Answered Prayers Breathe Life
October 27, 2008
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
Each of us has patiently waited for something important or an ideal for which we believe strongly to come to fruition. When these dreams do not become a reality frustration and disappointment often set in. Since God is watching over His WORD to see it performed (Jeremiah 1:12), we can choose instead to see our prayers answered when we put the power and truth of His WORD to work in our lives.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Too many times I have seen my dreams and longings fade into the distant past and not become a reality. Today I ask you to help me begin something new. I will seek to apply Your WORD to my life and then watch it breathe life into my daily routine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You Pick 4 – Can the Bible be Trusted? – Corné Bekker
October 26, 2008
Diligence Leads to Reward
October 26, 2008
“The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” (Proverbs 13:4)
God has placed deep down inside of every person godly desires for provision, healthy relationships, and most importantly, a God connection. At the same time there are other desires that compete for our attention – these are called the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the desire for control/power (1 John 2:16).
You and I are given an opportunity to match our desire with diligent effort. This requires hard work, consistency, focus and the choice to direct our desire and diligence toward godliness.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Today I make the choice to focus my attention on the godly desires of provision, healthy relationships, and my connection with You. I know that these are good choices. I commit to be diligent toward the things You have decided are best for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
God’s WORD brings Discernment and Opportunities to Learn
October 25, 2008
“The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.” (Proverbs 16:21)
While the foolish make hasty and costly decisions, those who apply God’s WORD to their lives find wisdom even in complex situations. Those who seek the fullness of who God has intended them to be integrate the truth of God’s WORD and gain wisdom for their heart’s desires. Applying God’s WORD also creates an appetite to climb to the next level by learning more of His truth each day.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I desire for my life to be rooted in Your wisdom so that I can navigate each circumstance that comes my way. I know that left to my own understanding I will continue to repeat my mistakes. Teach me, Lord, to apply Your WORD so that I may learn from each situation and grow in godly discernment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wisdom from God’s WORD brings Abundance
October 24, 2008
“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)
Measuring your life by the truth of God’s WORD is the best life decision you can make. The WORD will teach you who God is, who you are and how you should relate to the Creator. The result? Humility in life and respect for God will bring abundance to every aspect of your life.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I need the clarity of focus and purpose that Your WORD brings. Today, I commit to base my life on Your WORD, and I trust You to work in me to bring abundance to every aspect of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
God’s WORD is the Pathway to Revelation
October 23, 2008
Scripture: “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (Proverbs 29:18)
Directionless. Aimless. Pointless. These words describe the person whose life is absent a divine destiny. In reality God’s WORD provides the revelation you and I need to focus our lives to live above the monotony of sameness and the dullness of a meaningless routine.
We need revelation that speaks of purpose, destiny and future. Where can we find this? The WORD teaches us that the “law” – God’s covenant is our guarantee of revelation and blessing.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Forgive me for being easily distracted by the meaningless data that swarms around my every day life. Today I seek the revelation available through your WORD and ask You to grant me increased clarity for my divine destiny. You will make known to me the path of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our Words Shape our Destiny
October 22, 2008
Scripture: “From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things, as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.” (Proverbs 12:14)
Most people prioritize their hard work thinking that it is THE factor that propels them beyond their peers. They expect “effort” to be the dominating influence at work, school and in the neighborhood.
While there is no doubt that work and effort play an important role, God’s WORD here makes it clear that our words can shape and prosper our future. When we concentrate on creating conversations that respect others and honor God’s WORD, God promises that good things will come our way.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I recognize that there is power in godly conversation. I admit to You that I have, at times, focused more on “effort” and diligence than I have on carefully choosing my words. From today onwards, I am asking for Your wisdom to grant me the courage to increase the focus of my conversation with others so that the “fruit” of my lips will breathe life into the rest of my day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Treasure in My Fortune Cookie
October 21, 2008
My wife and I were enjoying a quiet meal at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants when we began to reflect on the implications of the economic crisis. We realized that losing everything we own would leave us with only those things money cannot buy. We would then know just how rich we really are.
We work so hard to accumulate temporary riches that moths can eat, rust can destroy, and thieves can break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). How often we are consumed with those things that are literally here today and gone tomorrow, yet ignore the immeasurable treasures God has given us in the relationships we have with family and friends.
The greatest tragedy of the stock market bust is not that so many have lost so much of their hard earned money. The greatest tragedy is that many sacrificed what cannot be earned to get money they no longer have. Men, look around and let the Holy Spirit show you what is most valuable in your life. You will then know the priorities God has established for you, and the real treasures to which He is asking you to devote your time and energy.
As Christine and I finished our meal and contemplated our own priorities and those things that deserve the best of who we are, I broke open my fortune cookie. I was quite surprised when the message read, “You and your wife will be happy in your life together.” As we sat and smiled at each other, an unspoken question rested heavily on my heart; “How did Christine get that note in my fortune cookie without breaking it?” Even my skeptical side could not deny that little message was a great reminder to never take my greatest treasure for granted.
Guys, what treasures are the focus of your attention today?
Words of Integrity and Trust Create Opportunity for Personal Influence
October 21, 2008
“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” (Proverbs 22:11)
Many people spend enormous amounts of energy and resources “positioning” themselves for a promotion, a better opportunity or to gain power in relationships. However, God’s WORD offers a clear and never-failing alternative to the work of self-promotion.
God searches throughout the whole earth looking for people who can be trusted with the wisdom of His WORD. He promises to opens doors for those whose hearts are pure and whose actions are filled with integrity.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are eternally wise and promise to provide a future for me that is filled with Your goodness. Teach me to put my hopes in You and to focus my heart, not on self-promotion, but rather on staying pure in heart and using words that are gracious and honor others. Then I can trust your WORD to work in me and on my behalf. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Guys Paintball This Sunday 12:30-5pm! Who is this Masked Man in the Video?
October 20, 2008
Is that James Bond in the video?