- Tuesday, 11/19/19
Proverbs 10:15, The rich man's
wealth is his strong city (group):
the destruction (dissolution, separation) of the poor (weak, needy) is
their poverty. There is a great danger of destruction when we are alone. We
desperately NEED Christian fellowship: church, SS, friends. Encourage and be
encouraged.
Romans 2:24, For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Far too often this has been the case in my life. Remember, to those people at work YOU and I are the BEST Christians in the entire world. We are the “true” representation of ALL believers... Are you walking worthy of that distinction? (We are thought of that way whether we want it or not.) And, for those with kids at home, YOU are the embodiment of God. Portray Him well.)
- Wednesday, 11/20/19 Psalm 143:1, Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. “Supplication” comes from “supple”: flexible, easily bent, submissive to guidance, not obstinate. Are you supple with God? Your pastor? Leaders? Spouse? “I can’t stand the negativity around here!!” Is your world a chaotic mess? Proverbs 13:2, A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. What comes out of our mouths is what we “eat.” Sinful speech produces a violent, tumultuous soul (psyche). So...let some good, healthy fruit come out of your mouth...for YOUR benefit, as well as for those who hear you.
- Thursday, 11/21/19 Romans 3:23-24a, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace... Never get to thinking that you deserved salvation more than anyone else or that you got more of it than anyone else. Truly the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!! Psalm 147:3-5, [God] healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. I’d bet $5 that God wouldn’t mind you simply crawling up on His lap and taking a few minutes to tell Him how awesome He is. Go ahead, worship God.
- Friday, 11/22/19 Joshua 24:15, And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve;...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. It’s still a daily choice. On one hand, Christ has a lot of competition. On the other hand, there is no competition. Choose. You. Today. Acts 11:23, Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. “Purpose of heart.” What is your purpose as a believer? Are you satisfied with simply a “fire insurance policy” to miss Hell? Or, are you willing to “cleave” (be welded to) Jesus? Being welded to may mean you have to make some hard choices: it may mean family and friends think you’ve “gone too far” on this “religious bit.” It may mean more church services and fewer ballgames. It may mean going soul-winning or teaching a SS class. So, honestly, between you and your Lord: will you cleave? “Choose you this day...”
- Saturday, 11/23/19 Bible Big Picture: the multitude of miracles recorded in the Bible shows that God is creative and is able to fit any situation. The couple of times that a miracle was repeated (loaves and fishes; several people raised from the dead) shows that He’s willing to do the same thing again for others. Luke 15:20, And [the prodigal son] arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. The father was filled with compassion. There are few sweeter words found in Scripture than the word “compassion.” Based on the Latin roots of the word, the meaning of compassion is to "suffer with." In other words, the father saw the son and immediately saw his pain. Stop and shout a minute. The father did not see the dirt, the grime, the torn clothing, the bruises and turn up his nose. No, he suffered with the son. Do you and I treat those who maybe want to come back to God with contempt or compassion? The one who honestly fell into the snare of sin and is now struggling? Contempt or compassion? The one who purposefully, rebelliously ran into sin? (Ouch!!)
- Sunday, 11/24/19 Bible Big Picture: the Babylonian Captivity (His nation conquered and blood flowing in the streets) and Noah’s Flood (billions killed) show that God’s commandments are NOT to be trifled with and that He can play hardball when we’re rebellious. Yes, He means what He said. All of us need to obey more and quit disregarding and dismissing clear statements re: holiness, love, forgiveness, soul winning, and a hundred more topics. Psalm 18:23, I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. We must do our part, our thought-full part to live a holy life. Quit playing with sin. Quit playing with that which you cannot subdue. Quit fighting the battle with temptation that you’ve lost 75 times in a row: avoid it. Keep away from your iniquity (the elevation of yourself to the level of being worthy of choosing what is right and wrong.)
- Monday, 11/25/19 Genesis 15:1, After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Just FYI, the great I am still is...I think things are gonna be OK in our lives. “The great I am still is.” WHOOPIE!!!! Psalm 18:30ab, As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried. His way is perfect. His way of dating is perfect. His order for a home is perfect. His way of governing personal finances is perfect. His way of forgiveness is perfect. His way of church/worship/praise is perfect. His way of doing business is perfect. Are you living your life “perfectly” or are you trying to “improve perfection”? The world cannot add to His way...that only pollutes perfection.
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