More blessed to give than to receive

June 30, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you how, working like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (MEV)

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." ( NLT)

Observation 

1. Remember the words of Jesus

It is good to remember all the words of Jesus.

2. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Application

1. Pay special need to the words of Jesus

They are my life, guide, compass, moral authority.

2. It is more blessed to give than to receive 

Have a generous spirit, a giving heart

Being a giver is exhibiting the character of the Father.  God so loved the world that he gave.  If I am like my father I will be a giver.

Prayer

Produce in me a generous spirit.

May I be a giver, not stingy, or selfish.  May I die of self and be generous.

May my heart be fully devoted so I can be completely faithful

June 28, 2015

Scripture 

2 Kings 17: 36-39

But worship only the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm. Bow down to him alone, and offer sacrifices only to him. Be careful at all times to obey the decrees, regulations, instructions, and commands that he wrote for you. You must not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods. You must worship only the LORD your God. He is the one who will rescue you from all your enemies.” ( NLT)

Observation

1. Worship only the Lord

2. Bow down to him alone

3. Be careful at all times to obey

4. Do not worship other Gods

5. Do not forget the covenant I made with you

6. Worship only the Lord my God

Then he will rescue me from all my enemies

Application

God desires my full devotion.  I want to worship him alone and obey him completely.  I am to forsake anything that competes with my devotion to God.  I am to be fully devoted to Him. Worship only the Lord and be careful to obey all.

Obedience is all about love.  If I love him I will obey him.  If my heart is fully devoted it will be completely faithful.  

Prayer 

I worship you only and desire to obey you completely.

I pray that my heart will be fully devoted so I can be completely faithful.

Having vision/ strategy and being Spirit filled, led, and empowered

June 24, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 16:6-10

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there. (NLT)

Observation 

Being led by the Spirit

1. God is at work building his church

2. He knows who and where is open to the gospel.

3. The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going to two cities

4. Through a vision the Holy Spirit guided Paul to Macedonia.

5. From there the gospels spread through the whole region.

Application

I haves to be spirit filled, led, and empowered.  I have to join God where he is at work.  I need to have vision and make plans.  Paul was proclaiming Jesus where he has not been preached.  But the Holy Spirit knew who and where was the most open and ready to receive.  We see vision and strategy combined with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

1. Be Spirit filled, led, and empowered.

2. Have vision and strategy,

3. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

4. Abide in Jesus.

Prayer

May I be spirit filled, led, and empowered 

A Merry Heart

June 22, 2015

Scripture 

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (NLT)

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (NKJV)

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (ESV)

Observation 

1. A cheerful, joyful, Merry heart is a good medicine 

Cheerful- something that gives joy or gladness; encouragement; comfort: words of cheer.

Joyful- full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad; delighted

Merry- full of cheerfulness or gaiety; joyous in disposition or spirit: a merry little man.

laughingly happy; mirthful; festively joyous; hilarious: a merry time at the party.

2. A broken or crushed spirit dries up the bones or saps a person's strength 

There is no energy in crushed dreams or a broken spirits.  Joy, Merry, cheer revives me.

Application

Life is not meant to be a drudgery.  It is not meant to be all duty.  There is to be gladness, cheer, merry, and joy in life.  

Laughter and joy revive the soul.  Broken spirits and crushed dreams drain my energy.

Prayer

I am a melancholy by nature arm sometimes I feel discouraged and down.  I ask that you give me joy, cheer, and a heart full of merry.  Bring joy to my life, bring cheer to my days.  Give me a merry heart.  

The favor of God

June 21, 2015

Scripture 

Psalm 139:5

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (NLT)

You put Yourself behind and before me, and keep Your hand on me. (MEV)

Observation 

1. God goes before me

2. God follows me

3. God is with me

4. God places his hand upon me, his blessing and favor

1. I am is a safe place.  God is in front of me, behind me, and with me.  I am safe.

2. I am in a victorious place.  God fights for me.  He defeats the enemies that are in front of me, behind me, and engaged directly with me.

3. I am in a place of blessing.

God's hand is upon me.  This is one of my greatest desires, to know the favor and blessing of God.  

Application

1. Go forth with confidence.

I am safe, I am victorious, I am secure, I am blessed.

I can act in faith

2. Depend upon God's blessing not my skills or talents.

His hand is upon me.  It is a promise in Scripture.  I am living the blessed life, with the favor of God.

Prayer

Go before me and behind me.  Make me safe, secure, and victorious,

May your hand be upon me.  Keep you hand on me.  I ask for your favor. Bless me and bless me much.

You can trust Him

June 20, 2015

Scripture 

Psalm 138: 2, 6, 8

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. (NLT)

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (NKJV)

Observation

This Psalm has three great verses and three great life lessons.

1. God promises are back by all the honor of his name.

Faith is in the character of God.  I believe God will keep his promises. He will do what he said he will do.

2. God is great and the only one worthy of praise.

He keeps his distance from the proud but comes near the humble.

Regard- to look upon or think of with a particular feeling: to regard a person with favor.

to have or show respect or concern for.

to think highly of; esteem.

to take into account; consider.

God resists the proud but shows favor to the humble.

3. God will work out his plans for my life, will perfect that which concerns me.

Application

1. Trust God because he keeps his promises

2. Be humble because cares for  those with humility

3. Have faith God will fulfill his purposes for my life.

God is sovereign.  God is faithful.  I can trust him.  I do not have to try to fix my own life or make things happen for me.  I do not have. To position myself.  I can be humble, trusting, depending upon him.  That seems like inactivity, like I am passive or lazy but that is not true.  Faith is active, trust is work.  Making my own way is pride.  Taking things into my hands is not trusting God to fulfill his plans.  The truth is God will keep his word, he is fulfilling his purposes and plans.  I can trust him and wait for him to act.  I do not position myself, make things happen on my own.  Manipulat others.  I trust.  I believe.  I humble myself and wait on God.

Prayer

I humble myself before you today.  I trust you with my past, present, and future. You are at work.  You are sovereign, supreme authority over the universe.  You will act on my behalf and more importantly on behalf of your kingdom.  I trust you.  Your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.  I trust you.

Being Spirit led

Scripture 

Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man” ), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas ), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. (NLT)

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (NIV)

Observation

1. The church in Antioch had plural prophets and teachers in it.

2. Worship, fasting, and prayer were key elements of the church.

3. The Holy Spirit spoke

The knew it was God speaking and knew exactly what they were suppose to do

4. The Holy Spirit sent

The prophecy was not directional but timing.  Paul was called on the road to Damascus.  The Holy Spirit instructed them to set them apart for the work he had called them.  The Holy Spirit did the calling and the sending.

5. The church and Paul and Barnabas obeyed

There was a partnership between the church and Paul & Barnabas

6. They experienced God as they obeyed.

Application

1. The gifts of the spirit and the gifts of Jesus are for the church today.

We need both the church leadership and the gifts to be in operation.

2. Prayer, fasting, and worship are vital to church health and success

Spend time abiding.

3. The Holy Spirit is orchestrating the advancement of the church

It was not corporate planning but spirit led

4. I have to respond to the Holy Spirit in obedience.

Prayer

May the church today function as the church in the book of Acts.

May I spend extravagant time with Jesus in worship, prayer, and fasting.

May I respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit in obedience

Impart into me the faith and courage I need to obey

The power of God at work in your life

June 18, 2015

Scripture 

Psalm 136:12

with a strong hand and a stretched-out arm, for His mercy endures forever; (MEV)

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; (ESV)

Observation 

1. God's mercies are new every morning, great is his faithfulness.

2. His love and mercy endures forever.

3. His love is steadfast

Steadfast- firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.

unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.

firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

firmly fixed in place or position.

4. With a strong hand and an outstretched arm are symbolic of the power of God.  

God acting by his strong right hand indicated the intervention of God, the power of God at work.

Application

1. God's power is still at work today.  He fills me with His Holy Spirit to empower me. 

I need a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit everyday 

2. I receive God's power based upon his mercy and steadfast love.

I do not earn or purchase his power.  Anytime God empowers me or intervenes in my circumstances it is an act of mercy and love.

3. I can depend upon the strong right hand of God

This Psalm recites all the wonderful and powerful things God did based upon his mercy and love.

4. I can act in faith believing God will fill me with his spirit.

Prayer

May your hand be with me.

Fill me with Your Spirit, fill me afresh and anew

Empower me to accomplish your will for your glory

The goal of prayer is the glory of God

June 17, 2015

Scripture 

1 Kings 18:36-37

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” (NLT)

Observation

Elijah is used as an example of effective prayer.  Here we see:

1. Recognized God as who he is,

2. Understood the lordship of Christ

3. Desired the glory of God.

Elijah asked God to answer his prayer so that God would be honored, that God would receive the glory.

Application

"For His glory" is the right motive for prayer.  I seek the glory of God and the honor of His name.  I do not pray out of selfish motives but that Jesus would be praised, lifted up, acknowledged, believed in.  

1. When others see God answering my prayers, it increases their faith.  

2. The motive behind my prayers, is key to receiving answers to prayer.

It protects me from selfishness.  

Self-centeredness, selfish ambition, greed, etc. all hinder my prayers.

3.  The glory of God is the goal of every believer, every ministry, every prayer.

It is for His glory.

4. It gives me credibility 

When people see God answering my prayers, it proves or authenticates my ministry.

Elijah knew it would prove he was a true prophet of God.

Prayer

Answer my prayers for your glory, that people would praise your name and place their faith in you.

Answer my prayers to authenticate me as your ambassador.

Purify my motives in praying,  remove greed, pride, and selfishness. Let me learn to deny myself

May my life and prayers increase the faith of others.

God takes the initiative

June 15, 2015

Scripture 

Acts 10: 3-5, 9-11, 19, 23

One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter.

The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners.

Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you.

So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. (NLT)

Observation 

Again, see how the Holy Spirit is orchestrating everything.   

1. God speaks to Cornelius through a vision

2. Cornelius knew it was God speaking and knew exactly what he was suppose to do.

3. God noticed Cornelius because of his giving and his praying

4. God spoke to Peter through a vision while he was praying.  

5. Both Peter and Corneliius chose to obey God.

Application

1. The gospel going to the Gentiles was the initiative of God: what, when, who, and how we're all God's decision.  God chose what Gentile would hear the gospel.  God chose who would take the gospel to them.  God chose when this would happen and how.  God was at work.

2. The people involved responded to God.

They both had visions, knew God was speaking to them, and know exactly what they were supposes to do.

After the visoins both men had to chose to obey God or disobey.  It was crisis of faith that took faith and courage.

Faith- believe it was God speaking to them and that God would do what he said he would do.

Courage- to overcome their fears, anxieties, doubts, and questions.

3. Regular and consistent times of prayer were keys to these men hearing from God.

I have to have ears to hear, be in his presence, make myself available.

Prayer does not earn me anything, it positions me.

4. Obedience is the key to experiencing God working through my life.

Peter did not dream a dream for God, he obeyed God.  Peter was mightily used by God for his glory and purposes because he obeyed.  God did everything else.  He dreamed it, planned it, took the initiative, everything.  

Peter prayed and obeyed.  That is what he did.

Prayer

May I be a man of prayer.  Impart in me the faith and courage to obey you.  I cannot earn your favor or purchase an anointing but I do want to position myself that if you chose to use me, I can hear from you.  Enable me to join you in your work.  May I bring you glory and honor. May I expand your kingdom.  I love you.

God is both/and

Scripture 

1 Kings 11:2, 33, 38

The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. ( NLT)

For Solomon has abandoned me and worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of the Ammonites. He has not followed my ways and done what is pleasing in my sight. He has not obeyed my decrees and regulations as David his father did. (NLT)

If you listen to what I tell you and follow my ways and do whatever I consider to be right, and if you obey my decrees and commands, as my servant David did, then I will always be with you. I will establish an enduring dynasty for you as I did for David, and I will give Israel to you. ( NLT)

Observation

Here we see examples of free will.  God warned Solomon not to marry these wives but he insisted.  He chose to by his own free will.  Then these wives caused Solomon to abandon God and worship false Gods.

Later God gave Jeroboam a conditional promise.  If you obey me, I will bless you.  If you disobey me I will judge you.  Jeroboam  had the ability to choose, to make a choice.  

These are examples of free will.  It is not the sovereignty of God or man's free will, it is both/and.  Both are true and at work at the same time.  God is completely sovereign, in control, supreme authority over the universe and man has a free will.  I think these are opposites that cannot work in conjunction with one another but with God they can.  He can be in complete control and give man free will at the same time.  I cannot comprehend that completely but I do not want to be able to.  I desire a God who is bigger than me, more complex than me, who is higher and greater than my thought processes.  He is not either/or God is both/and.

Application

1. Trust and rest in the sovereignty of God.

He is the supreme authority of the universe.  He is in complete control.  He is in charge, Lord of all, master of all.  

2 I am responsible 

I am responsible for my decisions, actions, attitudes, and motives.

Prayer

I look to you, love you.  I believe in and trust you 100 percent.  

God's operating system

Scripture 

Psalm 123:2

We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. (NLT)

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the LORD our God, Until He has mercy on us. (NKJV)

Observation

1. As a servant look to the hand of his master.

2. As a slave girl to the hand of her mistress.

3. My eyes look to God for his mercy.

I find it interesting that It did not say directions.  As a servant looks to his master for directions, would make sense there but the Bible says mercy.  My eyes are on God looking for his mercy.  

Why?  Anything that God does for me is an act of mercy.  I deserve punishment, judgment, and his righteous anger but God gives me mercy.  I do not receive the judgment I deserve but the grace I do not deserve.  Everything with God is based upon mercy and grace.  That is God's operating system.

Application

1. My operating system should be mercy and grace.

I should view others through the same lens I want God to view me.

2. I should always be grateful.

I deserve no good thing from God.  I deserve death but through his love he has given me mercy and grace.  Gratitude should be my overriding attitude.

3. Live a life of worship.

God is worthy of my worship, praise, and loyalty.

4. Be a servant.

Because I deserve death I am thrilled with any service he gives me in the kingdom.  I should be a prisoner of the kingdom with no rights or privileges.  He has made me a son.  He has given me a place.  He has entrusted me with responsibility.  I should be grateful and serve with all my heart, mind, emotion, and strength.

Prayer

Thank you for mercy and grace.  Thank you for loving me and being kind to me.  May I live a life of worship, be forever grateful. Repay you with loyalty and service.  Treat others as  I want you to treat me.