith so that when you hear His Word, it can help you.

P - I pray for greater faith, Lord, so that I will accept your Word, and it will help me. Change my heart and enlarge my faith walk so that I will be changed. Amen

Encourage Each Other

Scripture - Hebrews 3:13 but encourage each other every day while it is "today." Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.

Observation - We are in need of encouragement in the body of Messiah today. So many people are so discouraged and in so many situations that seem hopeless. We need to help each other through our trials.

Application - I will lesten for the cry of discouragement in peoples' lives when I speak to them and will pray the Father to give me wisdom and words of encouragement for them.

Prayer - Father, help me to be sensitive by your Ruach (Holy Spirit). Use me to bring healing to the discouraged ones. Amen.

Knowledge or the Lack Of

S - Hosea 4:6 My people will be destroyed because they have no knowledge.

O - We must continue to learn. We have to apply ourselves to learn of God's ways. There are so many things we need to know so that we will not be destroyed. Even in things such as what we should eat can cause us to perish if we are disobedient.

A - Lord, let me have a willingness to learn what I need to know, so I won't be destroyed, and help me to teach others.

P - Lord, help me to be an eager learner and to teach and help others. Amen

Pay Attention to Yeshua's Words

Scripture - Hebrews 1:1 In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets many times and in many different ways. But now, in these last days, God has spoken to us through his Son.

Observation - There is a new way to hear God. Before Christ was born, God spoke differently. After Yeshua's life on earth, God speaks to us through Yeshua and his words. I think if we were to focus more on what Yeshua said and "follow him" we would be much better off. There is confusion sometimes in what others' spoke, but with him, it is simple to understand and clearly stated.

Application - I must pay special attention to Yeshua's words and learn his ways. He came to this earth as the Son of Yah. He was born to Mary through the Holy Spirit. His Words should be taken as the Holy Word of Yahuwah. They are very important Friends.

Prayer - Father, help me to be more like your Son by learning his ways and following him.

Obedience - The Key to Success

Scripture - II Chronicles 27:6 Jotham became powerful because he always obeyed the Lord his God.

Observation - You would think after reading about the kings that they would have learned the secrets of success. Their success was always determined by their obedience to God. when they were disobedient to God, their kingdoms were doomed. When they obeyed the Lord, their kingdoms were blessed.

Application - Just as the kings had choices of obedience or disobedience so do we. I must choose obedience to God in order to experience blessings in my life.

Prayer - Father, help me to walk in obedience to you.Amen.

Trust Him

Scripture - Psalms 115:11 You who respect the Lord should trust him; he is your helper and your protection.

Observation -This scripture starts out "You who respect the Lord..." First of all this verse is speaking to a particular group of people - those who respect the Lord.How do you know if you are one who respects him. I believe this is quite simple. Those who respect him keep his commandments. When you keep his commandments, you may partake of this promise.

 I must always remember to trust God. He is the one who helps me and protects me. This is true when I am fearful and also when I don't feel fear. God is always there for me. All I have to do is call on him.

Application - Let me be counted as one who respects the Lord. I will keep his commandments the best that I can. I know I am not perfect and that it is only by the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) that I am saved. But after that salvation, I have a responsibility to live a life worthy of his calling. I will trust God to help me and protect me.

Prayer - Father, I pray that I may trust you at all times and in every situation. Let your peace rule and reign in my heart. Amen.

His Free Gift

Scripture - Titus 3:5,6 It was not because of good deeds we did to be right with him. He saved us through the washing that made us new people through the Holy Spirit. God poured out richly upon us that Holy Spirit through Yeshua our Messiah. Being made right with God by his grace.

Observation - It is not my works or deeds that bring about righteousness. It is through Jesus (Yeshua) my Savior that I have been made right with Yahweh.. At the time I accepted Yeshua, I was washed totally clean from my old evil life. All I had to do was to trust Yah like a child.

Application - I am so grateful for the gift of my salvation. It was there for me to accept Yeshua and I'm so thankful I accepted God's best for me. You can accept his gift also. It is not by good deeds that we are saved. It is by the grace of God.

Prayer - Thank you for your grace in my life. I am so glad I don't have to work my way to heaven. Thanks to Yeshua and his life given for me, I am saved! Amen! Halleluyah!